Spectromancer

[DarkwingChuck]

Spectromancer Download the beta version.

It's kinda like Puzzle Quest but with a simplified CCG as the base instead of Bejeweled. I've been playing it all day. If you like CCGs at all, you ought to enjoy it. And if you don't, you might anyway.

[DarkwingChuck]

Re: Spectromancer

Come on, nobody's going to try it?

[Chad]

Re: Spectromancer

I am! I always just check this topic at work and don't remember at home.

[Chad]

Re: Spectromancer



I just finished the campaign. I like it. I don't think I'm nearly good enough to compete online, though. Sure, the enemies have some big advantages towards the end, but I was getting absolutely destroyed by them.

I wonder how the cards will be online. Seems fairly balanced.

[Wavelength]

Re: Spectromancer

Yeah, I tried it, and I like it. It's more like a straight CCG (like Yu-Gi-Oh games) than Bejeweled, but it's a lot of fun nonetheless.

Played through the whole campaign on Normal two nights ago. Also, played a Single Duel on the hardest difficulty yesterday... and it took 20 tries to finally beat the opponent (who seems to get much better cards than you do).

I really like the five different attributes, and for the most part, the cards are well balanced (a precious few, like the Phoenix, really need to be hit with the nerfbat). I checked out the forums, and no one could agree as to how good most cards were. That's a sign of good game balance and interesting design.

I feel a few things need to be added on in the Final version. I liked the way some of the campaign battles contained gameplay caveats or alternate win conditions--that really should be added into Single Duel and online play.
The card library should be tripled, at least--there still aren't enough interesting cards in each class. And of course, I'm looking forward to being able to play as a class other than Cleric.

It's interesting how you're given 20 cards (based on attribute and card level) at the beginning that you can play at any point throughout the match, but it's annoying that you have no power over what they are. I'd much prefer a system in which you could pick 32 cards of any attribute, and then you'll be given a random set of 20 from those 32.

[Chad]

Re: Spectromancer

You really think the Phoenix was too strong? In order to keep his ability useful you need to maintain at least 10 Fire, and that could be used to a much greater advantage than keeping a monster with 6 attack alive. Armageddon, Fire Elemental, etc; Though once you've got a fire elemental out I guess you could save up, but even then a tornado could take him out instantly. With a weak creature like the Phoenix I would just throw up a high defense, low cost walls up like the Wall of Lightning. I'm sure in the final version there will be even greater defenses, like stronger spells that take away Fire energy.

I'm sure the card base is going to at least triple. If you noticed the version number was 0.1. To me that reads as, the engine is almost done, we're adding the game code, there is a good deal of placeholder content. Heck, even that Merfolk Revolution card didn't have an image.

I also agree, I'd like some sort of choice as to what cards I can bring into battle, but eh. It's a beta. Did anyone find any use for the Sea Sprite?

[Wavelength]

Re: Spectromancer

You really think the Phoenix was too strong? In order to keep his ability useful you need to maintain at least 10 Fire, and that could be used to a much greater advantage than keeping a monster with 6 attack alive. Armageddon, Fire Elemental, etc; Though once you've got a fire elemental out I guess you could save up, but even then a tornado could take him out instantly. With a weak creature like the Phoenix I would just throw up a high defense, low cost walls up like the Wall of Lightning. I'm sure in the final version there will be even greater defenses, like stronger spells that take away Fire energy.

Yeah, I thought the Phoenix was way too good. Once I had 10 fire energy, I'd stick two phoenixes out there and I had the game in the bag most of the time. You could stick a wall in front of it, but it'll only survive four turns or so and it costs almost as much as the Phoenix does. Actually, after I played, I checked out the forums, and a large (if not vast) majority was calling for the Phoenix's rebirth to "cost" 1-2 fire power. I would personally like to see this, along with reduction in its cost and its health.

I'm sure the card base is going to at least triple. If you noticed the version number was 0.1. To me that reads as, the engine is almost done, we're adding the game code, there is a good deal of placeholder content. Heck, even that Merfolk Revolution card didn't have an image.

Heh, good point about the Merfolk Revolution. That just seemed so out of place, with its text graphic! Otherwise, I think most of the card graphics are very nicely done. So yeah, I'm looking forward to lots more cards, at any rate.

I also agree, I'd like some sort of choice as to what cards I can bring into battle, but eh. It's a beta.

I doubt they're changing that. It's a core part of the game. Actually, I read that the Alpha DID let you build your deck, so it really seems like a decision they made.

Did anyone find any use for the Sea Sprite?

I think the Sea Sprite is an above average card, personally. I usually played a couple of them early, and they'd just wail on whatever was in the opposite slot. They were brutally effective at taking out the opponent's stat-boosting or other special cards--again, in the early game. And of course, in matches where you started with a card advantage or your opponent started with less than 60 health, they're that much better.

One of my favorite strategies, by the way, was to raise my fire as high as possible, stall, and then use Armageddon (or whatever the card was that did Fire Power + 10 of damage to all creatures and the enemy). ZAM 41 damage!

[Chad]

Re: Spectromancer

Yeah, Armageddon is particularly nasty.

[Wavelength]

Re: Spectromancer

As an update for anyone who's checked this out, they released the online multiplayer beta a week or so ago.

It's a lot of fun to play people online! The game seems very nicely balanced and even luck didn't seem like it played much of a factor. Everyone's pretty nice and you can either choose who you duel or be matched automatically, which is awesome because I'd love to play some of you guys. I go by "Wavelength" on there so it shouldn't be hard to find me.

[Wavelength]

Re: Spectromancer

I know I'm bumping something over two years old, but was just wondering if anyone else ever checked Spectromancer out or still plays it.

The second expansion just came out, it's still pretty damn cheap ($20 for the core game plus both expansions), and it's become a very fun, polished game. The community is, surprisingly, pretty nice.

6,000 duels later, I still play at least a few hours a week.

[hitogoroshi]

Re: Spectromancer

I play it on steam, so still waiting for that second expansion to go through.

Haven't played quite so much though, because I generally just play with my one rl friend over and over.