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Kenshi - PC Game

ZanathKariashiZanathKariashi Member Posts: 2,869
edited June 2013 in Off-Topic
Should check this game out. It's quite fun.

http://www.lofigames.com/ (Developers site, and the most update info on whats being worked on and whats to come)

It's on Steam's Early Access page also, and there's a TON of videos on Youtube about it. (just make sure to watch the ones that aren't more then a month or so old).


Openworld, tactical, squad-based, rts, rpg, simulation.

There's several different backgrounds to choose from when starting a new game. Your starting character is no one special, and in fact can be killed at no penalty, and the game will continue right on along, as long as you have at least 1 other character under your control. When recruiting new NPCs, you get the opportunity to completely customize their appearence/gender/name to your liking. And there are several tiers of NPCs...basic ones, have no real starting skills but are cheaper to recruit. Specialists have high skills in certain areas but are much more expensive, and Elites are even better then specialists but are extremely rare to find and VERY expensive to recruit.


It's hard to actually describe since there's lot of planned stuff not in yet, but at the moment it's kind of a post-apocalyptic survival game, with gear mostly from feudal japan (heavy emphasis on sword fighting, though some simply ranged weapons, like bows and crossbows will be added eventually). At higher tech levels there are robotic enhancements (mostly to replace lost limbs).

It's intended that the player will be able to do anything they want. You can even build your own towns and settlements if you desire (though it tends to require a lot of man-power to get them operating, so isn't really feasible until you've amassed a good-sized army). You can be traders, bandits, farmers, etc etc...

It's got an interesting combat system, it's pretty much character-skill based, though your equipment has various bonuses or penalties to attack or defense. And your health bar is broken up into blood supply, each limb, head, chest, and stomach. And as each drops, there is a progressive noticeable effect on performance for things involving that part (blood, chest, head, and stomach result in the character losing consciousness from shock if they drop below 0). The game uses a -100 to 100 scale for each HP bar, with 0-100 being less serious injuries (just bandaging up and letting them heal is usually enough to recover), while -1 to -100 become progressively more serious, requiring more extreme options (requiring more advanced recovery items such as splints and/or requiring full bed rest until they're back in the positive, in addition to first-aid). Death results if head, chest, or stomach reach -100, while blood results in death if it reaches the full opposite of it's positive (Normally blood has a maximum of 75, death resulting at -75, though endurance can raise the maximum amounts). Limbs that reach -100 are completely severed and must be replaced with a prosthetic.

On the subject of healing. There are no instant healing items. Bandages and first-aid simply slow/stop bleeding (minor bleeding will stop on it's own, but serious bleeding can potentially result in death if not treated, since your character will bleed out faster than his blood can replenish) and treat wounds to allow them to heal naturally. Untreated minor wounds (0-100) will heal on their own, but do so SIGNIFICANTLY slower then treated wounds. Serious wounds won't heal even when treated, unless the character is receiving full bed rest.


It's in an early Alpha right now, but is offering discounted early access (kind of like a reversed Kickstarter) for those interested in either watching the game grow or actually participating in bug-testing and helping come up with suggestions to make the game even more awesome. Or you can pick up the demo, and I think, the previous build of the game for free.


Even in it's current state the game extremely fun to play, though it currently lacks sound (the sound update should be coming out within about a month and 1/2).

There are going to be several major updates happen over the next 3 months, so definitely keep an eye on it, if it's current state isn't quite up to your liking.

Comments

  • davidthegnomedavidthegnome Member Posts: 37
    edited June 2013
    I downloaded the demo, but I find it pretty much unplayable in it's current state. The controls are extremely clunky and many crucial features (such as sound) aren't implemented yet. I love the idea of a RPG taking place in a Feudal Japan inspired setting (because while there are quite a few Samurai strategy games out there, I'm not aware of many RPGs). I'll keep an eye on this, but in it's current state I definitely don't think it's paying any money for. The controls need serious tweaking.
  • ZanathKariashiZanathKariashi Member Posts: 2,869
    edited June 2013
    The core game is a bit further along then the demo. But sure, I whole heartedly agree that you should wait until at least the sound overhaul comes out, if that's going to be an issue.

    But that's the main purpose of the thread, to make people aware of it. The finished game will barely resemble it's current incarnation.

    IF you search around on youtube, you can find the sound teaser for it. It's bad ass, and that alone will make the game WAY more entertaining.
  • IllustairIllustair Member Posts: 878
    Looks very promising. Thanks for the heads up! I hope it has / would have pause-command (pseudo real-time) gameplay ala Baldur's Gate.
  • ZanathKariashiZanathKariashi Member Posts: 2,869
    edited July 2013
    @Illustair

    Yeah, you can pause at will, and even speed up time if you like. (the early game is pretty boring when you don't have many people under your control to manage and you're traveling over long expanses).


    Game just got a massive update today. Added a ton of new customization options, overhauled some equipment designs and added several much needed bug fixes......still no sound or female characters...yet...but they've confirmed that it is the next thing on the list, and will be added in small increments slipped in with other patches over the next few months.
    Post edited by ZanathKariashi on
  • reedmilfamreedmilfam Member Posts: 2,808
    This one is on my watch list, mostly because I'd love to see some RPG's with an asian flair (assuming it will have that). Thus far, fantasy seems more based on western legend and 'making it Asian' appears to be adding the uchigatana as a weapon.
  • ZanathKariashiZanathKariashi Member Posts: 2,869
    Yeah, the new gear models are very Asian inspired. Mostly feudal Japanese in design, with a few Chinese elements thrown in.

    Since the game world only has 1 biome currently, and is lacking a lot of the planned natural fauna, it's hard to say how things are going to go as far as environmentalism is concerned.

    They did squeeze a little bit more detail into the environments into this new patch though, I've noticed some new scenery items that weren't there before.
  • ZanathKariashiZanathKariashi Member Posts: 2,869
    First round of sound updates finally went live (mostly basic movement and battle sounds, and some overworld music and more to come later), and helps immersion factor immensely.

    As well as several new armor models, armor crafting, and a revamp to the crafting system.

    Also unit orders are finally implemented to keep those unruly berserkers under control and doing what job/role you intended them to do.


    The game is still very much in Alpha State, but if lack of sound was all that was holding you back from trying it out, it might be time to start looking into it again.
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