Copyright (c) Scott M Baker, smbaker@sb-software.com
For more Devastation Engine games, see http://www.landofdev.com/
Requirements: This game requires that your computer have DirectX version 9.0 or greater installed. If you do not have DirectX, then this game will not function. In addition, your computer must have an accelerated 3D graphics card. If your computer does not have a suitable high-performance graphics card, with directX 9.0 or better installed, then the game will either not function at all, or graphical performance will be unsatisfactory.
Your character is defined by several important items: class, attributes, and abilities.
The following are the attributes that your character may possess:
The following are the abilities that your character may possess:
Combat Skills affect your ability to use certain types of weapons in combat. If you have a "0" in a particular combat skill, then you are considered unskilled and receive a severe attack penalty. A skill of "1" is considered poorly skilled and receives a lesser penalty. It is recommended to avoid any weapons that you do not at least have a skill level of "2" or higher.
The game interface is where you'll spend most of your time:
The game interface is divided into several important parts:
Movement is accomplished by using the keyboard and/or mouse.
Keyboard commands are as follows:
Generally, I recommend using the keyboard for movement, but if you want to do it with the mouse, use a hybrid approach -- pan the mouse by using the right mouse button, and walk forward by using the up arrow key.
During the course of gameplay, you'll find many items in your environment that you will need to interact with. For example, you may need to open a door, access a computer terminal, pull a lever, or activate a complex piece of machinery.
Interacting with the environment is done by left-clicking the mouse. For example, if there's a door that you wish to open, then left click on it and the door should open.
There is a range limitation -- you cannot open a door from a hundred feet away, for example. So, if you get an "out of range" message, then try walking closer to the object that you wish to interact with.
When combat occurs, several new panels will open on the main window:
Combat panels include:
The monster list is a list of all the hostile characters currently involved in combat. Each monster is shown, as well as it's distance. Distance is important, as most weapons (such as a sword) can only reach a certain distance. You can click a monster in the monster to focus the camera on that monster.
The orders panel is the primary interface to combat. The orders panel displays a textual representation of the action your character will take. For example: "Felix: attack antman with sword". In addition, there are several icons that let you set different orders.
- Attack Nearest: Attacks the nearest hostile character.
- Attack Specific: Creates a targeting cursor that lets you attack a specific foe.
- Defend: Assumes a defensive posture.
- Reload: Load your weapon with new ammo if it is the type of weapon that uses ammo (for example, a pistol or rifle)
- Swap Weapons: Swap your primary and alternate weapons.
When you have finished setting your orders, use the "End Turn" combat icon at the bottom of the screen to end the current combat turn. This will cause your orders to be followed, and then the monsters will get their chance to attack your characters.
The are used to control high-level functions, such as ending a turn.
Combat icons include the following:
- End Combat: This can only be used to end combat is all hostile enemies are disabled or out of site. i.e. it makes no sense to try to end combat while a creature is actively attacking you, because combat will automatically restart.
- Walk: Pressing the walk icon will cause your characters to execute a walk turn instead of a traditional combat turn. The walk turn allows you to move your party closer or farther from a monster.
- End Turn: This is the most important combat icon. It causes the current turn to end. This will cause your characters to execute the orders that you have given them.
- Combat Mode: The combat mode can be toggled between phased (where you use the end-turn icon to end a turn) and continuous mode, where the game will not wait for you to initiate a turn.
Movement in combat is done by using the "Walk" icon, located by the other icons in the lower-right of the main window. Movement is integrated into the turn-based system just like combat is. When you use the "Walk" icon, you don't get to move immediately. Instead, your characters are issued a move order. When you end your combat turn, the movement order will be executed, and you'll be allowed to move a certain number of steps.
Movement in combat is a whole-party affair. You cannot move just one character in your party. Thus, when you issue a movement order, no member of your party will be able to attack for that turn.
Item use in combat is done by using the inventory and/or equipment panels. These panels work the same in combat as they do outside of combat. You can use as many items in your inventory as you like, at any time.
NOTE: This is expected to be changed in a future release of the Devastation Engine.
