First post, by mercy
I acquired the v1.0? version of the game.
Compared to the very slow GOG version there are significant improvements.
I'm running it on the GOG installation, just for convenience's sake, but using the latest official DOSBox. When I want to run GBC, I have to copy back all the GOG dosbox-conf files, otherwise my Tandy-centered conf files don't work at all with GBC. The last time I used GBC was to quickly configure the outlook of my characters, but that was just out of laziness as this version does it pretty fast as well!
Changes:
1. POOL.CFG contents: (So it sits nicely on the GOG version)
E
T
C:\POOLRAD\
C:\POOLRAD\SAVE\
N
Note: If you configure a Tandy / pcjr machine in the CONF, then as per the Quick Reference Card.pdf you have to change the first letter "E" = EGA to "T" = Tandy. I tested it with the GOG version and it works. I haven't tested this super-amazing version with a Tandy / pcjr machine CONF setup, because it looks also amazing in "E" = EGA , but I'll test it later, as I'm curious as well. 😁
The Poolrad folder has a SAVE folder, where this superfast, fully Tandy-supporting version saves all characters + savegames, completely independent of any "cloud_saves"..
2. Modded GOG dosbox_por.conf
fullscreen=false
fulldouble=false
fullresolution=openglnb
windowresolution=1024x768
output=Overlay
autolock=true
sensitivity=100
waitonerror=true
priority=higher,normal
mapperfile=mapper-0.74-2.map
usescancodes=true
..
language=
machine=svga_s3 #this can be Tandy or pcjr
captures=capture
memsize=16
..
pcspeaker=false
pcrate=44100
tandy=on
tandyrate=44100
disney=false
..
gus=false
..
sbtype=none
3. Removed protection
No more Codewheel needed..
I removed the Codewheel protection, so now it accepts these six characters: ------
Tandy music and ingame sound effects sound essentially like the SoundBlaster Pro. Except the POR developers didn't include digitized death screams - like on Amiga - in the DOS version of this game for unknown reasons... of which the Tandy is very much capable of
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HZDqdRHvzp0
, like in International Karate or Bruce Lee.. So instead there is a synthesizer-crafted, goofy dying Tandy sound. 😁
Highlights:
1. It plays Tandy music, which is nice and clean at 44100Hz.
2. I'll have to test it more, but its like if it plays a short tune at the beginning of some battles
3. Sound effects are nice and clean, especially the spells. Sleep - sounds amazing! + as it hits many enemies its super fast in combat, which is glorious to watch. And there are no crackles, no lags, the fast sound effects play like a dream!
4. There is a longer death sound, which might or might not annoy people. I find it okay
5. Game speed is lightning fast, compared to the GOG version with its agonizingly slow and laggy, ugly Tandy emulation
6. The character selection menus and item menus in shops flow fluidly like a dream. This is especially important for loot hoarders and also casting spells to heal the party up is faster.
7. What I especially like is the moving around in the cities is super fast and the Tandy emulation gloriously keeps pace! Its like watching a sped-up movie in comparison to the GOG version. This allows a certain "pro-flight dynamics" to take place in dungeons and in cities: I feel I became the old wild animal, quickly running through dungeons, like in the old C-64 times!
8. The "Bump-Into-Wall" sound is also nicer here.
9. Tandy sounds are cleaner, different: sound effects are correctly played even at super-high-speed dungeon runs, no crackles at all. This gives the feeling of total control ingame. Much like flying.. If you play at the third of cycles compared to slow and laggy GOG version, you can have nice, strong and fast combat, and STILL see the battle-log hit text nicely!
I'll make some screenshots, because it appears they changed the treasure chest screen, I'll have to test this, though..
All in all this is a magnificent improvement - compared to playing with the ugly PC Speaker -, exactly what I was looking for!
10. I also like that there is zero save time, when removing characters or saving the game. Shop "sell item"-delay is also barely noticeable here.
11. While I played the GOG version with the speed set to 58000 cycles (this is just for my PC) and of course I could only walk or "run" with an almost satisfying, but still slow speed in the cities with the limited Tandy sound emulation of the GOG version.
In comparison to that, in this amazing old version I had to take down the speed to 16000 cycles, because everything was so fast.
For some dialogues, like the dirty stables, I had to dial down the speed to 4000 to be able to read, the first sentence, because that one doesn't pause... and in comes the next sentence..
But these are minor inconveniences compared to the amazing advantages that this beautiful, refreshing fast version offers!
I removed the Codewheel protection, so now it accepts ------
. . .
If I find any difference in art, I'll try to replace some graphics files with the ones from the GOG version.
. . .
Also item duplication works flawlessly with this one, as it should.. like on the C-64 with the floppy disk-swaps. I couldn't do it with the GOG version for some reason..
- - -
It's quite remarkable that compared to the new games, like Wasteland 3 and Urtuk the desolation, etc.. this simple, old game draws me in really fast and feels like a breeze: breathing a sigh of relief.. probably because of the old memories were imprinted strongly during my childhood.
(Since we all own the GOG version, just throw me a PM, if you want it.)