Overall Game "Feel"

from SorcererKing Forums

First of all, let me preface my comments by saying that I am a huge supporter of Stardock since Galactic Civilizations 2 and I have loved the entire Elemental Franchise. I have played and loved many other Stardock titles as well such as Demigod and Sins of a Solar Empire. BUT... I am concerned about Sorcerer King and the entire "feel" of the game and here is why:

 

1. I think the graphics are very childish, I feel like I am playing a 4x Strategy game based in Candyland. I loved the graphic style of the Elemental titles, it was almost comic book-like. I think I could learn to be OK with the look of the units, but the look of the cities, outposts and such are too juvenile.

2. The music sounds like it is rehashed from previous titles and maybe it is. Maybe this is because it is in beta, but the soundtrack does nothing to differentiate it from the previous Elemental titles.

3. I don't feel like there is any depth to the game. The game feels too casual, I don't feel like I am ruling an empire. It feels simplistic with no taxes to be set and no research to do except the spell learning which is nothing like the 3 research tiers in the other games. It was the research tiers and how you chose to focus your research which really differentiated one kingdom from another and allowed me to explore different strategies from game to game to get maximum replayability from the game.

4. Customization is lacking. I am sure there will be some added, probably for your sovereign, but making custom factions that had different sigils and attributes also added to the replayablity for me. I also liked the ability to customize your units, this added a lot of differentiation to the previous games as well.

5. Does everything have to be a joke? While I appreciate going a different direction in hiring others to do the writing for the quests and such, you should give them a bit of direction on what to write. I loved the small injections of humor in the Gal Civ and Elemental games, but it seems like everything is meant to be humorous in Sorcerer King. I feel like I am playing a bad parody of a fantasy game instead of a real fantasy game.

In summary, I feel as I play the game that maybe I am outside the target audience. The game has the feel of a game catered to the ADHD, smart aleck youth of today and not to adult strategy game players such as myself.

 

 

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Reply #1 from SorcererKing Forums Top

1. Disagree here. The graphics are very nice. The only thing I have somewhat of an issue with is  the outposts. They look Warcraft: Orcs versus Humans like and they contrast greatly with the buildings of the minor factions like New Pariden, Imperial Remnant, etc. Perhaps the player cities could be made to look more like the New Pariden, Imperial Remnant style, as well.

 

2. The music is very good but I agree that some more variety would be nice. I do wish they'd add a few new pieces.

 

3. Disagree again. The game does not feel casual, IMHO. There is a lot under the hood and a lot more to come. As it stands now in the early beta, there isn't a variety at the moment but I am very confident that it'll become highly replayable. It definitely has that one more turn feel to it.

 

4. I am confident that a lot of customization is  coming. I do share your concern, however.

I would like to play as other factions as well so I do agree. For me, it would be cool to play as Tarth for example.

 

5. I don't mind the humour at all. I enjoy light hearted games. On the other hand, I can see how it could be off putting to some. Hopefully there will be a straight and serious mod for those so inclined. 

 

As to your summary, it is really not worth commenting on. :)