It is clear that a lot of blood, sweat & tears went into the creation of CW3.
But I think a lot of Love went in, too.
Love is in the details.
And after a 10+ page thread of MORE things we want, I thought it might be nice to say what we already appreciate.
1) For example, not only do the Bombers have shadows, the bombs themselves have shadows. Detail. Love of the game :) ♥
2) The way Orbitals emit blue steam when they are working hard receiving ore.
I have more. But what are yours? What is your favorite teeny detail that was lovingly included? Care to share & show V. & his Team some love?
3. Spores move in a curve and their shadows change size depending on their distance from the ground.
(and CNs only emit blue steam when they are receiving ore)
The sounds effects. I feel the various different sounds of the game are just top notch. The of sound of the Bertha firing and the shell hitting...so satisfying!
The way the network goes red when there is energy deficit.
Quote from: Clean0nion on December 16, 2013, 04:31:56 PM
3. Spores move in a curve and their shadows change size depending on their distance from the ground.
In early versions of the game, the Beams factored z-axis (height) in when targeting Spores. This meant that a beam in the middle of the map might not have had the vertical reach to shoot down spores and that some spores actually managed to arc over Beam Towers.
Virgil felt it was too complicated to explain and the feature was removed. :(
I love the way there are multiple indicators of various unit status:
- The energy surplus and ore surplus bars on the CN itself.
- The network changing color as you approach/go into energy deficit.
- The warning sounds coupled with visual warnings, such as, a spore attack.
And overall, the amazing level of polish on the look and feel of the units, terrain, planets, star systems and backgrounds.
Oh yeah, planet orbits, and the asteroid field orbiting the DMD Sun on the Origin page.
I could go on and on. In fact, I think I did ;D.
AWESOME GAME....AGAIN!!
Slayer
The heating barrels of Cannons and Snipers.
And, most importantly, all the little things that players don't even notice, but whose absence or misimplementation would cause an avalanche of complaints. Only in the most obscure and rare scenarios have people been able to come up with problems/bugs during main (non-CRPL) gameplay.
Countless games have been abandoned because those were too much to bear with. CW3 steers well clear of them, and it's a remarkable and laudable achievement!
The way the ship flies from orbit to orbit and between systems :P
AC rain when you send a Node to orbit.
Quote from: Clean0nion on December 16, 2013, 04:31:56 PM
3. Spores move in a curve and their shadows change size depending on their distance from the ground.
And the spore itself has shadow.. not on the ground, but the spinning spore's shading. I find that cool because these things aren't actually 3d, they're just sprite images.
The way spore towers and emitters grow during their build phase. All the little pulsing effects on the units that make them feel alive.
Quote from: Clean0nion on December 16, 2013, 04:31:56 PM
(and CNs only emit blue steam when they are receiving ore)
Thanks for the clarification. I realized I wasn't completely sure on the when/why of the blue steam
after I posted. Naturally. ::)
There's also the way the terrain changes itself to add fancy diagonals and such, which does make the game look a lot nicer, but sometimes it can get in the way of detail and knowing where you are able to place a unit.
I also like the way Bertha makes her turns. Slowly & ponderously, you can sense her great size & weight as she hones in on her target. And there is the color change when she is auto vs. chosen.
Color change also on Pulse Cannons when set to Prioritize Digitalis vs. Creeper. Can't remember what they look like when set for Runners. Don't use that setting much over in the Easy Zone where I can be found. :)
My first 'wow' moment was when I first saw the Command Nodes drop from orbit.
Quote from: Nephthys on December 17, 2013, 05:22:19 AM
Color change also on Pulse Cannons when set to Prioritize Digitalis vs. Creeper. Can't remember what they look like when set for Runners. Don't use that setting much over in the Easy Zone where I can be found. :)
Bright green.
Effects are nice, although the explosion is a bit dull, but that is a small thing that I do not really notice after all.
Like someone said, heating barrels are an excellent addition, that's detail.
Also I like the graphics, they are amazing. Simple, yet amazing. Perfect for this game.
And of course the color of creeper, depending of depth of it. It scales very well, from transparent light blue to solid dark blue.
Quote from: Lord_Farin on December 16, 2013, 05:43:41 PM
The heating barrels of Cannons and Snipers.
I noticed this within the first few maps and thought for a while that they might overheat and need a cool down period. Fortunately, that is not the case. At least it hasn't happened to me yet... 8)
I "like" that even small deviations in terrain can cause problems. Even a single map unit of one height difference creates a blind spot for cannons/sprayers. In a few cases I have even used this to create directed turrets. I'm pretty sure it's been that way since CW1, but I like how integrated terrain is into speed strategies.
I like seeing the aether packets coming from the totems and floating to the forge. In a way that's worse than traveling back through the energy network because it's slower, but it also allows use of remote totems buried in creeper thanks to a kamekaze guppy.
Quote from: NFITC1 on December 17, 2013, 12:35:56 PM
it also allows use of remote totems buried in creeper thanks to a kamekaze guppy.
I never thought to do that!
I do quite like the way in which a select few were given their own star system to have some planets in.
I really love how Aether gets sucked into the Forge. It looks so awesome!!
I like how totems "level up" and get faster at sending aether as you charge them.
I was going to make use of that in my "one mine, limited energy, infinite ore upgrades" map, but a hard limit stopped that dream (for now).
Each unit has a unique footprint.
I like this feature. When you are moving a group that includes different types of units, you can tell from the shape of its shadow-placement (for lack of a better description) which type it is. Unless the area is already clear, Mortars will need to be placed behind a unit type that will protect it. I generally use a Pulse-Cannon, but a Sprayer will also work.
My list is long:
1. You can grab the shadow of the unit to adjust it's placement.
2. You don't have to re-select the unit if the placement click was in an invalid location.
3. Drag-select.
4. Drag-build of a line of collectors (shields and nullifier optional :))
More they come to mind.
Quote from: Grauniad on December 16, 2013, 04:51:12 PM
Quote from: Clean0nion on December 16, 2013, 04:31:56 PM
3. Spores move in a curve and their shadows change size depending on their distance from the ground.
In early versions of the game, the Beams factored z-axis (height) in when targeting Spores. This meant that a beam in the middle of the map might not have had the vertical reach to shoot down spores and that some spores actually managed to arc over Beam Towers.
Virgil felt it was too complicated to explain and the feature was removed. :(
[chanting mob]BRING IT BACK! BRING IT BACK! BRING IT BACK![/chanting mob]
Quote from: thepenguin on January 03, 2014, 05:38:33 PM
Quote from: Grauniad on December 16, 2013, 04:51:12 PM
Quote from: Clean0nion on December 16, 2013, 04:31:56 PM
3. Spores move in a curve and their shadows change size depending on their distance from the ground.
In early versions of the game, the Beams factored z-axis (height) in when targeting Spores. This meant that a beam in the middle of the map might not have had the vertical reach to shoot down spores and that some spores actually managed to arc over Beam Towers.
Virgil felt it was too complicated to explain and the feature was removed. :(
[chanting mob]BRING IT BACK! BRING IT BACK! BRING IT BACK![/chanting mob]
...preferably as a CRPL feature!
Quote from: Clean0nion on January 03, 2014, 06:02:51 PM
Quote from: thepenguin on January 03, 2014, 05:38:33 PM
Quote from: Grauniad on December 16, 2013, 04:51:12 PM
Quote from: Clean0nion on December 16, 2013, 04:31:56 PM
3. Spores move in a curve and their shadows change size depending on their distance from the ground.
In early versions of the game, the Beams factored z-axis (height) in when targeting Spores. This meant that a beam in the middle of the map might not have had the vertical reach to shoot down spores and that some spores actually managed to arc over Beam Towers.
Virgil felt it was too complicated to explain and the feature was removed. :(
[chanting mob]BRING IT BACK! BRING IT BACK! BRING IT BACK![/chanting mob]
...preferably as a CRPL feature!
+1
Quote from: Flabort on January 03, 2014, 09:55:55 PM
Quote from: Clean0nion on January 03, 2014, 06:02:51 PM
Quote from: thepenguin on January 03, 2014, 05:38:33 PM
Quote from: Grauniad on December 16, 2013, 04:51:12 PM
Quote from: Clean0nion on December 16, 2013, 04:31:56 PM
3. Spores move in a curve and their shadows change size depending on their distance from the ground.
In early versions of the game, the Beams factored z-axis (height) in when targeting Spores. This meant that a beam in the middle of the map might not have had the vertical reach to shoot down spores and that some spores actually managed to arc over Beam Towers.
Virgil felt it was too complicated to explain and the feature was removed. :(
[chanting mob]BRING IT BACK! BRING IT BACK! BRING IT BACK![/chanting mob]
...preferably as a CRPL feature!
+1
I hear you - it was a really cool feature, but the problem was that it wasn't intuitive.
I actually reported it as a bug because one of my Beams seemed to have a longer range than another nearby Beam.
Of course, the '3D' was being calculated correctly, and the Beam that could actually reach the height of the Spore was firing, but it was hard to convey on a 'top down' view on a 2D monitor.
Elegant in conception, elegant in execution, didn't make it through the real world filter...
The fact that spores have health and don't just explode immediately.
It was really a smart idea from Virgil to make the connections change color based on energy and other factors, IMO.
Quote from: Kingo on January 08, 2014, 08:51:04 PM
It was really a smart idea from Virgil to make the connections change color based on energy and other factors, IMO.
Agreed! More often than not, I realize I am low on energy because the network lines turn red, as opposed to remembering to glance up at the CN info panel or at the CNs themselves.
It is also helpful that, depending on circumstances, the change is often gradual. Deep, darker red indicates extremely low resources while seeing it slowly lighten up & go away altogether lets you know you are on the right track, energy wise. The opposite is equally true. Things are looking good, then you add a few Mortars & the next thing you know everything is changing to red. Since I tend to overbuild I see this quite often. :)
Quote from: Nephthys on January 09, 2014, 02:57:03 PM
Quote from: Kingo on January 08, 2014, 08:51:04 PM
It was really a smart idea from Virgil to make the connections change color based on energy and other factors, IMO.
Agreed! More often than not, I realize I am low on energy because the network lines turn red, as opposed to remembering to glance up at the CN info panel or at the CNs themselves.
It is also helpful that, depending on circumstances, the change is often gradual. Deep, darker red indicates extremely low resources while seeing it slowly lighten up & go away altogether lets you know you are on the right track, energy wise. The opposite is equally true. Things are looking good, then you add a few Mortars & the next thing you know everything is changing to red. Since I tend to overbuild I see this quite often. :)
I particularly like how the relays go purple instead of red!
And on a related note, I always have half an eye on the CN info bars... I don't even know who would use the option to hide them
Quote from: Kingo on January 08, 2014, 08:51:04 PM
It was really a smart idea from Virgil to make the connections change color based on energy and other factors, IMO.
If I recall rightly, that was actually a beta member's idea, I think J's.
Quote from: Clean0nion on January 09, 2014, 04:40:25 PMI don't even know who would use the option to hide them
Well, now that I know about it, assuming it can be toggled quickly.
Be useful once I've overbuilt my reactor farm, and am not worried about energy any more; if I see the wires go red at that point, I could just call it up again. But I doubt I'll actually do that much.
Quote from: Grauniad on January 03, 2014, 05:20:03 PM
1. You can grab the shadow of the unit to adjust it's placement.
4. Drag-build of a line of collectors (shields and nullifier optional :))
Definitely two of my favourites.
Also, the Terp 'brushes' come in sizes that are needed. i.e. 1x1 for walls, 3x3 for most things, 5x5 for titans, and 9x9 for the CN.
I also love that Bertha shots have shadows and fading trails of smoke.
Come to think of it, also how the Bertha gun barrel slams backwards so hard after it's big shots. Really emphasizes how powerful it is.
Also, the triple shots on the PZ. First time I saw it, I was like, whoah....
I like that the Bertha shots fly in a ballistic curve and not straight. Adds a lot to the realism :)
Quote from: Flabort on January 18, 2014, 12:00:24 AM
Come to think of it, also how the Bertha gun barrel slams backwards so hard after it's big shots. Really emphasizes how powerful it is.
Also, the triple shots on the PZ. First time I saw it, I was like, whoah....
Well yes, but that's not a "tiny* detail, it's huge... :)
One of the things I don't like is how a Guppy won't build another Guppy.
But one of the things I do like is how you can rename a Shield Key so it displays something different when you collect it
Sorry for necrobump, but:
Blasters fling off little spent casings every time they fire. Has anybody ever noticed that?
My favorite thing is terps. Just everything about terps. I always hated having to accommodate to the terrain and even though I don't use terps a lot, having them there increases my enjoyment of the game SO much.
One thing I don't like, since I'm here: I miss hotkeys.
hotkeys are still here... have a look at the keybindings menu.
Above all, I favor CPRL Super Weapons. (Field Beam, Pyramids, Golems, etc.)
Quote from: Asbestos on April 12, 2014, 01:22:56 PM
Blasters fling off little spent casings every time they fire. Has anybody ever noticed that?
Are you sure? I've squinted as much as I can :) and I can't see spent casings. Just the flash of the bullets. Maybe you could post a screenshot?
It's a little easier to see on a power zone.
Ah, now I see! Thanks! :) That's just amazing.
In the latest version, I really like the addition of the markers showing not only WHAT was lost but WHERE it was lost. I know several comments besides mine mentioned frustration over hearing the explosion & not knowing what just blew up, so I bet a lot of other players appreciate this as well.
It was useful at first, but then the overload of notifications on a failed beachhead or a buttload of armed spore towers quickly went past "useful" and into the realm of "annoying". Still, it's rather nice on a large map with few spores and randomly exploding buildings.
For me, the only major problem is playing medium-highly sized maps with or without a lot of coding work done making it lag like nobody's business.
I am in the process of beating "Metroid", but since the beginning, minutes in game-time have been real life hours; I spent over 2 hours of real time securing the whole ground from the first 2 emitters right outside the starting point to the Friendly Super-Structure in the far Southwest. In-game time was (I think) about a half hour.
Of course, playing on a Toshiba laptop with Windows 7 Home premium that was purchased intitally for the sole purpose of academic work and anything other than video games does not help. I guess I will just wait until presumably, I can afford a MUCH stronger PC as I also play Starcraft 2 on this thing.
Quote from: Asbestos on June 10, 2014, 01:10:04 AM
It was useful at first, but then the overload of notifications on a failed beachhead or a buttload of armed spore towers quickly went past "useful" and into the realm of "annoying". Still, it's rather nice on a large map with few spores and randomly exploding buildings.
Mainly I appreciate them, but I can understand the negative aspect of the notifications. When they first popped up I thought I would have to "X" them away, but then they disappeared after a few seconds. And yeah, when you lose a large area they could be annoying. I guess the next thing we'll ask for is an option to turn them off. :) Poor V. (tiny lol)
I made a (laughable) attempt at "Metroid" & the list of unwanted explosions was never ending.
(Someday I am going to ask for help with that one. At least a way to stay alive for 10 mins game time. Maybe someone will post a YT vid. Only 3(?) spores, but every 8 secs, no time to recover & DEFINITELY no chance to take them out beforehand.
EDIT OFF TOPIC: Wow! I made it all the way through Metroid! Yay! I won't say how long it took. lol)
The option for turning them off should already exist. Go to settings/misc and check the last box for not showing game event tags...
But, if for some reason I lose a giant collection of things I usually pause the game and assess what happened. Clicking the X will dismiss a 'page' at a time of tags, or you can click each tag to individually cherry pick what you want to dismiss.