DM on SNES better interface?

[Zed5Duke]

I like this interface, its different, team tactic position are inside arrow box, and its probably better because i think you can change them very fast that way.

[Gambit37]

I played it but I don't recall whether the position of the party icons made much difference. It's hard enough to play anyway, because you're using a joypad and DM type games were really designed for use with a mouse.

[zoom]

The arrowbox is nice. I played the SNES version for a short time(up to 2nd level to see the trolins in action)

the way you interact is really lame.(due to joypad) Fights are not especially exiting to say the least.
But nevertheless it is playable and I must say after some time of accustomisation I kind of liked the SNES version.
All in all the screen looks more tidied up, and it is a good idea to put the party in the arrow keys visually -and for the
joypad users-mechanically.
I do not think that beside the visual benefit it will be of much use in a pc version or the like.
Normally you move with the keyboard and not the mouse (clicking on arrow keys on screen too slow)

Probably the hero position icons are too near the arrow keys, so it could possibly lead to some confusion.
The way the SNES version did it, makes positioning clearer and more concise imo than the pc version.
Would it be needed? who knows...

[Jan]

I've never played SNES version, but looking at the screenshot, I don't like this layout - I'd prefer all the arrow keys as close to each other as possible in one box (as in DM), and not divided (i.e. too far) by the icons. Moreover, as I usually play with one character only, I rarely use the icon part - only when I need to move my character to the other side to hit a creature with a fireball.

[beowuuf]

I never use the arrow keys on screen to move, so I prefer the party icons at the top of the screen close ot the spells and weapons and party leader/inventory. To each their own!

I think the only issue with the arrow layout is that if you are stepping backwards by the screen you have further to go. everything else seems about the same positioning...

[linflas]

I played SNES version too and it was quite useable after some time of accustomisation. I guess they had to move the party position icons down because the SNES resolution for default graphic mod is only 256 × 224. The above part with 2 hands icons couldn't fit.
If i could change completely the interface in RTC, i would remove the arrow keys which are not useful for most of us and probably enhance the spell box or attack icons.

[Gambit37]

I still use the onscreen arrows in RTC for movement when I'm not in combat, it's much quicker than using the keyboard as there's no buffer on the mouse. Indeed, playtesting of a very tightly timed puzzle in Maze of Zagor shows it's easy to solve with the on screen arrows, but impossible when you use the keyboard.

[Jan]

Exactly. Some puzzles cannot be done with keyboard.

[beowuuf]

Yeah, I had no idea about this until one of Zed's puzzles showed the speed difference. Still use the keyboard for all movement though unless necessary

[Bit]

That is interesting. I asked myself often why the arrow keys, I use only the keyboard for movement.

[Trantor]

What, the keyboard is slower? Is this unique to RTC? I never noticed this and only use the keyboard for movement.

[Gambit37]

I think the keyboard responsiveness in RTC has been changed several times due to use request. If you go back through the RTC archive, you'll probably find the evidence. All I know is that you can move much more quickly if you use the on screen arrows and that's what I prefer.

Anyway, going off topic...

[MasterWuuf]

Does the SNES version work well for single-member excursions?