... at a theater near you (just kidding). This purpose of this blog post is to describe a new game I'm playing called "Tomes of Mephistopheles" (ToM for short).
Tomes of Mephistopheles (ToM)
On occaision, I like to impulse buy a new game by a developer that I have never heard of, and Tomes of Mephistopheles (ToM) is one such game. You can buy the game both on Desura, or on the developer's website (where it is half the price, but you have to manually download and install the updates) and it runs in both 32- and 64-bit versions of Windows, as well as Linux.
The Good
There's so much I like about this game, even though it's in the early Alpha build stage right now. It might be easier to list everything in bullet-point form, so I will do that:
- A destructible in-game environment. I've always liked this feature, and it adds a whole new level of depth to ToM. Can't find the key to a door you need to open in order to progress in the game? Have several Bombs? Problem solved. If you're willing to persevere, there are no problems in ToM that cannot be solved with a little ingenuity... and some explosives, of course. :)
- Crash-free gameplay. This is so important, I nearly put it as #1, but since there are games that I love playing that do crash on occaision, I put this at #2. Still, kudos to the developer for making ToM rock solid right from the get-go. I run the game in 64-bit Windows, slightly above the minimum recommended system specs, and it runs flawlessly. 60-fps constant, and the graphics are gorgeous. Well done!
- Fully interactive in-game objects. You know when you open the ubuiquitous treasure chest in an RPG? And how a windows pops-up in-game showing you what's inside the chest? Well, finally here's a games developer that gets it right: Fully interactive in-chest objects. In ToM you know what's in the chest without looking at an inventory screen because you can see it, with your own two eyes. Beautifully rendered potions, explosives (bombs), and other items (to be added at a later date) appear inside the chests. It sounds simple - and it is - but this little touch adds a whole new level of realism to the game. Just like in real life, whatever is in a container has to be able to fit inside of it too.
- Crazy skeletons (AI). Right now, the only enemy in the game is a skeleton, but it is like none I have ever seen! Or heard. The sound they make in-game scares the *bleep* out of me... The dungeons are poorly lit (they're dungeons, what would you expect?) and the sound the skeletons make is far louder than either the game's music, or the sound of doors opening, etc. Playing the game sometimes feels like playing a part in a horror movie! As for movement (i.e. combat), the skeletons are generally slow moving, but will sometimes melt to the left or the right side while fighting. It's hard to describe, but it's very unusual and unlike anything I have seen before.
- Customizable random-generated dungeons. Before the start of each game, you're given the opportunity to select what size of dungeon the game will generate. Choices range from "Tiny" all the way up to "Infinite". I picked "Tiny" and it's still freaking huge. I played for over an hour yesterday, and barely explored half the generated space. I wouldn't recommend clicking "Infinite" unless your time is infinite too!
The Bad
I can't think of anything "bad" to say about this game so far.
What's Next? (My Wishlist)
According to the developer, ToM will feature multiple enemy types (this is absolutely essential), outdoor environments (yes!), and a greater variety of interior environments. I'd also expect the difficulty to be ramped up. The game is great fun to play now, but not particularly challenging. You can easily strafe the skeletons, there are no other enemies to worry about, and potions replenish far more energy and health than I expend before consuming them. Right now, in fact, the challenge is casting enough spells to warrant using one of my mana potions! (I haven't taken any damage from the skeletons, and so have no need of the health potions)
Finally, the game needs a story to hold it all together. While it's not absolutely essential that it be multi-layered, I would at the very least like to know who this "Mephistopheles" guy is, and what his tomes are. Even without a story, or just a barebones one, ToM is a blast to play. If you like first-person RPG style games, have some spare cash, and are willing to part with some of it, I highly recommend giving Tomes of Mephistopheles a try. It's well-made now, and I expect it will only get better with subsequent updates.
