On the Fence

No one can give you a solid opinion just yet as the more of the RTS element will be added in Beta 2, which will be coming out sometime this week (we hope and expect). So far the Action RPG element has been what we've been dealing with. Most of the final game's result hasn't been playable by the Testers just yet, perhaps you should hop in on Beta 2 and see how it plays out for yourself. The good thing about this test is that we can judge how much of an impect that RTS element has on the game, such as the number of units we can command at a time.

If you'd like to take part in that development, I suggest you hop in on this Beta Phase because I can say one thing which has long had my interest peeked for Demigod - no game is short. There is no such thing as a rush, and it is impossible to win a game in under 5 minutes. I like that, and I look forward to helping out in ensuring this game just doesn't become yet another rush-happy bore fest most other RTS games are.

Demigod is verry similar to Defense of the ancient  (dotA) in Warcraft 3.

If you do have warcraft 3 Frozen throne, I would suggest you trying a dotA game.

Keep im mind that demigod is not exactly like dotA. Its just to give you a based Idea.

But personally, if you like RPG and RTS, there is a good chance you will like the game.

It's not a proper RPG by any means (no more than Warcraft 3 was), it just has levelling up with a skill tree and inventory. I don't think it will be a fully fledged RTS either, although you're going to be able to upgrade stuff and order units around. It is a clever little 3rd person action game with emphasis on team tactics.

The game is a lot of fun, and very beautiful. It lacks replay value at the moment, because it is beta 1c and not much content has been released.

Are you at all concerned that by moving around these elements that the individual parts may feel neutered? Or does it feel like it fits?

A recent game that comes to mind is Spore.

Great concept. Bad Execution in my opinion. None of the different stages were anywhere deep enough to make it worthwile. It was very shallow and it could be because they tried to do too much. I think it was mostly poor design choices but that's just a guess.

I'm kind of afraid of that happening here.

I'd love to jump into the Beta but that would mean buying the game which would render this topic somewhat moot. Hopefully the Beta 2 impressions will give me a better idea of what to expect.

Personnally I really really like the game and Cant wait for beta2.

In fact, I guess im tone of the only guy who still love beta 1 because sadly its almost impossible to make online game over hamachi now....

I Guess me + my friend are too good for the other people out there .

I've played a lot of Beta tests for the better part of 10 years, and I will say I have been in only a handful that were worthwhile. Thankfully, the Demigod Beta is enjoyable. Your concerns are well noted, as I too shared them when I invested money into the pre-order. I was afraid the game wouldn't be fun, but I was presently surprised to find that even Beta 1, which wasn't supposed to be fun, was pleasing to play. The game is growing with each update, and the community which takes part in the test is intellegent and well rounded. So I've got no complaints with the game so far, and I feel that Pre-Ordering to take part of the Beta is more worth it than you might think.

My guess is that if you enjoyed Sins of a Solar Empire then you will have no problem with Demigod.

If you have backed Stardock to this point, you are safe to continue doing so

"Are you at all concerned that by moving around these elements that the individual parts may feel neutered? Or does it feel like it fits?"

No, Demigod does not feel like an inadequate RPG hooked up to a second rate RTS. Rather, it is its own game. Demigod is relatively simple, but the mechanics so far revealed work and are addictive. I think I'd actually just class it as an RTS/3rd Person Action game with levelling.

Like someone said play Dota.  So far the first beta plays like that game.  Sure there are differences but generally the playstyle is the same.  Also, nothing is neutered its just a completely different experience.  The only way I can explain is thats its a mixture between Diablo, and the sense and feeling of a FPS (sounds strange but its how I feel when I play Dota and Demigod) with the RTS revealing itself through personal manipulation of your unit in coordination with your team.  This is the current feeling and am assuming it will stay similar as I expect the Generals (heroes who command units) to be much like Chen in Dota except advanced upon.

Glad to hear so much positive feedback.

Every Stardock game I've played has been great. I especially think the community is one of the best around.

I also enjoyed the Betas on each of the Gal Civ games and Sins of a Solar Empire.

All great reasons to jump into this.

As the RTS elements haven't been implemented yet. How do you guys feel this will flow with what has been tested to date?

I also wonder about replayability. Gal Civ II has endless replayability. Sins can get pretty repetitive but the multiplayer keeps it fresh. What's your impression on replayability so far with the small part you've seen?

A ) I feel the RTS Element will blend quite nicely, as the game's mechanics are ripe for that inclusion. We'll be working out the execution come Beta 2.

B ) New article covers Replayability in the Demigod Jounrals, expressing how the game will not only have a Campaign Mode, but a seperate Single Player mode which changes each time you play. Sounds like fun, and I look foreard to giving it a try.

To me thats like asking what the replayability is far Counter Strike or any multiplayer RTS for that matter.  The replayability lies in the online multiplayer of this game like most other RTS games out there. 

Sorry for the double post.

When I talk about replayability... I have to assume that when you've played subsequent games that you get some kind of feeling about it. Does it feel the same? Are there multiple ways to meet your objective?  Or are you going about things in the same way that you did before?

Some games are horribly bland and repetitive. I'd point to a game like Too Human as a great example.

While other games, like Mass Effect, offer loads of reasons to jump back into a game and offers you different paths to your ultimate end goal. Gal Civ II... tons of replayability.

Looking at what you've seen so far? What category do you guys think this falls in?

Arag, I'm not answering your questions anymore. You keep throwing up more of them, but they are the same exact question over and over again, just reworded. You've got your answers. Pre-Order or don't. My last statement, as a fellow Gal Civ II fan, I'm not at all dissapointed with Demigod - that's my final argument.

It's not as if you're obligated... if you don't feel like answering a question... don't. No reason to reply by saying you're not answering. That just... doesn't make sense. Move onto another thread.

No, my questions are not reworded. The first question I asked was about general criticism of the game, my second question was about the gameplay elements and if, despite the different genres being blended, if it was still a positive experience, and my third question was about replayability. I'm not trying to be pedantic....

I'm only soliciting information which is what I stated in my initial query on this thread. I'm surprised that you would take an adversarial position on this as the point of this board is to talk about the game and engage in discussion. If you don't want to answer your fellow community members questions... don't.

Setting will be as diverse as allowed within arena model i.e. not extremely.  What makes a game like this replayable is the infinite variables of online play.  The single player and meta should hold your interest for a while, but if you are looking for a huge single player setting like Mass Effect you should probably hold out for Dragon Age. 

So far, the Demigod engine test has demonstrated a great deal of replayability, which is notable in itself. 

Take my advice and go play Dota.  If you think that game offers replayability, then preorder Demigod.  If you don't, then don't preorder Demigod.  Seriously at this point your question is arbitrary opinion.  Its basically asking whether L4D has replayability after you beat the game on Normal or Advanced.  Would you try to beat the game on expert after you've beaten the game on hard?  If your answer is no, then maybe Demigod isn't a replayable game for you.  Demigod is the same thing over and over, but its replayability is almost infinite due to the players you play with and the actions people take during the game.  Content will be added but is also limited.  Its the gameplay that adds replayability just like most FPS online.

Thanks, I appreciate your answers and perspectives.

It's perfect.