Dark Messiah of Might and Magic Review @ GameSpot

Iria · Oct 27, 2006, 05:55 AM

Review: GameSpot
_________
The Might and Magic universe dates all the way back to 1986. In those 20 years, we've seen plenty of different games on plenty of different platforms, but most of them have fallen squarely into the turn-based strategy or role-playing sectors. Dark Messiah of Might and Magic, from Ubisoft and Arkane Studios, doesn't really fall into either of those categories. Like Arkane's previous game, Arx Fatalis, this is a first-person game. But Dark Messiah of Might and Magic is extremely light on the role-playing, instead focusing its energy on sword-swinging, magic-fireball-shooting action. Unfortunately, the action gets repetitive quickly, and the game's often-transparent storyline doesn't pick up any of the slack.

Brutality · Oct 27, 2006, 11:03 AM

Lol?

SFOSOK · Oct 27, 2006, 11:25 AM

I knew this game was horrible when I first played the demo. I can't truelly believe anyone thought this game was goin to be good based on that demo. 50$? Sorry, I'll keep it.

Erroneus · Oct 27, 2006, 11:37 AM

Bummer, I really wanted this game to be good, the previews looked good

Maybe after 7-8 patches it will be playable, just like Titan Quest.

Dyre Straits · Oct 27, 2006, 11:48 AM

I was hoping for something to distract me from OBLIVION....but, this ain't no OBLIVION.

I, too, have been very skeptical since the demo and was hoping for more diversity and a good story.

Brutality · Oct 27, 2006, 12:42 PM

I didn't play demo. I wanted to keep my hopes for full game. But damn, gotta stop downloading it then. Damnit, i had such hopes on it. oh,well, atleast combat is gonna be nice.

studbagel9 · Oct 27, 2006, 03:37 PM

Well, you guys should also know not to trust Gamespot for reviews... in my experience what they've said about games is about completely opposite of how I feel. I bought the game, and it's fun... but I can't figure out how to climb ladders... EDIT: Got it, I think there may have been a glitch in my game at the first ladder you see.

OmegaRED · Oct 27, 2006, 08:40 PM

The gamespot review is a sham.

With that out of the way...

Do not trust this review on gamespot right now their forums are filled with pissed off people who are disappointed in Gamespots review of this game and for good reason: it's a great game. Look no further than Gamespots 8.4 "they say" rating. Sites like ign gave it 8.8 does that sound like a bad game?

I finished Dark Messiah and I really enjoyed it. It's nothing like Oblivion so don't go in expecting an RPG really what this is an an FPS with magic , melee and stealth combat. The similarities with Half Life 2 are there in more ways than just the engine.

The reviewer was far too hard on the combat system, it's the best part of the game and far beyond any combat in other RPG/FPS. Certainly it's a great deal better than Oblivions combat and that was fun.

If you decided not to buy/download this game after that review check out the reviews on Eurogamer and IGN and others available below. If you read those you'll see it's a game you definitely don't want to skip.

http://www.gamespot.com/pc/action/da....html?mode=web

technonerd · Oct 27, 2006, 08:47 PM

I'm just curious do they really finish the whole game or just 25% of the game and then write the review ?

Just that the review seem pretty harsh , maybe he smoked way too much weed which can screwed you up and make you think that this games is too buggy.

OmegaRED · Oct 27, 2006, 08:48 PM

Btw, I ran into no serious bugs mentioned in the review. The only issues I had was the game would lockup if I tried to ALT-TAB and it crashed to the desktop one time out of the entire time I played it. This is not a buggy game like Gothic 3.

Technonerd, Gamespot even made an extensive gameguide for this game including videos why would they do that for game that sucks?! The guy playing it in the videos was really good at it and having some fun with magic (I didn't get enough magic skill points) I certainly don't think he would have given it such a bad review.

SFOSOK · Oct 27, 2006, 11:29 PM

I don't just look at the rating, I look and review everything they say about the game. From what I read it is exactly how I pictured it. The had adds up before for Dark Messia on their site so they don't really have a bias against it. Anything that doesn't get over a & on that site usually isn't worth looking through.

This game is a clunky combat RPG with few player upgrades and doesn't really vary in its combat. Its like they took the might and magic name title and said "hmm, I know what it needs. Lets make it more trendy so morons can enjoy it. I think 75% hack and slash should do the trick."

Not calling anyone a moron for playing it though.

I think Omega Red may be suffering from the "I bought crap music so now I'm goin to force myself to like it"

Edit: They have to finish the game, and usually on every difficulty to write the game guide.

Dude, this game is absolutely horrible from what I played, and from what I read it hasn't chaged from how the demo was which is enough for me. I am not goin to pay 50$ for another source mod, sorry.

Edit: Dude, also IGN has a huge ad of Dark Messia on its front page... so yea...

OmegaRED · Oct 28, 2006, 12:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SFOSOK

I don't just look at the rating, I look and review everything they say about the game. From what I read it is exactly how I pictured it. The had adds up before for Dark Messia on their site so they don't really have a bias against it. Anything that doesn't get over a & on that site usually isn't worth looking through.

Gamespots review is an anomaly all the other sites rated it in the high 80's and they had better writeups about the pros and cons of the game. The review says the "combat is unsatisfying" and anyone that's played the full game knows this is absoltely not true. This guy is obviously not making an accurate review.

Quote:

This game is a clunky combat RPG with few player upgrades and doesn't really vary in its combat. Its like they took the might and magic name title and said "hmm, I know what it needs. Lets make it more trendy so morons can enjoy it. I think 75% hack and slash should do the trick."

Not calling anyone a moron for playing it though.

So you're ok if you buy it just as long as you don't like it.

Quote:

I think Omega Red may be suffering from the "I bought crap music so now I'm goin to force myself to like it"

I didn't buy it. I've got no bias and unlike you I actually played it so if I thought the game was great that means a lot more than you not liking it.

Quote:

Dude, this game is absolutely horrible from what I played, and from what I read it hasn't chaged from how the demo was which is enough for me. I am not goin to pay 50$ for another source mod, sorry.

The demo didn't impress me either nor did the multiplayer beta. The same level in the full game is much better because you have access to skills, weapons and armor not available in the demo.

I'm not here to shill for the game as it's not that fantastic it's just that Gamespot is very misleading and sadly they are the CNN of the gaming world people trust their reviews (I know I do).

SFOSOK · Oct 28, 2006, 04:22 AM

Well is the combat, story, and character models character models the same as in the demo?

OmegaRED · Oct 28, 2006, 05:30 AM

Combat is unlocked as you gain skills. You can't execute powerful melee attacks, stealth moves or magic until you use those skill points. In the demo you only get a couple of points and can't unlock anything useful. The same applies to weapons and armor you can't even use them unless you've gained a required skill.

I finished the game and hadn't even unlocked the best stealth or magic if there is anything to complain it's that you don't get enough points to master all 3 skills.

Dyre Straits · Oct 28, 2006, 06:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OmegaRED

Combat is unlocked as you gain skills. You can't execute powerful melee attacks, stealth moves or magic until you use those skill points. In the demo you only get a couple of points and can't unlock anything useful. The same applies to weapons and armor you can't even use them unless you've gained a required skill.

I finished the game and hadn't even unlocked the best stealth or magic if there is anything to complain it's that you don't get enough points to master all 3 skills.

Since you have finished the game, give us some idea of how much gameplay time is involved.

Also, is there actually any reason to continue playing after you finish or is it a "done-done" deal? For example, in OBLIVION, even though the main quest was finished months ago, I'm still finding plenty of reasons and new things to do. There's still a lot of new areas and jobs/quests to be done.

So, when you finish DM, does it close to the credits?

OmegaRED · Oct 28, 2006, 07:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dyre Straits

Since you have finished the game, give us some idea of how much gameplay time is involved.

12-15 hours gameplay with standard quick saves and check points. There isn't much to explore so the time won't vary much.

Quote:

Also, is there actually any reason to continue playing after you finish or is it a "done-done" deal? For example, in OBLIVION, even though the main quest was finished months ago, I'm still finding plenty of reasons and new things to do. There's still a lot of new areas and jobs/quests to be done.

I would say the replay value is the same as you'd get from Half Life 2. There is some extra replay value because you can't earn enough skill points to max out all your skills so you could play once with stealth and then try again with magic or melee. Half my inventory was weapons and armor I wasn't skilled enough to use. Most people will be well rounded with all 3 skills but you can't get all the best stuff that way.

Quote:

So, when you finish DM, does it close to the credits?

Yes, and it's the longest damn game credits I've ever seen. You are then taken to the main menu to start a new game it doesn't continue on like Oblivion.

Dyre Straits · Oct 28, 2006, 08:09 AM

^^^^ OK...next question:

Is the game worth $50 US?

SFOSOK · Oct 28, 2006, 08:11 AM

From your answer of my question, I am never goin to buy this game. Thanks though.

mainman · Oct 28, 2006, 08:31 AM

This game sounds to interesting to pass out, i'll try it as soon as i have a change regardless of reviews.

OmegaRED · Oct 28, 2006, 11:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dyre Straits

^^^^ OK...next question:

Is the game worth $50 US?

I'd say so. Aside from the singleplayer there's multiplayer too.

OmegaRED · Oct 28, 2006, 11:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SFOSOK

From your answer of my question, I am never goin to buy this game. Thanks though.

I'll light candles lamenting your decision

Zardon · Oct 28, 2006, 01:48 PM

i think it looks ok,. i downloaded the demo on steam, not sure its my kind of game but its polished enough - you certainly cant knock the HL2 engine thats for sure, smooth as silk and looks great. Gamespot reviews really are just the opinion of the person reviewing it. its certainly not a basis for purchasing a game. If you are really into finding out if a game is worthwhile, check videos, 2 or 3 reviews like IGN (who seem generally a bit more objective) then even try a demo. I think some of you guys are being a bit hard on the game tbh, its not a classic but its certainly not garbage either.

studbagel9 · Oct 28, 2006, 03:16 PM

Omega, as I've been playing through, I sort of get the idea that they don't want you to be able to master all three skills. I think that they sort of want you to pick an area, and then that way you can play it again and choose another area to go through. I feel that it's too short though as well, especially considering the linearity of the feel of the game. There never seems to be any wandering around you can do, or at least not much. I'm not sure that it totally gains the whole "Action RPG" tag that it's got. I think of Deus Ex or System Shock 2 when I think action RPG. This game is more like... a melee FPS with an advanced progression system. It's fun though, but I think I need to upgrade because there were a few performance issues that I had.

SFOSOK · Oct 28, 2006, 05:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zardon

i think it looks ok,. i downloaded the demo on steam, not sure its my kind of game but its polished enough - you certainly cant knock the HL2 engine thats for sure, smooth as silk and looks great. Gamespot reviews really are just the opinion of the person reviewing it. its certainly not a basis for purchasing a game. If you are really into finding out if a game is worthwhile, check videos, 2 or 3 reviews like IGN (who seem generally a bit more objective) then even try a demo. I think some of you guys are being a bit hard on the game tbh, its not a classic but its certainly not garbage either.

From the Demo its not my type of RPG and the elements haven't really changed. I wasn't expecting them to either.

I think I will have a problem with most RPG's that come out with the way Oblivion has been spoiling me

Zardon · Oct 28, 2006, 07:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SFOSOK

From the Demo its not my type of RPG and the elements haven't really changed. I wasn't expecting them to either.

I think I will have a problem with most RPG's that come out with the way Oblivion has been spoiling me

Yeah I think the 5 or 6 posts you made in this thread make that quite apparent. I beat Oblivion and liked it myself although i really didn't buy into the hype or the "let's explore every millimetre of land to get 100%". I beat oblivion in a few days with a level 2 character and thought the game could have been better tbh. I didnt like the combat system or the insanely stupid levelling system either, but i was in the minority. as for Dark Messiah, I can't really comment, but it sure as hell doesn't look as bad as some people are saying it is. the graphics are excellent and the demo combat certainly looked good enough to me. Well worth a look IMO. Take a look at Gothic 3, that gets everything into perspective !

OmegaRED · Oct 28, 2006, 07:39 PM

If you think of DM as an FPS and not RPG you'll probably enjoy it a lot more.

Guyver2K5 · Oct 28, 2006, 07:56 PM

I may check it out, if its anything like oblivion ill like it.

Zardon · Oct 28, 2006, 09:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Guyver2K5

I may check it out, if its anything like oblivion ill like it.

not really, as omegared said think of it more as a FPS with role playing character improvements and combat. for some reason specific aspects reminded me slightly of Deus Ex (obviously in a much different environment).

SFOSOK · Oct 29, 2006, 01:07 AM

Well the combat in the demo was off for me, attacks wouldn't connect and you always had to do too overdo the motions to kill somebody. If it was a bit more realistic than arcade style combat I would have looked int it more.

The reason why I like Oblivion is because I'm the kind of gamer that buys for the story and to beat the game (and unlock everything and complete 100%). Though I have found lately I really don't have the time for it anymore. I enjoy Oblivion because its one of those games that takes over a year to complete when you playing it off and on. I just don't feel I'm getting my money's worth with a hack and slash FPS. But I'm sure I've made this perfectly clear already so I'll shut up now.

Edit: Damn, quiet a few people are say this looks and feels like Deus Ex (probably my fav RPG of all time, the original of course). May have to look a little closer.

OmegaRED · Oct 29, 2006, 01:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SFOSOK

I am never goin to buy this game.
Damn, quiet a few people are say this looks and feels like Deus Ex (probably my fav RPG of all time, the original of course). May have to look a little closer.

Oct 27, 2006, 05:55 AM	#1
Iria DriverHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 7,275 Rep Power: 87	Dark Messiah of Might and Magic Review @ GameSpot Review: GameSpot _________ The Might and Magic universe dates all the way back to 1986. In those 20 years, we've seen plenty of different games on plenty of different platforms, but most of them have fallen squarely into the turn-based strategy or role-playing sectors. Dark Messiah of Might and Magic, from Ubisoft and Arkane Studios, doesn't really fall into either of those categories. Like Arkane's previous game, Arx Fatalis, this is a first-person game. But Dark Messiah of Might and Magic is extremely light on the role-playing, instead focusing its energy on sword-swinging, magic-fireball-shooting action. Unfortunately, the action gets repetitive quickly, and the game's often-transparent storyline doesn't pick up any of the slack.

Oct 27, 2006, 11:25 AM	#3
SFOSOK 939 Goin Strong Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Ontario Posts: 7,033 Rep Power: 89 System Specs	I knew this game was horrible when I first played the demo. I can't truelly believe anyone thought this game was goin to be good based on that demo. 50$? Sorry, I'll keep it. __________________ Warning - Explicit Content Preceeding METAL!!

Oct 27, 2006, 11:37 AM	#4
Erroneus Get off my lawn! Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Denmark Posts: 13,343 Rep Power: 114 System Specs	Bummer, I really wanted this game to be good, the previews looked good Maybe after 7-8 patches it will be playable, just like Titan Quest. __________________

Oct 27, 2006, 03:37 PM	#7
studbagel9 Rolling the Hard Six Join Date: May 2003 Location: Lock Haven, PA Posts: 767 Rep Power: 0 System Specs	Well, you guys should also know not to trust Gamespot for reviews... in my experience what they've said about games is about completely opposite of how I feel. I bought the game, and it's fun... but I can't figure out how to climb ladders... EDIT: Got it, I think there may have been a glitch in my game at the first ladder you see. __________________ Last edited by studbagel9; Oct 27, 2006 at 06:15 PM.

Oct 27, 2006, 08:40 PM	#8
OmegaRED Relapsed Gamer Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Ottawa , Canada Posts: 5,626 Rep Power: 171 System Specs	The gamespot review is a sham. With that out of the way... Do not trust this review on gamespot right now their forums are filled with pissed off people who are disappointed in Gamespots review of this game and for good reason: it's a great game. Look no further than Gamespots 8.4 "they say" rating. Sites like ign gave it 8.8 does that sound like a bad game? I finished Dark Messiah and I really enjoyed it. It's nothing like Oblivion so don't go in expecting an RPG really what this is an an FPS with magic , melee and stealth combat. The similarities with Half Life 2 are there in more ways than just the engine. The reviewer was far too hard on the combat system, it's the best part of the game and far beyond any combat in other RPG/FPS. Certainly it's a great deal better than Oblivions combat and that was fun. If you decided not to buy/download this game after that review check out the reviews on Eurogamer and IGN and others available below. If you read those you'll see it's a game you definitely don't want to skip. http://www.gamespot.com/pc/action/da....html?mode=web __________________ E Penis Specs: <------------- See System Specs

Oct 27, 2006, 11:03 AM	#2
Brutality DriverHeaven Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Estonia Posts: 887 Rep Power: 39	Lol?

Oct 27, 2006, 12:42 PM	#6
Brutality DriverHeaven Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Estonia Posts: 887 Rep Power: 39	I didn't play demo. I wanted to keep my hopes for full game. But damn, gotta stop downloading it then. Damnit, i had such hopes on it. oh,well, atleast combat is gonna be nice.

Oct 27, 2006, 08:47 PM	#9
technonerd DriverHeaven Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Calgary, Alberta, Canada Posts: 594 Rep Power: 0	I'm just curious do they really finish the whole game or just 25% of the game and then write the review ? Just that the review seem pretty harsh , maybe he smoked way too much weed which can screwed you up and make you think that this games is too buggy.

Oct 27, 2006, 08:48 PM	#10
OmegaRED Relapsed Gamer Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Ottawa , Canada Posts: 5,626 Rep Power: 171 System Specs	Btw, I ran into no serious bugs mentioned in the review. The only issues I had was the game would lockup if I tried to ALT-TAB and it crashed to the desktop one time out of the entire time I played it. This is not a buggy game like Gothic 3. Technonerd, Gamespot even made an extensive gameguide for this game including videos why would they do that for game that sucks?! The guy playing it in the videos was really good at it and having some fun with magic (I didn't get enough magic skill points) I certainly don't think he would have given it such a bad review. __________________ E Penis Specs: <------------- See System Specs Last edited by OmegaRED; Oct 27, 2006 at 08:59 PM.

Oct 27, 2006, 11:29 PM	#11
SFOSOK 939 Goin Strong Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Ontario Posts: 7,033 Rep Power: 89 System Specs	I don't just look at the rating, I look and review everything they say about the game. From what I read it is exactly how I pictured it. The had adds up before for Dark Messia on their site so they don't really have a bias against it. Anything that doesn't get over a & on that site usually isn't worth looking through. This game is a clunky combat RPG with few player upgrades and doesn't really vary in its combat. Its like they took the might and magic name title and said "hmm, I know what it needs. Lets make it more trendy so morons can enjoy it. I think 75% hack and slash should do the trick." Not calling anyone a moron for playing it though. I think Omega Red may be suffering from the "I bought crap music so now I'm goin to force myself to like it" Edit: They have to finish the game, and usually on every difficulty to write the game guide. Dude, this game is absolutely horrible from what I played, and from what I read it hasn't chaged from how the demo was which is enough for me. I am not goin to pay 50$ for another source mod, sorry. Edit: Dude, also IGN has a huge ad of Dark Messia on its front page... so yea... __________________ Warning - Explicit Content Preceeding METAL!!

Oct 28, 2006, 04:22 AM	#13
SFOSOK 939 Goin Strong Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Ontario Posts: 7,033 Rep Power: 89 System Specs	Well is the combat, story, and character models character models the same as in the demo? __________________ Warning - Explicit Content Preceeding METAL!!

Oct 28, 2006, 05:30 AM	#14
OmegaRED Relapsed Gamer Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Ottawa , Canada Posts: 5,626 Rep Power: 171 System Specs	Combat is unlocked as you gain skills. You can't execute powerful melee attacks, stealth moves or magic until you use those skill points. In the demo you only get a couple of points and can't unlock anything useful. The same applies to weapons and armor you can't even use them unless you've gained a required skill. I finished the game and hadn't even unlocked the best stealth or magic if there is anything to complain it's that you don't get enough points to master all 3 skills. __________________ E Penis Specs: <------------- See System Specs

Oct 28, 2006, 08:11 AM	#18
SFOSOK 939 Goin Strong Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Ontario Posts: 7,033 Rep Power: 89 System Specs	From your answer of my question, I am never goin to buy this game. Thanks though. __________________ Warning - Explicit Content Preceeding METAL!!

Oct 28, 2006, 08:31 AM	#19
mainman Mr. Nobody Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: OmniPresent Nightwatcher Posts: 5,961 Rep Power: 69	This game sounds to interesting to pass out, i'll try it as soon as i have a change regardless of reviews. __________________

Oct 28, 2006, 01:48 PM	#22
Zardon DriverHeaven Founder Join Date: May 2002 Posts: 32,480 Rep Power: 177	i think it looks ok,. i downloaded the demo on steam, not sure its my kind of game but its polished enough - you certainly cant knock the HL2 engine thats for sure, smooth as silk and looks great. Gamespot reviews really are just the opinion of the person reviewing it. its certainly not a basis for purchasing a game. If you are really into finding out if a game is worthwhile, check videos, 2 or 3 reviews like IGN (who seem generally a bit more objective) then even try a demo. I think some of you guys are being a bit hard on the game tbh, its not a classic but its certainly not garbage either.

Oct 28, 2006, 03:16 PM	#23
studbagel9 Rolling the Hard Six Join Date: May 2003 Location: Lock Haven, PA Posts: 767 Rep Power: 0 System Specs	Omega, as I've been playing through, I sort of get the idea that they don't want you to be able to master all three skills. I think that they sort of want you to pick an area, and then that way you can play it again and choose another area to go through. I feel that it's too short though as well, especially considering the linearity of the feel of the game. There never seems to be any wandering around you can do, or at least not much. I'm not sure that it totally gains the whole "Action RPG" tag that it's got. I think of Deus Ex or System Shock 2 when I think action RPG. This game is more like... a melee FPS with an advanced progression system. It's fun though, but I think I need to upgrade because there were a few performance issues that I had. __________________

Oct 28, 2006, 07:39 PM	#26
OmegaRED Relapsed Gamer Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Ottawa , Canada Posts: 5,626 Rep Power: 171 System Specs	If you think of DM as an FPS and not RPG you'll probably enjoy it a lot more. __________________ E Penis Specs: <------------- See System Specs

Oct 28, 2006, 07:56 PM	#27
Guyver2K5 Don't make me hungry. Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Weyburn, Saskatchewan Posts: 4,319 Rep Power: 55	I may check it out, if its anything like oblivion ill like it. __________________ *BlackberryPin-*31E36989

Oct 29, 2006, 01:07 AM	#29
SFOSOK 939 Goin Strong Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Ontario Posts: 7,033 Rep Power: 89 System Specs	Well the combat in the demo was off for me, attacks wouldn't connect and you always had to do too overdo the motions to kill somebody. If it was a bit more realistic than arcade style combat I would have looked int it more. The reason why I like Oblivion is because I'm the kind of gamer that buys for the story and to beat the game (and unlock everything and complete 100%). Though I have found lately I really don't have the time for it anymore. I enjoy Oblivion because its one of those games that takes over a year to complete when you playing it off and on. I just don't feel I'm getting my money's worth with a hack and slash FPS. But I'm sure I've made this perfectly clear already so I'll shut up now. Edit: Damn, quiet a few people are say this looks and feels like Deus Ex (probably my fav RPG of all time, the original of course). May have to look a little closer. __________________ Warning - Explicit Content Preceeding METAL!! Last edited by SFOSOK; Oct 29, 2006 at 01:18 AM.