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Demon Stone is a video game based in Forgotten Realms, a side-world in the D & D universe, made popular by Ed Greenwood and R.A. Salvatore, two power house fantasy writers. In fact, R.A. Salvatore wrote the story surrounding the three main characters in Demon Stone, and even brings in his most legendary character: Drizzt Do'Urden. The story itself follows Rannek, Illius, and Zhai as they battle to save the Realms from two creatures released from the shattered Demon Stone. These two demonic beings, at war within the crystal, continue the war that had had them sealed inside of it, and this war threatens to swallow the lands in destruction. With the help of a Khelben, a wizard who was witness to the original war, the heroes learn what is needed to destroy these creatures, and travel all over the Realms to achieve this goal. The basic layout of the game is very similar to a beat-em up. You travel around as all three characters, switching at advantageous moments between the three, while battling seemingly endless hordes of enemies. It keeps from getting tedious because of the separate skills and all the items and spells you can add to the characters. And, later, during a non-stop battle with trolls, you can use Drizzt, which is easily the funniest level. Though not extremely difficult, this game can be challenging at times, adding somewhat to the fighting system since you must learn to time blocks and deliver counters. And then there are the boss fights, usually with massive, screen-filling beasts. These are always difficult and satisfying to complete. The problem with the game, though, comes with the fact that you can upgrade one character to his fullest and make the game easy, that being Illius the wizard. Once you get his strongest spells, you can sit back and just wail on enemies without ever getting hurt. Also, it's a very short game. I beat it in ten hours or so, and though you can go back and explore areas to find things you may have missed, there just isn't any need since the story has already unfolded. A bonus includes top-notch voice acting from Michael Clark Duncan (The Green Mile) and Patrick Stewart, whose voice can be found in Steamboy and Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind. Still, this game is a solid action-fest. R.A. Salvatore did a good job with the story; you could feel where his touches were added, and it was a pleasant surprise to play as Drizzt. Though I don't truly understand Dungeons and Dragons, the novels and great, and so are the games. Pick this up if you're a fan of video games and if you like Salvatore.Read full review
Although the game is fun to play, Demon Stone is one of those constrictive-feeling linear RPGs that assume everything and allow no decision-making. Primarily a hack & slash, it's not overly original in its combat system, and it getsold switching from one character to the next every time the game forces you into a situation where only one character's skill will solve the problem (you basically control three characters at a time, except during special fights, like when you control Drizzt). On the positive side, it's a pretty game, and the terrain and ai don't interfere with gameplay, which so many hack & slashers suffer from. There are also plenty of skills and items to accumulate during the course of your adventures. But, best of all, Patrick Stewart and Michael Clark Duncan provide excellent voice acting and narrative for the game. Captain Picard's dramatic level introductions were in an over-the-top Shakespearian stage growl, which (yeah, I'm a dork!) I found got me excited to start the new zone. My advice? Go on and buy it if it's cheap, but don't shell out too much for a barely-better-then-mediocre game. 3.5/5 (rounded up to 4/5 above)Read full review
The story line is good, S.A.Salvatore writes the best stuff and there is a part where you actually get to play the drow elf Drizzt from his other books. Patrick Stewart does some of the voice-over work and is one of the characters which was suprising to me. I played half way through the game the night I bought it cus I'm just that way with RPG games. The downside is the characters are hard to control. Small obsticals block their attacks (oh I'm a big fighter that can't navigate around a mall pile of rocks) and the nimble 1/2 drow character is like trying to drive and RV through a china shop. She's the only one who can jump and it's very hard to get her where she needs to go. There are many places where the game doesn't give you what you need to pass the level and it really leaves you in the dark about how to get around them. You just have to die and start the level over and work your way back and try again. And this game has my pet peeve, which is that you can't skip the cut scenes, so every time you die (which is often) you have to watch the same old cut scenes again and again until your mumbling them in your sleep. GAH! You can afford Patrick Steward but not programmers to bypass cut scenes??? Sheesh! Anyway, for the five bucks I spent on it, it was a fun way to waste a day over all, but I wouldn't recommend it for the serious RPG gamers. You will spend a lot of time frustrated and that's not what gaming is supposed to be about..... right?Read full review
When I saw the graphics that this game offered and heard the lush soundtrack, I thought I was in for a real treat. Sad to say, after a couple hours, not only was I bored, I was already halfway through the game. It's nothing but mashing the same couple buttons over and over to kill bad guys. It's extremely repetitive. There's no damage text, so you have no idea if your characters are doing any real damage to said bad guys. The only character that is really cool is Zhai, the half-drow rogue, as she can go invisible and slash enemies, killing them with one hit. The other characters, the tank fighter (who is super gorgeous, haha) viking dude just kinda swings a sword around and nothing fancy, and the mage/sorcerer is the basic projectile guy with crappy hit points who always gets killed first. You switch between the three, depending on your situation and preference. There are no potions or other items you can keep in an inventory, either. There IS NO inventory. You just have to pray the ridiculous hordes of enemies you mash buttons at will drop something. Another REALLY annoying thing is that you can't skip the stupid video sequences that you watch, no matter how many times you replay a level. I was ready to throw my controller at the screen. And the CAMERA! UGH. It has the most confusing sudden switches I've ever seen, and is really distracting. I was really hoping for something great from this one, but was really let down. The best things about this game are the graphics, the music, Michael Clarke Duncan (rip), and Patrick Stewart. That's about it. Want great RPGS with the Forgotten Realms theme? Play Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance I and II. They're WORLDS better than this poopy.Read full review
I got this game hoping that it would be similar to that of the Dark Alliance games. I was greatly dissapointed. This game was made with no attempt at being enjoyable, but merely to sell off the already established Forgotten Realms series. You will find that out 6 hours after you put the game in, and you are already watching the ending credits. And how sad those 6 hours are. By the first boss, I was having trouble continuing this game without finding faults. The first boss himself, to stay away from you, walks up some stairs, and your people, even the brilliant sorcerer, can't even figure out how to use the stairs. Can't they even try to find a reasonable way to keep you away from him? And it just went downhill from there. Run around, hack some guys, hope your sorcerer doesn't end up dieing, and do some more. There are no real stores in the game, no carriable potions, a minimal variety of spells, and a poor level up system. Furthermore, I was expecting something more out of the story, coming from a best selling author, but it was mediocre. And the dialogue is down right stupid. I wish there was a better word for it, but there isn't, it is just dumb. It is full of futile attempts at witty remarks and dramatic emotions. What do I recommend of this game? Don't get it. It is a waste of time, however short it is, and money. It may drive you away from the Forgotten Realms, no matter how much a fan you are. This was pitiful. The only reason it doesn't hit bottom is due to the decent graphics. Go buy Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance.Read full review
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