Dark Messiah Demo - Now Available

[The Continental]

Weighing in at a paltry 1.4GB, the Dark Messiah of Might & Magic (http://www.mightandmagic.com/us/darkmessiah/teaser/) demo is now online and ready for download. Take your pick of mirrors:



3D Gamers (http://www.3dgamers.com/news/more/1096485473/)
Boomtown (http://download.boomtown.net/en_uk/articles/art.view.php?id=12080)
Computer Games.ro (http://www.computergames.ro/site/p/downloads/o/download-details/lng/en/dowid/6897/)
FileFront (http://files.filefront.com/Dark+Messiah+of+Might+and+Magic+Demo+v10/;5370570;;/fileinfo.html)
FilePlanet (http://www.fileplanet.com/files/160000/166052.shtml)
Gamershell (http://www.gamershell.com/news/31926.html)
Worthplaying (http://www.worthplaying.com/article.php?sid=36098)
Source: VE3D (http://ve3d.ign.com/)

[Varsity]

1.4GB?? Oh my god. I'm waiting for Steam to host this thing, there's no way I'm downloading that much from a website. I'd just get a connection drop or corruption.

[Mozgus]

I thought this was a game coming to Steam...If it is, you would think the only place to download the demo would be on Steam. Odd.

[TheKeck]

Must go home. Must download.

[The Continental]

I believe a Source license entitles the developer to sell their game via Steam, but in the end it comes down to the publisher. Seeing how this game is being published by Ubisoft, and given Steam's "more money for the developer" reputation, I doubt we'll be able to purchase Dark Messiah via Steam.

[Varsity]

There's no reason why Ubi couldn't hold the Steam contract. It might go against Valve's principles slightly, but it's not as if Arkane are being mistreated.

I thought this was a game coming to Steam...If it is, you would think the only place to download the demo would be on Steam. Odd.
Exclusivity isn't demanded any more.

[Twinkie]

Damn you work, damn you to hell.
Mmmmm

[thecrazyd]

Is it a single player demo, or multi?

[Frogleg Special]

Anyone played it?

[AversionFX]

Must go home. Must download.

My sentiments exactly. Followed immediately by a spasm of words and letters and guttural sounds.

Overjoyed.

[The Continental]

It's single player.

[Mortis]

Well if I don't get my copy of Dead Rising today at least I have this.

[pheriannath]

Shit, I forgot this was coming.

3 hours till I can go home.

*jitter*

[BenN1ce]

It's pretty good. Looks and runs better than Oblivion. Mechanics could use a little work. Huge download though.

[Twinkie]

7 hours until I go home :(

[tombofsoldier]

lasts 10 minutes, but its a very cool 10 minutes. Basically what was promised, a fantasy fps.

[Mortis]

lasts 10 minutes, but its a very cool 10 minutes. Basically what was promised, a fantasy fps.

1.4 GB for 10 minutes? Well I guess that isn't unheard of nowadays.

[Mozgus]

lasts 10 minutes, but its a very cool 10 minutes. Basically what was promised, a fantasy fps.
Not even touching this then.

[NinjaSverre]

Only me thats getting a error when Im trying to run this?

err, nevermind. bad download.

[Muddypoof]

The demo crashed my computer twice, then I updated my video drivers and it ran ok.

The frame rate sucked because of my computer, but it seemed alright. The fighting stances are wonky in the way that they are implemented.

[Gambit]

God damn you fileplanet and your long waiting lines!

[The Continental]

The demo is a brief tutorial followed by the Cyclops level from the long video that has been circulating. Unfortunately it ends when you reach the Cyclops, you don't actually get to fight him. As for the gameplay, they tutorial is pretty melee centric, but after that you get 6 skill points to put into their largely locked skill tree for demo purposes. The actual gameplay level has been shown in numerous videos, and is thus pretty easy to beat on the quick. The melee combat is a lot of fun, I don't see the complaints with the sword stances, you simply press a direction (WASD) and hold primary fire to trigger a different stance based on which direction you pressed. The magic is largely uninspiring due to it being very low level and their locking you out of most of the cool spells. The freeze spell is a good time however.

All in all, it's not nearly enough demo for a 1.4GB download, not by a long shot. But it is probably a good indicator as to if you'll enjoy the full game.

[John Mirra]

The freeze spell is a good time however.

Is that the spell with which you can frost the ground?
If so, I'll reconsider downloading it, because that spell looked rad++.

[The Continental]

Is that the spell with which you can frost the ground?
If so, I'll reconsider downloading it, because that spell looked rad++.

One and the same.

[Deadend]

It's still downloading for me. I really hope it's more than 10 minutes long.

[John Mirra]

One and the same.

Downloading now.
Downloading yesterday.
Downloading furiously.

[ttoastt]

1.4GB is obscene

[ECM]

Wow, I really, really enjoyed this--pre-ordering right now.

[Liquidize105]

I hope the full game's not more than 4 gig install.

Dang, most of the mirrors are maxed, insane.

[Demo_Boy]

...blah blah blah....
All in all, it's not nearly enough demo for a 1.4GB download, not by a long shot. But it is probably a good indicator as to if you'll enjoy the full game.


So it's a good demo but not size-efficient. Is that what you are saying?

[YoungAlCapone]

I must go home and download this, I wonder if anyone would notice if I just up and left.

[Rifter]

I must go home and download this, I wonder if anyone would notice if I just up and left.
Only one way to find out, right?! :-)

[Varsity]

What really bites about this is that I've got the MP beta installed through Steam, so a large portion of the content I'm downloading now is going to be a duplicate of the stuff in my Steam caches. :(

[TheKeck]

I went home for lunch and at least got the download started. Should be finished by now, I imagine.

Off topic, it saddens me that so many people have moved over to 3dgamers. It used to be my ultimate source for fast downloads, but now there's always a wait.

[Suicidal ShiZuru]

Installing right now, took only about thirty minutes to download. This better be good.

[reimomo]

What really bites about this is that I've got the MP beta installed through Steam, so a large portion of the content I'm downloading now is going to be a duplicate of the stuff in my Steam caches. :(

O RLY?

And how does one get the MP beta, hypothetically?

[Suicidal ShiZuru]

Just finished playing...

Oblivion what?

[Grifter]

Any one else having issues with this demo?

I downloaded from gamershell and everything installs fine but when I double click the .EXE I get an error message and nothing happens yet it seems to be running in the background and I have to use task manager to shut it down.

[dphrygian]

For 1.4 GB, you get two short levels: a training dungeon and the one from the video everyone's seen (you know, where they shoot the rope with the arrow to send the crate swinging into the orc...yeah, that one). It's definitely fun, but if you've seen the videos, you've seen pretty much everything you'll be doing in the demo.

I suppose you can get a good half hour out of it by playing with the different skill trees. I put all my points in Stealth and tried to play the game like it was Thief, but I'm itching to go back in and try some casting.

I'm still not sold on this virtual body thing everyone's doing in first-person shooters these days. It felt wonky the first time I experienced it (in Thief 3) and while it's executed better here, it still seems unnecessary and problematic. I actually have more difficulty judging exactly how far I can inch out over a ledge, for instance.

[dojoteef]

dphrygian, what are you doing here! You should be working you slacker! They must not be working you hard enough down there.

I am asking the guys at our IT department to download the game. Maybe I can get some after work gaming going. Though with 10mins worth of gameplay I am not sure it is worth it.

[dphrygian]

dphrygian, what are you doing here! You should be working you slacker! They must not be working you hard enough down there.
That's what I've been saying! Actually, 5-6 PM is officially game time around these parts.

In the interest of staying on topic, I'd say you're probably better off waiting and just watching the videos. The game's scheduled for late September and seems likely to ship on time, so it's not much of a wait.

[Malovech]

I have been dying for a game like this since Die By the Sword.

[Luagsch]

couldn't start it either. updated to the newest nvidia drivers and it run flawlessly.

yeah the demo is short, and yes it's nothing new (level-vise), but damn...

can't wait for this game!

[Grifter]

couldn't start it either. updated to the newest nvidia drivers and it run flawlessly.

yeah the demo is short, and yes it's nothing new (level-vise), but damn...

can't wait for this game!

I have the most up to date drivers, still won't run. I am downloading a different copy now, hopefully it will work.

P.S. I fucking hate the new Menu Nvidia is using in their drivers.

[Mortis]

P.S. I fucking hate the new Menu Nvidia is using in their drivers.

Yeah that shit is horrible, I changed it back to the old style immediately.

[BigJonno]

Yep, it's a big file for a demo that isn't all that long, but I'm sold. Certainly the best first-person melee combat I've ever seen. Movement felt a little clunky at first, but once I'd had a fight or two I realised that typically speedy-glide FPS movement would've detracted from the overall feel.

I like the use of the environment. They've loaded the areas with potential booby traps and it seemed to be an essential part of the game, rather than something they tacked on so that they're PR team could harp on about it. My favourite moment so far was when I kicked one orc back towards a barrel-loaded wooden platform, then hit his buddy so hard he flew against the supporting beam and broke it, causing the whole lot to fall down on his hapless comrade. I then ran forward and dispatched the poor bastard with a downward thrust. The badass factor in this game is huge.

Did it remind anyone else of a first-person, updated Severance?

[Grifter]

Yeah that shit is horrible, I changed it back to the old style immediately.

can you change it back and keep the updated driver or did you roll it all back?

[Khash]

I'm loving it but it's way too short. They should have at least let us fight the troll.

[Mortis]

can you change it back and keep the updated driver or did you roll it all back?

Yes there is an option in there to change to the old look while keeping the new drivers. Click view then select use classic control panel.

[Evil Avatar]

Bullshit Fileplanet download - it downloaded for two hours then crapped out. I guess that is what I get for trying to use something from Crapspy.

[Ajguy]

Yes, very short, but the potential is huge. I'm officially stoked for this game. When I hid as the stealth guy to where I knew and orc would come out and back stabbed him, immediately followed by shooting an arrow and knowing out the platform another orc was on, I was sold. And yes, that ice spell is way too much fun.

[GrinR]

It felt like a cheap version of Oblivion to me... but I like Arkane (loved Ars Fatalis) so I'll probably love this too. We shall zee...

[Varsity]

It was fun, but performance problems really detracted from it for me. The stupid buggers have removed the console so I can't even find out what I need to turn off. :(

[Qoz]

Did it remind anyone else of a first-person, updated Severance?
I have been dying for a game like this since Die By the Sword.
They are the same game. It was calld Severance in the US I think. That game was so amazingly cool! I wonder why nobody copied that formula - the combat was really good.

[PAnick]

No, I think you mean Severance - Blade of Darkness
Severance (http://www.gamespot.com/pc/action/bladeofdarkness/index.html?q=Severance)

Die by the sword is another, much older game
Die by the sword (http://www.gamespot.com/pc/action/diebythesword/index.html)

Both are my favourite fantasy melee fighting games.

[Shifter]

Yes incredibly short demo for 1.4 gigs. I ran through it about 4 or 5 times. I find the melee combat a bit iffy, and the baddies barely react to getting hit with sword thrusts and not at all to fireballs. I know it's supposed to be low level magic but sheesh... Fighting groups is a pain -- you click away like in Dead Rising. Oblvion combat feels a bit more solid and that's saying something. The archery was fun though.

Next time you try the fireball spell make sure you keep the mouse button pushed, then guide the fireball around -- it's a blast.

[Varsity]

The whole point of the game is to be creative. If you're playing it like a clickfest, you're getting it all hopelessely wrong.

[Lint of Death]

If the melee combat's like Mount&Blade with a high budget, I'm sold. And there will be multiplayer? Double-sold. I love games like Mount&Blade and Rune, but those are the only ones of their kind that I have played. It seems like there are so few! Because of servers not sharing map files, I'm basically locked out of Rune and Mount&Blade can't do multiplayer so I'm entirely without my swordfighting deathmatch fix.

[Qoz]

No, I think you mean Severance - Blade of Darkness
My bad. Got them mixed up. But yeah! both great games, although I like Severance more I think.
I just tried the demo - I really liked it although I could not get the sneak button assigned? It was not listed.
The kick seems a bit overpowered as you can kick all the time to disrupt. It should have more stamina loss or maybe just more delay. Or a chance the monster will grab it, or have no effect beacause of a shield parry perhaps.

[Qoz]

The whole point of the game is to be creative. If you're playing it like a clickfest, you're getting it all hopelessely wrong.
True. But if the clickfest is easier than actually doing some brain-work, then the game is balanced incorrectly. The game should give you a really hard time if you just click away - I hope the final version is more unforgiving and force the player to actually use the options given.

[51|RandoM]

I hope the final version is more unforgiving and force the player to actually use the options given.

Not likely. Making games easier is one of the ways the industry appears to be trying to expand the market.

take a look at dungeon siege, for instance. minesweeper requires more intelligence than dungeon siege.

[51|RandoM]

don't even know why you put worthplaying on as a separate link. Two of their 3 mirrors don't work, and the third mirror is filefront.

[GrinR]

The whole point of the game is to be creative. If you're playing it like a clickfest, you're getting it all hopelessely wrong.

Be creative - play it the right way. :confused: :confused: :confused:

(that's not being creative.)

[YoungAlCapone]

I played through it once last night and enjoyed it, lots of very cool things you can do in the environment for special kills. I went with a stealth character, as always, and only had to use my daggers and bow and arrow once each. All of the other kills were environment based.

Ran good enough, not as good as I had hoped based on how Half Life 2 runs but pretty good. I expect to be able to up some of my settings with the final release.

[DeathtollWRX]

The demo was alot of fun. The graphics are very well done and the gore level is just right. My favorite part happend when I did my first backstab. The animation of the backstab was sooo will done. You creep up to the guy and hold the attack button. You walk up to the guy and stab him in the right artery on the kneck. Then you grab his neck and cut out the artery altogether. As soon as the animation is finshed my character automatically kicked the bad guy off of the cliff. The game is full of little touches like this that made it alot of fun. I felt the same amount of joy the first time I finished off a downed enemy. It feels alot like the Oblivion combat but a little deeper. The graphics were very high quality and the sound also felt just right. I smell a winn4r here!

[rival81]

Download link to add to your list:

http://www.gwn.com/downloads/file.php/id/7027/

[Poewan]

I finally got to play through this last evening...im in love. This is what I was expecting out of Oblivion : combat that has a certain substance to it. The enemies actually react to the direction of your swing....one of my favorite moment with the demo was when I did a power slash on an orc left to right, and it sent it reeling into a nailed board. I absolutely ADORE the way movement works, no more magic gliding across the floor. The "virtual body" thing works beautifully IMO. Also, it seems that the angle at which you block incoming enemy attacks has an effect on your foe ( not 100% sure on that one ). Before playing this, I was hopeful....now im pondering upgrading early for this. Im such a whore.

I only have one complaint so far tough : if you use all the opportunities the environment provides you with, the game is way too easy. I only had time to try it on normal however, no idea of playing it at hard makes any difference.