The name says it all.
From the mind of Chris Taylor (Total Annihilation) comes the action role-playing game Dungeon Seige. Like Ninja Golf, you pretty much know what you're getting into when you boot up Dungeon Siege. It's a game where you lay siege to dungeons, one after another. If your idea of role-playing heaven is based on customization, character development, and a huge open-ended world in which to explore, Dungeon Siege might not be for you. It's almost all action, all the time. The story is underdeveloped, the dialogue is almost non-existent, and the side-quests, if you can call them that, are hardly off the beaten path. Yet despite all this, Dungeon Siege is an excellent game. It might not have much of a story, but the graphics, sound, play control, and gameplay of Dungeon Siege are all outstanding.
Unlike many modern role-playing games, Dungeon Siege doesn't invest much in a story. After a short preamble, in which we are told the brief, bloody history of the Kingdom of Ehb, players are dropped into the game as a simple farmer. From there he or she, depending on what sex you chose at the title screen, goes on to recruit other citizens of Ehb to save the kingdom from an ancient evil.
What Dungeon Siege lacks in narrative and presentation, it more than makes up for in technical achievement. The game is beautiful. Gorgeous 3D models fill up the screen with no slow-down, and there are plenty of highly-detailed background to gaze at while your party isn't being attacked by abominable snowmen. There are also a hundred small touches that add to the visual appeal and realism of the game. For example, if you continue to burden your pack mule with supplies, larger bags and boxes will appear on its back.
Dungeon Siege not only looks great; it sounds great too. The music and voice acting is nothing to write home about, but the sound effects are truly excellent. Hearing the sounds of nearby monsters stalking their prey or the distant echo of water dripping from a cave ceiling give Dungeon Siege atmosphere and a sense of place. But the greatest technical achievement in the game might be its commitment to "seamless" gameplay. There are no loading times between dungeons, castles, towns, and caves, and the control interface couldn't be more smooth. The camera is controlled entirely with the mouse, so players can adjust pitch and yaw in no time. Dungeon Siege also provides a useful pause button, so that players can freeze the action onscreen to adjust weapons, spells, and battle tactics.
Speaking of tactics, they play an important part in Dungeon Siege. Although most of the action is of the hack-and-slash variety, the game allows players to organize their party into battle formations: wedge-shaped, double row, etc. This way, players can hide weaker party member in the back of the formation where they can attack with spells or projectile weapons, and place heavily armored party members in the front to absorb most of the damage.
Although it's not as emotionally powerful as some other RPGs, Dungeon Siege is still a game worth playing for many hours. The interface is simple and intuitive, the graphics and sound create a believable, immersive game world, and the light strategy elements spice up standard hack-and-slash combat. Replay value is also high, since players can return to the game with a new custom character and recruit an entirely different party.
From the mind of Chris Taylor (Total Annihilation) comes the action role-playing game Dungeon Seige. Like Ninja Golf, you pretty much know what you're getting into when you boot up Dungeon Siege. It's a game where you lay siege to dungeons, one after another. If your idea of role-playing heaven is based on customization, character development, and a huge open-ended world in which to explore, Dungeon Siege might not be for you. It's almost all action, all the time. The story is underdeveloped, the dialogue is almost non-existent, and the side-quests, if you can call them that, are hardly off the beaten path. Yet despite all this, Dungeon Siege is an excellent game. It might not have much of a story, but the graphics, sound, play control, and gameplay of Dungeon Siege are all outstanding.Unlike many modern role-playing games, Dungeon Siege doesn't invest much in a story. After a short preamble, in which we are told the brief, bloody history of the Kingdom of Ehb, players are dropped into the game as a simple farmer. From there he or she, depending on what sex you chose at the title screen, goes on to recruit other citizens of Ehb to save the kingdom from an ancient evil.
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| Players can customize their character before the action starts. Above: my character, Flora. |
What Dungeon Siege lacks in narrative and presentation, it more than makes up for in technical achievement. The game is beautiful. Gorgeous 3D models fill up the screen with no slow-down, and there are plenty of highly-detailed background to gaze at while your party isn't being attacked by abominable snowmen. There are also a hundred small touches that add to the visual appeal and realism of the game. For example, if you continue to burden your pack mule with supplies, larger bags and boxes will appear on its back.
Dungeon Siege not only looks great; it sounds great too. The music and voice acting is nothing to write home about, but the sound effects are truly excellent. Hearing the sounds of nearby monsters stalking their prey or the distant echo of water dripping from a cave ceiling give Dungeon Siege atmosphere and a sense of place. But the greatest technical achievement in the game might be its commitment to "seamless" gameplay. There are no loading times between dungeons, castles, towns, and caves, and the control interface couldn't be more smooth. The camera is controlled entirely with the mouse, so players can adjust pitch and yaw in no time. Dungeon Siege also provides a useful pause button, so that players can freeze the action onscreen to adjust weapons, spells, and battle tactics.
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| Party members will earn titles depending on what weapons and spells they use most often. |
Speaking of tactics, they play an important part in Dungeon Siege. Although most of the action is of the hack-and-slash variety, the game allows players to organize their party into battle formations: wedge-shaped, double row, etc. This way, players can hide weaker party member in the back of the formation where they can attack with spells or projectile weapons, and place heavily armored party members in the front to absorb most of the damage.
Although it's not as emotionally powerful as some other RPGs, Dungeon Siege is still a game worth playing for many hours. The interface is simple and intuitive, the graphics and sound create a believable, immersive game world, and the light strategy elements spice up standard hack-and-slash combat. Replay value is also high, since players can return to the game with a new custom character and recruit an entirely different party.
Score: 8.5
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