Stick it up your pack mule.

I've spent the better part of the week looking in local stores for Dungeon Siege, can't find it. Considering buying the thing but I'm a little iffy on some of the reviews that have been appearing online such as <a href="http://pc.ign.com/articles/356/356757p1.html" target="_blank">IGN PC's Dungeon Siege Review</a> or <a href="http://gamespot.com/gamespot/stories/reviews/0,10867,2860893,00.html" target="_blank">Gamespots Dungeon Siege review.</a> Both cite how incredible the graphics are and the wonder of the Siege engine being capable of doing away with load screens. But the fact that it's so skimpy on a story worries me. I like my precious graphics and all but have lately (thank's to Arcanum, Baldur's Gate, and Wizadry 8) been craving more substance to my games. If it is true that this graphical gem is no better than the craptacular Diablo 2 I think I'll pass...just based on the fact that half way through the second act of D2 I found myself bored to tears at the redundancy of killing things, looting their bodies, then selling or collecting their items.

If anyone here has played the game (and I know some of you have) offer your thoughts and try convincing me it's worth the investment of time and money.

If not, gas powered games know where they can stick it.

I think you're referring to the April PCG article. Which was an interesting read. What stood out was that sometime down the line, a new multiplayer expansion would be available exclusively to PCG readers on their monthly cd.

Despite the similarity to Diablo, I may pick this up on impulse later on (after finishing JK2). I wonder how hard it'll be to play around with the Siege editor and make my own content.

This has been a surprisingly decent step up from Diablo. A lot of thought has been put into the game...such as how your party reacts to enemies (do they hold ground, pursue, defend only when attacked). Or that you can transmute items in your inventory into instant gold without the need to run back to town. As well, with the number of enemies you encounter in your adventuring...it's sort of a godsend that you don't have to repair your equipment repeatedly. The pack mule is worth the investment to store powerful items that you can't use (but soon will).

As everyone has said, the graphics are top notch. I'm glad to see that my Geforce card is being put to good use outside of the realm of first (and third) person shooters like Ghost Recon, Max Payne, Return to Castle Wolfenstein, and Medal of Honor. If you were to draw comparisons between Diablo 2 and Dungeon Siege (which is a bit unfair); you could say that Dungeon Siege is that killer photo hanging on your wall of Laetitia Casta and Diablo is the paint or wallpaper surrounding it. The only bad thing about the graphics would be the camera angles when you get close to a wall or having a pillar or building obstruct your view while you're getting your ass kicked (of which, you'll be thankful for the pause button when you adjust the angle).

This game is lacking in a story. By no means is it War and Peace...more like The Cat in the Hat. What works though is the wonder of exploring new areas. Finding unique items that'll make you faster, stronger...The intensity of being outnumbered so many times and barely surviving it all. Not being bored is a strong testament to how good the game is. Not earth shattering or revolutionary by any stretch, but a nice ride nonetheless.

Also, the fact that I lost an entire Sunday afternoon playing the thing with my fiance in co-op is also a good sign. As good as Baldur's Gate was as a single play experience...trying to play the thing in co-op was a hassle. Forget about Diablo with all the losers who feel the need to cheat on battle.net.

The simplicity of this game may put off those who are used to deeper RPG's. However, if given the chance to play this (with a properly equiped pc), you may just like what you find. I know I did.

for the people who own and dig this game, this is just a brief heads up that Gas Powered Games and Microsoft have just released the beta form Siege Editor to the public.

For those out of the loop, this gives gamers the power to create their own worlds, dungeons, monsters, and quests for others (and yourself) to enjoy.

It can be found <a href="http://www.microsoft.com/games/dungeonsiege/8.asp" target="_blank">here!</a> (just remember to scroll down)

Middle Earth.

Can it be done.

I sit here thinking about how much time it will take. Prodding through the Tolkien Books for maps, text to be transcribed, events and battles to be scripted. So far, I know there are monsters in there like Shelob, the Uruk-hai. There are buildings that could pass for the two towers. Plenty of spells. I may have to get my hands dirty (or find someone with more technical capability) with Gmax to make other creatures like the Balrog, Nazkul, and the Ents.

Of course, this is all just some dumb geeks wet dream. I don't have the time to do it all in one sitting for an extended period of time without the fear of losing my job or fiance.

Small steps. I think that's the key. Maybe start out with the Shire. Then make my way eastward to Rivendale.

I can see it now.