Titan Quest

[Stofsk]

I recently got this game due to a recommendation over at SDnet.

It's essentially a Diablo clone, but that isn't to say it's completely derivative; it has better, updated graphics and a nicer feel to it. Plus the storyline and setting takes place in Ancient Greece/Egypt/China, which I must confess I find enthralling compared to the medieval nature of Diablo (although Diablo always had an incredibly ominous atmosphere which kicked ten tons of arse - time will tell if TQ can say the same). Another game that did something similar was Age of Mythology. When I compared AoM to say, WC3, I choose the former over the latter for being better. I just like the whole ancient world setting rather than the medieval world most fantasy games have. Your mileage may vary, of course.

Has anyone else played this game or knows about it? If my word holds any weight I would heartily recommend it. I played for a bit tonight - 1:45 hours - and I'm stopping for rest since it's late.

[Kreshna Aryaguna Nurzaman]

I recently got this game due to a recommendation over at SDnet.

It's essentially a Diablo clone, but that isn't to say it's completely derivative; it has better, updated graphics and a nicer feel to it.

I actually wish for more Ultima-esque NPC interaction... :sad:

Anyway, can we have NPC teammates ala Dungeon Siege?

[Stofsk]

I'm impressed by the NPC interaction in this game. For a Diablo clone it has got me interested in talking to the storytellers; compare that to Diablo, where there are NO interesting NPCs, they NEVER say anything worthwhile, and the only reason you have to talk to them is to A) get quests and B) get your quest reward. In Titan Quest I am actually listening to an NPC talk about Heracles or the Trojan War and so on.

RE: NPC team mates.

I haven't encountered that possibility, and I've progressed to the second act. So my best guess is... no.

Certain skill masteries have summonables:

• Nature gives you wolves (max summon of two, WITHOUT items. If you max the wolf skill out and are fortunate enough to get some kind of +skills item, then you can summon three; if you also find a skill shrine you can possibly summon four, but obviously for a limited time) and a Sylvan nymph (bow-twanging elf chick).
• Spirit gives you a Undead Lich (skelly mage) and an 'outsider' at level 32.
• Earth gives you a 'Core Dweller' lava-man, the best tank in the game.
• Storm gives you a lightning-throwing Wisp.

Given you can dual-class quite successfully, you can go as your typical warrior or rogue build then DC into one of the above and get minions. Nature is the best one because wolves are a level 1 skill, so it takes less points comparatively speaking to get them up and running. On the other hand, monsters generally ignore your minions and beeline straight for you, so bare that in mind.

A part of me misses hireable minions. On the other hand, if you want to be in a party play co-op multiplayer. I can see certain classes not having a place for minions - the Rogue for example, who can lay down traps. (seems more subtle than the 'blargh charge everything!' minion approach)

It's possible that when TQ has an expansion pack they'll add minions. Really though I'm not sure they're necessary. I've defeated the major bosses by myself because my minions didn't last long (playing a Ranger - Hunting/Nature build, more on Hunting than Nature though) because they have fuck all HP.