Viewing Thread:
"BLACK & WHITE: Who expected more?"

Simple really, after playing BLACK & WHITE for a considerable time, i can`t quite shake the feeling that i expected a little bit more from it, even though it is one of the most compelling and original titles to yet appear on the PC.
To narrow it down, i think that the game tends to focus too much on the micromanagement aspect, an option to automate this function would have been a good idea for those who wished to get on with the other points of the gameplay.
Do any other users feel the same, or do you have any other ideas to improve the game?
Hopefully Lionhead will take note ready for the first patch release!

Well, its just my opinion, but i think Startopia is a great little game with many outstanding features, the only downsides would seem to be the lack of decent combat (it plays very much like Dungeon Keeper 2, ie: you have little control over the action in some battles) and the small number of missions as there are only 10.

However, it has a sandbox mode which allows freedom play and also multiplayer connections (as any good game should have nowadays) so you can play online.

Its concept heavily borrows from alot of other games like Sim City, Theme Park and even to an extent Black & White, and since these are all worthy titles in their own right it may be worth your pennies, but please check out a demo first before going on just my word, for i`m a lowly drone, and not worthy of such trust...

By the way, when are free for assimulation?

BORGDRONE wrote:

Good call man...

Very interesting point... for which I agree with you completly...

There has been some speculation over the loss of some of the expected features of Black & White...

Although some may have been lost from development restraints... and some may be being released as free add-ons... I cant help getting the feeling that most were held back for inclusin into the Enhanced X-Box version of Black & White...

As a quick note... Is Startopia any good? I was thinking of picking it up... however, I read a preview of it a bit back... that, while it didnt slam the game... but didnt spend all that much time praising it either?

Armitage Shanks wrote:
> BORGDRONE wrote:
So yes, Mr Shanks - do not
> get me wrong.
> Fine visuals but suspect gameplay, especially for the
>
> longterm.

Where I'm trying to go here (and failing miserably :) )
> ... Is do you think PC titles are less innovative than console
> titles?


I think there is a danger that major developers will concentrate their efforts and gear toward console style gameplay because there is a lot of money to be made selling in this sector. The PC will not drown, but there is the valid point that we may get less innovation and more exploitation.

I think this is a case with Black & White. The game may been "dummed down" for console conversions, as i suspect there is a load of stuff that was designed for the PC release that never made it in because, lets say - the PS2 version couldn`t handle it or it was difficult to implement.

I`ve just purchased Startopia and been very surprised with the game (hence the glowing review on this site!) but even though its a good game, at the end of the day it shamelessly rips-off other game styles to create one. Not innovation more like imitation.

I only hope future patches and updates improve aspects of Black & White that have disappointed me thus far...

Mr.Snuggly wrote:

Really? You can make your monkey breakdance? Dude,
> I'm SO getting this game.

Yep.
Actually, I think the Tiger breakdances, the Ape does a 70's Saturday Night Fever Disco dance thing, pointing at the sky and doing barrel rolls with his arms.

Imagine the bit in Boogie Nights where Dirk is dancing in the disco with Chester Rockwell.

I did,that is why i sold it

BORGDRONE wrote:
So yes, Mr Shanks - do not
> get me wrong. Fine visuals but suspect gameplay, especially for the
> longterm.

Where I'm trying to go here (and failing miserably :) ) ... Is do you think PC titles are less innovative than console titles?

B & W is indeed technically stunning and does break new ground in terms of implementation, but someone somewhere let the gameplay suffer whilst they admired the view.

So yes, Mr Shanks - do not get me wrong. Fine visuals but suspect gameplay, especially for the longterm.

I can only hope Lionhead listans to fans and provides repairs to the gameplay problems via downloadable patches or add-on disks.

Goatboy wrote:
> If you ignore the villagers, they just get on with things. They
> build houses, farm and fish, breed and carry on with their
> lives.

Leaving you free to set fire to trees, crap in huts and
> breakdance to impress other villagers

Really? You can make your monkey breakdance? Dude, I'm SO getting this game.

BORGDRONE wrote:
> Armatige Shanks wrote:
> BORGDRONE wrote:
> it is one of the
> most compelling and
>
> original titles to yet appear on the
> PC.

Why the PC?


Because at the time of writing, this is the
> only format its released on.

Though... do you not think it is one fo the most original and compelling titles on any system?

Conceptually and in implementation?

Armatige Shanks wrote:
> BORGDRONE wrote:
> it is one of the most compelling and
>
> original titles to yet appear on the PC.

Why the PC?


Because at the time of writing, this is the only format its released on.