Guardians of Graxia

[Smoof]

Anyone played it yet?
http://www.gamersgate.com/DD-GOG/guardians-of-graxia

I'd been looking forward to it for some time now. It's from the same guys who made the excellent board game on XBLA, Panzer General. It plays almost the exact same, but, of course, with fantasy creatures.

Still pretty fun. Gameplay isn't much different from Panzer General (something that makes it both easy to pick-up and a little boring if you've already played Panzer General). One thing I'm hoping for which was in Panzer General is both the ability to build deck's (think Magic: The Gathering) and battle online with friends (multiplayer isn't yet implemented).

http://www.gamersgate.com/img/screenshots/DD-GOG/163832_graxia_pc_02_medium.jpg
http://www.gamersgate.com/img/screenshots/DD-GOG/163902_graxia_pc_09_medium.jpg
http://www.gamersgate.com/img/screenshots/DD-GOG/173442_graxia_pc_11_medium.jpg

I guess I should mentioned: It works similar to Magic: The Gathering. You have your hand (12 cards), of which you have units and spells. Some spells can only be cast during battle. At the start of your turn you cast your spells (that is, units or whatever spells you may want. Some directly damage your enemy) using your mana, which you accumulate via holding tiles. The more tiles you hold, the more mana you receive at the end of the round. After casting your spells, you may move your units or engage them in battle. When in a battle, your unit has a certain attack and defense that go up against the enemies attack and defense. In Panzer General you could gain support of nearby friendly units and it looks that way in this too, but so far, I'm unsure. Gaining support gives you more attack. Once engaged in battle, you can modify your attack or defense, or the enemies attack and defense using some spell cards specific to battle. If you have none, you can sacrifice any card in your hand for a boost, which you can apply to your attack or to the enemies defense (reducing it). Some cards are worth more and give more of a boost when you sac them. The enemy can also do the same, so you never know what they're going to throw-up and it's very possible that they may bluff you. Once all that is determined, the units battle. If your unit is too low on health they may retreat from battle, losing you a bit of ground and if they have no tile to retreat to, they may just be destroyed instead. If you win, you can choose to advance into the enemy tile and claim it as your own, further moving you towards your objective (capturing something, killing an enemy, etc).

That's the gist of it.

[MagGnome]

This certainly looks interesting. Thanks for the heads up.

[LordDon]

Smoof, you're an evil bastard.

[Ravenlock]

I'm intrigued. Looks like it could be a lot of fun.

Demo?

[Smoof]

As far as I know, there is no Demo. However, if you have an Xbox, get on XBLA and download the demo for Panzer General: Allied Assault. It will give you some insight into how Guardians of Graxia works (Hint: It's basically the same)

[Telefrog]

Unfortunately, due to contractual obligations, this game is exclusive to Gamersgate for a few weeks before it will come to Impulse, D2D, or Steam. This is doubly unfortunate since on Gamersgate, the game has Securom with limited installs and Gamersgate likes to charge US credit cards as foreign transactions with an extra fee.

[MagGnome]

Yeah, that's why I don't buy from Gamersgate. I learned my lesson after buying King's Bounty.

[Berek]

Yeah, that's why I don't buy from Gamersgate. I learned my lesson after buying King's Bounty.

On that note, stay tuned :).

[MagGnome]

Will do! It would be great if that was somehow "solved".

[Karak]

Man. I think that looks so awesome! And I am sad I didn't know about that Panzer game. Is that single player, the Panzer game at all? Does anyone know? Because I could love to get that for the sexbox.

[MagGnome]

Yes, the Panzer General game is single player.

There is also a long line of Panzer General games on the PC, although they are significantly different from the XBLA version.

[DiBiddilyBop]

I clicked this link by accident. Now I'm very, very glad I did. This looks exactly like my kind of game, though I'll probably wait until I see it on Steam to buy.

[Karak]

Yes, the Panzer General game is single player.

There is also a long line of Panzer General games on the PC, although they are significantly different from the XBLA version.
Ya. To be honest I was not a fan of the PC versions but after reading this I went and found it
Bought!

[Smoof]

I believe the old PC Panzer General's are totally different games and franchises than the one which is made by Petroglyph.

[MagGnome]

Yes, they are completely different games. Petroglyph must have purchased the IP or something, which I find odd considering it's not all that well-known and they didn't make a game that is even remotely similar. Still, that seems to be rather popular with companies these days...

[Berek]

Yes, they are completely different games. Petroglyph must have purchased the IP or something, which I find odd considering it's not all that well-known and they didn't make a game that is even remotely similar. Still, that seems to be rather popular with companies these days...

We've always sort of had a passion for the Panzer General games, with Chuck Kroegel having been at SSI for quite awhile. The opportunity came about to create a new iteration and we went for it. One of the moments in a game studio where you have the opportunity to make entirely the game you want.

[MagGnome]

We've always sort of had a passion for the Panzer General games, with Chuck Kroegel having been at SSI for quite awhile. The opportunity came about to create a new iteration and we went for it. One of the moments in a game studio where you have the opportunity to make entirely the game you want.

That's great! I'm sorry if my previous post came off as negative.

[Karak]

That's great! I'm sorry if my previous post came off as negative.

It didn't don't worry. Well at least from the side view. I think I may get this game if they add more maps and such. Seems lean for now. But I love the look and the basics behind it. This is the kind of stuff that makes an afternoon disappear.

[MagGnome]

Thanks Karak!

People are so damn touchy around here that I feel the need to add a disclaimer to all of my posts. I might start doing that soon. ;)

[Karak]

Thanks Karak!

People are so damn touchy around here that I feel the need to add a disclaimer to all of my posts. I might start doing that soon. ;)

No probs man. I sometimes feel that way, but then again I sometimes bring it on myself. I think we all do. But what you were saying was actually pretty interesting and information. It wasn't just tripe. I really really adore the look of this game. I keep wanting to pull the trigger and buy it but modded Torchlight has single handedly ruined every other games for me:) Shit I haven't even logged into STO to check out my new ship or turned Halo Reach back on or anything.
UG!

[Acidpoptart]

This is out on Steam now!

[MagGnome]

Yes, and it's 10% off at $8.99.

[DiBiddilyBop]

Aaaaand purchased. Hopefully I'll get to play some over the weekend.

[Ravenlock]

I think I'll have to go in on this. A lot of people I respect really loved the Panzer General XBLA game.

[Karak]

Holy fuckity fuck.
This and Generals on the Xbox are amazing. Just amazing. I LOVE this fucking game. Bought the map pack. Everything about it is exactly what I am looking for in a good smaller PC game. I have always been a fan of collectible or at least card based games that still show the units.

This scratches the its so fucking well.

[Ravenlock]

Interesting. We just talked about it on the IM IndieCast recording last night (not out yet) and my verdict was "maybe later." I found the tutorial to really be lacking, the absence of a map generator or map editor really limiting for the game's longevity, the lack of multiplayer baffling, and I think their putting out a paid map pack already when the game only has a handful of maps to begin with is a questionable decision.

I think there's a good game in there, but after an hour and a half I wasn't sure I was going to keep digging to find it. Hopefully they'll patch it (not just with paid updates) and put out a demo.

[Karak]

Interesting. We just talked about it on the IM IndieCast recording last night (not out yet) and my verdict was "maybe later." I found the tutorial to really be lacking, the absence of a map generator or map editor really limiting for the game's longevity, the lack of multiplayer baffling, and I think their putting out a paid map pack already when the game only has a handful of maps to begin with is a questionable decision.

I think there's a good game in there, but after an hour and a half I wasn't sure I was going to keep digging to find it. Hopefully they'll patch it (not just with paid updates) and put out a demo.

Too bad.
No bugs I have found yet or at least noticed. Thank god cause if I find some I will be pissed. Its my peev.
I have put maybe 6+ hours into it. Super deep strategy. I love no multiplayer but that's just my way. I enjoy single player games like this much better. If I go multi I will just by the boardgame anyway duel player PC games sort of lack my interest.

Ya the mappack is out and its wonderful!

[MagGnome]

I'm glad to hear people are enjoying this. Well...except for Ravenlock. :p

Hopefully they release a demo soon. Not having one is a total deal breaker.

[rein]

I would be enjoying it but it didn't work on my laptop even though I have the required system specs. I have it on my work pc but I have only played through the tutorial level.

[Karak]

I would be enjoying it but it didn't work on my laptop even though I have the required system specs. I have it on my work pc but I have only played through the tutorial level.

Now if this post had been me. And I had the same issue.
I would have written:

The fucker fuckity fuck. This damn game won't run on my system. Everything else will but this stupid cheap peice of crap won't even start. Just gives me some weird error I can't understand.

Arg...back to my 360.

Then again.
I think many are glad that I didn't get an error:)

Play the game at work. Your boss will thank you!

PS: My message above is actually towards Elemental. Which I bought...and it doesn't work:(

[Fatal_Papercut]

I'll wait until either (1) a demo is available, or (2) I hear a lot of unanimous praise after another map pack or two is released.

I hope the game does well. As a fan of both board games, M:TGO, and strategy games in general, this looks to be an enjoyable diversion.