Black Sigil (16-bit style RPG for DS)

caddyalan · 06-26-2009, 09:20 AM

Just recently released: "Black Sigil: Blade of the Exiled" for the DS. A professionally made RPG with SNES-style sprites and combat. Created over the span of a couple years, written originally in English, in the city of Montreal. (Nice place, IMHO.)

My first impression: not bad. It looks like Chrono Trigger, right down to the menus and the text font. But unlike that game, there are random encounters which aren't on the map. And that's apparently one of the reasons why Black Sigil is getting weak reviews on Metacritic.

I just looked at a review on Gamertell, by Jenni Lada (whose tastes in games are relevant to my interests). She stated that some copies of Black Sigil had bugs. So if you purchase it, hold on to your receipt just in case...

ScottyG · 06-29-2009, 09:00 AM

That actually does look pretty good. I like your use of "professionally made". :P

Seriously though, people are hating on it because of random battles? wtf?

Aerox · 06-29-2009, 11:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ScottyG

That actually does look pretty good. I like your use of "professionally made". :P

Seriously though, people are hating on it because of random battles? wtf?

It's because the encounter rate is really high, the rewards are really low, there's a ton of walking you have to do to get anywhere, there's no transition into battle so you're just walking and all of a sudden the screen goes black and it looks like the game broke, and the battles are kind of boring

Timdabrat · 06-29-2009, 02:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aerox

It's because the encounter rate is really high, the rewards are really low, there's a ton of walking you have to do to get anywhere, there's no transition into battle so you're just walking and all of a sudden the screen goes black and it looks like the game broke, and the battles are kind of boring

Kind of like Pokemon, but back in the 90s we loved that stuff?

ScottyG · 06-30-2009, 01:51 PM

Awww... That is a shame.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Timdabrat

Kind of like Pokemon, but back in the 90s we loved that stuff?

I didn't. :P

Dan CiTi · 07-01-2009, 06:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Timdabrat

Kind of like Pokemon, but back in the 90s we loved that stuff?

Not at all, Pokemon is fun. This game is such a disappointment.

Qalamari · 07-02-2009, 12:40 AM

I don't understand the apparent apathy for this game. I admit I'm only about 15 hours into it, but so far I've really enjoyed what I've played. I concede that the random encounters are frustrating... While it would have been lovely if they'd avoided them altogether, Chrono Trigger this is not. That being said, the characters are interesting and well-rounded, and the story so far is solid enough that I want to keep playing. I may be alone in this, but I actually enjoy the strategic aspect to positioning that the combat brings, and deciding whether to fight or flee can be challenging. Judicious use of your magic and team-up abilities are vital to your success, and so far the difficulty hasn't seemed unfair or overwhelming. Not to mention it has some of the better sprite work I've seen on the DS.

This is very definitely a fan game, it's an homage to the days before a certain spiky-haired ex-soldier and his ragtag group of friends beat the snot out of a test-tube baby and a self styled, silver-maned nihilist. It's not perfect by any means, but it's a throwback that's paying tribute to some of my favorite games of all time. I realize that it's a DS game, and perhaps some extra concessions should have been made for portability. Maybe it's retro-goggles, but I'm looking at it as a 1997 console game that fell into a time capsule, and as such I'm willing to cut it some slack and enjoy it.

Krow · 07-03-2009, 12:52 AM

This game is a perfect example of how certain older games just don't hold up to the test of time, but are still remembered fondly and enjoyed by older gamers. The closest thing I can compare this game to is the Phantasy Star series. The frequency of the battles and the level of frustration matches those games perfectly, but there's plenty of charm and character to carry you through. Unfortunately, this isn't the mid 90's, and that just isn't enough.

I'd only pick it up if you're really desperate for an old school title, or if you've got the money to spare. Unless you're a dedicated RPG gamer, the game is more trouble than it's worth.

You'd be much better off with Super Robot Taisen OG Saga or Devil Survivor in my opinion.

06-26-2009, 09:20 AM	#1
caddyalan is Offline [Level 4: Cyborg] Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 108	Black Sigil (16-bit style RPG for DS) Just recently released: "Black Sigil: Blade of the Exiled" for the DS. A professionally made RPG with SNES-style sprites and combat. Created over the span of a couple years, written originally in English, in the city of Montreal. (Nice place, IMHO.) My first impression: not bad. It looks like Chrono Trigger, right down to the menus and the text font. But unlike that game, there are random encounters which aren't on the map. And that's apparently one of the reasons why Black Sigil is getting weak reviews on Metacritic. I just looked at a review on Gamertell, by Jenni Lada (whose tastes in games are relevant to my interests). She stated that some copies of Black Sigil had bugs. So if you purchase it, hold on to your receipt just in case...

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

home pc xbox 360 wii ps3 psp ds iphone	community videos forums meetup + play
Account Management Register Forums Posting Guide Forum Support Forum Dev Blog IRC New Posts

06-29-2009, 09:00 AM	#2
ScottyG is Offline [Level 5: Mech] Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Canada Posts: 605	That actually does look pretty good. I like your use of "professionally made". :P Seriously though, people are hating on it because of random battles? wtf?

07-02-2009, 12:40 AM	#7
Qalamari is Offline [Level 2: Human] Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Central California Posts: 20	I don't understand the apparent apathy for this game. I admit I'm only about 15 hours into it, but so far I've really enjoyed what I've played. I concede that the random encounters are frustrating... While it would have been lovely if they'd avoided them altogether, Chrono Trigger this is not. That being said, the characters are interesting and well-rounded, and the story so far is solid enough that I want to keep playing. I may be alone in this, but I actually enjoy the strategic aspect to positioning that the combat brings, and deciding whether to fight or flee can be challenging. Judicious use of your magic and team-up abilities are vital to your success, and so far the difficulty hasn't seemed unfair or overwhelming. Not to mention it has some of the better sprite work I've seen on the DS. This is very definitely a fan game, it's an homage to the days before a certain spiky-haired ex-soldier and his ragtag group of friends beat the snot out of a test-tube baby and a self styled, silver-maned nihilist. It's not perfect by any means, but it's a throwback that's paying tribute to some of my favorite games of all time. I realize that it's a DS game, and perhaps some extra concessions should have been made for portability. Maybe it's retro-goggles, but I'm looking at it as a 1997 console game that fell into a time capsule, and as such I'm willing to cut it some slack and enjoy it.

07-03-2009, 12:52 AM	#8
Krow is Offline Gym Leader Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Fort Collins, CO Posts: 5,004	This game is a perfect example of how certain older games just don't hold up to the test of time, but are still remembered fondly and enjoyed by older gamers. The closest thing I can compare this game to is the Phantasy Star series. The frequency of the battles and the level of frustration matches those games perfectly, but there's plenty of charm and character to carry you through. Unfortunately, this isn't the mid 90's, and that just isn't enough. I'd only pick it up if you're really desperate for an old school title, or if you've got the money to spare. Unless you're a dedicated RPG gamer, the game is more trouble than it's worth. You'd be much better off with Super Robot Taisen OG Saga or Devil Survivor in my opinion.