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!

[Dreamkid]

#9953

This is the second time I’ve beaten Loom (the first being just a couple years ago). I played the VGA version both times since that’s all I have (didn’t own it back in the day). I liked it alright when I first played it although I never cared about it quite as much as other games. I’m not sure I liked it as much this time although it might be from trying to power through it in one go while tired, plus it took a little time to figure out parts I forgot, one of them being somewhat tedious.

I’m honestly surprised seemingly no one but me has soft-locked — I was on expert mode when I first beat it, and I didn’t keep track of songs that used notes Bobbin didn’t know yet because I assumed they would be available again when I needed them. I thought that was an oversight on Mr. Moriarty’s part since the manual suggested you’ll never get stuck.

Overall, it’s a neat game, but I found it a bit disappointing how it’s sort of a bit lacking like how you can’t talk to or interact with a bunch of characters in the background at one part. I always figured it wouldn’t be the ideal introduction to adventure games because it can either turn you off to adventure games, or leave you disappointed after you find out there’s no game quite like it.

[TigerQuoll]

#9958

I made a point of recording all songs as they came up, but I did wonder about soft-locks. I was sort of surprised that there was no way to re-hear some songs when you actually need them.

I guess technically they’re not soft locks though, since if you’re really dedicated you can “brute force” them, especially if you pick up on the patterns they seem to follow.

In “Legend of Kyrandia I” there’s a music puzzle near the end that as far as I know you have to brute force.

[firefyte]

#9973

There is a way on loom island in either VGA or EGA to exit one hut when you’re supposed to get the ‘f’ note, and never receive it.
That’s the only softlock we know of.