Underworld Ascendant |OT| Look at you, Ascendant: A pathetic creature of meat and bone...

Deleted member 8861 · Nov 15, 2018

UPDATE: Please read the impressions in the thread before deciding to buy this game. Most of us don't recommend buying the game in its present state.

UNDERWORLD ASCENDANT |OFFICIAL THREAD|

Release Date: November 15th, 2018
Developer: OtherSide Entertainment
Platforms: PC (Out Now) | XB1, PS4, Switch (TBR 2019)
Price: $30 USD ($25.50 for launch week)

CLICK HERE TO GO TO THE OFFICIAL WEBSITE

What is this game?

Underworld Ascendant is an immersive sim dungeon crawler created by some of the greatest minds behind the immersive sim genre. It's the (spiritual) successor to the Ultima Underworld games, the inventors of the modern 3D first-person RPG. It's developed by former Looking Glass Studios members, including Paul Neurath, designer of the Ultima Underworld games.

What is an immersive sim?

An immersive sim is a game designed around "systems". That is to say, the game doesn't explicitly script what can or cannot happen (or how the player can interact with the game), but it has gameplay mechanics that interact with each other in an open-ended way. This gives the player great freedom in interacting with the game and the environment. Biggest examples include Deus Ex, BioShock and System Shock 2.

...OK, never mind, just give me the Steam store description.

From the creative minds behind the acclaimed Ultima Underworld®, System Shock and Thief series, in Underworld Ascendant®, Paul Neurath and Warren Spector's OtherSide Entertainment challenges you to think creatively in an interactive sandbox environment.

You are summoned by a mysterious figure to The Stygian Abyss, a dangerous and constantly evolving dungeon world imperiled by the looming threat of the beast Typhon. To save this world, and yours – you must overcome complex challenges, uncover lost secrets and gain favor with factions to maximize your knowledge and strength. Utilize your environment to stack the odds in your favor. Devise the ideal plan to overcome the challenges you face or dive in and think on your feet.

Each decision holds great opportunity and grave consequence. What you leave behind will be engraved on the lives of others. Assuming you survive…

Minimum PC Requirements:

Requires a 64-bit processor and operating system
OS: 64-bit Windows 7, 64-bit Windows 8 (8.1) or 64-bit Windows 10
Processor: Intel CPU Core i5-6600 @ 3.3GHz / Ryzen 3 1300X
Memory: 8 GB RAM
Graphics: Nvidia GPU GeForce GTX 960 (3GB)/ AMD R9 280 (3GB)
DirectX: Version 11
Storage: 25 GB available space

Recommended PC Specs:

Requires a 64-bit processor and operating system
OS: 64-bit Windows 7, 64-bit Windows 8 (8.1) or 64-bit Windows 10
Processor: Intel CPU Core i7-6700/ AMD Ryzen 5 1500x
Memory: 12 GB RAM
Graphics: Nvidia GPU GeForce GTX 1060 (6GB)/ Radeon RX 480 (8GB)
DirectX: Version 12
Storage: 25 GB available space

Media
Launch Trailer

Gamescom 2018 Trailer

Impressions & Reviews
ResetERA Underworld Ascendant |OT|
(It appears that there are no early reviews. Keep an eye on this space.)

Buy Now

(Steam keys are also available through the official website)

Updates, Announcements, Links (Misc.)

Special Bonuses During Launch Week

If you buy the game during the launch week, you'll get 15% off. Furthermore, you get some special items.

2 Quest Companion Creatures:
• Vorpa: A herbivore that appears mild-mannered, but will launch itself at those nearby who are at extremely low health
• Mana Leech: It absorbs Mana in the world and when the player is low, it "fires" its reserve amount at the player

Map of The Stygian Abyss:
Digital map of the iconic Stygian Abyss that you'll be exploring in-game

*Offer Valid 11/15/18 - 11/21/18 (9:59am PST)

Retrieve the quest companions through the "Player Stash" in the Midnight Forum (near Aelita) in Marcaul. The Player Stash has a map icon to help you find it. When you open your stash, you get an auxiliary inventory UI and you will see the items in there. You can drag them to your regular inventory and equip them from there (there's 1 special slot for equipping a companion, just like armor, etc.). Note: every new character the player creates will have those items sitting in their stash.

The map will be downloaded to a DLC Extras folder in your Underworld Ascendant Steam folder:
C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\Underworld Ascendant\DLC Extras
You will also be able to access the folder from via the Steam library by right clicking the game, selecting Properties, Local Files tab, then select the Browse Local Files button.

Deleted member 3897 · Nov 15, 2018

Looks great, Im in. Heard about it today for the first time. :P

Deleted member 8861 · Nov 15, 2018

fantomena said:
Looks great, Im in. Heard about it today for the first time. :P

OtherSide Entertainment was formed first to develop Underworld Ascendant, so they really depended on word of mouth haha.

Elodes · Nov 15, 2018

Great OT, mate! This looks pretty interesting.

Begaria · Nov 15, 2018

Got my backer key, entered, will play after I finish Pathfinder: Kingmaker.

the_wart · Nov 15, 2018

I'm... not expecting much. From what I understand everything is massively scaled back from the initial kickstarter pitch, with disconnected levels instead of a cohesive world, nearly zero NPC interaction, and basically none of the dynamic ecosystem stuff that was promised.

It could still be decent in its own right, but the game has been a mess at every public showing and the hard framerate drops in the launch trailer of all things do not inspire confidence.

Remachinate · Nov 15, 2018

It's jankier than I was hoping for, but the systems are there for immersive play. Hopefully it'll prove itself over time.

TheMoon · Nov 15, 2018

tip: test your OP colors on light and dark themes :D

can't read the yellow text at all

eXistor · Nov 15, 2018

That trailer does the game no favors tbh, the artstyle is all over the place, the colors clash and it makes it look pretty janky for lack of a better word. I'm still interested but word of mouth has to be very good for me to bite on this one.

nofuckinidea · Nov 15, 2018

Please please be good. I don't want to worry about System Shock 3 :(

Deleted member 8861 · Nov 15, 2018

TheMoon said:
tip: test your OP colors on light and dark themes :D

can't read the yellow text at all

Was worried about it but forgot to test. Thanks!

nofuckinidea said:
Please please be good. I don't want to worry about System Shock 3 :(

Same

Durante · Nov 15, 2018

I got my KS key and am downloading right now, but probably won't have much time to play it currently.

Kraken3dfx · Nov 15, 2018

Steam forums are not being kind. Today is the first I've ever heard of this game and was initially super excited about the concept and plans, but it sounds like a lot of that just never made it in? Guess I'll keep an eye over the next few weeks and see what impressions are like.

sredgrin · Nov 15, 2018

I'm reading on forums the save system is shitty, like it's level based, can anyone clarify that? Because a game like this I like to take my time with and experiment and have a bad or annoying save system will kill my enthusiasm quickly.

Don't really care about it being scaled back, the actual gameplay looks interesting to me, but if the save system sucks I'll be waiting for a sale I think.

Deleted member 21601 · Nov 15, 2018

Played it for 2 hours now. Its very immersive. And has some elements from the Thief games which is a plus. Cant wait to explore the game when I have more abilities :D

Mr. Tibbs · Nov 15, 2018

Deleted member 8861 · Nov 15, 2018

I played for a bit and I'm not impressed. No sense of place, incredible jank, very generic creature and area designs so far. Almost terrible UI and nothing is satisfying

Jag · Nov 15, 2018

I backed it for the same amount it is today. Not thrilled about what I have been reading about it. I'll give it a shot and probably wait to let it cook a bit more.

Funyarinpa said:
I played for a bit and I'm not impressed. No sense of place, incredible jank, very generic creature and area designs so far. Almost terrible UI and nothing is satisfying

Yeah. That's not good.

Also, Alienware Arena is giving away a free ring. About 7000 keys left.
https://na.alienwarearena.com/ucf/s...-ascendant-exclusive-aurora-ring-key-giveaway

Unlock the Aurora Ring with this Exclusive Key!
Redeem the Alienware exclusive Aurora Ring to increase run speed, mental protection and show off a teal glow effect as you delve into the dangerous, highly interactive dungeon world of Underworld Ascendant!

Dezzy · Nov 15, 2018

Arx Fatalis is one of my favorite games ever, and I had this wishlisted for a long time and hoped it would be a good follow-up to that. I'm super disappointed by what people think about it so far, it sounds like it needs a lot more time in the oven.

Valkendorm · Nov 15, 2018

The save/checkpoint mechanism is completely broken. I was in a room with a chandelier over a switch and some sword wielding skeletons, but I had to reload a save, which was 1 min old, because some weird issue that made the UI unresponsive. I expected to restart at the last tree sappling, but instead it threw me all the way back of the level. No way I'm redoing all this if I have no guarantee that I won't encounter any breaking issue.

Also, I could spam the tree sappling spot and fill my inventory with duplicate seeds.

5B736918326647BBE31AE387EA7C1EAC2239C733

flyinj · Nov 15, 2018

If you load a save game, it will reset you to the start of a level. Not only that, but you keep your inventory but the entire level resets as well as restocking all items in the level.

So basically not only is the save system non functional, but it allows you to get unlimited items.

And apparently this isn't a bug. It is because the developers couldn't figure out how to save the state of a level. They say they might be able to figure out a way to save the game in the future. Emphasis on might.

What kind of rinky dink operation are they running?

I backed it, but there is no way I'm going to play a game with such complete incompetence on display for the most basic of bare-minimum functionality. I can only imagine what other bugs it must be riddled with.

Aeana · Nov 15, 2018

This has really not turned out the way I'd hoped. And it's definitely not the game I feel was pitched to me when I backed it. Huge bummer.

Chance Hale · Nov 15, 2018

Y I K E S

FreezePeach · Nov 15, 2018

flyinj said:
If you load a save game, it will reset you to the start of a level. Not only that, but you keep your inventory but the entire level resets as well as restocking all items in the level.

So basically not only is the save system non functional, but it allows you to get unlimited items.

And apparently this isn't a bug. It is because the developers couldn't figure out how to save the state of a level. They say they might be able to figure out a way to save the game in the future. Emphasis on might.

What kind of rinky dink operation are they running?

I backed it, but there is no way I'm going to play a game with such complete incompetence on display for the most basic of bare-minimum functionality. I can only imagine what other bugs it must be riddled with.

lol, wut. Damn, i backed this too. Why even allow saves then. Just chapter markers.

Mr. Tibbs · Nov 15, 2018

Menome · Nov 15, 2018

flyinj said:
If you load a save game, it will reset you to the start of a level. Not only that, but you keep your inventory but the entire level resets as well as restocking all items in the level.

So basically not only is the save system non functional, but it allows you to get unlimited items.

And apparently this isn't a bug. It is because the developers couldn't figure out how to save the state of a level. They say they might be able to figure out a way to save the game in the future. Emphasis on might.

What kind of rinky dink operation are they running?

I backed it, but there is no way I'm going to play a game with such complete incompetence on display for the most basic of bare-minimum functionality. I can only imagine what other bugs it must be riddled with.

That's...ridiculously bad. I can handle jank, so long as I can stagger out several saves behind me to minimise any progression-loss. Not even having a functioning save system means I'll skip this until they update it, if they update it.

Tuco Benedicto Pacifico · Nov 15, 2018

fantomena said:
Looks great, Im in. Heard about it today for the first time. :P

No, it doesn't.
If the beta was of any indication of the final product, it's actually fucking dreadful in every possible way.

As a massive Ultima Underworld fanboy this has to be the most disappointing thing ever came out of a Kickstarter funding for me.

Deleted member 3897 · Nov 15, 2018

Tuco Benedicto Pacifico said:
No, it doesn't.
If the beta was of any indication of the final product, it's actually fucking dreadful in every possible way.

As a massive Ultima Underworld fanboy this has to be the most disappointing thing ever came out of a Kickstarter funding for me.

Really? Goddammit. Looked very cool on the videos Ive seen.

prudis · Nov 15, 2018

so the usual underfunded rushed to release project ... that will end up pretty fine after few patches

Tuco Benedicto Pacifico · Nov 15, 2018

prudis said:
so the usual underfunded rushed to release project ... that will end up pretty fine after few patches

I'm actually afraid this may be beyond any possible redemption.

Moff · Nov 15, 2018

wow I had no idea, I backed this with 150 bucks and I thought every trailer looked abysmal so far, including that launch trailer.
I also had no idea it released now, but I guess I'll download it for the weekend to try.

texhnolyze · Nov 15, 2018

Whoops, mixed reviews so far.

From what I've read, most are complaining about janky gameplay, bugs, and borked save system. Sounds like a Kickstarter game all right. I guess I'll wait.

Deleted member 8861 · Nov 15, 2018

flyinj said:
If you load a save game, it will reset you to the start of a level. Not only that, but you keep your inventory but the entire level resets as well as restocking all items in the level.

So basically not only is the save system non functional, but it allows you to get unlimited items.

And apparently this isn't a bug. It is because the developers couldn't figure out how to save the state of a level. They say they might be able to figure out a way to save the game in the future. Emphasis on might.

What kind of rinky dink operation are they running?

I backed it, but there is no way I'm going to play a game with such complete incompetence on display for the most basic of bare-minimum functionality. I can only imagine what other bugs it must be riddled with.

...Thanks for saying this because, yeah, I somehow forgot to mention it.

It keeps the state of the levels somewhat. In the first level (or the tutorial?.. game doesn't tell you shit) there's a door you need to burn to go through. If you reload the level the door's intact but unlocked this time.

Also, the UI is DREADFUL. "Right Mouse Button Button", the "E: Interact" text that appears on objects keeps flickering, AI is hilarious (there's a skeleton somewhere that's staring into a wall), and I think I found an instance of missing level geometry where you can see through a gap in a wall into the rest of the level.

I think I'll just copy-paste the digital map back to my desktop and ask for a refund.

What the christ.

I bought it blind because I thought I could trust Otherside of all places to publish a good immersive sim.

the_wart · Nov 15, 2018

flyinj said:
And apparently this isn't a bug. It is because the developers couldn't figure out how to save the state of a level. They say they might be able to figure out a way to save the game in the future. Emphasis on might.

Wow. That's... a staggering level of technical incompetence. Is the team all ex Looking Glass designers who haven't actually done any programming in the last 20 years or something? How does this even happen?

Alexious · Nov 15, 2018

Sadly the writing was on the wall. This does not bode very well for System Shock 3, either.

Deleted member 8861 · Nov 15, 2018

I'll ask for a refund.

If they won't fix the game before the launch week is over I'll ask for a title change and reflect that this is a disaster in the OP. It wasn't my intention to peddle a piece of shit :(

Ladioss · Nov 15, 2018

You make me almost want to skip downloading my copy and go replay UU instead. Damnit.

It probably will be the last project I back on KS. Too many disappointments.

prudis · Nov 15, 2018

Tuco Benedicto Pacifico said:
I'm actually afraid this may be beyond any possible redemption.

too soon to tell tbh and people said the same about NMS and yet its praised now after NEXT , with recent stuff like Bards Tale 4 or Pathfinder Kingmaker veing in similar situationand both of tehm are in much better shape after few weeks.

Although in case of this game i bet half of the people will hate it just for the pure fact that its more of a "Dark messiah" kind of game rather than Underworld 3

Deleted member 8861 · Nov 15, 2018

Ladioss said:
You make me almost want to skip downloading my copy and go replay UU instead. Damnit.

It probably will be the last project I back on KS. Too many disappointments.

I dunno about you but I've got a hankering to finally boot up Prey Mooncrash.

Alexious said:
This does not bode very well for System Shock 3, either.

I can take UA being a disappointment, I was never invested in Ultima, but if SS3 gets treated like this it'll be one of the biggest (gaming) disappointments of my life.

Paul · Nov 15, 2018

Apparently it was made by team of ten people, so not surprised about the lack of technical polish. Hopefully they can iron it out and get enough sales to at least keep going.

Deleted member 8861 · Nov 15, 2018

Incidentally, do you guys have a only one-page digital map? The digital bonus thing? Because it wasn't what I expected at all

Begaria · Nov 15, 2018

Well. Damn. After reading some of these impressions, I'll probably put the game on the back burner for awhile and see how the patch development or mod development goes.

sur le web · Nov 15, 2018

the save system is especially bad considering movement and controls are bad, too, leading to wildly unpredictable outcomes every time you try to pull something off. part of what I love about immersive sims is the power fantasy high when you manage creative kills while still remaining undetected. a regular save system allows you to try wild stuff. 2 hours into Underworld Ascendant and my playthrough has been a series of messy, farcical kills. not because my decisioning was bad but because the game didn't behave predictably. it's 75% of a great game but those 25% really, really hurt it.

edit: I just got a 2 GB patch. anyone else?

Deleted member 8861 · Nov 15, 2018

What really got me was how the game is just... crawling through a bunch of linear tunnels, as much as I played it.

Soundchaser · Nov 15, 2018

Apparently the game is bad enough that GOG refused to sell it.

SolidSnakeUS · Nov 15, 2018

Soundchaser said:
Apparently the game is bad enough that GOG refused to sell it.

Did they come out and say they wouldn't?

Soundchaser · Nov 15, 2018

SolidSnakeUS said:
Did they come out and say they wouldn't?

I found this screenshot from the game's Discord server:

jb1234 · Nov 15, 2018

This is without a doubt one of the biggest KS disappointments for me, to the point where I think I'm done backing games. I feel like for the eight or so games I've backed, there's only been one success.

Deleted member 8861 · Nov 15, 2018

sur le web said:
the save system is especially bad considering movement and controls are bad, too, leading to wildly unpredictable outcomes every time you try to pull something off. part of what I love about immersive sims is the power fantasy high when you manage creative kills while still remaining undetected. a regular save system allows you to try wild stuff. 2 hours into Underworld Ascendant and my playthrough has been a series of messy, farcical kills. not because my decisioning was bad but because the game didn't behave predictably. it's 75% of a great game but those 25% really, really hurt it.

edit: I just got a 2 GB patch. anyone else?

Yeah but I personally didn't notice anything change noticeably afterwards

Would legend of Grimrock be a good substitute for this

LabRat · Nov 15, 2018

flyinj said:
If you load a save game, it will reset you to the start of a level. Not only that, but you keep your inventory but the entire level resets as well as restocking all items in the level.

So basically not only is the save system non functional, but it allows you to get unlimited items.

And apparently this isn't a bug. It is because the developers couldn't figure out how to save the state of a level. They say they might be able to figure out a way to save the game in the future. Emphasis on might.

What kind of rinky dink operation are they running?

I backed it, but there is no way I'm going to play a game with such complete incompetence on display for the most basic of bare-minimum functionality. I can only imagine what other bugs it must be riddled with.

that sounds horrible lmao
i seriously hope the system shock 3 devs are a complete different team and that they get the budget and time to make it right, because if system shock 3 turns out to be a bad game.. idk if my heart could handle that

Underworld Ascendant |OT| Look at you, Ascendant: A pathetic creature of meat and bone...

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