DCSS in a nutshell


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Dungeon Dilettante

Posts: 1

Joined: Monday, 30th September 2013, 22:55

Post Monday, 30th September 2013, 22:59

DCSS in a nutshell

I am an old timer Roguelike gamer ('85). I know I will play DCSS in the future. Right now my time is dedicated to Cataclysm DDA. I still can't seem to get a good feel for what DCSS is like from casual browsing. Can somebody sum up DCSS in a neat package for me?

Ziggurat Zagger

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Joined: Sunday, 5th May 2013, 08:25

Post Monday, 30th September 2013, 23:13

Re: DCSS in a nutshell

Image

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Swamp Slogger

Posts: 147

Joined: Thursday, 29th August 2013, 02:22

Post Monday, 30th September 2013, 23:51

Re: DCSS in a nutshell

Best. answer. ever.

roflmfao

Dis Charger

Posts: 2064

Joined: Wednesday, 9th January 2013, 19:44

Post Tuesday, 1st October 2013, 08:38

Re: DCSS in a nutshell

DCSS is a game where you learn everything by experience or by reading spoilers(the former is more adventurous, but frustrating, the latter is quicker and less painful, but more boring), if you have no information about something, you are likely to die and it's quite time consuming to learn just the basic stuff. I'm not sure if this game is worth the time you need to spend on it to win(and you need a lot more to see all levels and most features and combinations), but I love it.

Vestibule Violator

Posts: 1567

Joined: Friday, 21st January 2011, 22:56

Post Tuesday, 1st October 2013, 09:09

Re: DCSS in a nutshell

It's really not that bad. If you have played a few roguelikes and like them, you probably already have the right expectations. There's a lot to discover, and unfortunately some important things are hard to discover by yourself. But other than that DCSS is pretty straightforward for an experienced roguelike player. There was one person a while ago who was able to win pretty soon, by reading spoilers and asking for advice a lot, but mainly because he already had the right approach. To win, you must never die.

DCSS tries to discourage grinding and needless number crunching. It tries to be fun at all levels of player skill. It tries to offer a variety of playing styles and challenges. It tries to be winnable without spoilers. It tries to have an interface that doesn't get in your way. It has come pretty far IMO.

Two tips:
1. If you play the tiles version, don't get too distracted by all the pretty pictures. Read the messages printed by the game. They are important.
2. Either play a recently released version (less than two months old), or the one currently in development. DCSS gets better all the time, so it is nice to always have the latest updates.

Temple Termagant

Posts: 13

Joined: Wednesday, 29th February 2012, 00:35

Post Tuesday, 1st October 2013, 09:10

Re: DCSS in a nutshell

I'd actually say that DCSS is one of the least bullshit roguelikes around. There are very few "well how in the shit was I supposed to figure that out?" moments. While occasionally the RNG does screw you by giving really dangerous encounters, the difficulty comes from learning how to use your abilities and positioning properly more than most other roguelikes.

Halls Hopper

Posts: 88

Joined: Monday, 8th July 2013, 08:17

Post Wednesday, 2nd October 2013, 06:08

Re: DCSS in a nutshell

I concur with varioueslite. I cracked the fuck up!

To me, DCSS feels a lot like a more challenging - and more streamlined - version of Nethack. Nethack's challenge (at least the last time I played it, which was a few years ago!) would be pretty much negated with the right set of armor. Crawl, on the other hand, follows the "there's always a bigger dog" philosophy. Even the best characters will be in dire straits at certain points, but the game hardly ever throws something at you that is impossible to handle. You have to learn when to run away!

Blades Runner

Posts: 552

Joined: Tuesday, 10th April 2012, 21:11

Post Wednesday, 2nd October 2013, 18:47

Re: DCSS in a nutshell

A pitcher that gives you a chance of hitting the ball instead of beaning you every pitch.

Swamp Slogger

Posts: 147

Joined: Thursday, 29th August 2013, 02:22

Post Thursday, 3rd October 2013, 12:12

Re: DCSS in a nutshell

Yeah I just have to say that while I did truly just about fall out of my chair laughing there, DCSS is imho THE BEST roguelike EVER, HANDS DOWN. Everything about it is just freaking amazing. It is so polished, and it is clear that the amount of effort that has gone into every part of it is insane to even try to contemplate. You will die. But it will be your fault, unlike most other roguelikes where you die and youre just like F YOU GAME! WTF WAS THAT? With dcss its pretty much always fair. And its just so freaking MASSIVE, there is always more to explore and see(and get pwnd by = P). DCSS is not only my favorite roguelike ever, its my favorite game ever, no question. And i havnt even won a 3 rune yet >.< Play it! If you dont love it ill eat my keyboard.
User avatar

Zot Zealot

Posts: 991

Joined: Monday, 15th April 2013, 15:10

Location: Augsburg, Germany

Post Monday, 21st October 2013, 11:18

Re: DCSS in a nutshell

duvessa wrote:Image


What about adding this graphics to crawl philosophy?

Slime Squisher

Posts: 332

Joined: Wednesday, 19th December 2012, 13:23

Post Friday, 25th October 2013, 09:56

Re: DCSS in a nutshell

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FceKlVbL2wY
(this song needs Crawl-related lyrics badly)
Offline greaterplayer (who cares). I don't always play online, but when i do, i streak felids.
Zot:5 on easy mode video
Double Skullcrusher

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