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Latest News

Here you will find the latest news in the world of Raymond E. Feist. It maybe the title of the next book, a new release or even a new project, but it could also be an update on an existing project. What ever it is though, we hope to present it to you as soon as we are aware of it. If you know something we don't, that relates to Raymond E. Feist, and believe it should be here, then please contact us.

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Fri Jan 15th, 1999

GamePower Loves Return to Krondor

GamePower has posted an entirely positive review of RtK:

In fact, the entire CD-ROM exudes quality. From the Feist-crafted story through the cinematic graphics to the engaging combat, Return To Krondor is a four-lightning-bolt return to the world of Midkemia. In a time of role-playing revival, Krondor may just be remembered as one of the best.

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Fri Jan 15th, 1999

Next Generation Online Review

Next Generation Online has posted a very positive review of Return to Krondor, noting it is marred only by its brevity:

The Bottom Line: What is, in essence, a great game is marred by a far too short (if involved and exciting) story line. If it had been longer and allowed for more exploration, this RPG could have been an instant classic.

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Wed Jan 13th, 1999

More Foreign Feist

Ray posted this message detailing some recent dealings with non-english publishers:

We don't have either Spanish or Hebrew currently in print. We had a small run of Faerie Tale in Spanish, but that publisher let it go out of print. We are currently talking to a publisher in Spain, but no announcement yet. As for Hebrew, no discussions with anyone in Isreal or with a Hebrew language publisher here in the states.

As far as new foreign language editions, we just signed up a Greek publisher and a Korean publisher. Both are starting with _Magician_ in two volumes.

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Wed Jan 13th, 1999

And Now for Something Completely Different...

As I've conquered RtK, my rare PC gaming time will soon turn to SimCity 3000, which Maxis just announced will be in stores by February 2. Mac and BeOS versions will follow. For more SC3k news, check out the SimCity 3000 Gateway.

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Wed Jan 13th, 1999

Healing Spells in RtK

Concerned reader jdrob informed me that there is a healing spell in RtK, but it can only be used by Solon. It is Call the Healing Wind. FYI, I played through the entire game without Solon casting a single spell (Kendaric and Jazhara handle the spell side of combat very well).

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Wed Jan 13th, 1999

Feist in French

I can't speak French, so I can't verify any of this, but Rip Williamson posted this link, which leads to a site run by Ray's French publishing company. The site offers Acrobat versions of the first two chapters of Magician.

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Tue Jan 12th, 1999

More Info on the Conclave of Shadows

In his typical piecemeal fashion, Ray posted these tidbits about the next series. The first details the setting of the story, the Eastern Kingdoms:

My reasons are my own. The simple answer is I'm bored with blowing up Krondor and rebuilding it, so I'm going to go blow up someplace else.

And on the topic of Jimmy and Dash's future:

Finished with telling their stories up-close-and-personal, but they may wander in and out of the next series a little bit.

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Tue Jan 12th, 1999

Return to Krondor Soundtrack

Chuck Mitchell from Voice of the Arts , sent me a note saying that the RtK original soundtrack CD is now available for order. Also, he included this blurb from Ray:

'I was blown away when I first heard the music for Return To Krondor. Chuck Mitchell and Voice of the Arts has taken game music to a new plateau. It's a soundtrack in the tradition of the great adventure film scores from Captain Blood to Star Wars.' -Raymond E. Feist

The CD costs $14.95 plus shipping and handling. See the website for complete ordering details, and some samples. Here's what VOTA says about their disc:

In his musical score for RTK, composer Chuck Mitchell researched the medieval time period and allowed several world cultures to influence his modern and cinamatic approach to interactive composition. The score includes several Latin choral passages, complex poly-rhythms, and a tapestry of textures that combine authentic emotion with fantasy conflict.

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Tue Jan 12th, 1999

Intrepid 'Zine

A few kids from my school publish a nice little science-fiction/fantasy 'zine called Intrepid. Issue #2 was just released. Check out their website for more info.

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Tue Jan 12th, 1999

Return to KrondorDemo

Desslock's RPG News is reporting that the Feburary 1999 issue of Computer Games Strategy Plus will include an exclusive demo of RtK, which should contain chapter zero, fully playable.

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Tue Jan 12th, 1999

Games Domain Review

Games Domain has posted what I feel is a poorly written and unfair review of Return to Krondor. In the name of fairness, however, here's their thoughts:

The title of the load screen gives a subtitle for Return to Krondor, Book 1: The Harbinger of Shadow
, so unless I am really slow, it appears that this is only the first of a series Sierra is about to offer. Sadly, that means they will take $50 for this short paperback and then another $50 when Book 2 comes out. Actually, it would be much better to wait and get the whole story some years down the line when they come out with the Return to Krondor
Book set or go out and buy 7 of Raymond E. Feist's paperbacks for the same price.. All in all, I was disappointed, as were a few gaming fellows that I spoke with. The novelty lasts until about the 3rd chapter, and then it fades.

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Mon Jan 11th, 1999

Thoughts on Return to Krondor

I lack the time to construct a full-fledged review of RtK, but having finished the game, I want to share some of my opinions on it.

Plot
RtK has a strong plot, and Ray's touches can be seen throughout. There are moral decisions to make, and although the plot is strictly linear, it has enough variety and subplots to keep the narrative interesting. The pacing is great, and the chapter format clearly divides the action from character to character and setting to setting.

Presentation
The graphics and sound in RtK are amazing, some of the best I have seen in an RPG. The True3D engine delivers great character animations, and the pre-rendered backgrounds are all beautiful. The big problem here is with camera angles, which can be very confusing in small areas like the Krondorian streets and its sewers. The musical score is at times haunting, at others envigorating, and always of the highest quality. The voice acting is also very professional, and the lip-synching within the game adds a nice touch. The interface is very usable, and only becomes ponderous when pouring through character inventories. My only complaint in this area is the entirely stupid interface for selecting 'books' of saved games... The bookshelf graphic, complete with hunt-for-the-hotspot options, is a waste of time.

Combat
One of RtK's true strong suits is combat. The flawless transformation from normal exploration to combat is unique, and the graphics engine handles all the animation and spell effects beautifully. There is great strategic variety while in combat, which is helpful. I beat the game without ever using a bow, but relying on fire oil, James' combat prowess, and my magician's spellcasing abilities.

Miscellaneous
The extras in RtK, such as the lockpick and alchemy system, are also interesting. Lockpicking and disarming traps, while not used often after the first few chapters, is a fun challenge, and a twitch reflex test is nice after all that walking... As for the alchemy system, I must confess: I never even used it. I sold all alchemy supplies as soon as a got them, and was never really in need of extra potions until the last two chapters, when I ran uncomfortably low on healing supplies (in interesting sidenote: there is no magic spell for healing, an obvious oversight on the part of PyroTechnix. Leaving healing to the alchemist doesn't make sense when your mage should be able to cast a healing spell). However, the system is there if the player wants to pursue that course. The game was well made, and did not crash on my system a single time, although I was stuck in endless combat once or twice, when my lone character (Solon) was paralyzed by Goblins who could not actually hurt him. Also, it seemed too easy to make money, as about halfway through I had the best armor and weapons for my characters, and 60,000 gold left over! (However, should agents of the king ever have to worry about not being able to afford goods? Of course not.)

Conclusion
Return to Krondor will please all fans of Ray's books, as it offers a great immersion into the world of Midkemia. RtK suspends time and invites you into a colorful, beautiful world of intrigue and danger, and rewards the player with a fantastic plot. It is shorter than normal RPG's, and not a hardcore stat-management game, but it tells a wonderful story and should not be missed.

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Mon Jan 11th, 1999

GamePen Review

GamePen has posted its review of RtK, giving it three of five stars:

What's to like:
Good story, good combat engine, some interesting puzzles. Almost all character interactions are via spoken dialog rather than text. A chance to live in Mr. Feist's world.

What's not to like:
Unusual interface and poor manual make a surprisingly steep learning curve. Role-playing at a minimum. Very linear plot line with little freedom for the player to diverge or make meaningful choices. Game seems rather short.

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Mon Jan 11th, 1999

How to Write

Ray posted this intersting tidbit today, certainly tweaking the interests of all you wannabe writers:

It may be included in a book on writing I may get around to doing some day.

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Mon Jan 11th, 1999

Game Worlds Network Review

Game Worlds Network has posted a positive review of Return to Krondor :

And story is what it is all about. In truth this was a very, very short game. I managed to finish all three difficulty setting in little more than a weekend. But to fans of the books, the story will make it all worthwhile. A total of nine chapters defines our story, and a few of those are little more than a series of cuts scenes interspersed with a combat sequence. But those scenes just enhanced the overall feel of playing a story. And that is exactly how I felt - as though I was personally guiding these characters through one of Mr. Feist's novels.

It was a truly fascinating experience.

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