Mt Thamyst - beta testers desired

[Hariolor]

Hi all,

I have a WIP for which the first roughly 1/3 to 1/2 is complete. The completed portion could really stand on its own as a smallish (~6 level) dungeon...but the story as planned won't be finished by the time you complete what's done...Free time will be in much shorter supply once the new year hits for me, so I wanted to get this part out there and comments coming back sooner rather than later.

Dungeon is somewhat non-linear and built more towards puzzles and 'interesting' combat, rather than heavy hack-and-slash. By "interesting" combat, I mean there's usually a secondary goal, dynamic environment, etc that adds to the challenge - this is because my biggest disappointment with Grimrock was that it was just as easy to 2-step creatures as it was back in DM days...I may even get rid of the possibility for "stun-locking" at some point, but that will depend on feedback and how ambitious I want to get once I get busy in the coming months...anyway.

I've playtested pretty aggressively as I go for bugs/clipping/stuff like that. Should be pretty clean, but when you know all the puzzles and routes, it's hard to get a feel for challenge level, food supply, etc etc. I'd think I can get through the whole thing in a few hours tops - so I'd guess maybe a 4-6 hour experience as it stands...really hard to say.

*edit - it's on the Nexus now : http://grimrock.nexusmods.com/mods/161

So...any takers?

"Description" from custom dungeon file:

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In the Holy Empire of Gethyl, when convicted of heresy, one may accept execution or repent. Those who repent are tasked with a pilgrimage by the High Inquisitor to prove their virtue.

Of late, brave Crusaders have gone missing near sacred Mt Thamyst. Rumors spread that worshippers of the Dark Eye have returned. The High Inquisitor has ordered to you investigate the ruined temples and frozen prisons of the most holy mountain, and put down the cultists, if they have indeed returned...

Enter Mt Thamyst and earn your redemption through victory, or death...

[msyblade]

You should upload it to the Nexus (you have to Add a mod, THEN add a zipped.file to that mod), and paste a link in your post above

[Hariolor]

Thanks, mysblade - took your advice and on the Nexus now!

[msyblade]

It is mod 161, not 160. You may wanna change your link above

[Hariolor]

It is mod 161, not 160. You may wanna change your link above

Thanks - it *was* 160...but that file seemed to be corrupted so I redid it from scratch, hence 161...fixed, thanks!

I've already noticed a couple of testing assets that I left laying around the dungeon...won't really do much to change the game, but you might go "uhhh...ok" when you come across them...

[Komag]

I think it's advisable to fix that sort of stuff too

[Hariolor]

I think it's advisable to fix that sort of stuff too

Agreed - v1.0.2 (uploading to Nexus now) fixes the items I noticed...

More importantly...also fixed a scripting bug that was causing a crash to desktop when trying to save the game after a certain point....apologies for the false start, as you'll probably want/need to redownload if you had already grabbed v1.0.1 - I hadn't re-played that section today, but apparently something made it go wonky. Fixed now.

[Hariolor]

updated to version 1.0.4 now

Mostly just aesthetic changes from 1.0.3. There were a couple places I managed to get stuck with some reckless bungling around, so made it more difficult/impossible to get stuck.

Spoiler details for anyone who has v1.0.3 and wants to avoid getting trapped...tried to not completely give away anything while still giving a heads up -

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In Malyrn's Tomb, Isolation Chamber: there are two buttons that can solve the puzzle. The eastern one should be safe, but with a certain pattern of button presses it's possible that the western one will trap you if you use it.

Also in Malyrn's Tomb: before the entrance to the four tomb chambers, there is an apparently inaccessible healing crystal. You might figure out how to get there...but doing so will trap you in there forever - the method to let you out got deleted at some point. Don't worry - there's other crystals.

Last one in Malyrn's Tomb, Menagerie: if you get really unlucky with the sequence of where and when you kill spiders, you could potentially render this one impossible to complete. Made a minor tweak that should make it impossible to be permanently trapped, now.

[Flohaxn]

2 Program Crashes:

1: in Level 13, Underhalls ... when you get to "once you pass the gate, pass not back": if you turn back, a skeleton spawns, kill that and continue to go back -> crash

2: in the alcove "prove thyself pure of spirit": if you put in one item, take it out again, then another in the game crashes.

aaaand stuck on the fire breathing dragon who cleanses you with holy fire (Level 13), dunno what i have to put in alcove to pass there safely. If its the blue gem tough luck, cos i cant get back to get it out of the alcove mentioned in point 2

[Hariolor]

2 Program Crashes:

1: in Level 13, Underhalls ... when you get to "once you pass the gate, pass not back": if you turn back, a skeleton spawns, kill that and continue to go back -> crash

2: in the alcove "prove thyself pure of spirit": if you put in one item, take it out again, then another in the game crashes.

aaaand stuck on the fire breathing dragon who cleanses you with holy fire (Level 13), dunno what i have to put in alcove to pass there safely. If its the blue gem tough luck, cos i cant get back to get it out of the alcove mentioned in point 2

1 & 2 - I'll have to try to duplicate those. Hadn't run into them myself - thanks!
edit: both glitches now fixed in v.1.0.5

also - v.1.0.5 now contains completed climactic encounter(s). Wraps up the "chapter" neatly.

as to the dragon:

Hint 1:

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The dragon senses all the souls going past it...even ones just tagging along...

Hint 2:

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Did you kill any fire demons? They're exactly the type the dragon is guarding against...

Solution:

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You have to remove any and all "corrupt soulstones" from your inventory. Pull the lever to reset the forcefield once you have.