By: Scott Windom
November 16, 2002
The Palm OS RPG market has grown by leaps and bounds, following the processing power of our little machines all the way up. By now, the market is full of many selections, some of which are worth a second look, and others not worth even installing. Aldon's Crossing falls quite solidly into the first category, worth the time and money, especially for anyone interested in RPG's. It has a rich plot, which is not necessarily expected of Palm games in general.
When I first loaded Aldon's Crossing, the size was one of the first things that hit me about the game. It took up in the neighborhood of 800 KB on my device. Fortunately, I have learned through experimentation that it is very PiDirect II friendly. As such, only my save files occupy space in RAM and stay around when I am not using the game.
Once I began getting the game set up, I saw the introductory screen. Normally, I wouldn't even give such a thing a second thought, much less mention it in a review, but I thought this one deserved some credit for doing its job exceptionally well. It is about the best one I have seen, especially with the ghosted face, and contributed significantly to my anticipation of the game itself.
I had to begin my game by selecting my character's stats. It was refreshing to be able to select not only my character's race, but to determine the gender and select what strengths I wanted, as well. When I actually started playing, I found the user interface a bit difficult to get used to. It seemed a bit clumsy to walk around and try to pick up the first few items. Once I figured out how to pick things up, use items, and equip weapons and shields, movement was fairly simple. By the time I had been playing for a while, I got used to it and even grew to like it. The interface is quite efficient, especially when dealing with multiple characters, such as a main character and a pet, or someone else who tags along. I also like having the choice to pick up items I find or not. It's nice to leave something for later, or even leave it behind altogether to prevent clutter with items I don't need, instead of having to pick them up automatically and then waste time dropping them.
It was when I had been playing the game for a while that I discovered how complex it was. The assignments became more and more interesting as I went, sending me further and further afield hunting for people and other quarries. It was a novel addition to be able to get a pet to walk around with me. It makes up for the fact that the game doesn't allow a party, but only one player. The dog I selected (A cat was also offered) was a literal lifesaver at several points when I was fighting against multiple enemies. I even got to change him out later in the game for a dragon. I love dogs, but breathing fire is much more interesting, and I was able to go and check on my dog at will after I got the dragon.
I noticed some optional assignments in the game that required me to change my guild association to get spells and other abilities. They weren't required, but they made the game more interesting and a bit more PC-like. This was what I discovered over time. Some games entertain me for a few hours and then lose my interest quickly, and some RPG's are too repetitive to be any fun. I tire quickly of doing the same thing too many times, but Aldon's Crossing has held my interest, and I could start the game again easily without being bored with it.
I will put the graphics on both sides of the review, because there were marked positive and negative points. On the developer's side, the slight motion of the character and pet graphics when standing still makes for a nice effect. Also, some of the background images, such as water, appeared in motion and added to the game. It is also thoughtful of them to have the character's graphic change when his or her guild changes. The difference in appearance between a thief and a warrior is notable, as it should be.
Now, on to what I didn't like as much. The game was quite entertaining, but the bird's eye view highlighted the shortcomings of both the application and the device. Unfortunately, the rest of the graphics did not live up to the standard set by the introduction. To begin with, I had to run it in center on my HandEra 330. I didn't take any points off for that, because it won't affect many users. Even so, the graphics left something to be desired. It would doubtlessly be difficult at best to have the game show the character graphic actually walking, instead of just moving a static picture across the landscape. However, that doesn't prevent it from looking a bit choppy when the character's still picture moves next to another still picture and a battle ensues. More motion would have provided a much better experience.
To close, this is one of the better RPG's I have played for the Palm OS. The graphics were less than what I was expecting, but that was the only shortcoming I found. The controls were difficult at first, but I came to like them more than others I have used. All in all, this game is an excellent time-waster, well worth the registration fee. I would highly recommend it to people interested in RPG games.
|
PROS
|
CONS
|
|
|
|
RATING:
7 / 10
|
||
| Graphics: |  |
Interface learning curve & OK graphics |
| Playability: |  |
Rich Plot; fun RPG |
| value: |  |
Good Time killer |
Aldon's Crossing is available from Constant Games for $19.95.
Permalink
PrintArticle Comments
(19 comments)
The following comments are owned by whoever posted them. PalmInfocenter is not responsible for them in any way.
Please Login or register here to add your comments.
Comments Closed
This article is no longer accepting new comments.
RE: Palm OS shouldn't be limited like that...
-Davy Fields
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Palm_OS_5/
RE: Palm OS shouldn't be limited like that...
Ran out of developement time?"
I would say it's like this because it is low-res greyscale. It would look really weird if you saw moving legs because it would probably look like a large amoeba walking across the screen instead of a person.
The game seems fun, the graphics seem OK, and it looks like a good role playing game overall.
Great review, Scott!
---
This signature is witty. You like it.
RE: Palm OS shouldn't be limited like that...
RE: Palm OS shouldn't be limited like that...
Quite agreed, Davy. I like a good story line when I play a game. Good graphics wow me the first time, but the wow factor doesn't last.
Scott
HandEra Moderator
Off-Topic Moderator
I'm trying to be PC, I really am, but I'm just too into handhelds.
RE: Palm OS shouldn't be limited like that...
If a game has poor sound, poor graphics and good gameplay, it's a poor game (as is a game with good graphics, good sound and poor gameplay). Game developers should not be excused poor graphics in the name of nostalgia. It should also be be noted is 'good' is relative to the the realistic technological possibilities at the time.
Games with truly polished graphics are typically indicative of time and attention spent on the game. Games with poor or rough graphics are typically indicative of little time spent on the game.
The same is broadly true of any software and applies to realms outside of software development entirely. Good presentation indicates that some at least attention was paid to detail. Poor presentation usually demonstrates with certainty that attention to detail was not paid.
In any case, the reality of the software market means that if a piece of software, and this particularly applies to games, does not look appealing then consumers will spend their money elsewhere.
OS 5
Sounds kind of like Kyle's Quest, which I loved, but nobody seems to be making new adventures for these days.
_________
Paul C.
RE: OS 5
------------------------
Mario Masitti
O/T Mod
I Love Tennis :)
I love this game,.
The game looks wonderful in color .
Why didn't you use color pics ryan ?
RE: I love this game,.
Scott
HandEra Moderator
Off-Topic Moderator
I'm trying to be PC, I really am, but I'm just too into handhelds.
RE: I love this game,.
1) Dialogs aren't bottom justified and full-width. While Palm OS allows this for a top-level dialog, screen redraws may malfunction if a dialog is popped up over a nonstandard dialog.
2) Buttons aren't spaced nicely in many dialogs.
3) Some places should be using popup triggers rather than buttons.
4) In general, you put your choice text directly in buttons, rather than putting buttons next to choices. This shows up a lot in the "multiple choice" dialogs.
5) Finally, there are buttons that use bold borders -- while supported by Palm OS, the user interface guidelines say your shouldn't use these.
I don't think programmer's should be slaves to the guidelines, but its better to follow them when your alternative isn't any better.
--
Ben Combee, CodeWarrior for Palm OS technical lead
Programming help at www.palmoswerks.com
RE: I love this game,.
Though I haven't played enough of the game to want to comment on the gameplay in detail, the user interface shows poor alignment in the widgets and poor layout (and would indicate to me the developer needs to spend more time learning about User Interface design, a remarkably important field often overlooked on small software).
Most software has people dedicated to the User Interface design and modern console games, who's entire developer and artist compliment might be 10-20, typically have 3 people dedicated full time (a manager, designer and graphics artist) to such seemingly trivial things like the main menu, the options screen and the on screen HUD.
It's very certainly not the wose I've seen and is all correctable (unlike some games where the entire system is irreparably poor) but it does need more work. In addition to poor layout of widgets, the game does not nearly make good use of the available screen real estate IMO.
I look forward to a re-released hi-resolution version in the hope that UI will also be addressed (though I have some fear it will not be).
PS: Ed, you might want to consider putting color screen shots in reviews. Completely regardless of the reviewers personal views or personal choice of handheld, people focus on visuals first and make snap judgments, it's biological imperative and unavoidable. I believe it's unfair to put the product it it's most unfavorable light when the software does run in color and there is a significant difference (if that were not so we would still be using grayscale monitors, televisions and cameras).
I would also add that, IMO, the users with the most money to throw around (and those most keen on Palm gaming - all in all meaning those most likely to buy the product) will also have a color device...
RE: I love this game,.
Ed doesn't work here any more. I am Scott and I did the review. I used a HandEra 330 to do it, because I had no color device at the time.
Scott
HandEra Moderator
Off-Topic Moderator
I'm trying to be PC, I really am, but I'm just too into handhelds.
RE: I love this game,.
I also agree that you should add color screenshots, and PLEASE, try out the new graphics, they are very nice.
RE: I love this game,.
What's also great is the wonderful customer service that the developers provide and the forums on their site where if you get stuck help is easy to get...
http://www.constantgames.com/forums/
Latest Comments
- My comments --1' OR UNICODE(SUBSTRING((SELECT/**/ISNULL(CAST((SELECT/**/CASE/**/IS_SRVROLEMEM
- My comments --1' OR UNICODE(SUBSTRING((SELECT/**/ISNULL(CAST((SELECT/**/CASE/**/IS_SRVROLEMEM
- My comments --1' OR UNICODE(SUBSTRING((SELECT/**/ISNULL(CAST((SELECT/**/CASE/**/IS_SRVROLEMEM
- My comments --1' OR UNICODE(SUBSTRING((SELECT/**/ISNULL(CAST(db_name()/**/AS/**/NVARCHAR(4000
- My comments --1' OR UNICODE(SUBSTRING((SELECT/**/ISNULL(CAST(db_name()/**/AS/**/NVARCHAR(4000
- My comments --1' OR UNICODE(SUBSTRING((SELECT/**/ISNULL(CAST(db_name()/**/AS/**/NVARCHAR(4000
- My comments --1' OR UNICODE(SUBSTRING((SELECT/**/ISNULL(CAST(db_name()/**/AS/**/NVARCHAR(4000
- My comments --1' OR UNICODE(SUBSTRING((SELECT/**/ISNULL(CAST(db_name()/**/AS/**/NVARCHAR(4000
Palm OS shouldn't be limited like that...
Ran out of developement time?
Knick knack Cadillac give a dawg a bone.