If the trouble is with figuring out how to play the game (which admittedly could probably use some explanation), here's a quick how-to-play guide:
- Use the mouse to click the buttons on the right hand side of the screen. The movement keys are hopefully self-explanatory, the hour-glass icon is wait. Your inventory is above that - click on an item once to select it and three buttons that let you EQUIP/USE, THROW or DROP the item should appear.
- There are also keyboard shortcuts for movement - on the numpad 8, 4, 2, 6 move while 7 and 9 rotate. WASD will also move you around and the arrow keys will move you forward and back and turn. If I were not a moron I would have also made Q and E turn but I am and I didn't.
- You can only equip one item at a time and that item determines both your attack and defense in melee. The stats are displayed below the inventory when a weapon is selected - A is the attack value (damage done when attacking) D is the defense value (damage absorbed when being attacked) and T is thrown damage. (For non-weapon items, throwing damage is usually 1D3).
- Bump into enemies to attack, bump doors to open them, bump altars and fountains to use them etc.
- You can only attack enemies in front of you. Likewise you can only defend from attacks from the front (i.e. if you're hit on the back and sides you take full damage).
- Potion colours are randomised. To identify potions you'll need to either drink one or throw it at an enemy (which will apply its affects to them instead).
- The food clock works a bit differently to most roguelikes, in that you only regenerate health when you are 'full'. Don't eat too much though or you'll start puking!
- The 3D view can take a bit of getting used to if you haven't played many Dungeon-Master-esque games before. Take things slow at first and pay attention to your compass and map.
Hope that helps. If there's anything else that seems obtuse let me know. When I've sufficiently recovered from last week I might try and put together a 'game manual' of some kind.
