Featured Author Feedback: Will play your new quests.

boomba66

Hey all I am working on the achievement for playing the new modules. If you have one with under 5 plays, that is solo friendly and you want solid feedback, post it here. I will play the quest give you a five star if it even has potential to get 5 stars with some clean up. Don't want to bury anyone learning the ropes.

I will not nit pick line by line of text, but will help you with FR lore if you need it, flow of the quest, how to set proper triggers, what effects will work for you, ect ect. I will pick two or three a night (I want my foundry Master and armored bear!)

eldarth

Perfect Timing -- Need reviews, just released:

Gruumsh's Tower of Conquest [NW-DEYRROVFQ]

Quest Description
The Orcs of the Tower District have built up this rickety looking tower/obstacle course monstrosity around and above the old guild hall in front of the guard outpost. Lord Neverember has heard of your heroism on numerous occasions from the Harpers and thinks you would be the perfect adventurer -- to go undercover as a powerful Orc to participate in this contest.

The officially sealed note from Lord Neverember said simply "See Harper Koril in Tower District Guardpost."

Expected duration: 30-45 minutes

boomba66

eldarth wrote: »

Perfect Timing -- Need reviews, just released:

Gruumsh's Tower of Conquest [NW-DEYRROVFQ]


Review: Gruumsh's Tower of Conquest
This is a challenging puzzler, with many unique elements to it. It is easy to get lost in this as the breadcrumbs go every where so players will really need to pay attention.

Flow: The quest flows from stage to stage very nicely. The one problem I had was finding the mining officer. You had to be right on top of him before he would pop as next objective to speak with him. The one thing at the end that was a bit disappointing was no conclusion. I was waiting for the Harpers to talk to me or there to be some story conclusion. I think if you add a little at the end this would wrap up the adventure just a touch more. Moving from challenge to challenge was fun, couple times I got lost I started following your orcish competitors this helped a great deal and was a nice touch.

Map: Three awesome builds. The sewer run was great, the tower of Gruumish was also very cleaver and awesome, and the obstacles you built made for a frustrating (which in my opinion is good because there is no accomplishment without a little.), challenging map that is really one of the features of this foundry.

NPC's Good variety. Loved the touch of seeing what you look like, and your explanation of the foundry's limitation to change appearance. Loved the pretty orcish girl ambush.

Story: I choice to challenge myself ending so I may have missed the conclusion by choosing this option. But I really liked the story up til the end where there was no wrap up. Love the giant tower as you appear on the map and wondering....hey what the hell is that, feeling. Then you set it up great with the nice high view and the Harper conversation with it in the backdrop.

Combat: The map challenges tied to the fighting challenges where all good stuff. This was one of the perfect difficulties map for a solo, easily enjoyed the combat challenges you placed. It fits in very nice with NW main story for the tower district, with the appropriate enemies to fit in to story line.



Nice job Eldath.

eldarth

boomba66 wrote: »

Story: I choice to challenge myself ending so I may have missed the conclusion by choosing this option. But I really liked the story up til the end where there was no wrap up.

Excellent, thanks! Glad you enjoyed. Didn't miss anything -- both final answers lead to the same final showdown with the Servant of Gruumsh. I've completely exhausted all of my encounters and npc's, although I supposed I could easily lose the 2nd scout on top of the viewing platform in order to have a final wrap-up/thank-you chat with the Harper. I'll add that to my todo list. :cool:

annadruvez

Well, I have my second quest just hitting the 'needs an outsider's perspective' stage: Fountain of Dread (NW-DACS7JITE)....

This is my first exterior map. I tried to get the atmosphere outside to be about right for a cemetery in a craggy area at just before dusk. So, sky kinda bright, but the lighting at ground level a bit dark. Also, I'm doing something that is a bit of a departure for me, there's actually a plot in this one. Not a great plot, but a plot. It even has a twist. (I know, wow, a single plot twist.)

Anyway, I'm probably going to have to re-work the second map (of two) to get the thing over fifteen minutes. I've done some already, but my first published run-through only took twelve with a 37 TR. A run with a level 60 CW took about sixteen or so. The average went up to 14, at least.

So, let me know what you think. Also, if you have one you want reviewed, I'd be happy to take a look.

boomba66

annadruvez wrote: »

Well, I have my second quest just hitting the 'needs an outsider's perspective' stage: Fountain of Dread (NW-DACS7JITE)....


Review and Constructive Feedback: Fountain of Dread
Story: Short and sweet rescue a boy gone to play in crypts. Standard adventure hook, necromancer laying in the depths with hidden artifacts stopping them. To add a bit to the realm lore of this you could go several....well really a lot of ways with the fountain of dread theme. Jergal was a evil god of the realms who gave his power to three mortal to become gods. He was the God of the Dead. So if you wanted to do a little Wiki research on Jergal might make some sense as to whose power the Necro was stealing.

Maps: Decent outdoor map, might want a second sky overlay of clouds or something the whole thing works well as a cemetery. One problem I had if you want others to play this is the click on boxes to go to cemetery. You could easily come up with a better story or simply set it on the world map brings a little more immersion into the quest. Second map the crypts its very easy to get turned around in there as they are all the same. Adding some details would help a great deal.

Combat: Ah the good old waves of undead and wraiths. I think you could change up a few mob packs and re-skin them to add a bit more variety. People have all looked at the same undead packs forever. I find good costuming really helps. Might want to add a little more "immersive type" quest text then, kill 10 pack of undead. You had the same number on both maps followed by the commander fights. They triggered well but was a bit repetitive as it was same for both maps.

NPC's Could add some more life to the quest by fleshing out your dying cleric and your end boss. Perhaps add a potion of healing to map one. If pc finds potion of healing on first map they can give to cleric and have his aid for the second half of the map. (Use Friendly Adventurer Cleric: Reskin...Follow instant once he pops. Use dialogue trigger, off of potion to offer the following option.)

Be a fun way to add a little more to the dungeon.

Flow: Just a simple follow and kill quest. Not bad in terms of what it is but you could do some more with it and attract more players.

Recommends:
1. Lore Added to your fountain of Dread. Have it intractable and let us know a tad about it.(the reading will add a minute to yoru played time.
2. Change the way we move to the quest. Kinda silly to have a teleport in a box and some players will blast you with low scores for it.
3. Add way to heal your dying cleric from first map. Reward those explorers who like to find stuff, this adds to second half map in a quality way.

Hope it helps. Gave you five stars and a nice tip. Thanks for trusting me to test your modules.

annadruvez

I am adding most of what you said to the to-do list.

The crate thing was supposed to be a little bit of comedy, in the "We're tricking people - is that wrong?" (sort-of evil grin) vein. Hm... I'll see if I can't fix that, since obviously it either didn't take or was too hackneyed.

I will definitely look at the lore. I haven't read too much about Jergal, but I can see the link from what you've said. Definitely a lore add there. (I usually find myself thinking of Cyric, Bane or Kelemvor when I think of gods dealing with the dead. Didn't even *think* of Jergal.)

Hm.... the healing/follow thing is a great idea. Maybe toss it onto one of the dead bodies lying around.....

Yeah, the quest text was a bit, wasn't it? Probably change it to clearing the path or something similar.

Hm..... I usually run with the quest path showing, so I have a harder time getting turned around. I can see where it would be a problem if you didn't, tho. I'll look at the details again and see what I can add/modify. I've already knocked over a few pillars (and, my personal amusement moment, "broke" a statue with a knocked over archway), but I can think of a dozen or so things I can toss into the mix.

I was thinking of renaming some more of the mobs in addition to a re-skin. I'll ponder that some more in the morning.

Linea was a re-skin of a drow costume on a CW NPC.... Do you think it would have been better to re-skin a different one to spawn necro adds? Add to the necromancer feel for her? Or was it better to have a necro "boss" using the more player-like attacks?

Thanks for taking the time to help me make this a better quest!

boomba66

annadruvez wrote: »

I am adding most of what you said to the to-do list.

The crate thing was supposed to be a little bit of comedy, in the "We're tricking people - is that wrong?" (sort-of evil grin) vein. Hm... I'll see if I can't fix that, since obviously it either didn't take or was too hackneyed.

I will definitely look at the lore. I haven't read too much about Jergal, but I can see the link from what you've said. Definitely a lore add there. (I usually find myself thinking of Cyric, Bane or Kelemvor when I think of gods dealing with the dead. Didn't even *think* of Jergal.)

Hm.... the healing/follow thing is a great idea. Maybe toss it onto one of the dead bodies lying around.....

Yeah, the quest text was a bit, wasn't it? Probably change it to clearing the path or something similar.

Hm..... I usually run with the quest path showing, so I have a harder time getting turned around. I can see where it would be a problem if you didn't, tho. I'll look at the details again and see what I can add/modify. I've already knocked over a few pillars (and, my personal amusement moment, "broke" a statue with a knocked over archway), but I can think of a dozen or so things I can toss into the mix.

I was thinking of renaming some more of the mobs in addition to a re-skin. I'll ponder that some more in the morning.

Linea was a re-skin of a drow costume on a CW NPC.... Do you think it would have been better to re-skin a different one to spawn necro adds? Add to the necromancer feel for her? Or was it better to have a necro "boss" using the more player-like attacks?

Thanks for taking the time to help me make this a better quest!

She looked fine. Might want to add a stage to it as a necromancer. Have a second stage ghostly version of her with some skeletal adds. If you want to see how to stage a boss fight play my northern justice. That is a complicated staged boss encounter.

annadruvez

I think it's probably a pretty easy thing to do, just go till 'killed,' disappear the first her, and then trigger the next mob on yet another (immediate) objective. I want her to have survived and escape while you're talking to the kid, so the ghostly thing is out. Still, a second stage where she starts using necro work wouldn't be difficult, even if she's still alive for it. Just reskin yet another mob and run from that after beating the first stage. lol

But, yeah, with the follower it opens a whole better way to set that escape up, too. (grins) I'm going to go make some dialogue notes to write up in the morning. Thanks for the ideas!

EDIT: Too bad they don't give us pre-made liches, not that I can find, at least. A lich Linea would rock.... Hm.........

tipadaknife

I'd appreciate a playthrough and any recommendations for my new quest, The Crypt of Befallen (NW-DKCFTXNUZ). It's loosely based off the old EverQuest newbie dungeon of Befallen, along with a little of the Crypt of the Forsaken stuff thrown in to be interesting It can totally be played without having any knowledge of EverQuest.

Thanks!

boomba66

tipadaknife wrote: »

I'd appreciate a playthrough and any recommendations for my new quest, The Crypt of Befallen (NW-DKCFTXNUZ). It's loosely based off the old EverQuest newbie dungeon of Befallen, along with a little of the Crypt of the Forsaken stuff thrown in to be interesting It can totally be played without having any knowledge of EverQuest.

Thanks!

Review Crypt of the Befallen
I loved the spoofing of the old camping in Everquest, the comical....hey you remember how to pull(maybe add a Leroy Jenkins comment in for wow fans), the recovery of the necor's armor all does bring back that early and brutal storyline of Everquest(NO J BOOTS comment?)

Maps: Kinda bland, but effective and frustrating in moving back and forth. This is unavoidable in the story you told and remaking the original. You could spice up the visuals unless you are going for bare. Also some music at some points wouldn't hurt.

Story: A very good classic spoof tale. Really enjoyed this part of it.

Combat: Could reskin the skeletons into armor that isn't generic but otherwise good choices.

NPCs: I like your npc party campaign, your lazy druid giving permission to kill the rare spawn and your necro crying for his armor. Might want to add a comment in about the back and forth nature of the map with your original fellow.

Flow: Can get confusing. But once you get the rhythm its not to bad to figure out. Lot of times breadcrumbs lead to wrong places so best to tell players to turn them off.

Recommend:
1. Loop your initial dialogue so that after every choice you don't have to reclick to talk...you worked hard on that much dialogue use it.
2. Tighten up some of the door placements. Lot of gaps, I wont complain but other players will, this is type of thing they love to give 1 star for.
3. Little more music if not at your sound limit.
4. Perhaps rename your doors, placing a shield or a flag next to them, so its not like door one....door two....

I really liked it, reminded me of some old style mmo gaming nights camp spawning and rolling off!

tipadaknife

Thanks for the awesome feedback!!!!

Lots of good points, which have now instantly become action items

tipadaknife

boomba66 wrote: »

Review Crypt of the Befallen
.... the recovery of the necor's armor all does bring back that early and brutal storyline of Everquest(NO J BOOTS comment?)

Well, the next dungeon is Najena's Lair... and the JBoots will be a major part of the intro. But gotta polish up this one before I can start on that one!

antonkyle

boomba66 wrote: »

Hey all I am working on the achievement for playing the new modules. If you have one with under 5 plays, that is solo friendly and you want solid feedback, post it here. I will play the quest give you a five star if it even has potential to get 5 stars with some clean up. Don't want to bury anyone learning the ropes.

I will not nit pick line by line of text, but will help you with FR lore if you need it, flow of the quest, how to set proper triggers, what effects will work for you, ect ect. I will pick two or three a night (I want my foundry Master and armored bear!)

I would be very interested in your opinions of my campaign. The first two quests do not fit in with the less than 5 plays but I also have a part 3, unfinished but published. It can be found on the for review tab if you search my handle. some text is blank and side quests are unfinished but I have now all but finished the combat which needs testing and the maps are 98% finished. It's called A pirate's plunder, and follows An Orc Massacre and before that A Dwarven Rebellion.

Code is NW-DT5NHNSAY