Beta Demo tomorrow 08/18

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So even though I'm a bit disappointed about the limited scope of the "beta", I'm looking forward to getting my hands on even a sliver of Pillars of Eternity tomorrow.

I've opted to call it a "beta demo" since the scope seems to be closer to that of a demo, than an opportunity to beta test a major portion of the game.

For those who haven't been keeping up, the beta will contain approximately 3 - 5 hours of gameplay, with the opportunity to complete 4 non-essential side quests, so no spoilers of the main quest line. It will include one non-essential town, 2 wilderness areas and 2 dungeons as I understand it.

It will also include the ability to play as any of the 11 classes or any of the game's races/sub-races. You will start at level one, but immediately will be able to level up to 5. And can expect to reach level 8 by the end. The idea is to allow players to see the mid level abilities of each class (max level in PoE at final release will be 12).

I'm probably going to try out the chanter first, though I'm also rather curious about the druid and the cipher.

Anyone else planning to try out the beta demo this week? And if so, what class/race are you planning to test drive first?

 

Backer Beta is now live. I'm working from home today, and just finished my download.

 

Far be it from me to make such decisions for such self serving reasons! Nope, would never do it. Absolutely not. No way.

You know what BTA... I'll tell you what! I very much resemble that remark!

 

This is a nasty bug. I made several attempts at the game before I was finally able to run through the game without the bug. Supposedly it's better if you don't save your game, but even encountered the bug with no saves made, and no previous saves in my save game folder.

Incidentally, there is another bug that if you double click on an equipped item to unequip it, switch to another character and then back to your original, you will have made a copy of that item. I just learned about this today. Not a bad idea, especially to get extra copies of your wizard's grimoire so that he isn't ever rendered useless (no grimoire = no spell casting). Under the circumstances, I feel exploiting this bug is justified.

Yeah, the game gives you the "core 4" classes. I have been trying some of the others, but most of my games have been bugging out so I haven't always gotten far with them.

The only way to restore health is by resting at an inn or camping in the wilds. It's a very different system, but it's growing on me.

Agreed that the game seems to be headed in a great direction, and may at last result in the first game worthy of being called a true successor to Baldur's Gate. But it is currently veeerrry rough. I have been calling the game a "beta demo". It's a demo that happens to be released during the beta phase of the game, so we're in agreement on that point also.

I'm looking forward to the improvements that will be provided in upcoming patches, and to see critical bugs squashed. I should do some screens too. Until yesterday I really didn't get too much further than character creation due to bugs, but have been getting better at avoiding them I guess. Might be in a better position to actually start enjoying this a bit.

I tried the Cipher for a couple of hours yesterday. It uses its attacks to build focus, and focus allows it to cast magic, mostly debuffs/mind control type stuff. Works well as an archer. An interesting take on a caster type, and very similar to D&D psionics.

Today I'm trying out the barbarian, and I created a druid at the inn for my 6th party slot. Not much to say on either yet, as I haven't even left town with them.

 

I was also a bit disappointed, but the next beta path will be out next week, Brandon said

 

Yeah, he said Obsidian was "hoping" to have a patch out next week. I'll give the backer beta another try when that happens.