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.
I also think the EGA version is the one that perfectly shows the artist hand, because Mark Ferrari mentioned in an interview (that I can’t find, so, don’t quote me) that he was very frustrated with the limited EGA palette working on Zak McKracken, and he started to experiment with several dithering techniques for Loom and Monkey Island, pushing the team to find a way to compress them with all that detail. The http://www.superrune.com page mentions he used the new dithering gradient tool in Deluxe Paint for backgrounds, but the rest was pixel by pixel.
The VGA version washes out that hard work, that it is kind of a shame.
TijnKeymaster
Podcaster
I personally like the EGA art much more than the VGA version, mostly for the strong use of colour. The woods are BLUE, the city is GREEN, the forge is RED. I love that boldness.
That said I don’t think the VGA version is ugly. And while it’s sad some things are missing from that release, I do like the voice acting very much.
So honestly the best way is to just play them all and compare them haha. It’s a short game anyway, so it’s quite doable really.
I’m now quite curious about how the EGA graphics would look on an RGB screen … anyplace on the ol’ internet that has comparison pictures? Feels like something Nerdly Pleasures might blog about but I didn’t find a post.
PixKeymaster
Podcaster
I’m not so sure how much difference there is beyond the usual differences you’d see with any game on a CRT. CRT’s tend not to photograph too well but here’s a few shots off an EGA monitor from near the start:-
Because a true EGA/CGA/RGB monitor takes a digital signal, as opposed to VGA which is analogue, you end up with very vibrant, clean colours and a lot of contrast.
The blacks are BLACK, the whites are blindingly white, and the colours really pop.
The scanlines also look different somehow, and there seems to be subtle bleeding/blurring effects at some colour boundaries. I don’t have real technical knowledge about this, but it looks like the artists have used this to their advantage in places.
Kris Asick (Ancient Dos Games on Youtube) mentions that one of the missing scenes in the VGA/GOG version is a rather gruesome one. Probably all the more reason for most people to play the EGA original! I’m a scaredy cat, so I’ll stick with the new one.
So I’ve played for about half an hour so far, this is going to be interesting! It reminds me of Ocarina of Time on the N64. I’ll probably finish off the VGA version before daring to check out the EGA and the missing grue. I know the VGA graphics aren’t as good, but so far I don’t feel like I’m missing anything.
I’ve now actually played the VGA talkie version a little bit, and it’s definitely a good way to experience the core game itself! The voice adds its own layer to the experience, and it’s not like the VGA graphics ruin the game. To me it’s a less magical visual experience – but it’s still very good.
Progress report: I’m up to about 2 hours now and still only have half of the flute unlocked. The average time on GOG for the whole game is only 3 hours, so I am way behind! Might have to crack open the hint book pretty soon…adventures are not my strong suit. But it’s fun trying. [EDIT: Took a few hints but I finally got the 5th note. Now well past 3 hours of play.]
Oh and I got sucked into the tornado lol. I thought I was a goner…
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