| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| The Sage |
Posted - 18 Mar 2004 : 12:16:09
...I'm not sure whether this information has been discussed here in this section of the library (it's not an area that I visit often), but while visiting R. A. Salvatore's website the other day, I came across this little tidbit -
quote:
New Forgotten Realms game in development at Stormfront studios featuring R.A. Salvatore. Here is what was written in Playstation magazine:
"So you want to get your Dungeons and Dragons on, but you don't have a group of fellow antisocialites handy and you're not too keen on the top-down, hack-n-slash experience of the Baldur's Gates of the world. You're in luck: Forgotten Realms is a straightforward beat-em-up -- combos and all -- that's solidly grounded in the D&D rule book. Based on The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers' engine (also developed by Stormfront), the game replaces the Tolkien-via-Jackson plot with a story by best-selling author R.A. Salvatore. There's also a heavy emphasis on party play: To get through the toughest levels, you need to switch among your three characters - a fighter, a rogue, and a sorcerer - on the fly. No word yet on multiplayer, but we're hoping for some."
Does anyone have anything more on this? The news I posted here is at least five days old...
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| 30 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Valdar Oakensong |
Posted - 06 Dec 2004 : 21:13:27
I don't know how many of you UK people are interested but play.com are selling Demon Stone for £17.99. Sounds like a bargain to me |
| Ryss Firemaster |
Posted - 04 Dec 2004 : 23:19:43
Thank you. Diplomacy would be my middle name, if it wasn't Surprise.  |
| SiriusBlack |
Posted - 04 Dec 2004 : 23:07:37
quote:
Originally posted by Ryss Firemaster
So Demon Stone is out in the US, and is available to buy on amazon.com. But according to the amazon.co.uk we will have to wait until Feb. 11. And even that is not conclusive. Amazon can sometimes have... creative release dates.
Creative Release dates....very diplomatically put.  |
| Ryss Firemaster |
Posted - 04 Dec 2004 : 23:04:52
quote:
Originally posted by Lord Rad
Has anybody heard anything regarding the release of Demon Stone on XBOX? It was meant to be out last month I believe, but theres no trace of it anywhere, even in online stores. 
Well, you have to remember that for the "smaller"games on XBox, the american and the european releases can be laughably lengthy stretches of time apart. (Witness for instance, the almost 4 month difference between Morrowind GOTY there and here.)
So Demon Stone is out in the US, and is available to buy on amazon.com. But according to the amazon.co.uk we will have to wait until Feb. 11. And even that is not conclusive. Amazon can sometimes have... creative release dates.
It's the same thing with KOTOR II which is out on monday in the US and in feb. here. Sorry. |
| SiriusBlack |
Posted - 04 Dec 2004 : 14:56:21
quote:
Originally posted by Lord Rad
Has anybody heard anything regarding the release of Demon Stone on XBOX? It was meant to be out last month I believe, but theres no trace of it anywhere, even in online stores.
I don't recall hearing anything from some of the sites that I've obtained information before about this game. Strange if there is an absence given the holiday season. |
| Lord Rad |
Posted - 04 Dec 2004 : 10:47:36
Has anybody heard anything regarding the release of Demon Stone on XBOX? It was meant to be out last month I believe, but theres no trace of it anywhere, even in online stores. |
| Effect |
Posted - 19 Nov 2004 : 22:55:08
I have to say I really enjoyed Demon Stone. Granted its a lot like The Two Towers and Return of the King but that isn't a bad thing since both of those games were a lot of fun. The graphics and voices are really good. The switching between the three characters worked out very nicely. As does the skill enhancements and item upgrades you can buy after each level. Story was great and it does keep you wanting to know more. Also after you complete each level you get access to extras which can range from concept art to actually backstories for the characters(expands more on what they say during the level cutscenes). They tend to be a few minutes long as well and are spoken by the voice actors so no reading really. As the game goes on, as you unlock more of these, things do get explained more so they are worth the time to listen to if you want to get all of the story, backstory. My favorite is the one from Drizzt's Journal.
Speaking of which, which the level he is one plays like the Helm's Deep level in Two Towers its a LOT of fun. The voice the picked for him is similar to the one I always imagined to be honest and the representation of him is GREAT. As to be expected seeing who the story author of the game is. :) The computer AI for your team mates and the enemy was surprising good. They hold their own, let you know if a certain member needs help(you can see due to their life but sometiems you get into the action so much you don't look at it, so that chatter does help a lot and is welcome). Its things like that, talk between the party through out the game makes it feel alive. While you don't waste time with stats, dice rolls, or alignment it does pull you into the Forgotten Realms world similar to how the novels were. Which makes sense. The novels don't bother with those elements either the way the PnP games and Baulder's Gate, Icewind Dale, and Neverwinter Nights games. The game is a lot more accessible and very entertaining.
Still Its way to short. Granted I'm on my 3rd day of playing since I got it. I have classes everyday and play a little in the evenings. Currently playing on easy but will go back and do the other difficulty levels since even on easy its a little hard in some places. At times there are way to many enemies on screen. Not so much of a problem when you are constantly moving from area to area but when you are in one spot for a long period of time(happens at times due to certain events, like a boss or trying to do something similar), the waves of enemies sent out you tend to be to much at times. Especially if you have to use one character to destory something or knock out certain things in order to attack the main objective. Certain times it tends to result in button smashing just to clear the area directly around you character so he or she can move but not a lot since certain things require time and patience.
I hope they make a sequel. Especially if its longer. Having three characters would be good since it maintains a good balance. Different classes would be nice. But less numbers of enemies at any given time. Especially once they start getting harder in the later levels. So things don't result into button smashing and you can use different strageties during fights.
Personally I'd give the game a 8 out of 10. Really fun, there is room to improve though. If they made those changes and made the game even longer and keep the voice actors I can see it being a huge hit. |
| SiriusBlack |
Posted - 12 Nov 2004 : 03:41:06
Team XBox has some final impressions regarding this product. |
| Valdar Oakensong |
Posted - 07 Oct 2004 : 21:39:28
thanks for the link Sirius, shame that you couldn't play as Pwent. that would have been good
quote:
Originally posted by SiriusBlack
GameSpy has a review up for this product.
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| SiriusBlack |
Posted - 19 Sep 2004 : 17:25:21
GameSpy has a review up for this product. |
| Crust |
Posted - 16 Sep 2004 : 12:45:54
It's also fun playing Drizzt. That scene is almost identical to the scene in The Two Towers when you're defending the gates of Helm's Deep.
The game's not identical, but it's as close as anyone could get. Even the buttons are identical. It's 90% Two Towers/Return of the King.
Not that that's a bad thing. |
| Strahd Von Zarovich |
Posted - 16 Sep 2004 : 11:36:01
quote:
Originally posted by Lauzoril
The main characters in the game are a human male fighter, (I forgot their names), human male sorcerer and drow female rogue.
The Names are Illius (sorcerer), Zhai (Rogue) and Rhannek (fighter).
Zhai is actually only Half-Drow which is explained in the opening parts of the game when the characters come together.
I would not say that this is exactly like Two Towers, or Return of the King. They have put more effort into making this a cinematic kind of experience and the camera angles are much better than previous games.
This may not be an RPG game, and I know that puts you off, but as with the LoTR games, this will be as close to participating in a Realms movie as you will probably ever get.
The Dialogue is good, the story (thanks to Salvatore) is well concieved, and keeps you wanting to play.
Some of the special effects in the game are amazing, and the characters are well modelled.
If you are a fan of FR and want to see some of the realms in a cinematic kinda way, then you will do no wrong in getting this!
Regards
Strahd Von Zarovich |
| Crust |
Posted - 15 Sep 2004 : 00:21:31
I just bought the game.
It's almost identical to Return of the King.
It's not the greatest game in the world, but it's cool. |
| Lauzoril |
Posted - 13 Sep 2004 : 17:24:10
quote:
Originally posted by DDH_101
I was at Gamespot and I watched this Atari interview and they showed a clip where Drizzt makes a cameo. In the game, you can actually control him for a portion of one of the levels and it's probably the most accurate represention of the drow ranger I've ever seen.
Given Salvatore's involvement in the story, it's no wonder.
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| SiriusBlack |
Posted - 13 Sep 2004 : 02:26:29
quote:
Originally posted by DDH_101
I was at Gamespot and I watched this Atari interview and they showed a clip where Drizzt makes a cameo. In the game, you can actually control him for a portion of one of the levels and it's probably the most accurate represention of the drow ranger I've ever seen.
I think sales are going to go through the roof then. |
| DDH_101 |
Posted - 12 Sep 2004 : 17:56:18
I was at Gamespot and I watched this Atari interview and they showed a clip where Drizzt makes a cameo. In the game, you can actually control him for a portion of one of the levels and it's probably the most accurate represention of the drow ranger I've ever seen. |
| SiriusBlack |
Posted - 12 Sep 2004 : 17:08:59
GameTrailers.com has trailers available now for Level's 3 and 4. |
| SiriusBlack |
Posted - 08 Sep 2004 : 03:01:18
According to ENWorld's news page, Gamespy will have a week long feature on this product. |
| Lauzoril |
Posted - 05 Sep 2004 : 14:09:50
After testing the Demon Stone, I found it quite likeable hack'n slash. The main characters in the game are a human male fighter, (I forgot their names), human male sorcerer and drow female rogue. The game starts with the fighter and quite soon the drow makes her entrance. Soon after that the sorcerer comes in too.
The switch between characters during the game works smoothly and there are several points in the game where it's required to change characters because some puzzles are solved better with a certain character. Each character have their own special set of abilites, noticeable being rogue's ability blend in shadows to attack enemies in back, unfortunately the shadow blending only works in certain fixed places on the screen.
Between battles the levels will go up and new skills can be purchased, along with new weapons.
Each character has a magical special attack which can be used when a certain meter goes full and if everyone's gauge is full, they can execute a mass attack.
They all are capable of fighting from a distance but only the sorcerer's throwing ammunition is unlimited, as far as mana is concerned. Daggers from the other may run out at the worst possible moment when there is a opponent pelting you from other side of the river or a rope is needed to cut to drop something.
Despite the content being more on action than adventuring, I found myself liking it. The engine has certainly leaped ahead from the Two Towers. Even the boss battles are more straightforward, instead of needing a special move to finish it, like in TT.
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| Wood Elf Ranger |
Posted - 29 Aug 2004 : 19:45:53
Well there you go, and not near as long a wait for the PC version as I thought! |
| SiriusBlack |
Posted - 29 Aug 2004 : 17:57:31
The following comes from this announcement:
quote:
Forgotten Realms: Demon Stone goes gold
Atari's Dungeons & Dragons-based action adventure game set to ship for the PlayStation 2 on September 14; Xbox and PC releases set for November.
Atari today announced that Forgotten Realms: Demon Stone has gone gold. The action adventure game will ship for the PlayStation 2 on September 14, and Xbox and PC versions are both scheduled for November releases. The game is rated "T" for Teen and will retail for $49.95.
Set in the Forgotten Realms universe of Dungeons & Dragons, Demon Stone follows a group of characters that unwittingly release two warring demonic armies. Players control a party of three characters in their quest to stop the evil and save the world of Faerun. Patrick Stewart and Michael Clarke Duncan provide the voices for legendary Forgotten Realms characters Khelban "Blackstaff" Arunsun and the Slaad Lord Ygorl, respectively.
Forgotten Realms: Demon Stone was developed by Stormfront Studios. For more on the game, see GameSpot's preview.
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| Wood Elf Ranger |
Posted - 29 Aug 2004 : 00:03:57
quote:
Originally posted by Lord Rad
Hmmmmm id read over at ENWorld some time back that it was out for XBox as well as PS2 but when i checked back on Atari there was no mention at all about an XBox release.
Has this been confirmed officially anywhere?
Not officially... well that I can remember. But I remember reading somewhere that they plan to reformat the game for the XBox first and then the PC eventually. So it will be a wait but for those of us who only use PC's for gaming we will eventually be able to play this game  Heres to hoping its worth it  |
| SiriusBlack |
Posted - 28 Aug 2004 : 18:18:04
As reported at EN World, Gametrailers has gameplay footage from Level 1 and Level 2 of this game. |
| SiriusBlack |
Posted - 05 Aug 2004 : 17:42:18
A poster on ENWorld has Dragon #323 and posted this blurb about this game's article within the magazine:
quote:
Forgotten Realms: Demon Stone by Wesley Schneider. Hollywood talent and epic storytelling unite to redefine the Realms. Check out never before seen images and an exclusive interview with R.A. Salvatore. Mostly about the Xbox and PS2 game (5 1/3 pages), Demon Stone is a real-time game where you play a 3-character party all at once. Two full page-columns are devoted to Salvatore's part in the game, with some of his comments.
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| SiriusBlack |
Posted - 08 Jul 2004 : 14:32:00
An ENWorld thread details that the following will be included in next month's Dragon magazine (#323)
quote:
Sneak Preview: Demon Stone Exclusive intervies with R. A> Salvatore and the designers of Forgotten Realms: Demon Stone, a new D&D game coming out for the PS2 and XBox.
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| SiriusBlack |
Posted - 23 Jun 2004 : 18:17:52
EN World's news page reports that a preview for this game can be found here. |
| SiriusBlack |
Posted - 27 May 2004 : 14:31:09
quote:
Originally posted by Arivia
*shudders*
I'll put that down as one no, one against.
I wonder who they will get to provide Drizzt's voice? |
| Arivia |
Posted - 27 May 2004 : 09:08:10
quote:
Originally posted by SiriusBlack
quote:
Originally posted by Arivia
Patrick is not who I imagine when I think of Khelben, Picard not withstanding. I wish they'd get the name right-Arunsun, not Aunsun.
Maybe they will cast Jonathon Frakes as Laeral. Would that help with seeing Patrick as Khleben? 
*shudders* |
| SiriusBlack |
Posted - 27 May 2004 : 00:18:50
quote:
Originally posted by Arivia
Patrick is not who I imagine when I think of Khelben, Picard not withstanding. I wish they'd get the name right-Arunsun, not Aunsun.
Maybe they will cast Jonathon Frakes as Laeral. Would that help with seeing Patrick as Khleben?
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| Arivia |
Posted - 26 May 2004 : 22:26:53
quote:
Originally posted by SiriusBlack
quote:
According to Atari, Stewart will play Khelban "Blackstaff" Aunsun, "a wizard of legendary power and wisdom," while Duncan has been cast as he evil Slaad Lord Ygorl, the game's main villain. Demon Stone will be developed by Stormfront Studios, creators of The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers. The game will allow players to control a fighter, a sorcerer and a rogue while fighting a wide range of fantasy creatures in the Forgotten Realms universe. It is due out for the PlayStation 2 and Xbox this fall.
Patrick is not who I imagine when I think of Khelben, Picard not withstanding. I wish they'd get the name right-Arunsun, not Aunsun. Also, I'm interested to see how Ygorl is appearing-I'm not seeing Limbo in the tree cosmology, and the Supreme Throne definitely isn't insane enough for that lord. I may be mistaken, but isn't Ygorl unable to speak? |
