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Dreamfall Chapters: The Longest Journey |OT| Book One: Reborn
- Thread starter ab.aeterno
- Start date
Finished Book 3. I liked it a bit more than book 2. Overall I like the game very much, even if it has some issues. The story makes up for the shortcomings in the gameplay. I also think the game looks great, especially in Stark.
I don't really have framerate problems like others seems to have. It's not 60 fps, but I get from 30 to 60 fps with the highest settings and V-Sync on, except SSAO which is set to off, and shadow distance is set to 15. Using motion blur at 75% makes up for the times when the framerate goes down. Using a GTX 760, so I'm happy I can play it pretty well with the graphic settings I use.
I don't really have framerate problems like others seems to have. It's not 60 fps, but I get from 30 to 60 fps with the highest settings and V-Sync on, except SSAO which is set to off, and shadow distance is set to 15. Using motion blur at 75% makes up for the times when the framerate goes down. Using a GTX 760, so I'm happy I can play it pretty well with the graphic settings I use.
AHA-Lambda
Member
Hmm, it seems that the gog version still doesn't have the patch that fixes the choice bug from ep 2 >_>
As shit as it is from RTG's side, I really don't like how gog handles episodic games, doubt i'll get another one from them.
As shit as it is from RTG's side, I really don't like how gog handles episodic games, doubt i'll get another one from them.
Alright book 3.
First this chapter felt really short. Maybe because there wasn't too much wandering around.
The fist couple of "puzzles" in Kian were a bit... harder? Mostly because the game didn't really provide any clue on how to progress.
Aaaand he's back.
Overall though the episodic structure is really hurting the pacing, especially this episode.
First this chapter felt really short. Maybe because there wasn't too much wandering around.
The fist couple of "puzzles" in Kian were a bit... harder? Mostly because the game didn't really provide any clue on how to progress.
So Kian is gay, eh? I don't think they did a good job at foreshadowing it, even in the previous episode when he talk with Enu about his (lack) of sex life I didn't pick any clue, and I'm usually good at spotting sub-text.
Zoe's plot FINALLY picks up pace and we got back to Arcadia.
Aaaand he's back.
Overall though the episodic structure is really hurting the pacing, especially this episode.
Chance Hale
Member
I'm not sure whether this chapter was short or it just felt that way because book 2 was so long. Definitely felt like it ended just as things were getting exciting. Laughed at the silly excuse they had in place for
Everything with Zoe in the last segment of the chapter was hilarious. Ordering the fruity drink had me smirking pretty hard. Was really bothered by her
Kian not to interact with Zoe
Everything with Zoe in the last segment of the chapter was hilarious. Ordering the fruity drink had me smirking pretty hard. Was really bothered by her
constantly SHOUTING while talking to shitbot while sneaking around.
Everdred
Member
I loved the first 2 releases and played them in a much smaller window... I almost completely forgot what happened in the last 2. The gap makes it impossible to follow the story. A message would pop up saying there were consequences but I couldn't remember what I did initially.
On a side note, I'm hoping the last decision I made makes things interesting, it was the least popular of the 2.
On a side note, I'm hoping the last decision I made makes things interesting, it was the least popular of the 2.
Jay Shadow
Member
They have started a dev blog. The first one goes over the process of creating the first 3 games and the issues that came up along the way.
An important and welcome note about Book 4 development:
An important and welcome note about Book 4 development:
Interesting and honest blog post. It seems they started Dreamfall Chapters "unprepaired" and are trying to catch up with things in between making the actual episodes (e.g. transition to Unity 5 in between episode 3 and 4). It must be a really stressfull time for the developers but hopefully also a good learning experience for their next game.
I hope the transition to Unity 5 brings it a step closer to releasing on PS4. I'd love to buy this game.
Jay Shadow
Member
No news on release dates or anything, just the usual portrait art for the new chapter.
Finally got around to finishing Book 3.
Maybe it's just me and the gap between episodes seems really long on top of the game not doing recaps (which is kinda annoying for an episodic game to not have), but I don't really feel like the game is really building to anything. Or well, it is, but it's done 3/5 of itself, but I feel like the story is just getting started.
Maybe Kian next book will be the big thing. Not sure what exactly Zoe needs to do now exact in very vague terms either. That or her goal to find the first dreamer could be an entire game itself and, well, like I said, not much left to go.
Maybe it's just me and the gap between episodes seems really long on top of the game not doing recaps (which is kinda annoying for an episodic game to not have), but I don't really feel like the game is really building to anything. Or well, it is, but it's done 3/5 of itself, but I feel like the story is just getting started.
Maybe Kian next book will be the big thing. Not sure what exactly Zoe needs to do now exact in very vague terms either. That or her goal to find the first dreamer could be an entire game itself and, well, like I said, not much left to go.
D
Deleted member 102362
Unconfirmed Member
I wouldn't be surprised if the G-man from Half-Life shows up at the end of book 5, says some cryptic things, and puts Zoe in stasis.
Basileus777
Member
I'll take a delay of a few weeks for a game that's improved technically. If the engine update really does achieve that.
Chance Hale
Member
I would rather wait for a few months than play another episode at 25 FPS at 1440P so I'm glad the switch is finally happening
Jay Shadow
Member
Delay got bigger. They halted production on Chapter 4 due to the amount of bugs in converting the first 3 chapters. Since they can't wait until December for the next build of Unity to fix these bugs they gotta concentrate on workarounds. They're shooting for beta testing of the earlier chapters next week, and then Chapter 4 sometime in November, I assume late. Their original target for release was today, so that still doesn't seem like too bad of a delay to me given everything they're dealing with.
It's a shame the release schedule has been so busted. The game has already been hard to recommend because knowledge of (at least) the first Dreamfall, if not TLJ is pretty much required to get into it... Having just played thru Life is Strange and seeing that game develop a widespread, fervent following has been bittersweet because I think this franchise deserves that too and unfortunately only gets it from a much smaller audience.
Game runs WAY better on the Beta. Still not perfect, has a few stutters here and there, but no more running through the city at 30-45 FPS generally on hardware that should crush it. Spent a few minutes running around Propast and only issue seemed to be those stutters, think it's probably asset streaming related. All settings at max on a 980ti and never dipped below 60. Which, y'know, is common sense, but don't tell that to Unity games.
I've still got episode 3 to play so I think I will be waiting for this to clear Beta to really dip into the improvements.
I've still got episode 3 to play so I think I will be waiting for this to clear Beta to really dip into the improvements.
Nice, thanks for the impressions. Enjoyed what I played a fair a bit of Ep 1-2, but held off once I heard about the change in engine coming; glad to see it's turning out well.
Green Yoshi
Member
(FB)
http://www.develop-online.net/news/finalists-revealed-for-2015-tiga-awards/0213524
They could win the "GAMES WITH A PURPOSE LARGE" award, in the other category are too strong competitors.
Chance Hale
Member
Does it not run like shit finally? Please please please!
Jay Shadow
Member
That was the entire reason for the engine upgrade. I haven't tested it myself though.
Finally. Hopefully i can finish book 2 and 3 now
Jay Shadow
Member
Still some pretty massive framerate dips, but now with a lot higher starting framerate. On my 980 I dropped below 30 fps once in a large area of daytime Marcuria and that was only 28. General FPS now when roaming both cities is around 45. The scene in the last chapter where
is now in the 40-50 range instead of 15.
Now this was all with a 980, but it was with all the bells and whistles on too.
Zoe first walks out of the Inn and into daytime Marcuria
Now this was all with a 980, but it was with all the bells and whistles on too.
Chance Hale
Member
Good to hear it's now quite a bit less shit if not what you'd expect still. Shame Unity is so shit.
indigo-cyclops
Member
Same
Ragnar about the porting process... seems painful.
https://medium.com/@ragso/dreamfall...-rocky-road-to-unity-5-48e1f22ea62#.rqya7u2z5
https://medium.com/@ragso/dreamfall...-rocky-road-to-unity-5-48e1f22ea62#.rqya7u2z5
thehillissilent
Member
Yeah, it seems rough indeed, but the graphics and performance upgrade seems more than worth it. I'm glad that I didn't really play through this game yet.
Green Yoshi
Member
Interesting read. I hope it performs now better on my old PC.
Book Four should be out before Christmas.
Mithos
Member
Ouch, luckily it did not sink them.
Will check to see if v3.2.9.1 of the game is running at a better framerate then before later this week.
The game is in a much better state now -- it's quite astonishing a jump, especially if you were there from the beginning slogging through Propast at 20fps.
I really want Digital Foundry to do an article about the improvements, but this game might be too low-key a title for them to put in the time, considering all the other big titles coming out left and right this season.
Man, that's a lot of work and money. Ragnar and RTG gets all of my respect.
I really want Digital Foundry to do an article about the improvements, but this game might be too low-key a title for them to put in the time, considering all the other big titles coming out left and right this season.
Man, that's a lot of work and money. Ragnar and RTG gets all of my respect.
Basileus777
Member
You have to wonder how much the budget has overrun considering how long they've been developing this now. And sales outside of the Kickstarter haven't been that great.
D
Deleted member 102362
Unconfirmed Member
Lots of respect to Ragnar + Red Thread for all their hard work.
Seems like a nightmare but it was probably needed, if not for the general PC improvements, but because they wanted to do console versions. There was no way it was going to work on PS4 on Unity 4, save maybe running at like 20 FPS.
Might be an article that's new thread worthy.
Might be an article that's new thread worthy.
Unity 4 was not going to be supported for much longer anyway.
CecilRousso
Member
They pretty much have had budget issues from the beginning, they're just a less interesting company for the gaming press to report such tings about, compared to other kickstarters.
Booted up the updated version of the game and it seemed to have a much smoother framerate from what i remember. Im still basically holding off on a play-through though until they are done with it. There were some stutters still but i think they definitely increased the fps by a lot in areas. Didnt necessarily notice any differences in lighting or anything but that could be area specific. It is a shame they went the episodic approach with this. Dreamfall is such a great game and i have great memories of it.
Interesting and honest article. It must have been a nightmare to switch engines in between developing a new chapter. But the end result seems worth it. Hopefully, they are indeed in a good position now to port to PS4 since i would love to buy this sometime in the (near?) future on console.
D
Deleted member 30609
Unconfirmed Member
why would a software development company switch engine versions mid-development of an already partially released game? that's insane. there's next no no perceivable benefit for the end-user.
^ someone tell me why this is a stupid thing to say, because it might be.
^ someone tell me why this is a stupid thing to say, because it might be.