Each day you wait above decks with great anticipation for the familiar mountain ranges of your native homeland to emerge on the horizon. Weeks before your expected arrival, your ship passes close to the coast of the island chain of Kulladin. Captain Wadring, your host, describes Kulladin as a terrain of endless conflict where the forces of order attempt to build settlements amidst a sea of turmoil. It's greatest city, Ullad, is reportedly under siege even now. Alone on deck, imagining your homecoming to your loved ones, your reverie is broken by a boulder fired from some unseen catapult, descending through the mists to smash the prow of your ship.
Posted by Bianca at 2011-05-19 22:45:06 Voted 7.75 on 05/19/11
Disappointed!
Exploring the right side of the sewer, I discovered a road leading to the port where the story ends. The bad news is that I can not turn back again to explore and the left side of the sewers. I lost a lot adventure yet; It's long adventure, and there is no way to resume soon!
However I liked it, although the areas were very long and tiring for me. I would prefer more deeper scenario with smaller areas (where I get confused easily bored, hahaha).
However Congrats good job _________________________ Everything you do has a meaning...
Posted by Bianca at 2011-05-19 22:44:16 Voted 7.75 on 05/19/11
Disappointed!
Exploring the right side of the sewer, I discovered a road leading to the port where the story ends. The bad news is that I can not turn back again to explore and the left side of the sewers. I lost a lot adventure yet; It's long adventure, and there is no way to resume soon!
However I liked it, although the areas were very long and tiring for me. I would prefer more deeper scenario with smaller areas (where I get confused easily bored, hahaha).
However Congrats good job _________________________ Everything you do has a meaning...
Posted by werelynx2 at 2011-01-15 15:10:33 Voted 7.50 on 01/15/11
just voting _________________________ Thanks Rolo:)
Posted by Astero at 2008-03-13 11:46:51 Voted 7.00 on 03/13/08
Combats were unbalanced. To my surprise, respawing didn't come with a penalty. Unfortunately, henchmen were of little use. They didn't level up, I couldn't buy equipment for them so after a while I decided to play without a henchie, it was more of a burden than a help. Interesting beginning but as I was advancing I felt like I didn't have a purpose, like I was in some kind of a loop, doing the same again and again. I missed some role-playing. Anyway, it was a decent effort.
Posted by agathokles at 2007-01-05 04:57:04 Voted 8.50 on 01/05/07
I found combat to be tough, but not overly so -- I completed the module with a PRC Psychic Warrior/Ninja/Shou Disciple (so, with little help from equipment).
Technically, there are no significant bugs, and I found the ambush encounters to be a nice variation over the usual.
The module could certainly use some strengthening in the plot department -- the motivations for the character tend to dwindle at times.
The henchmen were interesting (Jaya has a good background, which should be explored), but not of great use, since they don't level up, can't be equipped and the standard IA tends to get them killed off easily.
The writing is ok, with only one consistent mis-spelling ("pallidin" instead of paladin).
Posted by Serensius at 2006-12-10 13:25:21 Voted 5.00 on 12/10/06
My thoughts EXACTLY, Armin (further down), the module is really bland with loads upon loads of extremely dull, repetitive and unbalanced combat. The respawn system is also disfunctionable - you can simply respawn upon death with no penalty whatsoever (which was pretty much the only reason I bothered to play as far as fifth level). While I have no doubts that the module took time and effort to create (especially with such large areas - not a good idea unless you have some intersting content for it), it simply does not hit home, and will most likely be forgotten within a week of playing it. Next time, put some more effort into making an exciting story and interesting encounters instead of just creating huge areas with loads of creatures.
Posted by todde at 2006-11-29 19:28:19 Voted 10.00 on 02/29/04
Thanks for posting that MIDKNIGHT. I wanted to say something, but because I was the one who reccomended the mod for the Overlooked Mod list. Sure its not a ground breaking mod but it is a solid hack and slash fest
Thanks for the review Armin...
I'll still probably play this but at least I will not be going in thinking it's something it's not.
To be more fair you could have made some good (positive) comments about the module.
::MIDKNIGHT::
Posted by Armin at 2006-08-24 04:19:49 Voted 6.50 on 08/24/06
There are several hidden gems to be found on the overlooked modules list and then there are some that ultimately overlooked because they are soo...overlookable. This belongs to the second group.
It's just such a bland, endless and ultimately boring series of repetitive and badly balanced fights, with soulless, 2-dimensional NPCs and a fake, sterile world where nothing makes sense.
Hordes and hordes and then some hordes of enemies line the extemely linear path of the player, all to killed for some guy or the other, with zero roleplaying ability and not a single choice to make. The fights are ridiculously tough in the beginning yet basically always completely trivial lure-them-out-in small-goups - kill 'em one by one - rest anywhere and as often as you like - rinse & repeat - chores. Areas are way too large and too full with endless repeats of the same monster group and what it lacks in story it tries to make up by endless tedium and level grinding. The only point in playing I could find was to kill the next 12 groups of critters in order to level up enough for those other 19 groups of critters that follow.
Even considering it's age, technically it's sub-standard, using the plain OC henchmen system with only a single one you can't equip, that doesn't level up and zero personality (why does it require HotU anyway?). The areas are just solid standard, many are too large and none look remotely ot-of-the ordinary. The mod keeps annoying the player by spawning encounters right on top of the party, whenever walking onto a trigger, even if you had checked the very same area from another direction before. Immersion-breaking and very unfair.
All in all it's quite bug-free and a lot of work went into it, in all other aspects it's ultimately average and unrememberable. _________________________ With magic, you can turn a frog into a prince...
With science, you can turn a frog into a Ph.D....
... and still keep the frog you started with.
Posted by Sunshyn at 2006-07-02 02:59:45 Voted 8.50 on 07/02/06
Very enjoyable hack 'n slash.
Posted by Drexar_Heulbric at 2006-04-09 22:13:36 Voted 7.25 on 04/09/06
Unbalanced combat; tough for non-fighter types; large maps get tedious with same fights over and over; buggy script on first map; there are much better HnS out there.
Posted by todde at 2006-04-09 15:55:42 Voted 10.00 on 02/29/04
This mod is now on the Overlooked mod list. Thanks to Berliad who got it on the list, and thanks to EVERYONE who had reccomended mods to the list and who is responsible for the Overlooked Mods list. Its a great idea.
Posted by todde at 2006-04-08 23:54:37 Voted 10.00 on 02/29/04
I just sent a reccomendation to the Overlooked Mods list about this mod. I hope it will be considered for it. This is still quite a good mod.
Posted by TaraZ at 2005-04-17 20:26:17 Voted 8.25 on 04/17/05
Difficulty is way off, but the size is really epic, and the story is nice (I'm a fan of sort of slow developing stories-- people who want plots that start right away and in a clear fashion might be less happy). But the early difficulty is way too much for a first level character. By the end, though, my character was so loaded with loot that I could trash everything. Difficulty balancing is an art, but it is really needed here (the Blackguard series comes to mind as a series that is very well balanced).
No problem, Valdur. It seems to be one of those mods that some people like and others don't - which is about pretty much all the mods. I doesn't seem to inspire many votes though, so I guess it must suit only particular tastes in the end. Oh well.
No problem, Valdur. It seems to be one of those mods that some people like and others don't - which is about pretty much all the mods. I doesn't seem to inspire many votes though, so I guess it must suit only particular tastes in the end. Oh well.
Posted by Erowrue at 2004-04-05 22:15:36 Voted 10.00 on 04/05/04
Posted by Valdur Amakiir ( ..xxx.xxx ) at 2004-04-01 20:13:00
I was actually disappointed in playing this module as compared to the previous replies before mine. I tended to get bored not knowing where the story was going. I almost felt like i was just searching and searching to give my purpose in the module a meaning less the usual 'kill the beast and bring us its head' adventures..i understand that sometimes adventure doesnt find you..and you must in turn find the adventure..but i dont think that philosophy carries over well here..especialy when, in my opinion, the obvious adventure is mundane. I'm sure i would feel differently if the choice of adventure had more variety to it. I enjoy a good free form module..but this kinda had me wayward quest wise again because of the 'played out' quest choices. Free form wise it also didnt give me the feeling of being in a world of its own..it seemed as if it had a path. I just didnt feel that the group upon groups of enemies in one area after another was pointing me in the exciting direction. Also a few areas of a medium to large size had lots and lots of doors which kinda turned me off in exploring these areas. For me..i dont like walking into a dungeon(or elsewhere) and imediately see 10-12 doors in the first hallway..it gives me the impression i must search them all..which gives me the impression that they may be holding a key item..but what if none of them do?..am i just wasting my time?..i think so..I also understand the work that goes into making a module..i asure you at this point in my toolset knowledge i couldnt make anything close to this in any comparison..though it provided some adventure in all..there wasnt enough excitement going, in my opinion, to keep me involved..
but good work on the enviornment..would have liked to see some skies..but its not a big deal..the surroudings i thought where very nice..
till next time..
Posted by Valdur Amakiir ( ..xxx.xxx ) at 2004-04-01 20:11:00
I was actually disappointed in playing this module as compared to the previous replies before mine. I tended to get bored not knowing where the story was going. I almost felt like i was just searching and searching to give my purpose in the module a meaning less the usual 'kill the beast and bring us its head' adventures..i understand that sometimes adventure doesnt find you..and you must in turn find the adventure..but i dont think that philosophy carries over well here..especialy when, in my opinion, the obvious adventure is mundane. I'm sure i would feel differently if the choice of adventure had more variety to it. I enjoy a good free form module..but this kinda had me wayward quest wise again because of the 'played out' quest choices. Free form wise it also didnt give me the feeling of being in a world of its own..it seemed as if it had a path. I just didnt feel that the group upon groups of enemies in one area after another was pointing me in the exciting direction. Also a few areas of a medium to large size had lots and lots of doors which kinda turned me off in exploring these areas. For me..i dont like walking into a dungeon(or elsewhere) and imediately see 10-12 doors in the first hallway..it gives me the impression i must search them all..which gives me the impression that they may be holding a key item..but what if none of them do?..am i just wasting my time?..i think so..I also understand the work that goes into making a module..i asure you at this point in my toolset knowledge i couldnt make anything close to this in any comparison..though it provided some adventure in all..there wasnt enough excitement going, in my opinion, to keep me involved..
but good work on the enviornment..would have liked to see some skies..but its not a big deal..the surroudings i thought where very nice..
till next time..
Posted by pelle at 2004-03-08 00:01:25 Voted 10.00 on 03/08/04
Posted by gilknut at 2004-03-01 13:57:28 Voted 10.00 on 03/01/04
Posted by todde at 2004-02-29 00:55:09 Voted 10.00 on 02/29/04
Thanks, todde, I really appreciate your comments and it means a lot to me that you got some enjoyment out of this mod. I'll work hard on upgrading the second part and would hope you find the time to try it out as well. Thanks again for your support and taking the time to comment and vote!
Posted by todde at 2004-02-04 18:08:00 Voted 10.00 on 02/29/04
Ok, so I just finished the mod, and it was great. A great suprise too. Your crafting of the mod's story was great. I never knew where the mod was going, I never got ahead of the story. Thanks. Full of suprises.
SPOILERS
I like the way you bookended the mod with the old man. It was nice that there was a choice to get by him without fighting.
Oh, and the crazed cow, and mystic chickens?!? Ha Ha Ha!!!
Again, thanks for making this mod. It was a great suprise.
Posted by todde at 2004-02-02 10:40:00 Voted 10.00 on 02/29/04
I agree with gilknut I dont know whay this isnt in the hall of fame. Its pretty epic in scale and size. It takes a character pretty far in levels and it isnt a walk in the park. You really earn your exps.
I think that one of the things that might put people off at the beginning is that it is a bit open-ended to start. That the mod doesnt lead the player around. You really have to call the shots and explore. In hindsight I think that is the strength of this mod. Your chracter is plopped down in a place he/she knows nothing about and they have to.......well....... find out where they are,how to get home etc. It can be offputting to some but I think it really is a strength in the mod. The 'stranger in a strange land' aspect is great.
My advice to new players to the mod is, if you find it a bit slow, stay with it. You will not be sorry. This is a super mod.
Posted by gilknut at 2004-02-02 02:01:00 Voted 10.00 on 03/01/04
Music in my ears... then I'll definitely just go to work on this mod, explore every inch of it, and then wait for the updated Olo mod. Now that HOtU is out, I really hope you'll be able to continue this saga up into the lvl 30's, but I guess that's being a bit optimistic, as I assume (from your website) that you have a few other things to do than make NWN mods - unfortunately :-)
Anyway, I'll see if I can't get some more people to check this mod out and vote for it -- it certainly deserves it. I'd like to say it's a mystery to me why this one isn't in the Hall of Fame, but I think the first comment gives the answer: something with the opening and the huge starting area probably puts some people off. Having played through the mod (I'm of course referring to the original, since I haven't played this updated version yet) and looking back, the beginning seems perfectly natural, though. Hope you get more votes soon!
Thank you both for your words of support and good to hear that your back, gilknut. I'm working on upgrading the second part as well so please wait to play the new HotU version. I'm enhancing it quite a lot but I think it should be uploaded in about a month.
Posted by gilknut at 2004-02-01 16:35:00 Voted 10.00 on 03/01/04
I agree with the first post -- this is exactly how I commented after playing the original version called The Beggar's Rattle, though I haven't played this updated version yet. I look forward to playing this one; if it's actually better than the original, I'll be very impressed.
BTW, I've been away from NWN for a couple of months, and I just noticed there was released a sequel to Beggar's Rattle before Christmas, called Olo the Newtslayer. Now I'm just curious, JSCairns, are you going to make a new HOTU update for that one too, or should I play this mod (The Fall of Ullad), then the existing version of Olo afterwards? Keep up the brilliant work!
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