Hands On Gameplay Video of 'Ravensword'
posted by arn on October 9th, 2009 10:52 AM EDT in Upcoming Games, iPhone games, iPod touch games
Crescent Moon Games has provided the first hands-on gameplay video of their upcoming 3D RPG Ravensword. The game has received a massive amount of attention in our forums since it was first revealed in August.
Since the first trailer was released, Josh Presseisen reports that they have been undergoing further performance optimization and interface tweaking. The following video represents a beta version of the game which shows the character fighting a troll in the woods, a skeleton in the dungeon, and lizard warrior in the dark lands of Sytheria.
The video shows a very impressive 3D action RPG. The control system shown in the video is said to be "completely changing" and will include some auto-targetting. The game is undergoing active development and is expected to be released sometime later this year.
Wow…this looks really eerily similar to the game RISEN I am now playing… good stuff!
Risen is a great game! This is no Risen, in my opinion, though. Looks good nonetheless! To everyone else: get Risen!!
Looks amazing, the only thing I don't like about the game from the video is the 'Resident Evil one joystick' only control. I prefer the control scheme of MC:S as it has the one joystick+swipe the screen to look around. Other than that, the game looks great and I hope it makes the 15th October submission date.
controls are changing.
Ah, didn't see that part. Good to know they are changing it.
Well after watching the video my initial impression is awesome!! Looks like it could be a big seller. This will be another I'll have to purchase.
…looks like the first "real" RPG on the iPhone. Love the sounds & graphics. As far as i can see (hear) them.
Waiting since german-iphone-release for such a game! Great!
What defines this as a "real" RPG? Just curious.
The first "real"ly good was The Quest…So that position is already taken.
Looking great gents, the only niggle I would have is the lack of a block button…. unless of course that action becomes available when you have a shield?
Can't wait
AI seems a bit stupid..combat seems REALLY basic. And what happened to the 3rd monster he was fighting, the grey dinosaur thingy? Why do people praise something if its pretty and not discuss the actual gameplay?
It's not a fighting game, it's an RPG, and combat is no more basic than what you would expect on a game in that genre. It's tough to comment on gameplay when all you have is a 1:45 video. Needless to say, combat is only one aspect of the game.
While the graphics and gameplay are impressive for the iPhone, I can't help noticing how 'unnatural' and stiff the character animation is.
The jumping animation just before slashing the monster looks quite bad IMHO and the combat has an overall robotic feel to it, monsters don't flinch when hit, you just see a gratuitous splurge of blood, all this takes away any 'immersive' quality.
Not to take anything away from the achievement of the developers, some games on the 360 or PS3 have animations just as bad if not worse – this is a common issue with other 3D game engines where the characters all have one standard animation for movements like a jump or fall.
Also, why do skeletons bleed red blood? Do they have any 'blood'? Or should it be some grey dust, or ichor. Again, this is something game developers can take note of – to vary the damage effect based on the target will add some 'realism' to any game.
Actually, the monsters to flinch when hit, as you can clearly see on the video. I agree about the blood on the skeleton; I believe the developers are planning to change that. As you say, the graphics and animations are impressive for the iPhone; not sure why comparisons to PS3(!) games are relevant.
they better not mess this one up.
that control looks horrible and embarrassing, i'm aware they are going to revamp it, but really, why would they release a video that diminishes hype on this what-was over-hyped game?
Hey – we're no Gameloft – we're two guys that are doing what we like to do.
We take your comments though and walk away with good ideas for improvement.
I know that you are a team of 2. That information is practically irrelevant, considering I don't buy games based on the size of the production staff. You should undoubtedly get feedback on your game. But do it with a closed beta. What this new footage comes off as is a technique to build hype, when, due to the unpolished controls, could potentially diminish hype.
That said, I want in on your closed beta, and I'm thoroughly impressed two guys have put together such a large project. /highfive.
Another example of internet frontal lobe release…
I could think of a few hundred more constructive ways to articulate the same concerns..
Wow, you really nailed it, SalsaMD.
I, for one, am incredibly impressed two guys can build such a cool-looking game, and Josh, you guys can definitely count me in when it's released.
I get so tired of reading these comments from people who expect the world from a game you play on your phone — your phone! "… that control looks horrible and embarrassing." C'mon, really?
Animations need some rework, for a 3D game some variation in attacks on the part of the player as well as the monster would be welcome as well as some fluidity in the animation. I agree that they feel very unnatural and there seems to be problem with collision detection as many times the player is jumping or walking into the monster. Death animations would be great also.
Most peeps here have to keep in mind the size of the team, and the scope of the game.
Looks great… was this captured on a 3GS or 'regular' ipod/iphone?
I don't think that "regular" Ipod/phone is capable of these graphicks. Although I sooo hope that the game is playable on iphone 3g. Devs said that it will be toned down, but I hope it will still be playable. I don't mind if they tone down the graphicks, all I want is a solid frame rate…
Wow… Looks great, even though the iPod touch 1st/2nd gen's graphics won't be AS good… Can't wait!
Looks like Rune.
This looks great. The graphics are plenty good. I hope that the 2 guys working on this game will take all the time they can afford to take, and make sure that it controls very well.
I've probably got at least several years worth of games that I need to play, so I am in no hurry for this to come out. But I will buy it the first day it is released.
I wonder why most "RPG" are based in a Medieval World or Manga Style World. It looks like it lacks a bit of creativity. I really can't believe, that every gamer is demanding only these 2 Types of worlds…
.) Shen Mue I+II made it different.
.) Project 1112 – Episode 01 made it different on the iPhone. Whell, it is no RPG, BUT is has an awesome story. Take a piece of it.
.) Beyond Good & Evil made it different.
.) Mirrors Edge made it different.
Please, for the future, be creative. The game looks so good. It should have been something different.
Because that's what the majority of players want. Really.
I know you're speaking hyperbolically, but the counter-points to that statement go on and on. I'll start with Mass Effect.
Totally unrelated to the main discussion, but I would love it if Ubisoft got their sister company to do an iPhone version of Beyond Good and Evil. Still one my favorite action games.
That would be great!
BTW.: I'll have to buy Mass Effect!
I agree, but the devil is in the details.
While this one is set in a Tolkien-esque Middle Earth type of setting, how it differentiates itself from other like games will prove unique enough.
Since when did skeleton's bleed??
the female skeletons do
Wow absoulutly gourgous, getting this for sure. I was allready waiting for it and this looks to be a winner game for sure !!!
Why does the skeleton spew blood?
The subject has come up multiple times. Here's what the developer had to say about it.
http://forums.toucharcade.com/showpost.php?p=551448&postcount=1125
As it has been stated before the AI seems a bit on the stupid side.
The character leaves x position but the monster still tries to attack on that same position.
And the reason we didn't see the end of the dino battle is the fact that the AI doesn't try to follow the character. It's probably attacking the x spot a few clicks back!!!
Anyway don't want to be mean but these things need to get fixed.
If you need any help with beta testing I would be glad to help.
I've beta tested before so I know how involved it can get.
Great looking game and something I am going to get. The design and sounds are slightly reminiscent of Oblivion. While the fighting reminds me more of Underworlds. Make the AI a little smarter and add in some additional combat animation combos.
Great job though and I look forward to it.
This game will be one of the best games on the iphone as far as graphics and gameplay go and it will be the best RPG when it is released, October 15, right? This looks sooo cool! Even if they don't have this in it, it would still be cool if they had lots of communication with any characters in the game and allow you to roam through homes, big world map that is not blocked off at lots of parts (unfortunate aspect of Dungeon hunter)…. I don't know about everyone else, but I love games that let you go pretty much wherever you want, instead of a path that you have to stay on, which is why Dungeon Hunter wasn't much of a RPG…
The game was supposed to be submitted on October 15th, but it actually went through some significant changes in the beta testing process and may be delayed for a few days. See the Upcoming Games thread for more info from the developer.