[mac4theblind] Re: [A-iOS] Review of King of Dragon Pass
- From: Lena Contreras <lenac@xxxxxxx>
- To: mac4theblind@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Thu, 3 Nov 2011 11:55:32 -0700
Hi
I bought the game too this morning before it went back up to full price. I'll
play with it over the week end also. I'm not a gamer but it will be nice to
have something to do other than listening to podcasts or checking the news
<smile>
Lena
On Nov 3, 2011, at 11:26 AM, David Hilbert Poehlman wrote:
> it's awesom!
>
> On Nov 3, 2011, at 2:05 PM, John Panarese wrote:
>
> I bought this game, but have only taken a brief look at it so far. I intend
> to give it a real shot over the weekend. Thanks for posting.
>
>
> Take Care
>
> John D. Panarese
> Director
> Mac for the Blind
> john@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> http://www.macfortheblind.com
>
> AUTHORIZED APPLE STORE BUSINESS AFFILIATE
> MAC VOICEOVER TRAINING AND SUPPORT
>
>
>
> On Nov 3, 2011, at 10:56 AM, Bubba wrote:
>
>> Hi, not a big gaming fan myself but I pass this along to those that are. So
>> read below on the above subject.
>>
>>
>> Sign,
>> Bubba
>> bubbathegeek@xxxxxxxxx
>>
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: a-ios@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:a-ios@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of
>> Hai Nguyen Ly
>> Sent: Thursday, November 03, 2011 10:40 AM
>> To: a-ios@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
>> Subject: [A-iOS] Review of King of Dragon Pass
>>
>>
>> http://www.applevis.com/blog/review-king-dragon-pass
>>
>>
>>
>> Review of King of Dragon Pass
>>
>>
>> Posted on November 2, 2011 by Michael Feir
>>
>> Game available from the iTunes App Store for $9.95 regular price
>> <http://click.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/stat?id=NXRC4Doe7/E&offerid=146261&type
>> =3&subid=0&tmpid=1826&RD_PARM1=http%253A%252F%252Fitunes.apple.com%252Fus%25
>> 2Fapp%252Fking-of-dragon-pass%252Fid335545504%253Fmt%253D8%2526uo%253D4%2526
>> partnerId%253D30>
>>
>> Produced by A-Sharp Software: www.a-sharp.com/kodp
>>
>> Fully playable without sighted assistance.
>>
>> Reviewed by Michael Feir
>>
>> Rating: 9/10
>>
>>
>> Introduction:
>>
>>
>> The Apple iPhone has certainly taken the blind community to an unparalleled
>> level of affordable accessibility. Its built-in Voiceover screen-reader has
>> managed to turn a flat-screen device into one of the most useful gadgets
>> I've ever owned. Years ago, I had bought King of Dragon Pass for the PC only
>> to discover that it was completely unplayable without sighted assistance.
>> The text was printed in a way my screen readers couldn't detect. There was
>> also a map to explore which required a mouse and sighted help to manage.
>> Worse yet, in a painful paradox, the game required continuous reading as it
>> was mostly text-based. Any sighted people I found who would try the game
>> with me would very quickly lose patience having to read everything out loud.
>> Now, thanks to the ingenuity and inclusiveness of the iPhone, I am able to
>> fully enjoy this unique game experience.
>>
>> Let's be clear. This is a game made for a sighted audience first. There's
>> artwork on the screen and the map to be explored. Things are set up to be
>> easy for sighted players to scroll around when they need to. However, for
>> those who have the patience to explore the screen, every element of the game
>> has been made accessible thanks to the Voiceover screen-reader and the
>> efforts of programmers at A-Sharp Software. The developers continue to
>> update the game and have proved very responsive to peoples' reports of
>> issues they faced while playing using Voiceover. There have been several
>> updates since its release and they have included improvements for Voiceover
>> users as well as other additions to the game like new scenes. At this point,
>> the game is fully playable for blind people who have patience and recognize
>> that due to its visual nature, there are some quirks to be wrestled with
>> from time to time. If you can live with that, then get ready for a brilliant
>> game where a flexible but cohesive narrative takes centre stage. Blind
>> players may not be able to appreciate the artwork, but for a very refreshing
>> change, we aren't left out of the picture.
>>
>>
>> The Interface:
>>
>>
>> As I say, there are some quirks. One of these which I think is ultimately
>> favourable is that the game must be played in landscape mode with the home
>> button on the left or right. Presumably, this makes things like scrolling
>> around the map somewhat easier. Familiarizing yourself with the screen
>> layout is essential for this game. For instance, when the menu is toggled
>> on, it goes across the top of the screen. I used to have all sorts of
>> trouble getting to it reliably until I figured this out. Hitting the "menu"
>> button toggles the menu on or off. It makes a slightly different sound when
>> it's on. KODP uses ordinary controls familiar to Voiceover users. You can
>> flick left and right to go between options and double-tap to select them.
>> You can also scroll around the map with a three-finger flick in the
>> direction desired. The map is much larger than a single iPhone screen so
>> you'll need to do this eventually. One issue is that dialogues in the game
>> tend to stack on top of each other at times. A good example of this happens
>> when you explore. One dialogue active at that time is the map screen. Once
>> you hit the "explore" button, music plays and you can then position your
>> exploration cross on the map. Once that's done touch near the bottom of the
>> screen where you should come to the exploration dialogue. There, you can
>> choose who leads the exploration party and how many weapon thanes and
>> footmen to send. You also set the exploration pace between slow, normal and
>> fast. Once you have that taken care of, you can then go to the "explore"
>> button. The problem is that there are two of these. The first one is from
>> the initial map dialogue. The one you want is past the "menu" button. Hit
>> that and your expedition will be sent off. You'll here the exploration music
>> as well as horses.
>>
>> Another issue can occur at various times. One of these is when sacrificing.
>> After you have sacrificed to one of the various gods or goddesses in the
>> Orlanthi pantheon, you might then find yourself on what seems to be an empty
>> screen. Patience is needed here as you should keep running your finger
>> slowly over the screen until it starts reading you the result of your
>> sacrifice or you encounter the "proceed" button. If you find the button
>> first, just flick left and you'll hear the result of your sacrifice. Flick
>> right again and you'll be on the "proceed" button.
>>
>> Other than these minor issues, things are quite straight-forward. The
>> background music and sound can be toggled on and off from the "controls"
>> option screen which is accessed from the menu or before a game starts.
>> Especially while familiarizing yourself with the game, it would be prudent
>> to turn off the background music to make certain that everything is heard. I
>> certainly found this helpful. There's no way to regulate the volume of the
>> background music separate from overall volume. However, Voiceover does
>> automatically lower the music volume while it is speaking. Reading event
>> text works quite well. Most of the time, there's no need to scroll. Once
>> you've flicked onto event text, all of it is read out to you. Continuing to
>> flick right goes across the choices available.
>>
>> When using the advice, it works much like the menu button in that it toggles
>> the adviser selection screen on and off overtop of whatever dialogue is
>> already present. Advice is always contextual to the screen or current
>> situation the player is presented with. Flicking right goes across the
>> adviser buttons whose names will be read out. Once activated with a
>> double-tap, their advice will be read out. If you need to find it on the
>> screen, you'll have to learn where it is on the screen or find it by
>> flicking through elements. When you're done with getting advice, find the
>> "adviser close" button. Activating this removes the adviser selection and
>> any displayed advice from the screen.
>>
>>
>> Game Play:
>>
>>
>> After choosing the duration and difficulty of your game, you must set up
>> your clan. You can call it what you like and then begin to make various
>> choices which effect how the game unfolds. Your saga starts here. Don't
>> expect to just jump into this game and do terrifically right off the bat.
>> Reading the manual is a very helpful thing to do in this case. Also, during
>> the first year you play, a tutorial box is present which provides guidance
>> for what to do on the various screens. After going through it, you'll at
>> least have a basic grasp of the options and different game screens that
>> you'll use throughout your clan's history. Once you have completed the
>> tutorial, you will no longer have to contend with the tutorial box. It will
>> never appear again unless you reset your game centre achievements even if
>> you start a new game.
>>
>> Essentially, the game is one of decision making on behalf of your clan as
>> its history unfolds. There are many factors which influence the results of
>> your decisions. These include random chance as well as such things as the
>> skills of your clan leaders. You are always able to receive advice from
>> members of your clan ring. This is very helpful particularly as you are
>> first digging into the game. It may be helpful to keep notes on things you
>> learn. A lot of information is available to you in the game but details such
>> as the personalities of clan leaders you encounter can be useful to refer
>> to. Not everything is kept track of in the saga screen of your clan. Also,
>> during hero quests, you can't refer to the relevant mythology. Be certain to
>> check out the "lore" screen. There, you'll find a vast amount of information
>> about the myths, culture, history, and much more. The game manual can also
>> be accessed from that screen via the button near the bottom right. The
>> manual is also available in pdf form from the "tips" section of the game's
>> web site. This pdf is unrestricted and may easily be converted into text by
>> Kurzweil1000, Adobe Reader, or other software. Remembering details can make
>> a very big difference in how things turn out for your clan.
>>
>> Combat in the game is quite straight-forward in terms of the decisions you
>> can make. However, there's a whole lot going on under the hood. A clan's
>> personality might effect how prepared their forces are. How much magic you
>> or the enemy devotes to the battle can make a substantial difference. At
>> times, individual leaders involved in the battle will be placed in key
>> situations where their choice can strongly effect the outcome. Battles occur
>> throughout the game but this aspect doesn't dominate play unless you wish it
>> to. If anything, the game encourages careful consideration about what is
>> worth fighting for and why one goes to war. You cannot simply conquer your
>> way to victory in King of Dragon Pass.
>>
>> Much of the farming which takes place is handled automatically. However,
>> there are points where decisions such as how much land to set aside for
>> which purpose, how many hunters to have, and how much magic to invest in
>> crops can make or break a clan. Thankfully, it's very hard to make decisions
>> in the course of a single year which would completely wreck one's chances of
>> winning. The game is won or lost in increments over time rather than in some
>> sudden large-scale disaster or stroke of good fortune. Your clan ring is
>> always there to advise you of problems and will have useful things to say
>> about most decisions. However, during hero quests or combat, you
>> understandably cannot seek their advice.
>>
>> Your people, particularly your clan leaders, are capable of a degree of
>> growth and change over their lives. In my Tandora clan, I now have a lady
>> who is renowned for her bargaining skill. Over time, completing hero quests,
>> fighting battles, and other experiences may produce exceptional individuals
>> in your clan. These should be used with care and protected as much as
>> possible.
>>
>> Don't treat each year as a separate entity. Decisions you make in earlier
>> years may have effects which carry on through the game. From how you choose
>> to deal with the large pantheon of gods to which clans you are feuding with,
>> it's all interconnected. In effect, you're building a house of cards with
>> each decision you make. While the game is fairly forgiving, it is quite
>> possible and inevitable that a game not won will eventually be lost. Things
>> don't just keep going forever.
>>
>>
>> Sound and Music:
>>
>>
>> The background music for King of Dragon Pass is quite well done. It suits
>> the epic but fun feel of the game and enhances the various moods experienced
>> by your clan. Sadly, as I previously mentioned, it can interfere with one's
>> ability to hear Voiceover. You can download the soundtrack from the game web
>> site and enjoy it separately. One way or another, the music ought to be
>> experienced. Much like in a movie, it adds a lot to the feel of the game
>> world.
>>
>> Sound effects are experienced while dealing with various dialogues. They
>> often include music as when you send off a caravan or exploration party.
>> They are used to add life to things such as battles, feasting, or other
>> events triggered by your choices. The sound vignettes are brief so they
>> don't interfere with one's ability to hear Voiceover. Beginners can fully
>> enjoy the game's sound without any added frustration. Much like the music,
>> the brief sound scenes add just enough detail to the game world to tantalize
>> the imagination. Due to their brevity, the sound vignettes don't become
>> annoying after repeated exposure.
>>
>> While not effective to blind readers of this review, it should be noted that
>> King of Dragon Pass features original hand-drawn artwork. Not having seen
>> it, or anything else for that matter, I can't give any detail or first-hand
>> opinion about it. However, from what I've read in other reviews, people who
>> are lumination dependent seem to think highly of it. Artwork is displayed
>> during scenes and is likely also present on the various game screens. Mugs,
>> shirts and original art from the game can be purchased if desired. Details
>> are on the game web site. Therefore, if you're playing along and a sighted
>> person asks "What's that?" they may very well have glimpsed some of this
>> artwork past your fingers. You'll then have to decide whether to show and
>> explain, or simply turn on your screen curtain with howls of derisive
>> laughter.
>>
>>
>> Conclusion:
>>
>>
>> This game is by far the most meaningful and detailed I have ever been able
>> to play independently. I don't believe any other accessible game even comes
>> close to what King of Dragon Pass offers the patient thoughtful player. The
>> re playability level is astounding. There are over 500 scenes which may or
>> may not occur in a given time. The results of your choices are impacted by
>> many variables which may differ should you encounter a familiar scene. Even
>> in cases where you do all the "right" things such as the hero quests,
>> results might differ due to the preparedness and suitability of the person
>> chosen to undertake the quest. Different treasures may or may not be found.
>> You become a co-author of an epic novel which never reads the same twice but
>> always maintains its cohesion.
>>
>> You don't have to be a mathematician or social scientist. The text is very
>> well-written and you'll find yourself drawn into the story. After a while,
>> you'll feel that you've gotten to know leading figures in your clan over the
>> years of game time. The leadership and management decisions feel very
>> natural and intuitive. Keeping a good overview is important to eventual
>> victory. However, you never lose sight of how much individual community
>> members matter. They just keep popping up. The game has a whole lot to teach
>> about the value of community cohesion, leadership, and other things besides.
>> Should I ever be successful in winning even the short game on easy
>> difficulty, I'll be left with fond memories and a true sense of
>> accomplishment. I'll also be driven to start a fresh game knowing there are
>> still possibilities I have yet to encounter. Thankfully, it is possible to
>> record and share one's accomplishment via the iPhone Game Centre, Twitter,
>> Facebook, or via emailing your game saga to yourself and then to others. The
>> iPhone is the perfect device to play such a game on. Despite its complexity
>> and length, it lends itself to casual play. You can pull it out of your
>> pocket, make a few decisions, and then simply put it away again until a few
>> moments of free time present themselves. That is, if you can resist finding
>> out whether your weaponthanes manage to drive off the ice demons. Like drops
>> of water in a bucket, all these short cessions will add up and you'll be
>> amazed how far your clan has come along.
>>
>> I have always believed that games are more than mere frivolous wastes of
>> time. Games are like journeys for the mind. We learn best while at play and
>> games can teach us a great deal in an environment where wrong decisions
>> don't equal real disaster. Considering this game's fantasy setting,
>> mythology, gods, creatures and people, King of Dragon Pass can teach us an
>> awful lot of deep truth. At its core, King of Dragon Pass lets us play with
>> leadership and power. It does so while showing us the consequences of our
>> decisions in a very engaging way. If ever there was a game which defied its
>> critics to call it devoid of any meaning and value, King of Dragon Pass is
>> such a one. It wouldn't surprise me in the least if it proves to be a
>> watershed game for blind owners of IOS devices. It has the potential to be
>> played both at a casual and a serious level. This could prove to be the
>> closest the blind gaming community has come to a phenomenon like Pac-Man was
>> for the sighted world. What's more, we're playing on an equal footing and
>> can let our accomplishments be known. Thanks to the inclusiveness of Apple
>> and the considerate folks at A-Sharp Software, this game truly bridges the
>> blind/sighted gaming divide. It's worth every cent of its $9.95 regular
>> price.
>>
>>
>> --
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> with his
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