Shadow Vault...A new Fallout Tactics?

[Dante Rising]

Talk about stealth marketing...Out of nowhere Strategy First has released this title to stores for $29.99. The screenshots and cover art look very similar to something out of the Fallout universe. Unfortunately, I cannot find one review of the game and the official forums are down, so I'm hesitant about running out to get this title. Anyone have some info on the quality of this new release? Its created by the developers of Empire of Magic, which was not exactly a world class title.

http://www.strategyfirst.com/scripts/Redir.asp?sLanguageCode=EN&iGameID=106


--Stylish nuclear war ravaged environment, where buildings and structures can be destroyed or used for cover.
--Unique unit classes, each with its own special sets of abilities, such as medics, engineers, snipers...
--Units improve abilities and acquire new ones as they gain combat experience.
--Over 30 unique abilities and 40 different actions to enhance and update your units.
--Hours of strategic gameplay through 20 game levels.
--30 units and characters to choose from or battle against.
--Epic story and dynamic storyline that immerses the player into the game.
--High level Artificial Intelligence that reacts to as player’s strategy.
--Intuitive game rules and interface placing emphasis on the strategical experience rather than a steep learning curve.

[jeep]

Its created by the developers of Empire of Magic, which was not exactly a world class title.

Was that the german guys? I think I played that game. It had c64-type bugs, but was kind of fun for the first 8-10 maps or so. Wait, no, that was something else. Age of Shadow Magic or something.

Unfortunately, I cannot find one review of the game and the official forums are down, so I'm hesitant about running out to get this title.

So you cut and paste the ad in here instead. I originally hit reply so I could call you a spammar but it occurs to me that one of my uncles is barbecuing various critters in honor of some lunar cycle this week so I should try to be respectful. May I simply point out that the game shipped last Wednesday, and there may not be a lot of review copies flying around from these cheap bastards? After all, there are 8 reviews of Empire of Magic on the ol' tomatometer and that game has been out 18 months.

Perhaps their marketing tactic is to NOT let people know they're selling them shit in a box. Look at this review (http://gr.bolt.com/games/pc/strategy/empire_of_magic.htm) from a guy who actually liked King's Bounty.

/jeep/

[Qenan]

Empire of Magic? Urk. That was the game Tyjenks hyped a while ago... ;-)

[Dante Rising]

I originally hit reply so I could call you a spammar but it occurs to me that one of my uncles is barbecuing various critters in honor of some lunar cycle this week so I should try to be respectful

What in the hell are you talking about? And if you're going to call me a "spammar" at least spell it correctly. I'm actually interested in this game because I loved Fallout Tactics. Empire of Magic was terrible, but that doesn't necessarily mean this game will be its twin. Perhaps the developers have learned from their mistakes. The one thing I DO find strange is that out of all of the Strategy First forums, the only one NOT working is for their newest release. Coincidence? Hmmm...

Was that the german guys? I think I played that game. It had c64-type bugs, but was kind of fun for the first 8-10 maps or so. Wait, no, that was something else. Age of Shadow Magic or something.

Age of Wonders: Shadow Magic? That was a good game.

[Dhruin]

If there's a better case of a publisher hiding a game, I don't know about it. They haven't released anything for Shadow Vault for over a year -- no screens, movies, gold announcement (only a shipping announcement)...zippo. Mayhem's Empire of Magic was awful, so it's hard to know whether SF would rather just hide this game or they're simply incompetent. I wouldn't count on too much based on EoM but I'd love to hear any comments.

[GMicek]

I'm shocked they're even releasing it. Then again, who's to say they'll actually pay the developers.

[Gendal]

I originally hit reply so I could call you a spammar but it occurs to me that one of my uncles is barbecuing various critters in honor of some lunar cycle this week so I should try to be respectful

What in the hell are you talking about?

I think it means his family has a history of mental illness. Ergo, it might not be prudent to lend much weight to his comments, irksome though they may be.

[Dante Rising]

I'm shocked they're even releasing it. Then again, who's to say they'll actually pay the developers.

Yeah, I lost alot of respect for Strategy First after hearing about its recent treatment of developers. I know they don't have a budget to do a serious marketing campaign, but as someone above mentioned, previews and reviews at many gaming sites are free. It makes one wonder about the final product.


Still, if it is even half the game Fallout Tactics was, I'd bite.

[MauxFaux]

I stumbled on this game a while back, posted it hoping someone had heard of it. I think maybe one person had. You make three.

We are all still equally clueless, I think. Let me know if you try it though, it does look interesting.

[Peter Olafson]

I have it here; I just haven't had a chance to try it yet.

When a big company releases a big title with no push, it's a fair guess that the game hasn't turned out as the publisher expected. Here, more likely, Strategy First is simply on a more stringent marketing budget since its recent reorganization. It hasn't had much presence in the market since then, and I haven't seen a heavy marketing push for -any- of SF's post-reorganization releases (which include Shadow Vault, the GalCiv add-on, Vendetta Online and the imminent Cops 2170--nor for any of the half-dozen or so titles planned for 2005).

Peter

[VegasRobb]

Perhaps they're just fulfilling their contract?

[Dante Rising]

Peter,


Can you please give us a review when you have a chance to put an hour or two into the game?

[Bill Dungsroman]

Peter,


Can you please give us a review when you have a chance to put an hour or two into the game?
Psh, whatever, spammar. :)

[Dhruin]

I have it here; I just haven't had a chance to try it yet.

When a big company releases a big title with no push, it's a fair guess that the game hasn't turned out as the publisher expected. Here, more likely, Strategy First is simply on a more stringent marketing budget since its recent reorganization. It hasn't had much presence in the market since then, and I haven't seen a heavy marketing push for -any- of SF's post-reorganization releases (which include Shadow Vault, the GalCiv add-on, Vendetta Online and the imminent Cops 2170--nor for any of the half-dozen or so titles planned for 2005).

Peter

Look for forward to hearing something about it. :)

A stringent marketing budget shouldn't stop SF from releasing screens and other things that can use the gaming media for free publicity. COPS 2170 received quite a bit of love with several screen and movie releases, a preview drive and some RPG Vault articles. Vendetta Online had some attention (although over a fairly short period). The only output on Shadow Vault at all was the announcement they had the rights in 2003.

[Tyjenks]

Empire of Magic? Urk. That was the game Tyjenks hyped a while ago... ;-)

No, that was Masters of Magic....ummmm....II...Yeah, that was it. I saw they were doing this on a while back, but I can only be burned so many times by crazy Russians.

[Dante Rising]

I thought Tyjenks blamed the Empire of Magic thing on heat stroke...or evil clones...or evil clones suffering from heat stroke.

[Ed Solomon]

Anyone actually played this yet?

[DanielElliot]

I tried it. It's really, really unpolished. Even more so than most East European games. It seems like there could be some fun to it, though.

[Ed Solomon]

I tried it. It's really, really unpolished. Even more so than most East European games. It seems like there could be some fun to it, though.

Guess I'll wait for the bargain bin. Thanks.

[olaf]

Made by the people who made Empire of Magic is the worst thing I can think of anyone telling me about an upcoming game.

olaf

[Brian Rubin]

Made by the people who made Empire of Magic is the worst thing I can think of anyone telling me about an upcoming game.

olaf
I can think of something worse...

"Each box comes with a real piece of authentic John Romero shit!"

How's that?