[Mr. Tibbs]

Tom Chick has a mostly positive write up on ROTT. http://www.quarterto...nal-recurrence/

"I can’t help but enjoy the aggressively retro dumbness of the Rise of the Triad remake out this week. It captures the unhinged creativity and unabashed idiocy of the Duke Nukem era. It also demonstrates that a game can be big and dumb without being insultingly bad, Duke Nukem Forever style. However, if there’s one kind of dumb I can’t abide, it’s the sort of dumb that means I will probably never make any progress in Rise of the Triad.

Rise of the Triad is based on a checkpoint system. Fair enough. This is a score-based game, and I’m totally on board with having to earn my score rather than save-scum it. Although it’s a bit puzzling that I can’t replay a level I want if I want to try for a better score. Why introduce a system like this but then force me to play the game as if it were a linear story? But even that kind of dumb won’t kill Rise of the Triad for me.

The kind of dumb that is killing this game is that unique brand of oblivious dumb that I can’t believe no one noticed before the game was released. When I die in Rise of the Triad, which I do a lot since I’ve been trying to play on “hard” and there’s no way to adjust the difficulty once you’ve started, I get a menu that gives me two options.

It appears very quickly, sometimes before I even realize I’ve died. Rise of the Triad isn’t very good with feedback about where shots come from or how close you are to dying. So suddenly here’s the screen. Oh, I’m dead. Okay. I just click on “retry last checkpoint”. Pretty simple.

Except that sometimes when I die, I’m frantically clicking to fire at the guy who will kill me. So sometimes when I die, I don’t even get the chance to click on “retry last checkpoint”. Sometimes when I die, I’ve clicked on the option without even realizing it. That’s no so bad. I’m instantly headed back to the last checkpoint, which is where I wanted to go anyway. What’s bad is when I’m frantically clicking to fire at some point slightly lower, which means I’ve clicked on the option to “restart map”. There goes all my progress. I am reset as many as three or four checkpoints ago. I have made it to the third map in Rise of the Triad. I have yet to play one of the maps without, at some point, accidentally clicking on “restart map” and losing all my progress. All of it. I have spent far more time replaying content in this game than I ever intended.

And that’s why I’m done with Rise of the Triad. Some kinds of dumb are fine. The belching and the farting and the blood spurting from leg stumps and the chick character’s nail polish and Doug declaring that he’s going to fuck some shit up. And this, for instance:

Other kinds of dumb aren’t fine. Popping up a “restart map” option in the middle of the screen where killed players will be clicking frantically is the latter kind of dumb.

Comrade Major, for Tom Chick that's pretty damn positive. He's framed his discussion by saying he's enjoying the game. He's just highlighting an aggravating element. His main complaint isn't totally valid as Dave Oshry points out in the comments. "You can goto load game from the main menu and restart at any checkpoint you've gotten to on any difficulty with any character at any time! We probably could have made that more clear, but indeed it is a thing you can do! Glad you can dig some of the other 'dumb' elements of the game however."

[Inspector Lagomorf]

That's not mostly positive at all. I'd go so far as to say that's enraged.

Edit: This post was made before Mr. Tibbs edited his post.

[DavoX]

Still he's right. You shouldn't have those things bothering you ingame and forcing you to go to a menu to load.

[OpenMaw]

His opening remark pretty much made me tune out immediately. I get tired of people looking back on an era with "LOL that was such a dumb time it was awesome." If by dumb, you mean fun, challenging, care-free, and creative. Sure. Like they've all grown up now.



I wish ROTT the best. I have a feeling though the checkpoint thing is going to be an issue though.

[Ronin]

Commando Nukem, on 30 July 2013 - 12:58 PM, said:

His opening remark pretty much made me tune out immediately. I get tired of people looking back on an era with "LOL that was such a dumb time it was awesome." If by dumb, you mean fun, challenging, care-free, and creative. Sure. Like they've all grown up now.



I wish ROTT the best. I have a feeling though the checkpoint thing is going to be an issue though.

I think people say that because they are afraid that if they don't, people will think they are dumb for not bringing to attention that there are some silly moments. Or else they already have their mind made up about these kind of games.

[Mr. Tibbs]

Tom Chick is almost 47. That's getting up there. But you're right Commando Nukem, labelling Duke 3D-era games as "dumb" is annoying.

[uraganotkirki]

I see they've hammered this issue out in the comments section.

[OpenMaw]

Ronan, on 30 July 2013 - 01:02 PM, said:

I think people say that because they are afraid that if they don't, people will think they are dumb for not bringing to attention that there are some silly moments. Or else they already have their mind made up about these kind of games.

It just feels like a pompous arrogance to me. I see the monocle and hear the posh accent "well yes, you see, we've refined our tastes now, mmhmm. We don't go for that kind of riff raff these days. We expect our games to be like movies, with lots of scripted events and character development. Heaven forbid these commoners ever make games about having fun. Can you imagine it dear boy? I say..."

Mr. Tibbs, on 30 July 2013 - 01:14 PM, said:

Tom Chick is almost 47. That's getting up there. But you're right Commando Nukem, labelling Duke 3D-era games as "dumb" is annoying.

Esssplainnn. Are you saying his age is what makes him say things of that nature? Or was that in regards to what I said about growing up? Because i've met plenty (and am related to one) many older folks who still have their inner child intact and aren't roadblocked by their own need to be "mature."

[ReaperMan]

I can foresee the first complaints.... "Why cant i save anywhere i want? fucking checkpoints!".

[Micky C]

Engel220, on 30 July 2013 - 11:55 AM, said:

It's not out until sometime tomorrow, usually around 9AM PDT, but the official ROTT countdown clock says about 11 hours to go.

What the hell? In Australia here it's 21 hours... what the fuck? Why can't they just release it globally at the same time?

ReaperMan, on 30 July 2013 - 02:25 PM, said:

I can foresee the first complaints.... "Why cant i save anywhere i want? fucking checkpoints!".

It's a relevant complaint. The checkpoints might be ok, or they might suck ass. For example what if one was placed 2 or 3 minutes before a really hard insta-death platforming section? The guy in the review made a deal about having to replay a lot so it doesn't look good.
Having manual saves would eliminate issues like that. IMO whenever there's a choice, the most flexible, free option should be chosen, i.e manual saves, as a combination checkpoint/quicksave system would cater to most if not all players.

[Mr. Tibbs]

Commando Nukem, on 30 July 2013 - 01:59 PM, said:

Esssplainnn. Are you saying his age is what makes him say things of that nature? Or was that in regards to what I said about growing up? Because i've met plenty (and am related to one) many older folks who still have their inner child intact and aren't roadblocked by their own need to be "mature."

Yeah, I was responding to the growing up thing. He's been writing about games for over 20 years. I don't think Tom Chick is pretentious or a "get off my lawn" type. He's definitely young at heart. For me, he's the best games writer around. That was just a silly aside on my part. The thought of great games being dismissed as "dumb fun" or whatever, because of the superficial elements was the thing that annoyed me. Like I can't stand when people say Duke 3D is a game about cribbed-Bruce Campbell one-liners and strippers. It comes across as the writer trying to be more discerning than they really are.

20 hours left! http://interceptor-e.../rottcountdown/

[----]

I think we should be realistic here.

Yes, ROTT will be in the spirit of the original and old school gaming. But we shouldn't expect it to be the perfect game. As they said, they needed more time and money for some technical issues to be resolved (manual saving) and probably some other issues. Remember, it is their first commercial game.

But, they also said they will most probably patch in stuff later (multiplayer bots, for example). So why shouldn't manual saves be among the things to be patched in too. And since the game is fully moddable checkpoints and so could easily be changed, as far as I see it.


We should be glad that there are compnaies like Interceptor who at least try with all they have to give us this old school experience. So I am more than willing to spend money on it to show there is demand for this kind of game, to support them so they have the time and money to further improve it ... but I laugh at those who say "No manual saves, not buying it although I love old school schooters!" (maybe there are other issues too, but saying that no manual saves is a dealbreaker ... ok, people, don't buy it then and enjoy your CODesque and cinematic games instead ... and your Shadow Warrior Remakes).

[Mr. Tibbs]

Very sweet message from Frederik Schreiber. A message to The Team, Our Fans, Friends and Family:
https://www.facebook...201494713107509
"The Time has Come! My life long dream has finally come true. Today my company Interceptor Entertainment, which I established 1.5 years ago, is releasing it's first big title - Rise of the Triad. It has been my dream to start my own Studio, and Design Games.
It has been an amazing journey, and so far people seem to love it.

Rise of the Triad was made with sweat, tears and love, and is a product of 35 of my closest team members, working together in a virtual team, doing what we all dream about. I just want to say THANK YOU, to all of our beloved fans, our family and most importantly - My Team! You guys have become family to me, and I'm extremely excited to continue working with you in the future! Rise of the Triad is NOW AVAILBLE. Go get it on Steam, GOG and anywhere else - It's only $15 and it's probably the most badass shooter you will play in a very long time "

[Hank]

^ I wish them all the best.

[Komenja]

Long live Interceptor!

[----]

Yeah, folks, good luck.

And remember, haters gonna hate, every game and every company has a lot of them. Don't let that take you down. That's normal internet life.

[Frederik Schreiber]

Thank you all so much for the kind Words - I cincerely hope you Guys will like the game

[Skulldog]

Attached thumbnail(s)

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[Lunick]

[OpenMaw]

Hey, it might be ready in time for you to play it at launch!

[Richard Shead]

Looks like someone got it!

Quote

First Impression - Insane, fast paced, gory, good fun

[Fox Mulder]

3:53 a.m. here in Argentina, and ready to go! ("When it's released.")

[Kathy]

Just saw a countdown. Damn...

http://interceptor-e.../rottcountdown/

I never care about playing something right away, but since I have a day off I wanted to play now. No dice.

[uraganotkirki]

24 hour clock here

Steam page says: Unlocks on 31st July 2013
My clock says: it's 31st of July 2013 12:37 (because it's also a calendar)
Steam page undertext says: unlocks in 10 hours

So it will unlock 2 hours before 01st August. Bogus. I hate down time which I wait for something so trivial, but meh.
I guess I'll read a book.

[termit]

I played first two levels, so what can i say, the game is pretty damn good! Once again congrats to Interceptor!

[Micky C]

How are the checkpoints?

[Kathy]

Screw the counter. The game is released on GOG.

[xMobilemux]

Downloading my GoG.com version now! Gonna stay up all night playing this bitch.

[Lunick]

I don't mind waiting for the Steam release



Launch trailer too I guess, even though it's the same old.

[Kathy]

 fuegerstef, on 30 July 2013 - 03:16 PM, said:

But, they also said they will most probably patch in stuff later (multiplayer bots, for example). So why shouldn't manual saves be among the things to be patched in too.

Because the game is built around ranking system. I doubt they'll do manual saves.