Dungeon Siege

The Good
The best parts of this game are from a technical standpoint. The first is the graphics. They are some of the best around, and include a variety of enviornments to explore. The second is interface which is very easy to understand and use. It gives you the information you need without being obtrusive. The panels are collapsible so you can have more of the screen visible if you choose. Then theres the camera system. It's simply the best implementaion for a 3D isometric game, period. Every developer making a similar game should just copy Dungeon Siege's and be done with it. Also the seamless loading of levels is very nice. There are no loading screens at all between areas. Just smooth transition from outside, to inside, to underground. Very well done and again something other developers could learn from.

The Bad
The downside is the general gameplay and character development. Its a straight up hack'n slash game which for some people can be fun, but others will find it getting repetitive after awhile. There are only 4 basic classes and a few skills that improve with use. Although you can control up to 8 characters as opposed to 1 in Diablo 2 the skill system isn't as good IMO. The mule is a nice idea but I never really used it much. Games that let you gather up lots of "stuff" get old to me after awhile and I just end up leaving most of it on the ground.

The Bottom Line
Like most others have said this game is basically a 3D Diablo clone allowing up to 8 charaters in your party at once. Don't expect a deep story or lots of NPC interaction. Just lots of hack'n slash gaming with a very nice 3D engine.

The Good
Well where to start? The environments are beautiful and colorful. When you walk into a town you actually feel like your in this town. And the armor and weapons are in one word,wonderful. Awesome design and texture and cool names. The ability to gain followers is awesome and the sure fact it supports multiplayer is amazing. Play online and just show how much you rock. And the most fun I had was buying a donkey and overloading him.

The Bad
The things I thought could be better are that the shops sell armor so expensive that you have to kill for hours just to get armor to learn you can't even wear it. And sometimes they put high leveled enemies for when your only low level.

The Bottom Line
An overall awesome gaming experience. All fans of these kind of RPGs should definitely try it. Though I found it a little time consuming and not fun enough.

The Good
There's not much to like in Dungeon Siege except it's name (that has nothing to do with the game) and it's graphics (even though it slows down even on a top end machine). It's unfortunately not really an RPG, but more of a constant fight along different corridors disguised as playing areas. The controls were pretty good.

The Bad
I didn't like the fact that this sets out to be an RPG, but since Microsoft removed the role from that word, it's just a Playing Game. For kids. There's not a single problem to be solved in the entire length of code. You basically go from battle to battle, pausing to drink a potion every now and then, before the "map" leads you to a "town" where you buy the most expensive gear you can find, before heading into the corridor-like maps again for more fights. Everything is so streamlined you only have to press ONE button to switch all your characters from long distance fighting to close combat fighting. And every area has only TWO exits. One you came from and the one you're supposed to exit from. You NEVER have to turn back and take the same route twice, which makes the entire game feel like a corridor full of fights.

The Bottom Line
A totally brainless hack'n'slash that doesn't deserve to be called an RPG. It boasts great graphics and the usual Microsoft presentation so it probably appeals to the younger audience.