It might be.....
Pathos: Nethack Codex is Nethack, but updated with a nice touchscreen interface, more information about what stuff does, and is just generally easier to play than any mobile ports of NH that I've seen. It is streamlined and probably has some of the weirder NH stuff cut out (this is a good thing imo), but it's a very good remake/reimagining of it. It actually seems like most stuff is there, but it's done with fairly refined menuing/touch systems, rather than having to remember a hundred keyboard commands and constantly having to access the software keyboard. Has three full graphics tilesets to help the ASCII illiterate too. Saves between floors take a bit too long, but that's my only beef with it. It's an absolute joy to play compared to any other port of the bloodline.
I've only played a tiny bit of it, but it all seems very well done. Not as unfamiliar as Wazhack (which is also a very good roguelike), but not as "dumbed down" as other roguelites end up feeling. Just click "custom" to let you do class/race combos. Even seems like there's an original or two in there as well (I don't remember Gunslinger or Shaman in NH, and it may have ended up with a bit of Slash'em stuff too, class-wise. There's at least mini side branches, such as Minetown in it, as well as shopkeeper services). And, you can reroll stats before you begin, which is actually nice. Some may consider it cheaty, but honestly, if you get REALLY bad stats you tend to reroll anyway. This just makes it quicker to do. It rerolls your starting gear too, so you can finally try out all those weird wizard builds with awesome ring combos etc that would take an age to do in NH and Slash'em. Yep, Shamans start with an uncursed amulet and a bunch of potions, so reflection and some basic identification is possible from the word go.
There doesn't seem to be pet stealing in stores, but the store interface is SO much easier to use. Just normal RPG style, you talk to the shopkeeper, and they say what they have to buy/services offered. No more stores littered with junk that you have to go through and try and steal slowly and laboriously. Honestly, I think it's an improvement. I used to spend half my time looking at wikis and pet stealing in NH. Now it's just buy/sell/services or attack shopkeeper. There seems to be a bit more gold around to compensate. Nothing is identified, but some shopkeepers identify as a service anyway. Shrines are also streamlined into a shop-style interface, with karma instead of gold being used. It makes things quick and easily understandable. Hell, you even know exactly how much nutrition you currently have, as well as your speed and attack rating (think THACO). It's nice to not have to deal with some of the obfuscation and mechanics of NH, while still having the "proper" roguelike experience. It's quicker and easier to play anyway, but don't expect a purist experience out of Pathos. It's close, but the streamlined bits are actually well thought out.
There's even a pre-scripted overland campaign available if procedurely generated RL dungeon diving goodness is starting to bore you (just click on :nethack codex: and it brings up a menu. I haven't tried it yet, but it's a good idea). There's multiple character saves allowed too, one for each main canned class and one for custom, which saves you messing around with a file system (it's not for savescumming, there's a resurrect button if you want to do that anyway).
So if you've wanted to play Nethack on your mobile device, but don't like the official ports with all their clunkiness, give Pathos a try. It's really good.
Some may see it as easy, munchkin NH, but it probably is. It is also far more enjoyable to play than "real" NH, so there is that to it.
((Boy is the Gunslinger OP in the early game. Two +1 pistols, dual wielded, and 115'ish +2 bullets to start with. Or you can pick up and use the first weapon you find and just wield one of them for kiting. It makes the early game fly by. I haven't even tried the shotgun you get in the starting package yet. Yay! Nethack: the DoomRL-like
There's challenge classes too, like the Convict. You start with nothing, except a ball and chain attached to your leg. This can be a useful item, but not at level 1.
Overall, it seems a bit easier than NH, but again, that's not necessarily a bad thing. I'm not really far enough into it to tell yet though))
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Topic: Pocket games thread (Read 118034 times)