MMX Preview by RPG Codex

[Kalah]

<img src="/https://www.celestialheavens.com/images/news/MMXpic.jpg" align=right>Zeriel and Broseph over at <b>RPG Codex</b> have posted a thorough and, frankly, excellent <a href="/http://www.rpgcodex.net/content.php?id=9291" target="_blank">preview of Might & Magic X</a>: In it, they delve deep into the story, gameplay and overall impressions from a typical diehard MM fan point of view.



<i>"If you're an old grognard who grew up playing games like Wizardry and the earliest Might and Magic titles, you don't need to know anything more: Might & Magic X is a beautiful dinosaur that just stepped out of a time machine. It marries old-fashioned mechanics that should never have been abandoned with a modern graphical approach. There is nothing else on the market quite like it, and for the fans of this forgotten genre it's an unavoidable day one purchase."</i>



Indeed, the game does seem like it will achieve its goal of returning to the "roots" of Might & Magic, aiming to satisfy those grumpy old MM fans who care little for effects and instead want a nostalgic revisit of their childhood's favourite passtime.



The question is, as RPG's preview also summarizes, whether this niche game will be a success beyond the core fans... A success big enough to warrant a follow-up. It will be interesting to see whether people still want to play this kind of game.

If you would like to take a look at the original page visit this link:
https://www.celestialheavens.com/1387903884

[Kalah]

Sorry, I accidentally deleted this story along with the comments; managed to restore the story.

[mathfool]

Must buy for me. I wish there was a physical version available for sale in the USA.

[JSE]

What would really satisfy "those grumpy old MM fans" (at least this one) would be a return of the original M&M universe.



MMX -- as it seems to me -- is basically just a Legend of Grimrock set on Ashan. While it mimics the user interface of first-era M&M games stylistically, it manages to completely ignore the (very important) second-era games and what they brought to the series.



No -- I'm *everything but* satisfied with what I've seen of MMX so far. It actually *might* turn out to be a good game in its own right, but it will definitely not be the advertised "return of M&M" or anything like that.

[Bandobras Took]

"What would really satisfy "those grumpy old MM fans" (at least this one) would be a return of the original M&M universe."

Actually, it wouldn't. If they had attempted it, the grumbling would merely transform into "they've butchered the old universe."

And that, whether they had or not.

[jeff]

"What would really satisfy "those grumpy old MM fans" (at least this one) would be a return of the original M&M universe."

Actually, it wouldn't. If they had attempted it, the grumbling would merely transform into "they've butchered the old universe."

And that, whether they had or not.

Unfortunately you probably speak the truth.

[JSE]

I trust that most M&M fans are completely capable of judging a creative product -- like a game universe -- based on its quality alone and not based on distrust or cynicism. The M&M fans I know are intelligent and open-minded people.

Apart from that, the industry shows us that it is possible for a game series to be continued by a different developer and still manage to satisfy the great majority of fans (long-time and veteran fans included): A fine example is the Fallout series which was taken over from Blacke Isle/Interplay by Bethesda. Despite initial skepticism, the new game (Fallout 3) is now well-loved by most fans of the first two games, and the continuation is seen as faithful to the originals.

This shows that it is possible to win the fans' trust simply by producing high-quality games and trying to stay true to the original setting of a game as much as possible. Bethesda did that -- and UbiSoft certainly could have done the same with M&M. Instead, however, they explicitly discountinued the original universe and gave us Ashan...

So, the way I see it, it's not a fan trust issue at all -- it's a quality issue.

[hellegennes]

You are talking about a bet; sometimes it works, other times not. Wanting to "stay true" to the series, which is an ambiguous term, anyway, is not enough. There isn't a step by step process through which you can accomplish that. Many a good intentions have been wasted trying to find the perfect way of implementing it. Of course, you can go down the safe road of straight away copying elements, trying to make a clone, but it doesn't work most of the time. It worked with Heroes 3, it didn't work with Heroes 5. You can't just tell if the finished product will appeal to the fans the way you intend to. It's not mathematics, it's an art form.

[JSE]

I absolutely agree! Games can be works of art, and so making games and -- in this case -- finding a good way of continuing a game series can be artistic processes involving talent and "feel" on top of logic and craftsmanship.



The question is: What does this observation say about UbiSoft's attempts at M&M games so far?

[jeff]

I feel Bandobras Took had it right; they stayed away from the old universe because they felt it is almost impossible to meet fans' expectations. Ashran or whatever they call it may be a good gaming universe; I can't say as I have never bothered to delve into its history or story. With the lack of a user friendly editor I never enjoyed H-5 nor did I buy H-6. I did test play MMX and found the play old school, but realized it was an alpha and decided it deserved my buying it. Does anyone know if UBI will be selling the Deluxe boxed edition in North America?

[Kalah]

There is no confirmation about a US deluxe edition yet, but I am considering buying several editions and selling them on if possible.

[JSE]

@ jeff:
|| they stayed away from the old universe because they felt it is almost impossible to meet fans' expectations. ||

That might have been their impression, yes, but it was certainly not a wise choice. The original M&M material was probably among the easiest to continue or extend as the "universe" concept allowed for any kind of new world to be created. Those responsible at UbiSoft could have kept the connection to the old worlds alive simply by dropping a few hints at some of the overarching concepts here and there. Of course, that would have required a tiny bit of honest research and an actual appreciation of the original material.

[terrycrewser4th]

@JSE:
I agree with all your points about the original universe being excluded. To be honest, I'd much rather they at least "attempted" to make connections or include elements of the original universe. With none of that, the game could easily be any number of generic "old school" style RPGs (like Grimrock). It has no stylistic elements from the early games, therefore none of their personality. By staying with their version of the MM universe, they played it safe and lost the chance to create a true modern MM game.

Without honoring the source style/storyline, there is no "Legacy" here; just a generic "old school" RPG with the Might and Magic label applied to it.4th

[Kalah]

Maybe we should get guys like you to do the CH review when it comes out.

[hellegennes]

I think you are overestimating the actual distance between MMX and the previous titles. A game series is not just storyline. Stylistically MMIX was totally different, too. MMX is not just a generic old school RPG, it retains the MM gameplay and that's above everything else. Gameplay-wise, it's certainly a Might and Magic game.

[Variol]

..but I must be connected to the internet, in order to play the game, right?

I really struggle with that. I'm sure it's for copyright reasons, but I still feel it's extreme. I would think they would want to be more accommodating, given that they want to revive this series. What access could they potentially have to my personal information? I would assume I can not have a firewall up, during the connection? I don't even know how all that stuff works.

Or am I totally wrong in my thinking?

[jeff]

I think you are overestimating the actual distance between MMX and the previous titles. A game series is not just storyline. Stylistically MMIX was totally different, too. MMX is not just a generic old school RPG, it retains the MM gameplay and that's above everything else. Gameplay-wise, it's certainly a Might and Magic game.

I agree that the storyline they chose is less important than the actual gameplay. I never really paid attention to the story continuation between the earlier editions. The only game line that I did follow was wizardry; then because my party carried over from one game to the next. That is one feature I wish the MM had used. Since it didn't to me it is about whether the game is fun to play or not.

..but I must be connected to the internet, in order to play the game, right?

I really struggle with that. I'm sure it's for copyright reasons, but I still feel it's extreme. I would think they would want to be more accommodating, given that they want to revive this series. What access could they potentially have to my personal information? I would assume I can not have a firewall up, during the connection? I don't even know how all that stuff works.

Or am I totally wrong in my thinking?

I may be mistaken, but I believe the only time you need an internet connection is to register the game, which in today's business world of gaming is not unexpected or particularly unusual. It would be even better if it checks and patches the game if needed at the same time.

[Variol]

Well, if you need to register online, that makes sense. So, why is every up in arms?

[jeff]

My guess is that they are not listening or investigating the truth before venting. Many of us do that even me , though not as much as when I was younger.

[Variol]

My guess is that they are not listening or investigating the truth before venting. Many of us do that even me , though not as much as when I was younger.

age = wisdom!