Which version to play?
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I’d like to finally participate in the club next month as Loom is one of my favorite early LucasArts games. The question is, which version would you recommend to revisit it? I’ve played the VGA PC Version back in 1993 (?) but heard there’s a fully voiced port for the FM-Towns. Or how about the EGA version? Would be an opportunity to experience a game in something other than VGA/SVGA for once.
Looking forward to April!
The EGA version is really gorgeous if you appreciate those particular limitations. The talkie version cuts content to fit the voices on the CD-ROM. Apparently the FM-Towns version would have the more colourful graphics but no voices, so it should have the original content in place, pretty much.
I played the EGA version back in the day (I still have the budget release box) and I didn’t get that much out of a replay recently-ish, but now I’m thinking I could give these different versions a go for the club. I bet ScummVM is able to deal with these different versions nicely …
Cool, I’ll go with the EGA version. Thanks for the insight!
I’d like to chime in and also say that I will be playing the EGA version, as I consider it superior to the VGA one. The graphics and dithering in this one done by Mark Ferrari is excellent.
I just discovered that SCUMMVM offers to restore content to the Steam (VGA+talkie) version, which feels like the perfect version since it’s voiced and I prefer VGA. Though I’m tempted to try the EGA at some point, as others have said that’s the designers’ preferred version.
I’ve just discovered, to my surprise, how different the EGA version looks on an RGB monitor, compared to the same version on a VGA monitor or a modern LCD screen.
It honestly almost looks like a totally different game.
I haven’t noticed such a stark difference in other games, but somehow the way an RGB monitor handles an EGA signal, or the chonky scanlines just makes Loom look absolutely gorgeous.
As Evil Taco mentioned, the CD version has some content missing, but specially the beautiful portraits for the characters, they add to the story and the way it is narrated, so for that alone, the EGA seems superior for me.
The FM-Towns computer version has some of the portraits converted, but not all of them. The VGA added a couple of screens, but it is not the same. You can see them here: https://www.superrune.com/tutorials/loom_ega.php
Thanks for the link psy!
I’m just gonna say it (if it wasn’t obvious already), I’m firmly in the “prefer the EGA version” camp.
I can see how some people might prefer it, especially on screens with a lot of rock and/or water.
But EGA definitely does sharp contrasts, clarity and vibrance better in this game, especially noticeable I think in the glass city. The VGA version just looks smudgy and washed out by comparison.
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