Final Thoughts

[firefyte]

#9777

Played through the EGA version (slowly).

Still looks fantastic.

I also still enjoy the story, and the not-so-subtle-hinting as to what you should do, as well as the gatekeeping, so you don’t softlock.

The music is good where it plays (using MT-32 audio, which includes a 2-minute bonus audio), although there are parts where there could have been more, looping, etc.

I like the close-ups, which don’t exist in the VGA version (boo!). The VGA voice acting is horrible enough by itself.

Overall I still enjoy it, I’ll probably replay the VGA and FM-towns versions again in a more speedy fashion (as I’m used to).
No, I don’t intend to play in MCGA and with PC-speaker audio again, it was horrible enough the one time I did it.

[Pix]

#9781

I’ve played the EGA then the FM Towns versions this month. The looping music gets a bit much on the FM Towns actually – I kind of prefer the sparse music in DOS. The extra colours are well used but EGA looked good as well – I like both versions really. Not much to pick between them for me.

I do very much like Loom. I wish there was a bit more to it but I can’t complain at what there is. I’m not all that familiar with the PC CD version. The audio drama was very well done, sounds like they didn’t keep that standard up for the in-game sound. I’ll have to try that out as well before the month is up.

[firefyte]

#9784

25 minutes later… I forgot that the FM towns version had sound effects. But it is sort of different from the voiced version.

[Martli]

#9792

Me too, played through the EGA version with my MT-32 and it was great. Played it over the course of three nights. What an awesome game! I still don’t really get the whole swan thing, but who cares. It’s a really out there story, I love the whole guild thing, and have a bit of a fondness for the glassmakers. Above all else, Clarity. The cooky lucasarts humour is also ever-present and a provides a good juxtaposition to some pretty serious storyline.

I also have the VGA version from GOG which I started running to see what it looks like and… it looks kinda crap. Gonna give it a go soon.

Funny you mentioned soft-locking, I actually managed to soft-lock myself the first time I ever played this by not picking up the sharpening draft. Couldn’t go back to get it. I guess Bishop Mandible was successful on thet run…

[firefyte]

#9794

You actually don’t need three of the drafts:
SPOILERS

sharpen
empty
wake/sleep

You can soft lock yourself in the VGA version by going too quickly.

You can use twist on the sword instead.

[Pix]

#9795

I played the VGA CD version last night. It’s so odd using CD audio to do a talkie like this. It says something about how short Loom is that it was even possible.

The acting was a mixed bag. The fact that people were doing multiple voices was a little too obvious and I didn’t like some of the voices chosen much as a result. The audio drama was certainly better produced. That said, it was better than most of these early talkies. Either of the other two versions are the way to go – preferably the EGA original I think.

[firefyte]

#9796

There were a lot of corners cut with the VGA version, which is a shame.

[Wesbat]

#9804

Listened to the audio drama before playing, like the manual recommends. It has fantastic production value and sets a great mood.

First I tried VGA version and struggled to find my way off the island of Loom. I then read how that version has some dialogue cut, specifically a line that hinted at the part where I was stuck.

I promptly switched to the EGA version, and glad I did. The artwork is gorgeous, and with all the carefully-crafted dialogue.

Might return to the VGA version for completeness, but I have a pretty good sense how well it will compare. I never knew Loom is this good!