What does LBA do for you?

[LethalSwordsMan]

I've been known for dragging things out a little, so for those who can't be bothered reading I've put the introduction in a spoiler to spare those who are susceptible to death by boredom:

Spoiler:

toggle spoiler

A brief introduction if I may...

*clears throat*

Hey everyone, some of you might remember me from my most active time several years ago (around 2009), although like many others who have come and gone on this forum, I doubt that I left enough of an impact on people to stay in anyone's memory. That was roughly around the time - if my memory serves correctly - we started getting into contact with Fred himself with regards to the future of LBA and the potential development of LBA 3.

At the time Fred was in the process of obtaining the rights but still had a few hurdles to jump over, and the resulting hype got us into one of our most ambitious attempts to promote LBA 3 yet. Alas, despite our greatest attempts, we had nothing but the classics to go with, games made over a decade and a decade and a half ago.

We had a whole lot of massive and wonderful projects such as the RMP, and several game designs like TGR, the prequel and even the remake which actually ended up with a fully functioning demo, basically surviving off pure passion and enthusiasm. Personally, I think we did quite well.

However, now we have something concrete.

Fred has the rights now, LBA 1 and 2 made to the GoG, we have LBA on iOS now with LBA 2 on it's way to join. LBA 3 is still realistically still a while off development, but it feels now like it's no longer a matter of if, but when.

Everyone's been looking to get the awareness out there since the iOS versions came out, but unfortunately these days, everyone is not all that many people on this forum. However, I truly believe that there's a lot of members that aren't gone, but hibernating, and once we start shaking the trees that they're sleeping in (don't ask me why they're in trees), they'll come back to life and we'll be able to spread the awareness at a much faster rate.

So to start the tree shaking, I propose that we do as many have been saying and promote these games - with GoG and iOS this gives us a much better means to do so - but to do that we need to be approaching from the right angle. We need to use what makes people tick to bring their attention to LBA, particularly for those that haven't been exposed to it before, so I thought why not start here?

The question I pose to all members of the MBN: What does LBA do for you?

This can include anything including but not limited to the following:

- Why did you start playing LBA 1/2?
- What do you love most about LBA 1/2?
- Have you played both LBA 1 and 2? Which do you prefer?
- What do you find unique or special about LBA 1/2?
- What are games these days missing that we got in LBA 1/2?
- Are there any games that you feel have similarities to LBA 1/2?
- Is there anything you would change about LBA 1/2?
- Is there anything you hate about LBA 1/2?

If you haven't read the intro, I'm hoping to use this to help promote the series by picking out the best parts of it, and using that to appeal to a newer (and past) audience. Feel free to add your own, basically anything about the games that make it worth making a sequel for that doesn't simply involve nostalgia (since obviously those who have never played it aren't going to get sucked in by an emotion they cannot possibly have).

In reply to my own question, I started with LBA 2 and as soon as I laid eyes on a copy, I bought LBA 1. I prefer LBA 2 due to the more expansive view outside (it wasn't isometric as it was in LBA 1) and the small gameplay adjustments (such as not having to worry about running into walls and being able to save more frequently).

I love how the game was essentially a free world, and introduced the whole concept of a free world where you can go wherever you want, more or less whenever you want. I love how in contrast to Zelda games, there was no structure as they have with the dungeons, with the compass and the maps and the keys and the levels, with a weapon at the halfway point etc.

The closest things to levels or bosses (which only really existed in LBA 2) didn't limit the way you had to do it (you could kill the Tralu with your fists, your magic ball, the 6 armed guy at the pier on Franco Island guarding the elevator with your Pisto-Laser, Magic ball or fists etc). The Mosquibee fragment was the only boss I remember where you were forced to use a specific weapon (the Wannie glove).

Oh, and the puzzles weren't spoon-fed to you like they are in Zelda games and RPG's in general, all you need to do is ask around and eventually the people lead you to where you need to go. It let's you explore a little more and you're not forced into a linear path and that was great.

I also love that each character was exactly that, a character. Unless they were guards, everybody had their own voice, their own character, and even if they said only one thing you just felt like there was an entire back-story implied in every little conversation. Also, the fact that Twinsen asked an actual question that depended on the situation and you got to choose, which invoked a different response for each and every character. It just made it feel like you were talking to real people and the world was just that little bit more interactive. Oh, and voice actors, I'm sick of reading subtitles to mute NPC's. Sure it's more expensive to hire voice actors, but I believe it's more than worth it.

Add whatever you want guys and girls, I'm hoping we can build something of a library of things about the game we can bring together, mix around and use it to promote the games and/or even begin to lay the groundwork for feedback that could be used to make sure the next one retains the things we love and can be even better.

So, shoot away! What does LBA do for you?

[marcosmapf]

- Why did you start playing LBA 1/2?
When I was around 10 years old, my cousin was cleaning his wardrobe and found his old LBA2 CD, still in the case. He then asked me if I wanted it, and I'm glad that I said yes
- What do you love most about LBA 1/2?
The Music. The gameplay is awesome, the puzzles were nice, and story was amazing, but the music is what realy touched me. I still listen to the full soundtrack at least once every week.
- Have you played both LBA 1 and 2? Which do you prefer?
Yes! Although I have only recently played LBA1 (around 2 years ago?). My favorite one is, obviously, LBA2, since I've been playing it for so long and I have dem feels with me. And it also has obvious improvements from LBA1, and a cooler story, which are an overall very nice addition.
- What do you find unique or special about LBA 1/2?
The story and the music. You don't normaly find precious gems like those anywhere. Also, the magicball! What other game uses something like that as a weapon?!
Edit: I also love the concept that npcs have different actions towars you in different parts of the game. They don't always speak the same things to you, nor apporch to you in the same manner.
- What are games these days missing that we got in LBA 1/2?
I can't say that today's games are missing something specific. Its more about the whole, how they got everything together and made it all synergize so well.
- Are there any games that you feel have similarities to LBA 1/2?
LBA3?
No?
Ok.
Now for real, none that I recall, but I'm certain that I've already played games that are at least similar to LBA.
- Is there anything you would change about LBA 1/2?
It was very annoying when a mob started a combo on us or started shooting a projectile and we just couldn't do anything else but die. Maybe add some sort of dodge feature, like GW2?
- Is there anything you hate about LBA 1/2?
Not being abble to swim! With all the magic available in the world, and with all the abilities that our hero has, not being able to swim just sounds, and looks, very pathetic.

[Darkflame]

This is an excellent idea.
I answered the ones I felt mostly strongly about, but I'll edit my post if I think of more.


- What do you love most about LBA 1/2?

The Atmosphere. The Characters. The sense of a living breathing world that doesn't just exist for your benefit.

- Have you played both LBA 1 and 2? Which do you prefer?

1 - but only marginally. It felt longer/more epic.
I preferred the world of LBA2 however.

- What do you find unique or special about LBA 1/2?

Freedom. It felt like the developers wernt rail roading you nearly as much as today. And while plenty of games these days are technically "open world", many feel mostly like a empty,lifeless world.
LBA had a large world to explore but no "grinding" no "filler". You didnt spent the whole time leveling stats. Zelda is the closest other game to LBA in that way, but falls down by being too predictable and rigid.
In LBA you never know whats coming next, and thats a wonderful thing.

- Is there anything you would change about LBA 1/2?

Very little.
I guess, being older, Id prefer a bit more motivation for the villain. Storywise in LBA1 its a little too simple in that way.

Gameplaywise Id like more vehicles! And a manually flyable Dinofly!

[marcosmapf]

Originally Posted by Darkflame

And a manually flyable Dinofly!

Nice idea

[LethalSwordsMan]

This is great so far, especially with four different but equally important aspects being brought up: The characters, the music, (to quote DF) "a living breathing world" and the freedom.

Even in Assassin's Creed which is meant to be as free a world as can be, there's a railroading effect, as you call it DF, where you follow a formula and do things the same way over and over again. And don't get me started on the Zelda formula...

Keep it up, and encourage others to post their thoughts here as well!

[Bunnyrabbot2002]

- Why did you start playing LBA 1/2? Because I got a demo.
- What do you love most about LBA 1/2? The music and graphics
- Have you played both LBA 1 and 2? Which do you prefer? LBA 2
- Is there anything you hate about LBA 1/2? No.

[lba07]

- Why did you start playing LBA 1/2?

I first played LBA 1 at my uncle's house. It must have been quite new at the time, and I must have been 5 or 6 years old. I think my mum was trying to keep me occupied, I remember her telling me it had guns in it.

- What do you love most about LBA 1/2?

The music, the story, the nostalgia.

- Have you played both LBA 1 and 2? Which do you prefer?

They are both equally special in their own way.

- What do you find unique or special about LBA 1/2?

The universe in which the characters exist, and the planet they live on.

- What are games these days missing that we got in LBA 1/2?

An honest, goodhearted protagonist like Twinsen

- Are there any games that you feel have similarities to LBA 1/2?

The Broken Sword series is the main other game I grew up with, in addition to LBA. They aren't really similar games but the nostalgia is just as good.

- Is there anything you would change about LBA 1/2?

Nothing.

- Is there anything you hate about LBA 1/2?

Not at all.

[CUvox]

...in short sentence: Both LBAs gave me heaven, and turned me away from ID software hell!

[Styx]

Originally Posted by cuvox

turned me away from ID software hell

Here's a visual for those wondering:

Spoiler:

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[CUvox]

ID software hell = https://forum.magicball.net/showthread.php?p=33631

[bloodhound]

By the way, as you really like posting links: You can also add a link to a descriptive text by selecting the text (like "Wolfenstein thread" in this case) and then clicking the "Insert Link" button.

[CUvox]

I own both original CDs of LBA1 and LBA2, each in TWO instances, my four LBA CDs at once, inside CDs themselves, four total.

[Double-J]

Still remember receiving LBA 2 (Twinsen's Odyssey in my country) as a birthday gift from a cousin who was a few years older and had played it. I recall getting stuck at the undergas elevator and forgetting about discreet mode changing the directory of the magic ball. Took me ages to figure that out, then felt silly afterward. I ended up playing the original LBA 1 a few years later thanks the CD Access, who were one of the few (only?) legitimate ways to get a physical copy by that point.


I wish I still had the cardboard box and manual from LBA 2. Heck, I feel that way for most games I have. That stuff is from a bygone era of gaming...

[CUvox]

I have only CDs, nothing besides them.

[bloodhound]

Originally Posted by Double-J

Still remember receiving LBA 2 (Twinsen's Odyssey in my country) as a birthday gift from a cousin who was a few years older and had played it. I recall getting stuck at the undergas elevator and forgetting about discreet mode changing the directory of the magic ball. Took me ages to figure that out, then felt silly afterward. I ended up playing the original LBA 1 a few years later thanks the CD Access, who were one of the few (only?) legitimate ways to get a physical copy by that point.


I wish I still had the cardboard box and manual from LBA 2. Heck, I feel that way for most games I have. That stuff is from a bygone era of gaming...

I wonder if the "mystery" of not knowing how to proceed before the age of internet walkthroughs was really better. Though I also usually feel silly after looking in a walkthrough, because usually the game designers do drop a few hints.

[Styx]

Originally Posted by Double-J

Still remember receiving LBA 2 (Twinsen's Odyssey in my country) as a birthday gift from a cousin who was a few years older and had played it. I recall getting stuck at the undergas elevator and forgetting about discreet mode changing the directory of the magic ball. Took me ages to figure that out, then felt silly afterward. I ended up playing the original LBA 1 a few years later thanks the CD Access, who were one of the few (only?) legitimate ways to get a physical copy by that point.

Man that is no joke basically 99% of my exact experience. How old were you? I was 7-9 is was like 1999 or something

[Polaris]

Hey DJ

I still don't own a legit physical copy of LBA2... I should really et around to buying one ^^'

[Double-J]

Originally Posted by Styx

Man that is no joke basically 99% of my exact experience. How old were you? I was 7-9 is was like 1999 or something

A few years older but not by much. I think back to that era and having been spoiled by some pretty amazing games which released around that time. LBA 2, Mario 64, OoT, Metal Gear Solid...to be a kid again!

Originally Posted by Polaris

Hey DJ

I still don't own a legit physical copy of LBA2... I should really et around to buying one ^^'

Polly! <3


If for no other reason, you'll be able to say you owned copies before it was *cool* with these new re-re-boot-releases

[Double-J]

Originally Posted by bloodhound

I wonder if the "mystery" of not knowing how to proceed before the age of internet walkthroughs was really better. Though I also usually feel silly after looking in a walkthrough, because usually the game designers do drop a few hints.

I am of two minds here. On one hand, looking back as an adult and knowing the solution to the puzzle, it seems obvious. Rarely does it seem like things are that cryptic in modern titles. I think the closest that I've seen is Tunic (which is an awesome experience, if you haven't tried it, and has isometric adventure ala LBA with some Souls-lite combat). Really though, I think it was and is a neat feeling to figure something else on your own. I do still enjoy puzzle games like []The Talos Principle[/i] for that reason.


On the other, the glorious days of strategy guides! My goodness. I remember reading the OoT official guide from Nintendo like it was a book. Same with with the Nintendo Power guide for SMB3. Even instruction manuals from the 80s and 90s were filled with lore and worldbuilding that simply doesn't exist in modern titles. You can argue - and be correct, most likely - that those elements belong in the games themselves, and that's how that content is delivered with the sophistication of gaming in 2023. It still felt neat though to be able to read about secrets that were illustrated in book form.

[Neko]

Nowdays nothing much, its just an old game. But remember this community fondly

[bloodhound]

It's at least an old game that is still fun to play nowadays. I played Morrowind as a kid, but it was way too open-ended for me then and I didn't make progress with the story then. When I played it again now, I could progress with the story and I could see how it's a very good game for its time, but it just takes too long to play.

[Polaris]

Oh wait, I did get a physical copy !


I had just forgotten about it. The "Documentatie" CD was a disappointment, I thought it would be the bonus documentary video about LBA2's making of, turned out to be just a pdf of the manual and an other for troubleshooting

[CUvox]

This is not premiere release like mine, you got customized rebranding.

[Polaris]

I know, they are less cool, but I was curious about the second CD.

[Neko]

i saw the screenshots and yeah, it is still a big game in my mind and obvously a good remake or reboot will make me very happy

but not in the way it is proposed now