Stop comparing this game to Morrowind in reviews

[Azradun]

You are not doing this game any favor. I have seen people coming in and leaving negative reviews because of that already. Don't lie to other people and mislead them.

The things this game has that reminds of Morrowind are extremely superficial. Those are:
- giant mushrooms
- religious conflict being the centerpiece of story
- first person
- fantasy mixed with steampunk
- RPG (lite, as it's a caveat here)
- has housing (didn't try it yet though)

What is not like Morrowind though:
- graphics: more reminiscent of Quake 1, and Quake 1 had better ones (had shadows for example, and sourced lighting), textures that plainly look like a game 10 years older than Morrowind
- dearth of NPCs, quests, dialogs: the game HAS a story, but it's a miniscule fraction compared to Morrowind. Morrowind's main quest took me tens of hours and tons of dialogue. This is nowhere near comparable, sorry
- simplistic skill and levelling system, functioning but barebones, no spell creator (Morrowind had one), I played over 5 hours without getting a single combat spell as a Mage (all 3 perks mage oriented) because I missed Cypher Spear and none of the shops had combat spells
- bad combat: no contest here, Morrowind had varied enemies, varied weapons, for example a spear had longer reach and I actually had one build that was based off a Dragoon class in Final Fantasy Tactics: high Acrobatics, Athletics, Heavy Armor and Spear. I jumped over enemies' heads and poked them from outside their reach. Here, it's dodge, slash, shoot a very slow bow or use a spell. Boring.
- items: very simplistic, basic stuff, up to 5 hours I didn't even know the game had anything except for Rusted Sword until I visited Hallowshire, you cannot compare that to a full fledged RPG like Morrowind

This is a good game. It does what it does nicely. But don't compare it to something that is light years away from it. Dreadful Delusion is more on par to Fantasy Quake, a Quake 1 total conversion than Morrowind. Fantasy Quake had: long campaign, custom levels, custom varied enemies who provided a lot of challenge, interesting and varied weapons, interesting and varied spells, experience-based levelling progression, boss fight, shops, a neutral town, useful combat spells etc.

Don't. Compare. It. To. Morrowind.
This game doesn't deserve that.

[Azradun]

Oh, and Fantasy Quake 1 had character classes. Every single class had a unique set of skills.

Play Quake 1 sometime (there are excellent community made mods and maps and an official "remake" which is actually inferior to community made engines) and see how varied enemies are. Compare a Grunt to a Fiend or a Vore and how they behave and then go back to this game. The enemy variety (or a lack of) is stupifying. Again, Lunacid. It did it much better.

I actually enjoy the game (slow and relaxed pace for a low skill gamer like me) but amount of praise it gets for reasons it doesn't deserve is mind boggling.

[Bankai9212]

Your making this statement now? The game was in EA for quite awhile so and some played it to get some idea. Even if not compared the games balance is pretty borked, weak overall combat all you really have is the world/visuals which can somewhat be compared to morrwinds alien like setting.

[SimonSays]

I think anyone with a brain can tell that this game does not feature gameplay in line with Morrowind - but visually there are some similarities even if the period of graphics it is drawing from is older.

Quake 1 for sure had some crunchy textures - but I don’t recall it having realtime shadows circa 96 when I first played it (although I didn’t have a powerful computer to push it at that time). More the graphics in DD are reminiscent of PlayStation titles from the mid nineties- and it reminds me more of Elder Scrolls Redguard graphically than Morrowind.

My biggest issue with the game is that it is too easy - all the systems are fine, the quests and narrative are interesting, the graphics are awesome, but I have played for 7 hours or so and only died because I was purposely not healing my self.

I understand that not everyone thinks it should be made harder - but I don’t think that adding difficulty modes would hinder anyone’s ability to enjoy this game.

[Azradun]

Originally posted by Bankai9212:

Your making this statement now? The game was in EA for quite awhile so and some played it to get some idea. Even if not compared the games balance is pretty borked, weak overall combat all you really have is the world/visuals which can somewhat be compared to morrwinds alien like setting.

Yes, I do. I work, sometimes in overtime, and if you expect me to keep up with every Early Access release you have some lofty expectations. These times I mostly play on weekends. I also purposefully have Early Access omitted on Steam in all queues and lists as I have been buirned in the past. EA games change too much for me to rely on that, and often they remain in development hell.

Comparison to Morrowind is *very* superficial when graphics are much worse and basically the only graphical thing similar is giant mushrooms.

[Azradun]

Originally posted by SimonSays:

I think anyone with a brain can tell that this game does not feature gameplay in line with Morrowind - but visually there are some similarities even if the period of graphics it is drawing from is older.

Quake 1 for sure had some crunchy textures - but I don’t recall it having realtime shadows circa 96 when I first played it (although I didn’t have a powerful computer to push it at that time). More the graphics in DD are reminiscent of PlayStation titles from the mid nineties- and it reminds me more of Elder Scrolls Redguard graphically than Morrowind.

My biggest issue with the game is that it is too easy - all the systems are fine, the quests and narrative are interesting, the graphics are awesome, but I have played for 7 hours or so and only died because I was purposely not healing my self.

I understand that not everyone thinks it should be made harder - but I don’t think that adding difficulty modes would hinder anyone’s ability to enjoy this game.

Hm, Quake 1 didn't have realtime shadows - but it had shadows. Not from moveable light sources, but the shadows were there. DD is fully flat everywhere which is a step back. I played it (Quake 1) back in the day on 320x200 heh. I modded for Quake 1. First thing I coded for in my entire life. One thing DD does great is the sheer scope of the levels. Q1 back in 1998 couldn't handle it. That is fun to see.

Agreed with easy combat. I am a rather mediocre level gamer and I found the combat very relaxed. There are no interesting enemies sadly. The Fiend in Quake 1 was interesting because he was very quick - and he had a leap attack which could take full 50% of player's initial health. Grunt had a hitscan weapon (which aimed with a delay though). Enforcer had a powerful attack that was weak to strafing. Shambler's ranged attack always hit if it wasn't blocked by an obstacle. Vore had a homing explosive missile. Death Knight had a very dispaerse ranged attack and a decent melee attack etc.

To top it off, in Q1 you could make monsters attack each other if their attacks hit accidentally another monster and they weren't of the same race.

Lunacid has some great resistance combos, like Phantoms being immune to mundane weapons and ghosts requiring a special vampire slayer sword or fire magic. Weapons also differ.

I mean, story in this game is actually interesting, and overall I LIKE it. But it keeps me wanting more and more. Like a texture mod, as those colors are horrrible to look at. My friend even had to refund the game as he literally felt nauseus.

[Bajiko]

Because of this thread, I am going to compare this game to Morrowind in my review.

[Bankai9212]

Originally posted by Azradun:

Originally posted by Bankai9212:

Your making this statement now? The game was in EA for quite awhile so and some played it to get some idea. Even if not compared the games balance is pretty borked, weak overall combat all you really have is the world/visuals which can somewhat be compared to morrwinds alien like setting.

Yes, I do. I work, sometimes in overtime, and if you expect me to keep up with every Early Access release you have some lofty expectations. These times I mostly play on weekends. I also purposefully have Early Access omitted on Steam in all queues and lists as I have been buirned in the past. EA games change too much for me to rely on that, and often they remain in development hell.

Comparison to Morrowind is *very* superficial when graphics are much worse and basically the only graphical thing similar is giant mushrooms.

Not saying you have too, just saying the comparisons have been made at least the visuals more then anything which is accurate.

[The Real CHIM Shady]

I wouldn't call this a rpg, an adventure game sure but hardly rpg

[JellyPuff]

I'll take it that it's okay, to compare it to King's Field, then?

But seriously though, don't be so hung up on a simple comparison. Heck, one of the store tags people gave this game is "Souls-Like" and DreadXP saw it fitting for a Souls-Like bundle. While i certainly see the KF inspiration, "Souls-Like" descibes different things for me (mostly weighty, back and forth action-oriented combat with some micro-managing and an isolating, dark atmosphere with environmental story-telling). But people, looking for games similar to KF will probably also be familiar with Dark Souls and thus, are more likely to find a game like this on the Steam Store via that tag.

And at the end of the day, people can only compare games with things, that they're actually familiar with. Reviews drawing comparisons to Morrowind will still be of use to someone mainly familiar with Morrowind, than all the other games Dread Delusion may have also been inspired by.

[Quillithe]

People are comparing it to Morrowind in terms of the feeling of entering a strange and alien world you need to explore with RPG mechanics.

The graphics in both games are 'bad' from a modern standpoint, though the graphics here are intentionally stylized more than bad - though it's definitely not for everyone.

The combat in both games is pretty bad. If you remember Morrowind as having good combat, you're remembering wrong.


The thing is despite the differences, Morrowind is remembered as a first person RPG where you explored a strange, mushroom filled world, learned the terminology and ways of the locals, and resolved a religious conflict.

So...yeah people are going to compare it, especially articles that use the standard "New game is X mixed with Y!"

[Azradun]

Originally posted by Quillithe:

People are comparing it to Morrowind in terms of the feeling of entering a strange and alien world you need to explore with RPG mechanics.

The graphics in both games are 'bad' from a modern standpoint, though the graphics here are intentionally stylized more than bad - though it's definitely not for everyone.

The combat in both games is pretty bad. If you remember Morrowind as having good combat, you're remembering wrong.


The thing is despite the differences, Morrowind is remembered as a first person RPG where you explored a strange, mushroom filled world, learned the terminology and ways of the locals, and resolved a religious conflict.

So...yeah people are going to compare it, especially articles that use the standard "New game is X mixed with Y!"

Mhm. People can compare apples to oranges, but that won't make the comparison valid.

[Bankai9212]

Originally posted by Azradun:

Originally posted by Quillithe:

People are comparing it to Morrowind in terms of the feeling of entering a strange and alien world you need to explore with RPG mechanics.

The graphics in both games are 'bad' from a modern standpoint, though the graphics here are intentionally stylized more than bad - though it's definitely not for everyone.

The combat in both games is pretty bad. If you remember Morrowind as having good combat, you're remembering wrong.


The thing is despite the differences, Morrowind is remembered as a first person RPG where you explored a strange, mushroom filled world, learned the terminology and ways of the locals, and resolved a religious conflict.

So...yeah people are going to compare it, especially articles that use the standard "New game is X mixed with Y!"

Mhm. People can compare apples to oranges, but that won't make the comparison valid.

They are both fruit.

[Clail]

I kind of agree. It does have excellent alien fantasy world vibes, but the overall gameplay leans a little more in towards Kings Field than a TES game imo.

[SimonSays]

Originally posted by Azradun:

Originally posted by SimonSays:

I think anyone with a brain can tell that this game does not feature gameplay in line with Morrowind - but visually there are some similarities even if the period of graphics it is drawing from is older.

Quake 1 for sure had some crunchy textures - but I don’t recall it having realtime shadows circa 96 when I first played it (although I didn’t have a powerful computer to push it at that time). More the graphics in DD are reminiscent of PlayStation titles from the mid nineties- and it reminds me more of Elder Scrolls Redguard graphically than Morrowind.

My biggest issue with the game is that it is too easy - all the systems are fine, the quests and narrative are interesting, the graphics are awesome, but I have played for 7 hours or so and only died because I was purposely not healing my self.

I understand that not everyone thinks it should be made harder - but I don’t think that adding difficulty modes would hinder anyone’s ability to enjoy this game.

Hm, Quake 1 didn't have realtime shadows - but it had shadows. Not from moveable light sources, but the shadows were there. DD is fully flat everywhere which is a step back. I played it (Quake 1) back in the day on 320x200 heh. I modded for Quake 1. First thing I coded for in my entire life. One thing DD does great is the sheer scope of the levels. Q1 back in 1998 couldn't handle it. That is fun to see.

Agreed with easy combat. I am a rather mediocre level gamer and I found the combat very relaxed. There are no interesting enemies sadly. The Fiend in Quake 1 was interesting because he was very quick - and he had a leap attack which could take full 50% of player's initial health. Grunt had a hitscan weapon (which aimed with a delay though). Enforcer had a powerful attack that was weak to strafing. Shambler's ranged attack always hit if it wasn't blocked by an obstacle. Vore had a homing explosive missile. Death Knight had a very dispaerse ranged attack and a decent melee attack etc.

To top it off, in Q1 you could make monsters attack each other if their attacks hit accidentally another monster and they weren't of the same race.

Lunacid has some great resistance combos, like Phantoms being immune to mundane weapons and ghosts requiring a special vampire slayer sword or fire magic. Weapons also differ.

I mean, story in this game is actually interesting, and overall I LIKE it. But it keeps me wanting more and more. Like a texture mod, as those colors are horrrible to look at. My friend even had to refund the game as he literally felt nauseus.

Ah the pre baked light maps - you are correct, Quake and lots of PC games in the mid-to-late nineties did indeed have these, and they can still be incredibly effective in spite of their fixed nature. As DD has a day/night schedule (I’m still not entirely sure if it is dynamic or not though) I am not sure fixed shadow maps would look natural all the time and as DD was made with PS1 gfx in mind shadow maps might not have been an active consideration on the part of the dev outside of not using them to stay accurate to the period.

I do think real time stencil based shadows could look great in this game, but it certainly isn’t hurt by the lack of shadows (at least in my opinion) - and again based on day/night cycle and how lighting works in the game it might be lots of work to get it to work right. Looking at an older game like Kings Quest Mask of Eternity - stencil shadows applied to characters and some world geometry can look great but also sometimes super glitchy.

I like the color scheme of the game - but I get how that is also a subjective preference.

[Lechuza the Scoot]

Nah.

I've played both and they give me a strong nostalgic feel. They're different yet similar, and I love that.