1.3.1 out for real this time

Okay, Return to Dark Castle version 1.3.1 is now out, and can be downloaded by anyone. It contains all the previously mentioned fixes. It can be found here at this link:

LINK

There seems to be a recording problem with the update... Don't worry. All the replays should run fine now, all the ones that have been recorded in 1.3.1 that is. No more out of sync. However, if you try to record, cancel, and record again, it seems to quit. Hopefully this will be fixed soon, in the mean time, try out all the other changes.

Apparently version 1.4 is already in the works, though it could be a while 'till we see it, and who knows what it might contain.

Now, about that Level Editor....

1.3 out... with a catch....

Return to Dark Castle 1.3 is out, BUT, there's currently a catch... it's only out for new buyers, and I am told that a patch is almost here.

In the meantime I got to try out the patch:

It feels as though the game is a lot more like the originals. Random items are welcome, along with lots of little tweaks here are there. Overall, I didn't quite so much like the consolidation of files, as it can be a bit harder for new users to find their saves, recordings and such. But the enhanced movement tracking completely makes up for it, as the game now feels as tight as the originals, and there no more missed jumps to be blamed on the game.

In the end, it's a patch, so there's not a lot to say, other then a feature list, so, as it is fun, I am more looking forward to the level editor.

Demo Version 1.3

Okay, so I know everyone is as tired of waiting as I am, but in the mean time, the demo linked to at SHFF has been updated to version 1.3, and includes all the below listed changes and more, I know it's only a demo, but it's worth checking out if you're bored.

LINK

Return to Dark Castle 1.3 - Coming VERY soon!

Change list:

1.3
• Fixed control responsiveness (keyboard & mouse)
• Fixed replay recording and playback
• Fixed water buckets freeze in observatory
• Fixed hero facing direction after pulling a chain
• Classic Gameplay Changes
° Random Items (rocks, elixirs, food, poison)
° More aggressive snakes
° Faster gargoyles
° Food only restores 50% health
° Slide into dungeons looses health
° Bombed guards don't respawn
° Randomized river logs
° Wizard and Witch kill you if you haven't picked up the orb
° Hero explodes if trying to carry two orbs
• Easier Novice Mode
° Start with 5 lives / Maximum of 12
° Less aggressive enemies
° Fewer traps & hazards
• New Features
° Replays have no recording size limit
° Replays can be paused during recording and playback
° Replays can fast-forward by pressing the right arrow key or caps-lock key
° Replays can skip rooms by pressing the down arrow key
• Files and folders are stored in Application Support folder by default
• Other misc. bug fixes.

Sounds good to me, let me know what you think!

Two "lates" don't make an "on time" (First official review)

Alright, so I missed this news story by a few days, but in context, the site missed the game's release window, by a month or so.

Anyways, here is the first non-user review of Return to Dark Castle on the web, feel free to agree, or disagree with it.

LINK

Beat the game? Want another 5 minutes of Content?

Zack Black has given us a test level set made with the level editor for an example. It contains very little content, and can be beaten fairly quickly, but hey! It's an example, just something for us to look forward to.

If you'd like to grab a copy, just right click this link, and save file:

LINK

To instal it, simply drag it to the "DC3 Custom Levels" folder in the "Dark Castle 3 ƒ" folder, then enter the level: Laboratory, and pull a chain, it will ask you for a level set, select "Test Levels" and then walk below the tube next to the switch and hit W.

Enjoy!

What is going to happen to the Dark Castle Blog?

So, Return to Dark Castle came out. Now what? Since this is a New blog, will it be closed?

Short answer? No.

Long answer? No, the blog wont shut down until there is nothing left to say. I still have plans for the blog, it should be the best choice for Dark Castle news around the net.

Sorry for not updating recently, I have been really busy, but I will have more time, so you should see faster updates now.