Profile for Istara

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Field	Value
Displayed name	Istara
Member number	52
Title	Shock Trooper
Postcount	280
Homepage	http://www.hyperflame.com
Registered	Wednesday, October 3 2001 07:00

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Author	Recent posts
Geneforge 5 - May Update in Geneforge 4: Rebellion
Istara Shock Trooper Member # 52	written Monday, May 12 2008 15:08 Profile Homepage #46 I always like fire creations, they just seem more exciting somehow. My problem is that I can never bring myself to reabsorb older creations even though it would be more efficient to start a new higher level one. I just can't euthanase my healthy little fyoras :( -------------------- Behind, the sea of time and space roars and follows swiftly Posts: 280 \| Registered: Wednesday, October 3 2001 07:00
Geneforge 5 - March Update in Geneforge 4: Rebellion
Istara Shock Trooper Member # 52	written Sunday, March 9 2008 02:37 Profile Homepage #27 This is just wonderful news. The only sad thing is that it is the last game. For some reason I had thought that there would be six Geneforge games. I would be happier with sixty or six hundred more, but I guess you have to end it somewhere. So long as you never retire, I am happy ;) -------------------- Behind, the sea of time and space roars and follows swiftly Posts: 280 \| Registered: Wednesday, October 3 2001 07:00
Raise your hand if you LOVE Linear RPG's! in General
Istara Shock Trooper Member # 52	written Friday, September 21 2007 15:33 Profile Homepage #34 quote: KOTOR had so much potential! And they really did put a lot of effort in the story and depth of characters. They just didn't give you a big enough sandbox to experience it in! Yes - that's my feeling too. I loved KOTOR I and II, but I felt very restricted by how little of the terrain I could explore. Particularly having just played Morrowind. Oblivion was brilliant, superb, but it lacked the originality of the gameworld of Morrowind, or Spiderweb games. I think they probably thought it was best to "play safe" with a basic mediaeval theme for such an enormous and costly game, and perhaps they were right, but I look forward to Elder Scrolls V being a bit more interesting and original as a game world. -------------------- Behind, the sea of time and space roars and follows swiftly Posts: 280 \| Registered: Wednesday, October 3 2001 07:00
Jeff Interview at IMG in General
Istara Shock Trooper Member # 52	written Sunday, June 3 2007 05:55 Profile Homepage #46 quote: Originally written by Yama: I emailed one of the Jewel of Arabia programmers in I think late 2005, and he was still around, and quite tickled to get mail about JoA. That really was a wonderful game. It is possible to play this stuff on an Intel Mac, though it does take some setup. If you're invested enough, Basilisk II seems to work well for many people. I set it up this spring so I could play Exile III, and it was easy once I got it going. Oh - that is encouraging advice. I am getting an Intel Mac in a month or so (hopefully, if Steve ever upgrades the damn MBPs!) so I will try it then. I can't wait to try out an Intel Mac. -------------------- Behind, the sea of time and space roars and follows swiftly Posts: 280 \| Registered: Wednesday, October 3 2001 07:00
Reccomend other RPGs in General
Istara Shock Trooper Member # 52	written Sunday, June 3 2007 05:43 Profile Homepage #29 Higher end RPGs - even if you don't like Star Wars(and I don't like it at all) Knights of the Old Republic I & II are brilliant. Also referred to as KOTOR I & II. - Fable: story a bit meh, but excellent combat engine. The first and only time I have really tried and enjoyed Bows. - Jade Empire - Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind - Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Upcoming: - Fable II - hopefully way better than Fable I, plus you get a pet dog ;) - Mass Effect - coming out this year! Yay!! - Alan Wake - graphics look amazing, I don't usually care about this, but this looks more like a film than a game Mac RPGs - Baldur's Gate I & II - this was the first RPG I played after Spiderweb ones, and I loved it. I played BG1 on a (now) old tangerine ibook, and it ran beautifully. - Pillars of Garendall - this was OK, quite fun - Cythera - also quite fun Retro RPGs - System's Twilight - more a puzzle RPG, but an absolutely brilliant, classic game - Jewel of Arabia: Dreamers - a desert-themed RPG, Mac OS9 and before only. I loved this. The music and the history were so well detailed, and it was just amazing fun. - Yipe -------------------- Behind, the sea of time and space roars and follows swiftly Posts: 280 \| Registered: Wednesday, October 3 2001 07:00
Jeff Interview at IMG in General
Istara Shock Trooper Member # 52	written Saturday, May 19 2007 06:40 Profile Homepage #21 quote: Originally written by Spidweb: It will be past time for something all new. That means you'll have to invent an entire new world/universe. Which kind of makes you God, doesn't it?! ;) -------------------- Behind, the sea of time and space roars and follows swiftly Posts: 280 \| Registered: Wednesday, October 3 2001 07:00
Jeff Interview at IMG in General
Istara Shock Trooper Member # 52	written Saturday, May 19 2007 06:39 Profile Homepage #20 quote: Originally written by Spidweb: I have a religious belief here, and I am not going to be talked out of it. I do not believe that good old computer games should die and disappear, any more than good old books or movies should. I think Fallout 1 and 2 should be playable in the year 2010 or 2020. Same for Baldur's Gate 2. And KOTOR. And, yes I'm gonna say it so brace yourself, Exile. I agree. It is an absolute waste to see the amount of games that are lost to the progress of technology. Sure you can find emulators - but they are often buggy and not easy for novice users to find/install/use. Many of now have Macs with no OS9 left, so you can't boot the Classic layer to play older games. I supposed I could dig my ancient ibook out of the cupboard (I'm hoping my great great grandchildren will be able to sell it for squillions one day ;) ) but really it seems absurd that I can't play older games on a newer computer. A couple of games that really deserve to be updated are System's Twilight - an absolute Mac puzzle classic - and Jewel of Arabia: Dreamers, a sadly overlooked RPG from Qnote software. Of course part of the problem is that software companies merge/dissolve/vanish and there is no one to update these games. Many of them turn up on Abandonware sites but there is still no one able/willing to reengineer the source code. When you think about the work that goes into these games and the immense joy they bring to players, it is a tragic, tragic waste. -------------------- Behind, the sea of time and space roars and follows swiftly Posts: 280 \| Registered: Wednesday, October 3 2001 07:00
Nethergate: Resurrection in Nethergate
Istara Shock Trooper Member # 52	written Saturday, March 3 2007 09:37 Profile Homepage #42 Oh please please please make Nethergate dungeons revisitable. That was my major disappointment in Nethergate v1, having to leave behind such great eq because of weight limits and never being able to get it again. Also it has been so long since v1 won't it be hard for people to confirm their IDs? I must have paid for it using my real name, but it was so many computers and OSes ago that I no longer even have the game or the registration details (though I think it came by CD, didn't it?) I also remember that it was the first RPG I ever played outside telnet MUDs, and the "shareware demon" was the first such barrier-fiend I had ever encountered. Hmm. Quite probably it was also the first thing I ever bought online, almost certainly the first game I ever bought online. Either way, worst case scenario I'll just pay the $25 price, I fully expect that the game will be worth that and more. -------------------- Behind, the sea of time and space roars and follows swiftly Posts: 280 \| Registered: Wednesday, October 3 2001 07:00
Nethergate II in General
Istara Shock Trooper Member # 52	written Sunday, January 28 2007 06:34 Profile Homepage #17 I cannot wait for this game. I always felt that it never got the response it deserved - perhaps because it was a diversion from the Exile series that was so amazingly popular at the time. I remember people on here relatively recently swearing they would never play Avernum because it wasn't as good as Exile, stuff like that. But Nethergate was a very original, very interesting and very atmospheric game. I rarely play RPGs twice, but with Nethergate you have to play it twice ;) My only real wish for change is that the dungeons become revisitable. It was very frustrating having to leave stuff behind because of weight, and not being able to get into the dungeons ever again. Particularly for gamers like me that like to nook and cranny and sell loads of basic weapons and build up great hoards of gold and artefacts. Gosh I feel quite excited about the thought of Nethergate again! It was my first RPG after telnet muds, and was what caused me to fall in love with the whole Spiderweb thing. It's been nearly ten years. -------------------- Behind, the sea of time and space roars and follows swiftly Posts: 280 \| Registered: Wednesday, October 3 2001 07:00
Where are the Geneforgers? in General
Istara Shock Trooper Member # 52	written Saturday, July 22 2006 03:04 Profile Homepage #36 I love both games, but Avernum/Exile has been around for longer, and has a stronger sense of history and background. Also Blades of Exile/Blades of Avernum have encouraged more player participation and interaction. There is something epic/historic about Avernum, in contrast there is more of a futuristic/sci-fi feel about Geneforce. The tradition of RPGs is very much the former (though the latter is getting stronger, from Fallout to modern, high-end titles such as Mass Effect). -------------------- Behind, the sea of time and space roars and follows swiftly Posts: 280 \| Registered: Wednesday, October 3 2001 07:00
Oh god - I feel euphoric (G4) in General
Istara Shock Trooper Member # 52	written Thursday, July 6 2006 09:35 Profile Homepage #7 quote: Originally written by Drakefyre: Istara won't have to wait quite that long ;) A day is too long when it comes to these games. You know that ;) PC users: if ever there was a reason to "switch", it's to get Spiderweb games earlier! -------------------- Behind, the sea of time and space roars and follows swiftly Posts: 280 \| Registered: Wednesday, October 3 2001 07:00
Oh god - I feel euphoric (G4) in General
Istara Shock Trooper Member # 52	written Wednesday, July 5 2006 02:14 Profile Homepage #0 I had been suffering Spidweb withdrawals for some time, and was thinking about replaying Geneforge or Avernum, and then I thought I'd check the news and wow! Now I just cannot wait. Just looking at those screenshots makes me feel intensely "homesick" for the gameworld. I've been playing Oblivion the past couple of months, and I adore it, but somehow it's just not as enjoyable as a Spiderweb game. I'm not sure quite why - perhaps it's because Spiderweb's RPGs were the first I ever played, so everything else gets compared to them. Either way, roll on the end of 2006. -------------------- Behind, the sea of time and space roars and follows swiftly Posts: 280 \| Registered: Wednesday, October 3 2001 07:00
A4 Bugs in Avernum 4
Istara Shock Trooper Member # 52	written Sunday, January 29 2006 08:24 Profile Homepage #35 The quest to get some worm bits from one of the northern mines is ruined if you clear it out first before receiving the quest. Unlike other things (the tribal goblins or shed rats) which continually regenerate after getting the quest. -------------------- Behind, the sea of time and space roars and follows swiftly Posts: 280 \| Registered: Wednesday, October 3 2001 07:00
Final Castle barracks storeroom in Avernum 4
Istara Shock Trooper Member # 52	written Wednesday, January 11 2006 08:10 Profile Homepage #0 When does this get unlocked - anyone know? I've done the final quest for Levitt, and he just opened up a locker :( -------------------- Behind, the sea of time and space roars and follows swiftly Posts: 280 \| Registered: Wednesday, October 3 2001 07:00
Quick Note About Graphics in Avernum 4
Istara Shock Trooper Member # 52	written Wednesday, January 11 2006 04:53 Profile Homepage #13 The graphics looks fine to me. I miss the blonde haired man and woman though. Any chance of them coming back?! -------------------- Behind, the sea of time and space roars and follows swiftly Posts: 280 \| Registered: Wednesday, October 3 2001 07:00
Unique Item Locations. in Avernum 4
Istara Shock Trooper Member # 52	written Tuesday, January 10 2006 16:02 Profile Homepage #54 Ooo - I haven't tried the Answering Gauntlets - must give them a go. The Gloves of the Hammer and Eliavri's Bow are pretty useful. -------------------- Behind, the sea of time and space roars and follows swiftly Posts: 280 \| Registered: Wednesday, October 3 2001 07:00
Unique Item Locations. in Avernum 4
Istara Shock Trooper Member # 52	written Tuesday, January 10 2006 14:33 Profile Homepage #50 What is everyone's must-have, favourite item? Mine is the oozing sword. It's the only weapon I like to use - that poison is just so effective. -------------------- Behind, the sea of time and space roars and follows swiftly Posts: 280 \| Registered: Wednesday, October 3 2001 07:00
Av4 Character Editor... will one ever be made in Avernum 4
Istara Shock Trooper Member # 52	written Tuesday, January 10 2006 14:21 Profile Homepage #4 I really want to edit in the Girdle of Might. I swear to god I never sold it, because I was waiting to get it, but I have been to the place where allegedly it was supposed to be, and it isn't. -------------------- Behind, the sea of time and space roars and follows swiftly Posts: 280 \| Registered: Wednesday, October 3 2001 07:00
Annatolia or Crewl? (possible spoilers) in Avernum 4
Istara Shock Trooper Member # 52	written Tuesday, January 10 2006 14:15 Profile Homepage #10 quote: Originally written by i: There is no need to kill either Annatolia or Crewl. Of course, killing her and not everything going hostile is a bug and probably should not be exploited.* Nah - I reckon that no one in the town really liked her, she was a nasty dictator type. In fact they should probably congratulate you and lower their prices in reward ;) -------------------- Behind, the sea of time and space roars and follows swiftly Posts: 280 \| Registered: Wednesday, October 3 2001 07:00
Editing stuff manually in Avernum 4
Istara Shock Trooper Member # 52	written Tuesday, January 10 2006 14:12 Profile Homepage #7 "Blades of Geneforge". B.O.G. snickers -------------------- Behind, the sea of time and space roars and follows swiftly Posts: 280 \| Registered: Wednesday, October 3 2001 07:00
Nimble Fingers in Avernum 4
Istara Shock Trooper Member # 52	written Sunday, January 8 2006 14:34 Profile Homepage #4 Oh I love having a character with Nimble Fingers and high Tool Use. I get them up to 10 asap at the start of the game. Then keep adding. There are quite a few Level 16 doors in the early stages. Then the next useful threshold is Level 20. By then, you hopefully have the +1 Tool Use chain. Now I need Level 25, even 28, for the more recent doors. I also have the Tinker's Gloves, so that helps get another +2. I love the click of unlocking a door. I could hear that sound all day. -------------------- Behind, the sea of time and space roars and follows swiftly Posts: 280 \| Registered: Wednesday, October 3 2001 07:00
Party Useful Skills? in Avernum 4
Istara Shock Trooper Member # 52	written Sunday, January 8 2006 12:45 Profile Homepage #15 Both priests and mages are so useful in Avernum. High level priest healing spells are just vital as is Repel Spirit - but in this game you really need Dispel Barrier, a high level mage spell, as well (not to mention all the great offensive stuff). I recommend getting one of each, and giving your priest a level of mage spells, so they can cheaply cast Bolt of Fire (2 energy, as opposite to Smite, which is 8). Alternatively you could have the priest do some archery for you, but it makes more sense to me that they have Bolt of Fire at least. -------------------- Behind, the sea of time and space roars and follows swiftly Posts: 280 \| Registered: Wednesday, October 3 2001 07:00
FIne Slith Spear, not so fine? in Avernum 4
Istara Shock Trooper Member # 52	written Sunday, January 8 2006 11:16 Profile Homepage #9 quote: Originally written by Contra: Untrue. West of Silver is a smith making you a blessed breastplate, something you won't find replacement for untill you fetch the Emerald Chestguard for your main warrior, and Crystaline Plate for your second warrior/priest. I just don't see Blessed gear as particularly important. I'm also not seeing higher level armour have much effect on my fighters. Anyway you are so near the Emerald Chestguard by that stage. I just went and got it after the first play through. I'd rather wear nice light chain or magic leather than bother with a heavy, expensive, bulky breastplate. -------------------- Behind, the sea of time and space roars and follows swiftly Posts: 280 \| Registered: Wednesday, October 3 2001 07:00
To keep or not to keep. in Avernum 4
Istara Shock Trooper Member # 52	written Sunday, January 8 2006 10:34 Profile Homepage #13 Opalias: some of the more basic herbs are used for complicated potion recipes later on. I'd hang on to them for now. -------------------- Behind, the sea of time and space roars and follows swiftly Posts: 280 \| Registered: Wednesday, October 3 2001 07:00
FIne Slith Spear, not so fine? in Avernum 4
Istara Shock Trooper Member # 52	written Sunday, January 8 2006 07:42 Profile Homepage #5 Generally speaking, there is rarely anyone selling stuff that is better than what you could otherwise find at the same stage in the game. The exception might be the guy who charges you 1000 to make you a client, who then makes Warrior's Cloaks and Runed Helms and stuff (which you won't find by that stage, nor ever in multiple quantities). Buy a Fine/Blessed/Steel anything is never worth it. Nor having Blessed stuff made. So much better to get stat-enhancing gear, and especially acid/poison weapons. -------------------- Behind, the sea of time and space roars and follows swiftly Posts: 280 \| Registered: Wednesday, October 3 2001 07:00

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