Fate (computer game)
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| Fate | |
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| Developer(s) | WildTangent |
| Publisher(s) | WildTangent |
| Latest version | 1.21 |
| Release date(s) |  May 18, 2005 |
| Genre(s) | Action role-playing game |
| Mode(s) | Single player |
| Rating(s) | ESRB: Everyone 10+ |
| Platform(s) | Windows |
| Media | Download or CD |
| Input | Computer keyboard, Mouse |
Fate (or FATE) is a 2005 single player action role-playing game for the PC produced by WildTangent. It was runner-up for "Role Playing Game of 2005" in PC Gamer magazine.
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[edit] Description
The game takes place in the town of Grove, where the "Dungeon Gate" leads would-be adventurers to multiple levels of fame, fortune, and death. The player assumes the role of one of these adventurers, and is assigned a randomized quest at the beginning of the game that will take them deep into the dungeon.
Fate contains many elements of Roguelike games. In particular, it has been compared to Diablo and Diablo II, and bears many similarities to the earlier games. The game is viewed from an isometric perspective. The dungeon and treasures found within are randomized, as are the monsters. Certain items contain sockets, into which the player can put special gems in order to customize the item. Fate is rated E10+ for mild fantasy violence.
The player is accompanied by a pet, an apparent Nethack reference, which can initially be chosen as a dog or cat. This pet fights on behalf of the player, and can also carry items. It can be sent back to town in order to sell unwanted findings. The player can transform the pet into various forms by feeding it fish (which can be caught in various bodies of water or purchased from vendors).
Unlike the Diablo games, Fate is rendered fully in 3D, allowing the player to zoom in and out of the action as necessary. Another difference is that Fate offers no multiplayer elements.
If the player completes the main quest they received at the beginning of the game, they are given the option to retire the current character, and start play over again with a descendant of the first character. The descendant gets various perks and bonuses, including one item that is handed down from its ancestor. If a player chooses not to retire, they can advance their characters and go as deep into the dungeon as they like.
Along the way, there are many randomized side-quests that the player can obtain from the various townspeople of Grove. These side-quests earn the player gold, experience, and fame. Experience and fame can be used to advance in various attributes and skills. There are no set character classes. Instead, the player chooses which skills to focus on and develops a custom character and a cat or dog of their very own.
[edit] Customizations
Like many other games in its class, Fate has an active modding community. The developers have released tools to aid in the creation of mods and over 100 mods exist in a community database. Mods for Fate range from simple potions and weapons to new spells and town make-overs. The community has created tutorials for creating new weapons, armor, spells, monsters, and other such items. One pitfall of these activities is the stability of the game; for this reason, it is recommended that the original game files be backed up prior to the installation of any third-party changes.
[edit] Criticisms
Like many titles from WildTangent, Fate automatically installs the WildTangent Web Driver in order to allow unlocking of the demo version and for applying updates. However, there is considerable debate among the community as to whether or not this program and its associated modules are actually spyware.[1] WildTangent maintains that the anonymous usage information they collect does not amount to spyware.[2]
[edit] References
- ^ Machrone, Bill (2004-06-22). Spyware or Slyware?. PC Magazine. Retrieved on February 22, 2007.
- ^ Is WildTangent Spyware?. WildTangent Game Help. Retrieved on February 22, 2007.
