[Lazarus]

Adrift is the fifth scenario by Ephesos.

Visit the author's homepage for details or download this scenario for Mac or PC

This post has been edited by Jewels: 15 October 2008 - 09:30 AM

[Enraged Slith]

(I spent like fifteen minutes making sure my review was just perfect before pressing 'x' in celebration of my completed task... so here it goes again)

It's short but an actual scenario. There's nothing wrong with Adrift gameplaywise with the exception of having to exit combat mode in order to talk with the Helmsman and enter the doors. (constantly respawning skeletons + my brittle bones spell caster in the back + many free cheap shots on torment = )

I hate the Snakes on a Plane reference for three reasons. One, it feels out of place in an otherwise flawless scenario. Two, I'm sure Ephesos can be funny without alluding to mediocre movies, especially movies that have already been quoted to hell and back. Three, you could have chosen something more appropriate, have you ever heard of Monkey Island? If I was a bigger dick, I'd have let this bother me more, but it really is awful.

All in all, this scenario feels like a seven. It's overall quality is excellent (this seems to be your forte) but nothing is outstanding or tries to be outstanding. It's kind of like a Jeff Vogel scenario without the mechanically driven plot.

So here's how I'm rating dis:

+ 7.0 for a solid scenario
- 0.5 for the Snakes on a Plane reference
+ 0.5 because I think it deserves a 7.0

7.0

[Lazarus]

Adrift plays a lot like Eph's previous scenarios, specifically SoG (And not just because of the ghost thingy.) I was happy to see that the type of scripted encounters we saw in SoG are here to stay; which fits nicely in Eph's bag of tricks alongside the great town design, disgusting amounts of detail, and string manipulation that we've become used to (Actually there isn't any string manipulation in Adrift, but that's understandable.) Setting an entire scenario on a boat was some feat, and Eph pulls it off better than I would have thought possible. All around a cool atmosphere, and one like nothing we've seen before.

7.2, SoG's score -1. The quality is the same we've seen from Ephesos in the past, just shorter. By now you ought to know if you like his style or not, and if you do you need to play Adrift.

[Nioca]

Okay, I'm impressed. Whilst short, this scenario is a technical marvel, and graphically impressive to boot. The story didn't offer too much, but the atmosphere was well done, and so was my party.

No, seriously, this thing also proved an excellent example (mostly) of how combat should be done. It especially furthered the goal of wearing the party down early, leaving them open for the really nasty stuff. The Captain fight was an excellent example of a boss fight as well, unique, but beatable. The only combat experience I didn't care for was the skeleton gauntlet. Enemies that respawn are fine; a whole horde of skeletons who come back right after you kill them? While you have to move your party across a large distance? Not so fine.

Still, the fact that Ephesos was able to stuff everything he did into what actually does look like a ship was very impressive. All the more so because it was interesting, fun, and challenging at every turn. I believe Ephesos needs a round of applause.

Ghosts + Boat = 8.4

[Excalibur]

I don't feel like going into detail, as I beta tested the scenario but...

Visual design - 9.4 - The ship was just too cool

Combat - 5 - I was awfully disappointed by the battle on the deck, it was just fine otherwise.

Writing - 7 - Meh, I didn't care for it

Story, plot - 7 - It was sufficient

Technical design - 9 - I thought it was fairly impressive for such a short scenario, though I thought the ghosts' weapons were lame.

Enjoyability: 7 - Again, the battle on the deck was stressful

Overall: 7.3

[Samson]

So I haven't played since beta-testing, but the speed with which this came out makes me think Ephesos didn't change an awful lot. That said, if any major changes were made I will edit this as appropriate.

So, it's stonkingly pretty. Like, seriously. Making a boat look good in a terrain system that uses squares is no mean feat, so kudos for that. The actual plot was strong too - there were a few things I was a bit bleh about, namely why the heck the Captain had decided to kill people I the first place - but for something this short, it was forgiveable.

I for one loved the skeleton gauntlet. That and the invisible sailers fight were amazing. Also, the "dialogue" with the helmsan. Although I will not be giving extra credit for that since I have progressed far enough into A5 to realise it isn't entirely original.

Still, it's Ephesos through and through. Pretty, good plot, strong encounters, and heaps of atmosphere. There are worse ways to spend 30 minutes.

7.0, which is as low as it is purely for the size of the scenario.

[Turtle]

I'm not a designer yet, and a relatively new player, so I don't know if I'm qualified to rate this, but I thought it was very good.
The execution was nearly flawless, the plotting was clever--you end up with just enough resources to get you through the game. I was going to complain about having pickable locks and no lockpicks, but then--you sneaky devil! Who would've thought to look there?
I disagree about the ghost weapons--if you are starting with a brand-new level-one party they are a definite improvement. Also, it really doesn't matter that you can't enter the Captain's quarters in combat mode; there's enough time before he attacks.
As for the battle with the skeletons, it wouldn't be a big deal except for Captain Samantha. If there is a way to get her to move her butt across the deck, I didn't find it. I wasn't able to get out of that mess until she died (too bad). Next time I would leave her in her room until the end. Which brings me to the only error I found: I gave the ship a final once-over before the end, and guess who I found waiting for me in Captain Samantha's room! She even joined the party again.
Combat wasn't too difficult for a party of 4. The Captain would have been much more challenging with a smaller party, I think.
I have to say that this little scenario was beautiful, eminently playable, and left me wanting more like it.

I give it an 8.0

Edit: I just remembered: you can't leave Samantha in her room. Damn.

[Jumpin' Jehosephat Salmon]

Good stuff. I took a auto-party into this and had no issues until I went upstairs to the deck. Just not enough MP regen for my purposes. The images thinking thing reminds me of something else, and I have no clue about any Snakes on a Plane reference. Haven't seen that movie. I liked the darkness in the ship, would have preferred it to be a bit more cramped. My experience is that space on a ship is at a premium, especially a cargo ship.

7.75

[S.M Adventurer]

Adrift was a pretty interesting scenario. It featured some interesting scripting techinques, like the reappearing magical barriers and the animation that was played when the ghosts die. The Helmsman's way of communication was really good too, using great imagery.

The graphics of the ship was extremely good. I especially liked the top deck of the boat, which looked really realistic.

Combat wasn't hard at all. Overall, it was a short, promising scenario.

My Rating: 7.5

[Smoo]

Place an entire (almost) scenario on a boat? Why, who is this crazy man with his crazy ideas? It is Ephesos, the man once knows for his hatred of undead. but surely this man would not make a scenario about undead... again.

Yes he would and he did a good job of it too... again. Adrift is a spooky, ghost/splatter story. The party gets marooned on a deserted island and a mysterious boat picks them up. Wackiness* ensues.

If there's one thing I like about Ephesos' scenarios it's the details. They're everywhere. It's also nice when a designer bothers to create alternative ways to solve the problems of the scenario. Personally, I've yet to play the scenario a second time, but I'm pretty sure you can kill the Helmsman (a pleasant chap by the by). Aside from him and hordes and hordes (not that many hordes) of undead monstrosities there is only one friendly character: Samantha L. Jackson. Yeah.

Combat was well-executed, not too hard not too easy. Magic-users need to be careful with their mana, is it mana in BoA? Energy? Anyway, some of the reviewers have voiced complaints about the deck-skeleton-gauntlet-thingy. Here's how I did it. I rushed to the other side, in combat mode, near the edge of the ship killing only the skeletons that got in the way. Meanwhile Samantha stayed behind fighting skeletons. My priest healed her if she looked like she was about to die. Once I reach the other side I end the combat, the skeletons fall down bored and Samantha is teleported to me since she's an NPC and doesn't need to be 5 steps close to the main character for the combat to end.

At any rate, Adrift is a competent scenario if a bit short, but that's what we get these days. Still the player gains some levels and gets nice loot. Good show.

7.6

* There is no wackiness unless you count a Snakes on a Plane reference. Haven't seen the movie, didn't care for the reference.

[Jewels]

Beautiful graphics and setting. No bugs found. Wonderful scripting. Storyline was a little bit lacking for my taste. My party seemed a little too OK with the first appearance of the undead and the story could have been greatly broadened if we could just understand the ghosts. Who was the double sword wielding man, anyway? No journal to find out, no long-winded speech of a life once lived... The story could have been expanded so much further then the "there are ghosts you have to kill" we're given. As great as the rest of the scenario was, it deserved an equally great story.

8.5