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This post has been edited by Jewels: 17 November 2008 - 03:40 PM
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The Forsaken 8.40 (9.7/7.7)
MultiQuote#4 Terrors Martyr
Posted 26 March 2008 - 10:01 AM
The storyline is good, I cannot complain there. The combat used was especially good- I could not discern that this was a first effort. Dungeon design... I never felt so sure about the last part of this scenario, with that huge outdoor section under the fountain, and all. And a few points extra for the bean pets. 8.3
#5 Alcritas
Posted 26 March 2008 - 10:01 AM
The Forsaken represents Drizzt's skill in designing a traditional adventure. Uneven at points, but also original and exciting at points, the scenario's biggest flaw is that it's forced into the same, old, tired paradigm. A good first scenario, but the weakest point of the trilogy. 8.4
#6 ???
Posted 26 March 2008 - 10:02 AM
(Sboto)
7.7
Not being a designer, I probably don't sufficiently appreciate how impressive this is as a first effort: any number of unique and well-crafted passages, but as a whole, the scenario exists for the sake of the programming, and not the other way around, so it can be a dull slog to play. I drivel on elsewhere at length about Drizzt's many strengths and few weaknesses, so I'll shut up here.
7.7
Not being a designer, I probably don't sufficiently appreciate how impressive this is as a first effort: any number of unique and well-crafted passages, but as a whole, the scenario exists for the sake of the programming, and not the other way around, so it can be a dull slog to play. I drivel on elsewhere at length about Drizzt's many strengths and few weaknesses, so I'll shut up here.
#8 Rosycat
Posted 26 March 2008 - 10:03 AM
IMO, great
Drizzt's town and dungeon design leaves little to be desired. You know that big metropolis? What was it called? Whenever I make a friendly town I look to three things: Creator's article 'Improving the Lines of Communication', Brett's 'shop' list and Drizzt's big city. Seriously, this adds a whole point, not a tenth of a point, a point. Also thought 'The Spine' was an interesting idea. A patchy scenario - excellent in parts - but still good in others. Somehow, even with this, it maintained fluidity.
A nice 9.3, Chris. You deserve it.
Drizzt's town and dungeon design leaves little to be desired. You know that big metropolis? What was it called? Whenever I make a friendly town I look to three things: Creator's article 'Improving the Lines of Communication', Brett's 'shop' list and Drizzt's big city. Seriously, this adds a whole point, not a tenth of a point, a point. Also thought 'The Spine' was an interesting idea. A patchy scenario - excellent in parts - but still good in others. Somehow, even with this, it maintained fluidity.
A nice 9.3, Chris. You deserve it.
#9 shyguy
Posted 26 March 2008 - 10:03 AM
Don't forsake The Forsaken
A good story and excellently designed dungeons, especially the main city of Keptus and the final dungeon, highlight this polished and well designed scenario. So many designers skimp on town design, but Drizzt created a believable and interesting city which was fun to explore. (As the designer of Independence City...thanks Creator...I appreciate good city design) And the graphic detail added a lot to his scenario. I especially liked the tiny portal graphic that you could see when looking "down" from up inside the tower.
The only sore spots were some of the puzzles, especially near the beginning. All were cleverly designed, but obscure hints or overlooking a tiny detail left this gamer scratching his head wondering what the heck he was supposed to do. Fighting my way through the well designed dam was challenging and fun, but I don't know how I could have won the final fight without use of the editor. It was just a bit too tough for my medium level party. Why do so many designers put the final boss at the end of a long, difficult dungeon so that when you finally get to him (her) (it), all your resources are used up and there's no way to leave to stock up or train some more. Reloading is just not an option for me at this point.
But aside from my grumbling (which is mandatory for me when reviewing a scenario) this is a good, medium sized scenario.
This gets a solid 8.
A good story and excellently designed dungeons, especially the main city of Keptus and the final dungeon, highlight this polished and well designed scenario. So many designers skimp on town design, but Drizzt created a believable and interesting city which was fun to explore. (As the designer of Independence City...thanks Creator...I appreciate good city design) And the graphic detail added a lot to his scenario. I especially liked the tiny portal graphic that you could see when looking "down" from up inside the tower.
The only sore spots were some of the puzzles, especially near the beginning. All were cleverly designed, but obscure hints or overlooking a tiny detail left this gamer scratching his head wondering what the heck he was supposed to do. Fighting my way through the well designed dam was challenging and fun, but I don't know how I could have won the final fight without use of the editor. It was just a bit too tough for my medium level party. Why do so many designers put the final boss at the end of a long, difficult dungeon so that when you finally get to him (her) (it), all your resources are used up and there's no way to leave to stock up or train some more. Reloading is just not an option for me at this point.
But aside from my grumbling (which is mandatory for me when reviewing a scenario) this is a good, medium sized scenario.
This gets a solid 8.
#10 BainIhrno
Posted 26 March 2008 - 10:04 AM
I have to say..
What was I thinking?
This is a solid Blades work, with an excellent storyline and well made towns. Okay, parts of Keptus were sloppy, and the Loraxes were annoying, but besides that, an excellent scenario. Invisible monsters that take up more than one space are a new innovation here, which I liked. I loved the investigation mission in Briggston for no particular reason. The Spine was pretty cool too, as was New Exile. Definitely worth playing.
8.2
EDIT: Well, 8.7 is a bit high...
What was I thinking?
This is a solid Blades work, with an excellent storyline and well made towns. Okay, parts of Keptus were sloppy, and the Loraxes were annoying, but besides that, an excellent scenario. Invisible monsters that take up more than one space are a new innovation here, which I liked. I loved the investigation mission in Briggston for no particular reason. The Spine was pretty cool too, as was New Exile. Definitely worth playing.
8.2
EDIT: Well, 8.7 is a bit high...
#11 miluk
Posted 26 March 2008 - 10:05 AM
8.3
I used a beginner party in this scenario, because the first battles seemed so easy. Consequently, the later battles were all too difficult. I shall not rate combat difficulty until I've played the scenario with the recommended level party.
The plot was very entertaining. At least some of the puzzles were too difficult, especially the stalagmite thing. Many interesting details. Towns were maybe unevenly designed, but the big city was very nice and detailed.
I used a beginner party in this scenario, because the first battles seemed so easy. Consequently, the later battles were all too difficult. I shall not rate combat difficulty until I've played the scenario with the recommended level party.
The plot was very entertaining. At least some of the puzzles were too difficult, especially the stalagmite thing. Many interesting details. Towns were maybe unevenly designed, but the big city was very nice and detailed.
#12 Guest
Posted 31 March 2008 - 01:08 PM
Ben Frank’s Review
You are sent on a mission to deal with some bandits and as you mop up and return... you find yourself pursued by dark clad warriors formed of dark acid which occasionally splashes on you as they die and dissolve.
Who are these guys and why are they chasing you? This seems to be the core question behind The Forsaken by Chris “Drizzt” Risberg.
In this scenario you find yourself exploring a nice corner of the Empire, conveniently divided in half by a mountain range called “The Spine”. It gives little away to note that this mountain range forms one of the core challenges of the scenario, but so do a number of other encounters and areas. In fact, the scenario gives a good impression of providing a real world to explore, with coherent missions and tasks which have no direct link to the main story line. Exploring these smaller tales help keep the scenario alert and alive.
The docs which come with the scenario claim that “there is a great deal of conversation in this scenario, some of it quite important to your missions.” The first part of this statement is misleading while the second is accurate. This can lead to extensive bouts of frustration, for instance when people you encounter tell you to go look for someone but then don’t respond to that person’s name. I spent not an insignificant amount of time running up and back between people encountered, trying to guess what dialog would get me more information.
The puzzles which form a significant part of the scenario are of the same caliber. There are lots of them, some quite unique, but at times I felt I needed to be inside the head of the author in order to get the right solution. A number also rely on non-standard uses of graphics (looking at tables or windows for instance) which can be hair-pulling until you catch on that you have to look at everything. The scenario would definitely benefit from a well developed help file. Of course, there are also a number of areas on the order of the by now simply annoying teleporter puzzle, as well as the straight forward but tedious series of “levers which control a series of portals all of which need to be opened to get to the next area.” Why any intelligent creatures would build lairs almost entirely constructed of those kinds of mazes is beyond me.
Overall the scenario held my attention to its completion, a feat which in and of itself deserves recognition these days. The questions raised by the plot, as well as the interesting side missions and cultural allusions (including the best use of Beanie Babies in a scenario to date) make up for the areas where I got so stuck I had to write for help. I found a number of minor bugs (like the aforementioned acid splashing you even if the death occurs several rooms away) but nothing fatal.
While written for a medium level party, I ran it successfully with a three-character party with an average starting level of 8, finishing with an average level of around 12. Overall, I would give this scenario a score of 8.
You are sent on a mission to deal with some bandits and as you mop up and return... you find yourself pursued by dark clad warriors formed of dark acid which occasionally splashes on you as they die and dissolve.
Who are these guys and why are they chasing you? This seems to be the core question behind The Forsaken by Chris “Drizzt” Risberg.
In this scenario you find yourself exploring a nice corner of the Empire, conveniently divided in half by a mountain range called “The Spine”. It gives little away to note that this mountain range forms one of the core challenges of the scenario, but so do a number of other encounters and areas. In fact, the scenario gives a good impression of providing a real world to explore, with coherent missions and tasks which have no direct link to the main story line. Exploring these smaller tales help keep the scenario alert and alive.
The docs which come with the scenario claim that “there is a great deal of conversation in this scenario, some of it quite important to your missions.” The first part of this statement is misleading while the second is accurate. This can lead to extensive bouts of frustration, for instance when people you encounter tell you to go look for someone but then don’t respond to that person’s name. I spent not an insignificant amount of time running up and back between people encountered, trying to guess what dialog would get me more information.
The puzzles which form a significant part of the scenario are of the same caliber. There are lots of them, some quite unique, but at times I felt I needed to be inside the head of the author in order to get the right solution. A number also rely on non-standard uses of graphics (looking at tables or windows for instance) which can be hair-pulling until you catch on that you have to look at everything. The scenario would definitely benefit from a well developed help file. Of course, there are also a number of areas on the order of the by now simply annoying teleporter puzzle, as well as the straight forward but tedious series of “levers which control a series of portals all of which need to be opened to get to the next area.” Why any intelligent creatures would build lairs almost entirely constructed of those kinds of mazes is beyond me.
Overall the scenario held my attention to its completion, a feat which in and of itself deserves recognition these days. The questions raised by the plot, as well as the interesting side missions and cultural allusions (including the best use of Beanie Babies in a scenario to date) make up for the areas where I got so stuck I had to write for help. I found a number of minor bugs (like the aforementioned acid splashing you even if the death occurs several rooms away) but nothing fatal.
While written for a medium level party, I ran it successfully with a three-character party with an average starting level of 8, finishing with an average level of around 12. Overall, I would give this scenario a score of 8.
#13
Miramor 
- Worm
- Group: Members
- Posts: 3
- Joined: 14-May 08
Posted 13 November 2008 - 12:56 AM
I began this scenario with a level 14 singleton. By the time I gave up, he was level 26, and I failed to see how the above reviewer could have accomplished his feat. For the plot, especially the part with the evil sword, I would give this scenario a perfect 10, but because of various nuisance factors I'm going to have to settle for 8.5.
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