looks fun, but wondering about the game's progression system

[Moonstrider25]

Been keeping an eye on this game for a long time and looking forward to it. The only thing the developers and other things I read have been vague about is the leveling system, is there a leveling system, or do you purely unlock new spells? Wonder if someone is able to shed a little bit more light on this :-) other than that this game is looking to be worth the 10 euros if it works as promised.

[Teronfel]

Tommorow we'll find out.The spellcasting system looks interesting and i really want to play 4-player coop in the same pc,it's gonna be epic!!!

[Nenjin]

I would not expect a lot of RPG mechanics. You don't level it seems, you just find the spells hidden in different maps and they're added to your options. Gear is a matter of what you pick up and hold. If you die, you lose it I think and that's it. There's really no gear to speak of from what I see, just a lot of different items you can pick up and imbue.

The game mainly seems concerned with having spells interact with each other in a fun way, and blowing stuff up.

[Oneironaut]

I'll buy it if it's any good in single-player. Not a big fan of MP-only games.

[madmarten]

It's probably like Borderlands, you can play it alone but playing it with friends is far more fun.

[Gumb0]

The game doesn't have a leveling system, and loot plays a very minor role. The game is more like an arcade beat'em game, or Gauntlet. The items you pick up are more like power ups you would find in those arcade games.

Although the game looks like an action RPG, it is really more like action adventure. If you're concerned about replay value, they said first play through should be around 3-5 hours, but there are different paths you can take i.e. hard path and secret levels to discover.

Also there is a free for all deathmatch/arena mode and a survival mode.

[koyettsu]

3-5 hours means I am out, maybe when it is on sale.

[RenegadeShade]

3-5 hours means I am out, maybe when it is on sale.

that is a strange statement since

A. its only 10$
B. Portal has a 1 hour longevity and still was an amazing game, so why this game would automatically be a bad game, having only 3-5 hours, when it has way much more replay value since its multiplayer and elements are dynamicly awesome

Seriously, you go at McDonald's, it costs you 10$ for a lunch, that you barf 30 minutes later



Also there is a free for all deathmatch/arena mode and a survival mode.

Oh dang what!? now that is even more epic!

[Oneironaut]

After reading about the magick system and seeing how low the price is, I'll just preorder this. As the above poster says, there are a lot worse ways to spend $10.

[banished_one]

Tommorow we'll find out.The spellcasting system looks interesting and i really want to play 4-player coop in the same pc,it's gonna be epic!!!

wow this game has local co-op ? then i'm definitely buying this

[Moonstrider25]

yeah I heard lootwise its more of a powerup system in the vain of oldschool games, so will make sense if other elements might be different too, Still gonna be fun. pre-ordering mine :-)

[Smokindan50]

3-5 hours means I am out, maybe when it is on sale.

It's meant to be replayable, too. Like L4D.

[madmarten]

There's also a challenge mode where you have to survive waves of enemies, and a player vs player mode.

[Gumb0]

Here is a good interview link with some more explanation on the game.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EAWnnpPINRk&feature=feedlik

it's a long interview, but you do get to see the mechanics of the game.

[Metro]

There pretty much is no progression system: no leveling, no experience, not a lot of items, no currency/gold, etc.

[City Builder]

There pretty much is no progression system: no leveling, no experience, not a lot of items, no currency/gold, etc.

So basically, it's an arcade game?

[Metro]

So basically, it's an arcade game?

From the thirty minutes or so I played the demo I'd say it's sort of like a 3D/Isometric shooter a la Nation Red just with wizards, spells, and fantasy creatures versus mercenaries, guns, and zombies. The casting/combat system is pretty interesting and I think a lot of potential is there but I'm still unsure whether or not I'll buy it.

[City Builder]

I tried the demo briefly, very briefly, for me I think that it's much like majesty where things just become to hectic to where I can't think and hit the correct hot keys in time to do what I need to do.

I'm tempted to buy it, but I think I'd not likely play it unless I missed something in the game mechanics for putting together my spells. Like being able to add to a spell book so that I can mouse wheel to select a pre determined spell that I've already put together to use.

[HorrorScope]

Seriously, you go at McDonald's, it costs you 10$ for a lunch, that you barf 30 minutes later

You spend $10 on lunch at McDonalds?

[Metro]

It definitely takes some practice. I gave up/took a break after the big troll part where there were half a dozen or so goblins and I basically got stun locked by their arrows. I'm sure I could eventually find a way to knock them down long enough to whip off some damaging spells/work up elemental combos but I'm not necessarily the most adroit of gamers as far as twitch reflexes go. Definitely looks like one of those cases where the co-op/multiplayer is the best alternative. That said, the characters still move a bit sluggishly.

[Metro]

You spend $10 on lunch at McDonalds?

Must be why he barfs it up thirty minutes later. Anyway, I hate people that say 'Zomg come on it's just X dollars.' Whatever. It's a budget title and regardless of the cost a rational person is still going to analyze whether it's decent/fun rather than just plunk down money for something they won't enjoy. Personally my reluctance to buy this is predicated on the fact that Dungeon Defenders will be coming out in the next couple of months, is similarly priced, and has more game play elements that are appealing to me.

[HorrorScope]

Must be why he barfs it up thirty minutes later. Anyway, I hate people that say 'Zomg come on it's just X dollars.' Whatever. It's a budget title and regardless of the cost a rational person is still going to analyze whether it's decent/fun rather than just plunk down money for something they won't enjoy. Personally my reluctance to buy this is predicated on the fact that Dungeon Defenders will be coming out in the next couple of months, is similarly priced, and has more game play elements that are appealing to me.

To me this seems like an XBLA game and it's priced that way. Yeah I like where the heart is with the system, but the whole scope of it, get the spell ready, point in the right direction, move out of the way if needed, is this a right mouse/middle mouse/space or shift key action now? Did someone just jump on my back (space-space-space) Pretty damn dexterous game! I can see the fun of it in coop. I was thinking a husband/wife game, but it will be way too much for her to control. You say Dungeon Defenders, another is Dungeons.

[Metro]

Yep, this game is definitely going to take a significant amount of finesse to play well which is a bit counter-intuitive for a semi-casual shoot-em-up. If the controls were a bit smoother I'd probably go ahead and buy it but as of now I'll wait to see what the developers do/support it over time.

[RenegadeShade]

You spend $10 on lunch at McDonalds?

Nope, that was a comparison, I never barfed after eating at mcdonald nor spending 10$ on it. its just the fact that he said "3-5 hours? no buying"

But if you dont buy a game at 10$ which have 3-5 hours (with huge replay value), why would you buy a game at 60$ with like 15 hours which sometimes have not so great replay value..

Because 60$ is 10$ X 6.... but 3-5 hours X 6 = around 24 hours and 60$ for a 24 hours long game seems great

[HorrorScope]

But if you dont buy a game at 10$ which have 3-5 hours (with huge replay value), why would you buy a game at 60$ with like 15 hours which sometimes have not so great replay value..

I don't buy games at $60. Don't worry about what the other guy spends, he'll figure that part out.

[MarkcusD]

To the devs: add progression and leveling and the game will be great. It's still good as is though.

[Gumb0]

To the devs: add progression and leveling and the game will be great.

They stated in an interview that there are a lot of games out there that have leveling and loot as their main focus and they didn't want to add that type of grinding to the game.

[UndeadRufus]

Nope, that was a comparison, I never barfed after eating at mcdonald nor spending 10$ on it. its just the fact that he said "3-5 hours? no buying"

Why is that a problem?

S/he didn't say that Magicka is "automatically ... a bad game, having only 3-5 hours," as you accused in your first post, but rather that s/he was simply unwilling to spend $9.99 for 3 to 5 hours of [as-of-yet unproven] gameplay. Maybe that person will change his or her mind after some reviews are posted. Maybe that person tried the demo, and the prospect of 3 to 5 hours of arcade-style action just isn't appealing, whereas the same time in some other style is more valuable. Maybe s/he just wants a longer game for his or her green, in which case there are much better options for the price or slightly more. Even if that person is willing to drop $60 for a marginally longer and less replay-able experience, one is perhaps more likely to know what he or she is getting, so maybe that purchase feels justified.

At $9.99, I don't have a problem with 3 to 5 hours if the game is fun, but I don't see why it's such an issue if someone does. Lots of factors can go into that opinion.

[Paradox__rep]

Hi,

following your discussion.

As someone stated, the game is not about levling/looting/grinding. Try the demo on and you'll see.

Secondly, the game definitely offers more than 3-5 hours of gameplay. We've got it clocked around 6-8 hours and then there's the challenge mode.

We're also planning to release a bunch of DLC. But before that we want to hear what you have to say about the game and what else you'd like to see in the game.

/ PDX team

[liq3]

I'm not personally concerned about play time. I've already got 4 hours in the DEMO. I'm sure I'll get another 10 easy from the full game.

[Kruno]

I would love some tools or the ability to edit the game to include my own loot, level system and currency. :)

[Clord]

I tried the demo briefly, very briefly, for me I think that it's much like majesty where things just become to hectic to where I can't think and hit the correct hot keys in time to do what I need to do.

I'm tempted to buy it, but I think I'd not likely play it unless I missed something in the game mechanics for putting together my spells. Like being able to add to a spell book so that I can mouse wheel to select a pre determined spell that I've already put together to use.

It would defeat the point of game, idea is to "memorize" your spells. Also it is not that hard, end of the demo I already knew those spells I got almost inside out. :)