Ascension To The Throne

[Guardian]

Hello everyone, I know that it's not a proper way to start my first post with a new topic, but I got my hands on that nice game recently, and I wanted to write that I'm impressed!. Maybe it's not a Bioshock+Fallout+HoMMV but it has one thing that not many nowadays games have - playability. It feels like good ol' times of Disciples: Sacred Lands (I mean first part) or other Heroes... I like it a lot, and thank You for Your effort!
Now, some questions, and hopefully some answers as well

I'm not asking for expansion packs, but is it possible to release some kind of a patch anytime soon?
Two main problems I've encountered are the lack of "chose difficulty" option - when I left first province I had a bit of a challenge near haunted abbey (place close to where You can hire Grizzlies), but that's about when I stopped having problems with warfare at all, all I needed to do is to place fast units on left side (facing the enemy), and from every encountered chest take authority bonus. If there would be any option to balance that - like less authority/gold chests (btw, who will pick gold when one can get gold from every battle, whereas authority cannot be gain so easily?), harder opponents on higher levels, something like that.

Second is the interface. I got used to it but it's still a bit annoying not to have any shortcuts for casting, waiting, skipping turn, and I'm left handed - wsad for movement is really for righthanded...

Also, there are few things more - first of all, characters can join Your army even if one doesn't have the authority for that. Normally it can;t be done, but if recruiting is due to dialogue (like after dealing with amazons, one can start conversation with amazons in the castle and convince them to join Your army. And You end up with them and, say -278 authority... Not my style, but it allows a LOT bigger army that way...

..And why I can't wait with my units at the beggining of the battle? I can only "skip turn", "wait" shows up only after my first turn, and after that it's not that necessary.

-units speed.

Nearly all units are able to reach enemy ranks at the first turn. True, it adds dynamic to battle, but also creates craving for faster units, rendering medium speed and slower units useless. Usually my medium speed hero had one last enemy to wipe with a fireball etc.
Speed changes by three tiles, but same goes for rings and armors. Why? It says +1 speed and all my "fast" units are "very fast". With speed bonus I'm almost invincible - noone stays there to hit me back. Maybe increase it by +1 only - units are actually faster and they will start before the enemy, but speeded medium units (9+1=10) won't kill opponent's fast units (speed 12)?
It seems to strong imho.

Is there any chance to implement or rebalance this game or is it just a cheap, mass-producted title that is done, sold and forgotten?

P.S. After a while (I'm currently reconquering my original lands) I have to many skill points to spend (I have thousands of life, strenght, magic power etc and still about 70 points to spend) and way to much gold (250k). Thoughts?
P.P.S. Thank You all for possible answers

[Evgeny]

Thank you for your post. The patch for this game is going to be released and some of the things you offered will be implemented in it.

[Kolorabi]

Seems like an interesting game, where did you buy it?

[Guardian]

Hi there, thanks for response Evgeny, good to know that some issues will be patched.
@Kolorabi
Unfortunately for 1C I didn't buy the game, one of my polish friends gave it to me, knowing that I love fantasy turn-based strategies, somehow he bought the game, didn't like it and that's how I got it. I can ask him where he bought it.

Yesterday I've finished the game, and I liked it. A lot, despite the fact that I had no real problems or challenge (after final battle I've lost only one myrmidion, thanks to Ressurection spell). Music, graphics, even the idea with portals is really nice.
What I'm trying to say is that the game has great potential, and it would be great to improve it, and make it available for wider range of players.
After Kolorabi's question I've checked and really, it's not as easy to get it. No Amazon, no Play.com or etc, seems that it can be bought in Asia and East Europe. No wonder it's an another case of Disciples - game should be more available...
I'm just surprised - graphics on the battlefield are REALLY nice, all units have their own flavour, hehe, especially female warriors All dialogue lines are neat, I like the sense of humour and the main character. He's not a saint, he's a warrior king!
When I got back from work I'll try to make a better list of things that are not-really-working, right now I can only add that there seems to be a problem in discarding inventory - I simply can't do it, and I can't sell it either, although first merchant told me that he can buy things from me as well. Also, I've read a review when author complains that there's no possibility to split Your army. Granted, that guy never played in HoMM II, where shift+click does that. I knew that, cool, but I bet there's many kids out there that knows Heroes only from TV series with a sexy cheerleader on the lead, so I don't know, if an option like splitting would be in "define controls" ppl would know it exists.

So difficulty levels please, some revamped level-up issues and I'll be a happy gamer.

Thanks!

[Kolorabi]

Originally Posted by Guardian

Unfortunately for 1C I didn't buy the game, one of my polish friends gave it to me, knowing that I love fantasy turn-based strategies, somehow he bought the game, didn't like it and that's how I got it. I can ask him where he bought it.

Ok, thanks. I assume the packaging is in polish or something, then. But the game is in English, right?

After Kolorabi's question I've checked and really, it's not as easy to get it. No Amazon, no Play.com or etc, seems that it can be bought in Asia and East Europe. No wonder it's an another case of Disciples - game should be more available...

This is a problem with more games from 1C, unfortunately...

Can anyone from 1C say if this game will be released in Western Europe (english language)?


Oh, and one more thing (to Guardian): I just got Fantasy Wars today, another strategy game from 1C. It's very good, you should have a look at it.

The Scandinavian edition have a cool box as well (DVD cover, but in an expensive-looking cardboard "casing"). I like.

[Anatoly]

Ascension to the Throne and many other games from 1C will be available in our online store which is due to open soon.

[Kolorabi]

Thanks for the info. I take it you will sell boxed copies as well?

Couldn't wait (damn you Guardian for making the game seem so tempting ), so I ordered from Play-Asia. I understand you're doing the best you can, but it is a bit strange to have to order a game from the other side of the globe when my country share a border with your country.

[Guardian]

You're welcome Kolorabi, I'm currently downloading Fantasy Wars demo
Thank You really, because I don't usually look for new games, I'm relying on my friends and besides, 80% of my gaming time I'm banging constantly in trusted titles. Like Civilization series (wow, fourth part rips Your brain out ), HoMM (bloody hell, I wish there was a praise emoticon here, because for Wake Of Gods my fellow Russian gamers You have my highest praise) or other Myth.
I've checked thread on Fantasy Wars here and wwwwow! They write there that it's a modern Fantasy General!!!
Guys, I don't know who are You, but You're definitevely doing a good job in making games with a soul


khem, a bit offtopic, aren't we? xP

The game (we're back to the Ascension To The Throne)is in English Version, but I've checked and seen that some polish shops are selling polish version as well, but the important bit is that the game has an english version, and very nicely done to that. I had to check in dictionary for word "actuate", to make sure that it's not a misspelling bug of "activate" word So that means that the text is translated correctly and with a high knowledge of language. Speaking of text, I've found diary quite entertaining to read, which is not the case in almost all strategies I've encountered. All quests are described there, and updates to them while game progresses are logically added, creating mini-story of some sort, which is convenient to read while I'm having a snack or sth

..If I was to change something in the game, it might be an only insignifact, small add-on, an option in battle to have a shadow instead of a big, lively green grid. I just like to see range of a unit by darkened area, I don't need big hexes with numbers 1,2,3,4 on them (piece about the numbers was a joke )

Cool, 100% of 350Mb of Fantasy Wars downloaded, see You later

[Evgeny]

Ascension to the Throne patch released
Patch version 1.1.128 is available. You can download it here.

This patch fixes the following problems:
- Video memory leaks;
- Game crashes 'not enough video memory' error on video card of GF7600 series;
- Spelling errors in texts;
- Map mark for FIND WEAPONS did not disappear after completion of the quest;
- Game crashes after the battle against Veliar (HEART OF SAMAEL quest);
- The trigger for SHIP quest sometimes didn't work (no enemy attack in the forest);
- Game crashes after the player finds RING OF THE YEOMEN with his army fully recruited;
- Vertical shift of buttons with 1280х1024 resolution setting (e.g. in the game menu);
- Error with disappearing armor in the CLOSED CHEST quest.

[Kolorabi]

Any hints for a beginner? I'm not strong enough to survive for very long in battle, and without a weapon I'm not very deadly either, so even with a small band of peasants on my side I am not having much luck.