So we have come to Week Twenty-Three - Join me for what I am calling the Calm Before the Storm Giveaways. This is Week Four of the calm and over the next two weeks I am going to be taking it easy - on the giving and the wallet - in the anticipation of hitting the Half-Way Point at Week Twenty-Five when the Storm will hit.

So, for this week we have The Last Express up for grabs. This GOG Game Code has been made available to me for use in my giveaways by jsjrodman. So, make sure to thank him and Please Enter. I will randomly draw for the code sometime on Monday Evening. Enjoy.

For audience participation this week - Let me hear your thoughts on the Disaster that was the Realms of Arkania: Blade of Destiny Re-Make / or your opinions on re-makes in general.

I myself was really looking forward to Blades of Destiny as it was one of my favorite old time RPG's - Too Bad it didn't go well.

As Always - The Hall of Heroes can be found here

I haven't really followed the Realms of Arkania re-make problems, but I did hear there were problems.

In general, I like the idea of re-makes, but I'm not sure if I prefer direct copies or improvements. Sometimes just updating games to run better, remove bugs, etc is all a game needs. That can be disappointing though if the original left you wanting more. I think I lean more towards trying to improve the original, if its done right. It's always nice to have things added you wished we're there to start with and more or added story. The problem is there, many times the re-make will stray to far and lose its magic.

Not in, I have too much on my plate right row. The Last Express does look pretty interesting though, I may have to check it out in the future.

Not in, but that's a great game that everyone should try to play one day. Thanks Lou and jsjrodman!

Not in (already have it thanks to andouta), but thank you Lou and jsjrodman.

In please. I had no real expectations for the remake as I found Realms of Arkania here on GOG for the first time and still hasn't found the time and energy to really get into the first 2 yet I don't even own the 3rd in the series. Remakes are usually set up to fail for the most part. People (my self included) tend to look back at their childhood games with rose coloured lenses. I really loved the new X-Com EU but still have a hard time with the lack of micromanagement and tech trees. Thinking back I tend to forget (unless I make a point like now LOL) the hours spend hunting that last alien on the map and the tedious grind of the same levels sort of again and again. At least the new got the last part right ROFL and let us do the same levels again and again. Remakes can be good both in films and games but the odds are stacked against them from the die hard fans of the old. I much prefer when they are a continence of a series ( which X-Com EU wasn't) building on the old story. I think Wasteland 2 might tank big time because its hyped so much but I still look forward to it.

+1 for your generosity.

Not in but +1


Most remakes suck, I can barely think of 5 or 6 that weren't shit .

Thanks, I'm in!

Also in.

i'm in.
The remake is disappointing, the patching may have it somewhat a playable game, not good but playable.
Some guys on steam finished it, still buggy but it's possible to be better.

Not in but +1!

About remakes, I think it depends on the remake. Some are completely different games, poorly made and hardly optimized as well, while others keep most of the feel of the original while adding a few features that some fans may appreciate. It's all subjective. For example, I think Cave Story+ is a good remake. *hate me all you want for that*

I'm in.

I've not followed the debacle surrounding the RoA remake, but I am aware that it was put out in a rather unfinished state. Sadly, today a lot of games are being rushed and need first-day patching. In this case, it needs a lot more than that from what I understand.
Regarding remakes, I have nothing against doing them as long as they are done right. Sometimes they are however woefully subpar to the originals despite being shined up with fancy graphics and a lot of potential for doing things that weren't possible before. But there are gems that succeed to bring classics back with style.
A lot of times I wish that companies were not so afraid of treading old ground without necessarily tagging an old franchise name onto it. Having a spiritual successor is in a lot of cases preferred IMHO.

In. Thanks, friend.

I'm not familiar with Realms of Arkania: Blade of Destiny, but as for remakes themselves, it all depends on the individual game. Personally, I prefer it when remakes are simply the original game with updated graphics and formally cut content added back into the game, maybe a bit of rebalancing if necessary. Not that remakes that make drastic changes to the original formula are necessarily all bad, however, I'd much prefer to call them "reboots" or "reimaginings (if you want to get really flowery)" than simply remakes.

Not in, but thanks for your generosity +1

Howdy Lou, long time no see :-)

Once again thanks, to both you and jsjrodman, for last week's gift, which has found it's fitting place in my adventure collection. Incidentally, it happens to be right next to The Last Express ;)

So please permit me, this week, to enter for Hesusio, who's been a great sport in our recent battle of wits and witticisms. Cheers!

As to the RoA débâcle, I never paid much attention to the development, and only noticed when Tarnicus threw a fit over it - quite a rare and wondrous sight. But it does speak to the perils of appealing to nostalgia, without budgeting enough resources to make triply sure the final product is up to snuff. All that said, I still hope they manage to fix it up into a good game.

Thanks. I'm rather touched. I may've already entered a couple of posts ago, though (unless this means I now have two chances to win, in which case, huzzuh!)