This should be a very quick module, but it features multiple endings which may increase gameplay hours if you're into that sort of thing. And let's face it, you're reading this whole form you're into that sort of thing.
Number Players
1
Language
English
Level Range
1-40 Level has no appreciable effect.
Races
Any, though dwarf probably makes the most "roleplay" sense
Tricks & Traps
Non-existent
Roleplay
Medium
Hack & Slash
Non-existent
Classes
Any class. No items necessary though a torch is advised.
Scope
Small
DMNeeded
No DM Required
Single or Multiplayer
Single Player
Max Character Level
Any
Max # Players
01
Min # Players
01
Min Character Level
Any
Content Rating
Teen
Alignments
Lawful good might have a tough time in this one.
Gameplay Hours
<1
Description
New Version 1.3 - Edited for post-contest play. Version 1.3 has actual skill checks rather than [check success] or [check failure] written into the dialogue. The plot spoilers have also been removed. Finally, the dwarvish dialogue "accent" has been toned down to make it more easily readable.
I think I'll update this mod one more time to remove a conversation inconsistency, but that's going to take a fair amount of time to fix. Hope you all enjoy this in the meantime.
______________
Whispers in the dark ... surely it's just the win- SCHZUOLLERP! Another brain is sucked and another Mind Flayer lives to terrify for yet another day! (except there is no day in the Underdark...)
Designed for Bioware's January 2006 Writing Contest, "Claustrophobia" is a taut, well annotated psychological thriller with a dash of classic horror camp. It will Entertain the Hell out of you for its 8-to-10-minute length. Guaranteed.
(Ed. Note: Due to missing the deadline this module didn't make it into the contest)
Notes for v1.2: Fixed a nasty little bug that can hang your computer (sorry if you experienced that one).
It was pointed out to me that there are 3 other modules that missed the contest deadline that are listed in the "Bioware Contest" section. So I decided to move this one on over from the "dungeon adventure" section. Read into that what you will.
Posted by Yanos at 2009-03-16 22:27:42 Voted 9.75 on 03/16/09
Ver very very good! But there is one small mistake. (Spoil) When I talk to the mage about the mark he tells me to kill him, he should say kill Manus, the Duergar.
Posted by The_Krit at 2006-04-19 11:49:21 Voted 7.00 on 04/19/06
This module starts with a nice cutscene that gives the story its setting. There are also a number of different possible endings. However, between the opening and endings, there is something missing.
The story isn't really linear, but it still feels restrictive. You do get to make choices at key moments, but the rest of the time, it didn't seem like I was really in control of the story. For example, I can understand being forced to talk to Vilfur first, but why must Manus be second, and Gloignar third? (I'm not counting the possibility of inspecting the barricade at the moment.) There were also a number of times when there was only one dialog option.
These limited choices become even more pronounced if you agree to help the illithids -- if you talk to the "wrong" NPC, your only dialog choice is to kill him, but if you talk to the "next" NPC, you have other options. This seems rather odd.
On the plus side, I did see a lot of endings in the Toolset. However, some of the writing in the endings seemed overly flippant. If I had encountered them in the game, it would have destroyed the mood of the story.
Minor issues:
In Vilfur's description: "investors" not "inverstors".
In Gloignar's conversation file: "habit", not "habbit".
In Manus' conversation file: "I'll have to kill either you or Manus." (I only noticed this while using the Toolset, so maybe it makes sense when it occurs in the game, but when does saying "you or Manus" to Manus make sense?)
[I played version 1.3.]
Posted by emperorzog at 2006-03-30 18:09:31 Voted 8.00 on 03/30/06
I agree with everything that HerrJeff said.
Posted by Aessinus at 2006-03-29 13:39:21 Voted 9.00 on 03/29/06
THe dialect was a cool addition and the surprise ending....hilarious. Recommended to associates that enjoy cutscenes:) _________________________ Please don't forget to vote and leave feedback!
It's Free! :)
Posted by herrjeff at 2006-03-28 07:29:16 Voted 8.00 on 03/28/06
The use of a very local dwarf dialect made it very difficult to play this module and establish a link with NPCs, even more to choose not to kill anyone before they get hostile. I also feel that informing the PC in advance of [dialog plot effects] oriented my choices and decreased the replayability of this (late) submission.
Posted by saraphinn at 2006-03-26 23:05:43 Voted 9.50 on 03/26/06
This mod is fantastic, I really enjoyed it a lot. I was scared, had some laughs, the plot was just right, the writing superb. Kudos!
Posted by Berra at 2006-03-03 12:29:05 Voted 9.75 on 03/03/06
Everyone: your VOTES are highly appriciated. A vote is like gold for an author. No kiddin'. ;)
Posted by kok_warlock at 2006-03-01 23:07:38 Voted 8.75 on 03/01/06
A little boring, but well scripted and enjoyable.
Good mod, this was supposed to be in the writing contest, yet there was a lot of slang, and 'bad writing', mostly because of the in-character npcs, but still, it was very misplaced, when out of three, only one speaks correctly.
PS: The hand thing with the scream and the sound of the axe alone was worth downloading the mod, it was hilarious. hehehe
Posted by Syberduh at 2006-02-24 05:59:50 Voted 8.75 on 02/24/06
MikeLM, just played through the module again and it definitely froze on the ending you described. I swear it wasn't doing that before ... I'll dig back into the toolset and figure out where I screwed up.
Posted by Syberduh at 2006-02-24 05:24:34 Voted 8.75 on 02/24/06
Thanks for the votes, all. MikeLM, can you be a bit more specific on which ending caused a freeze? Let me know and I'll fix it. Caesarbear, you are of course right about the conversation inconsistency. I think I'm going to write some extra script and fix the problem.
Posted by caesarbear at 2006-02-23 19:18:25 Voted 9.50 on 02/23/06
Riveting opening cut-scene! This is an excellent little thriller of a short module. The situation is an odd one and I don't really learn why I was with dwarven miners, but that hardly enters my mind. The pace is quick and panicy and the characters are strong but perhaps a bit too much effort was made of their speech.
The conversations were well constructed but I would have preferred not to have the spoilers written right on the dialogue options in red. The mage dwarf once mistakenly refers to himself rather than the half druegar, and he joins you next to the exit hunting dwarf in mid converstation, but the dialogue does not reflect it. Way to stick it to goody two-shoes with a trick ending. Overall this was very fun to play.
Posted by MikeLM9215 at 2006-02-23 10:32:28 Voted 7.25 on 02/23/06
Great use of cut-scenes. Interesting way to solve the problem. Getting optimum ending freezes during cut-scene not allowing journal entries or exiting game. Had to turn off computer.
_________________________ The road to Ravenloft is paved with good intentions.
Posted by Oblivion mage at 2006-02-09 11:40:23 Voted 4.50 on 02/09/06
not as scary as you said it would be, no action, plot not that clear, too short, not worth playing and waste of download time
Posted by TomG at 2006-02-08 07:41:10 Voted 9.00 on 02/08/06
Great cutscene and great premise for a story. Good characterization and pacing of the story. Would have liked to have seen more options at the end, and less cornering of the story route.
Posted by Syberduh at 2006-02-07 02:33:32 Voted 8.75 on 02/24/06
The ending is a bit unfair ... if you take every single good-guy/selfless option throughout the module ... let that be motivation to go back and try something just slightly dastardly. There are over 10 different endings and all are directly affected by your in-game choices. You can even go agro on all of the NPCs without breaking the plot, if you want to.
Posted by Anonymous ( 69.237.xxx.xxx ) at 2006-02-06 19:16:51
Nice scripting, unfair ending.
Posted by Steve_Savicki at 2006-02-06 08:12:26 Voted 7.50 on 02/06/06
Don't like it when the mind of an innocent gets taken over. _________________________ Steve's Characters - please don't forget to vote on them if you play them.
Thanks,
Steve
Posted by LordAshton at 2006-02-06 05:52:08 Voted 9.50 on 02/06/06
Well, I have to say this was truly an enjoyable experience. Very well written and the cutscene was just plain awesome. To bad you missed the deadline for the contest as this was truly a module that should have been entered.
Good Job! :-) _________________________ The situation doesn't matter... Failure is not an option!!!
Invincibility lies in the defense; the possibility of victory in the attack. One defends when his strength is inadequate; he attacks when it is abundant.
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