Adventure Gamers - Forums

Okay! Meaning: “oh, it’s been so long since I played the game that I just assumed from what everyone was saying that there was only that one control scheme” And maybe it never even occured to me that it could be changed…

Lambonius - 12 October 2014 12:55 PM

Sounds like a controller is basically going to be a requirement if you want to play it on PC, given the new controls.  Screen-relative vs. character-relative doesn’t mean shit if you’re still using a keyboard for all control inputs.

I always played on keyboard. Never had any problems. In fact, I could potentially even see it a little bit easier sometimes when you’ve got several finger on the movement buttons (WASD). Mind you, this was before the time of controllers with the mini-joysticks (you know, what they have nowadays for movement, I can’t remember what they’re called).

My big problem was not so much controlling the character, but not knowing if I had successfully interacted with an object. In a point and click adventure I know what I clicked on, but in Grim, If I was rotated 10 degrees the wrong way he might just go “I can’t do that,” when in fact I can and he’s just not lined up.

Frogacuda - 13 October 2014 09:05 AM

My big problem was not so much controlling the character, but not knowing if I had successfully interacted with an object. In a point and click adventure I know what I clicked on, but in Grim, If I was rotated 10 degrees the wrong way he might just go “I can’t do that,” when in fact I can and he’s just not lined up.

“My big problem”, are you okay? That’s just picky as hell. I can promise you I never had that problem. That’s such a minor problem if it ever was one. Grim Fandango came out about the same time as the original Tomb Raider games and controlling Manny is no where near as frustrating as it is to control Lara.

To this day, I still believe controlling Manny is pretty smooth and responsive.

My big problem was not so much controlling the character, but not knowing if I had successfully interacted with an object. In a point and click adventure I know what I clicked on, but in Grim, If I was rotated 10 degrees the wrong way he might just go “I can’t do that,” when in fact I can and he’s just not lined up. I know he kind of turns his head to focus on objects, but there was a need for clearer feedback.

Yeah, there’s a reason they added the text prompt in EFMI. That head turning thing was a poor idea. I was stuck for a long time because I hadn’t noticed the slight tilt of the head near a spot in the reception desk.

herb - 12 October 2014 02:10 PM

You won’t need a controller, WASD will work fine.

That’s not what I meant.  I’m sure you’ll still be able to play it with keyboard controls.    I meant that there’s nothing they could do with keyboard controls that would change the inherent clunkiness of moving the character using 4 keyboard buttons.  Using a controller is the only way it would feel “like a modern 3D game” as the article put it.

Sidenote: I never personally had a problem with the original controls, I’m just speculating about the lack of specific wording in the stupid IGN write-up.

EDIT:  Just read the Polygon article—they’re a bit clearer.  They say that analog controls will be the default—so basically both the PS4 and PC versions are being redesigned with a controller in mind.  The traditional tank controls will be the other option for PC, according to the article.  They say nothing of a point-and-click option, which seems to be what people around here are assuming they’ve done.

From Polygon:

Grim Fandango Remastered also adds a new modern analog control scheme. The new controls are based on a player-made mod — Double Fine contracted the modder who originally developed the alternate controls to bring his work to the Remastered version — and make controlling Manny much easier. Purists who prefer the game’s tank-style controls will have the option to play that way, but analog will be the default.

The new IGN and Polygon articles only previewed the PS4 version of the game, which of course would be controller focused.

Previous previews suggested that the PC (and tablet?) versions would have a point-n-click option.
http://www.gamesradar.com/tim-schafer-wants-grim-fandango-remastered-be-ultimate-criterion-edition/
http://www.pcgamer.com/grim-fandango-remaster-will-feature-live-orchestral-soundtrack-original-art-assets/

I think the community modder that Polygon referred to in the recent article was Tobias Pfaff, who was featured in the second “Making of” documentary that Double Fine released. Tobias made the Grim Fandango point-n-click mod.

So I doubt Grim’s old control woes will remain a problem, especially if you’re planning to play the remastered version on PC. 

Here’s hoping!  I’d enjoy playing it in P&C, definitely.  The Polygon article does say they looked at the PS4 version, but then goes on to talk as though they’re talking about the PC version when referencing the analog controls and the fan modifications.  Stupid shitty game journalism.

TimovieMan - 13 October 2014 03:23 PM

So the analogue stick is going to be the big overhaul? Meh, I’ll take WASD over a controller any day. And with a controller I’ll even take the D-pad over the analogue stick (which I’ve always considered clumsily over-sensitive).

I don’t agree at all. Analogue sticks are better for 3d platforming movement. WASD is doable but analogue sticks are much more precise and faster.
2d platforms are better with a D-pad and for shotting (and point and click games of course) a mouse is more precise, but direct control of 3D character is better with an analogue stick.
Grim Fandango will be playable anyway (the controls never bothered me much) but I hope for a good implementation of the analogue sticks, it will be better.