In case anyboday cares, here are the reasons. Maybe somebody would be interested in them later, during creation of future games. Or just for no reason. I will try to be as short as possible and note only critical issues. In case any elaboration is required, please ask.
First of all, thanks to all who helped me on these boards during my short stay here. You are really nice bunch of folks and I regret that I can't share your interest to the game anymore.
1) Bugs. I usually don't notice bugs in games, and if I do, I don't pay attention to them. But this game is buggy:
- I can't pick up Cecil's key (tried many times);
- script with Snorri is broken;
- Archaeologist died the moment I left his hideout (i didn't even notice that he died and why he did).
I can only imagine what would I meet later.
2) Despite many ways to go, the game pushes me to take the only available meta-path, which matches my current skill level. Straying from that meta-path is punishable by death.
3) Objects lack description. For example: "QUEST ITEM. A bloody dagger. Could Esmeralda possibly have committed a murder with that?". This is very simple but greatly adds to the immersion (better than any graphics), and allows to pass on extra information to the player.
4) I like turn-based combat, but this game is clearly suited for a tactical pause combat. But this is obviously due to the multiplayer component which usually goes to the detriment of a single player game.
5) Awful user interface.
- what made me finally to call it quits, was the need to aim at a specific pixel to make a shot at an enemy. Missing that pixel, my char would move there (even across fire) instead of shooting obviously causing a load game. It happened more than once;
- inventory: if I toggle "show all items" mode, please show me everything, including the keys;
- switching invenotry between chars was not always working;
- when shopping, items would be compared only to the items carried by the person who started the dialogue, not the one currently selected;
- re-attaching party member wasn't working properly (I was being told I'm too far away despite being close);
- why am I bursting into flames barely touchin the burning ground? Have you ever seen live fire?
- Using a ladder from under the well dungeon would bring me to the city cemetery without any visible way back. I had to re-load in order not to run all the way through the map again;
- why can't I collect water with a bucket from the river?
- etc.
6) Although I admit this is a matter to taste, but Homestead is misplaced, irrelevant and boring. What was that, some spare money left?
That's about it.
To finish on a high note, I would like to highlight some strong points of the game:
- a captivating murder mystery story;
- 2d items in inventory are very nicely shown on 3d chars;
- absolutely awesome soundtrack;
- "physics" and brilliant environment interaction;
- good 3d animations;
- nice crafting system.
Maybe I misunderstood something in the game. If so, please point this out, if you think it's necessary.
Thank you for your attention!
