MMX Pre-released & Previewed

[Kalah]

Ubisoft have launched an official <a target="_blank" href="/https://mightandmagicx-legacy.ubi.com/o ... 005">early release</a> of <i>MMX: Legacy</i>. Available for <a target="_blank" href="/http://might-and-magic.ubi.com/mightand ... ownload</a> right away is Act 1 (out of 4) and you can try out 4 different classes, while 12 will be available in the finished game.



The last couple of days, <b>Jeff</b> has been playing the game, and put together a thorough <b>preview</b> of the game for you all to read.



<b><a href="/https://www.celestialheavens.com/825">Go here to read the MMX Preview</a>. </b><img src="/images/smiles/smile9.gif">

If you would like to take a look at the original page visit this link:
https://www.celestialheavens.com/825

[Marzhin]

Thanks for the preview Jeff. You raise some fair points, and they are duly noted Glad you liked it ^^

[Apeman]

Sounds promising. Say Jeff did you play any of the MM games before VI? I was wondering because the combat system is pretty much the same as those games but you keep comparing it to MMVI. I bring it up because going completely old school might not be the worst decision combat wise.

[jeff]

Thanks for the preview Jeff. You raise some fair points, and they are duly noted Glad you liked it ^^

I did indeed and I look forward to the final release.

Sounds promising. Say Jeff did you play any of the MM games before VI? I was wondering because the combat system is pretty much the same as those games but you keep comparing it to MMVI. I bring it up because going completely old school might not be the worst decision combat wise.

Yes I like Marzhin, MM2 on the Sega Genesis was my first MM experience, and have played all of them even 9. I compared it to MMVI as that is the one I believe most people are familiar with. I have no problem with old school, but I am not sure which aspect you are referring to. I'll assume you talk of the tile based system. It was hard for me to see the logic not to be able to engage opponents in range but not in the row or column of the party. To be fair they couldn't attack me either, so its a trade off. I prefer the MMVI system, but that is not to say I did not enjoy the combats.

[Kalah]

There should definitely be free movement in later games, though... with modern technology, being able to move in only 4 directions doesn't make too much sense.

[GreatEmerald]

Hmm, so it seems that the technical foundation is fairly sound. It might be interesting once there are mods that take place in the original universe.



Also, ack, the forum connection with the comments here is broken! If it keeps being broken, what's the point of keeping phpBB2 around

[Avonu]

Too bad jeff you didn't mention two things:

1. There are some tech problems with game and some people can't even start it (laptops mainly). Anyone who played H6 should know what this can mean in long run. MMX beta or not, H6 had the same problems and still have. And Limbic was working on H6 too.

2. You need U(won't)Play to launch game. These "feature" for sure will have none negatives to game... none at all, just ask H6 players.

From what I seen in few gameplays:
- cities looks deserted - there are some NPCs outside buildings, but only a handful, no compare to MM6-9 cities or even Stonehelm from Dark Messiah.
- while in spider dungeon there is no discomfort to use tile based movement, using it in outside areas (and in cities) just don't work - you really need free movement there, no restrictions like now.
- I hope you can turn off this white thing which shows you enemies, chests, doors, etc. I never liked it in H3 and neighter here - it's helpful for new players for sure, but for me it has opposite effect.
- From what I heard, you can't choose which creature to attack in group, you can only shoot/attack at target chosen by AI.

Sometimes I feel like this game is simple: "let put all ideas togheter and see what we get". MMX for me lacks general idea how it should like and to be. Being WoX2 + LoG isn't enough.

[crislevin]

There is no walking NPC, everybody is standing at a location.



The tile based movement/turning really sucks, this is 2013, making a game without continuous movement/turning is not a great idea. I am unsure what kind of players the team is trying to capture, those who played MM before 1998?

[GreatEmerald]

Tile-based movement worked fine outside and in towns in 1st-2nd generation games. Maybe the problem in MMX is that those places are too big? 2nd generation games explicitly made time go faster in the overworld, simulating that you move further when you move one tile there, and thus the overworlds weren't as expansive as in 3rd generation games.

[jeff]

Too bad jeff you didn't mention two things:

1. There are some tech problems with game and some people can't even start it (laptops mainly).

2. You need U(won't)Play to launch game. These "feature" for sure will hav none negatives to game... none at all, just ask H6 players.

I also didn't mention you had to install steam to play the preview, because I was blissfully unaware they were releasing it to everyone. I had never used steam and will take it off as soon as I am done messing with the preview. I did not mention the laptop issue, because I played on a laptop without any problems, and this was not a technical review on issues; this is a preview of a game that is far from complete. The need for Uplay has frequently been mentioned already. You will need to use it to launch and register the game the first time and then never need it again. I suspect as patches come out Uplay may be needed, but I don’t know. Had I known a public release was coming I would have mentioned those and the fact I had a repeated problem of corrupted game save files.

From what I seen in few gameplays:
- cities looks deserted - there are some NPCs outside buildings, but only a handful, no compare to MM6-9 cities or even Stonehelm from Dark Messiah.

Here I agree with you, but again this is early and hopefully it will be more populated in the final form. However with a tile based movement system, (referencing crislevin comment) if the NPCs move you had better have the ability to move through NPCs otherwise you could get blocked or trapped by an NPC in tight passages.

- while in spider dungeon there is no discomfort to use tile based movement, using it in outside areas (and in cities) just don't work - you really need free movement there, no restrictions like now.
- From what I heard, you can't choose which creature to attack in group, you can only shoot/attack at target chosen by AI.

Pretty much how I described it.

@crislevin and GreatEmerald

I agree the tile based system does not work well outside and I am not sure that can be modified at this point. However this is a relaunch of the series and if it can’t be done this time; hopefully sales will be good enough to justify more game with a much better movement system. I mentioned that it seems as Ubi is finally listening, and including a up to date movement system is a must for any games that follow, and this one if possible.

[cjlee]

It doesn't sound great enough to me to buy it, but I feel a sense of relief.



Thanks Jeff.



Ubisoft might actually be making improved products going forward. This doesn't sound like a disaster. (EG at least no chipmunk noises, you managed to play it fairly smoothly, etc.)



Hopefully they will put as much commitment to quality for Heroes VII as this. It won't be the best game in the world, but it will bring me back to play.



And come on, Ubisoft, isn't that what you want? To get money from us? I've given up the idea of you guys ever making a fantastic game or even of Heroes VII being better than Heroes V. Just make a decent turn based game and you'll get your money, I promise you. An old man like me can't survive in an RTS like Starcraft!!!
Edited on Tue, Aug 20 2013, 09:51 by cjlee

[Avonu]

Pretty much how I described it.

Yeas, sorry. I meant "as Jeff already pointed out" but somehow this didn't end in my post.

[jeff]

It doesn't sound great enough to me to buy it, but I feel a sense of relief.

Thanks Jeff.

I will not argue to convince people to buy; I feel that is an individual's decision based on their situation and how they feel toward the game. Perhaps after it is released and you hear more input from other fans you'll change your mind. In my case this game initially appears a giant step in the right direction, and unless something tragic happens between now and release I will buy to encourage their movement in this direction. I am not advocating others do that, but let's wait for that final release before deciding not to buy.

[darknessfood]

Nice article! Beginning to doubt and getting this game ASAP. It looks pretty amazing!

[GreatEmerald]

> I agree the tile based system does not work well outside and I am not sure that can be modified at this point. However this is a relaunch of the series and if it can’t be done this time; hopefully sales will be good enough to justify more game with a much better movement system.

Again, it worked fine before. In the overworld you could get to another town in 29 steps, encountering enemies on the way. It didn't feel restricted and each step changed the environment and possibly revealed something interesting. So as far as I can see, either the overworld in MMX is using too small tiles (which ought to be fixable), or the overworld is too empty (which again ought to be fixable). It's not an inherent flaw of the tile-based movement in the slightest.

[jeff]

Again, it worked fine before. In the overworld you could get to another town in 29 steps, encountering enemies on the way. It didn't feel restricted and each step changed the environment and possibly revealed something interesting. So as far as I can see, either the overworld in MMX is using too small tiles (which ought to be fixable), or the overworld is too empty (which again ought to be fixable). It's not an inherent flaw of the tile-based movement in the slightest.

I agree and Does not work well, may be to strong a term; it didn't feel logical when moving. It may only need a tweak; you are probably more knowledgeable than I on that. Being able to direct the party's attacks to specific target within the field of view would go a long way to improving the product.

[GreatEmerald]

Well, yes and no. It would make sense to be able to fire diagonally, yes. But when you can't, and the enemies can't as well, you can use tactics. Either get closer to them before they get the chance to fire (if their projectiles hurt a lot), or run away without them getting the chance to fire, or get into a position where you are a safer distance away from them so you could fire an extra shot or two.

[jeff]

Well, yes and no. It would make sense to be able to fire diagonally, yes. But when you can't, and the enemies can't as well, you can use tactics. Either get closer to them before they get the chance to fire (if their projectiles hurt a lot), or run away without them getting the chance to fire, or get into a position where you are a safer distance away from them so you could fire an extra shot or two.

Once the middle indicator turned red I was not able to run away, but what I did was backup until they finally moved into my column or row and then used a ranged attack until they closed to melee.

[GreatEmerald]

Yeap, in other words, just like in second generation games.

[Ya5MieL]

Unfortunately, boxed edition doesn't seem to be available for me from uPlay (Croatia), so i will pass on this until i find a way to grab a box.



*sadface*