Black Crypt question

Angus · 30 June 2023, 10:43

I've been playing through the rather wonderful Black Crypt recently (I never completed it back when it was released) and I'm not sure if the save game files have some kind of issue.

Basically, you can use the Wizard View spell to draw the map as you experience it, which is a really nice system. It doesn't reveal the whole level, but it dynamically updates as you progress -which is ideal.

The problem I'm having is that with some levels (the larger ones, I think) when I reload a game, the map just shows me the squares immediately adjacent to my location, and nothing of the rest of it - after I spent the previous session mapping out the whole level (and some of them are massive).

Yes, there are level maps available, but they obviously don't reflect your progress on your current level. I also find it much easier accessing the map in-game rather than trying to read my manual or flipping screens to see the on-line versions.

Has it always been like this or is it something the WHDLoad slave has introduced?

Aardvark · 30 June 2023, 11:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by Angus

Has it always been like this or is it something the WHDLoad slave has introduced?

Why don't you test it? The WHDLoad installation works natively too, just run the 'BlackCrypt' file in the data folder.

Angus · 30 June 2023, 15:14

Good idea. Hopefully my 1260 won't upset it.

I would still welcome any wisdom from Black Crypt Black Belts. :-)

ransom1122 · 30 June 2023, 17:04

You mention "with some levels" can you confirm which levels it happens and which levels it doesn't?

Angus · 30 June 2023, 18:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by ransom1122

You mention "with some levels" can you confirm which levels it happens and which levels it doesn't?

Sorry to be vague, but I wasn't aware of the issue until about 4 or 5 levels in. After that, it became a constant problem.

For all I know, Raven Software signed off on it working like this, but if so it seems daft to me, as it just demands an awful lot of repetitive backtracking on the larger levels where you're trying to find something you may have missed in order to proceed in the game.

ransom1122 · 01 July 2023, 01:41

I beat this game many years ago, only with maps and a walkthrough... too difficult too finish without it...

It's been so long that I don't remember that problem..

Can you provide a save file for me to test?

Rotareneg · 01 July 2023, 05:19

I don't remember this happening on a real Amiga way back when Black Crypt came out (retail box bought in the US, not sure if there was separate NTSC/PAL versions or not) nor a few years ago on WinUAE with the regular HD install (not WHDLoad.)

Angus · 01 July 2023, 11:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by ransom1122

I beat this game many years ago, only with maps and a walkthrough... too difficult too finish without it...

It's been so long that I don't remember that problem..

Can you provide a save file for me to test?

I have put my saves in the Zone. Thanks for your interest.

@Rotareneg - Thanks, I appreciate the info.

Angus · 02 July 2023, 21:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aardvark

Why don't you test it? The WHDLoad installation works natively too, just run the 'BlackCrypt' file in the data folder.

I wasn't able to get it to work. I decrunched the file but that didn't help. My knowledge of these things is pretty limited.

Aardvark · 03 July 2023, 03:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by Angus

I wasn't able to get it to work. I decrunched the file but that didn't help. My knowledge of these things is pretty limited.

No need to decrunch anything, the WHDLoad data files for this game are identical to native install, except the 'BlackCrypt' file is missing an icon. What exactly happens when you run it?

Angus · 08 July 2023, 12:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aardvark

No need to decrunch anything, the WHDLoad data files for this game are identical to native install, except the 'BlackCrypt' file is missing an icon. What exactly happens when you run it?

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I got the installation from a highly respected source, on a dvd, (Xmas 2008) ;-) I think he crunched things in order to make them fit.

I've been trying a non-whdload install that I had archived, and it seems to do the mapping properly without 'forgetting' the levels after you reload.

The issue is complicated slightly by the fact that if you don't have the Wizard Sight spell active, the mapping is not functioning, but I'm sure that is by design.

Angus · 08 July 2023, 23:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aardvark

No need to decrunch anything, the WHDLoad data files for this game are identical to native install, except the 'BlackCrypt' file is missing an icon. What exactly happens when you run it?

I've just uploaded some non-WHDLoad saves to the Mantis bug tracker. They appear to retain the map without any problem. I'm putting the in the Zone too, in case it's of interest.

Doomer · 16 July 2023, 21:45

CHARACTERS(A-E) files is only party stats, inventory and position. OrigDungeons(A-E) is actual state of dungeon, around 171KB per slot and TempDungeons but I don't remember for what. Upload OrigDungeons and TempDungeons too.

Angus · 20 July 2023, 16:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by Doomer

CHARACTERS(A-E) files is only party stats, inventory and position. OrigDungeons(A-E) is actual state of dungeon, around 171KB per slot and TempDungeons but I don't remember for what. Upload OrigDungeons and TempDungeons too.

Thanks Doomer, I've uploaded to the Zone the relevant files you mentioned from both the broken WHD version and also the working TRSI crack.

demoniac · 22 July 2023, 21:21

Angus, are you using the TRSI crack with the Bytec fix (as supposedly the original TRSI release removed puzzles from the game as well)? I have been meaning to start this game at some point.

Angus · 22 July 2023, 22:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by demoniac

Angus, are you using the TRSI crack with the Bytec fix (as supposedly the original TRSI release removed puzzles from the game as well)? I have been meaning to start this game at some point.

I'm afraid I don't know. It looks like I lha archived the installation in 1999 and had it saved somewhere.

The Black Crypt exe is 12.4 KB (12,700 bytes) size according to Windows.
Happy to Zone it if that helps.
I don't think it helps with puzzles but there are some (2 or 3) security checks in the game that you can find the answer to in the manual that it takes care of -at least, as far as I know.....

demoniac · 23 July 2023, 02:03

I guess I will reach out whenever I play this. Might not be for a while.

Angus · 23 July 2023, 08:46

Should be okay. But hopefully the WHDLoad version will be fixed at some point.

Doomer · 23 July 2023, 18:59

I downloaded saves but game crashes when I want see map, strange. So must download WHD version and make my own to check. Btw dungeon exe and protection is in bcdft file.

Angus · 23 July 2023, 19:31

Yes, it sometimes just went to a black screen if Ivtried to access the map on an underwater level.

Ah, I didn't realise about the bcdft file.

30 June 2023, 10:43	#1
Angus Amiga Games Database Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: South West England Posts: 1,256	Black Crypt question I've been playing through the rather wonderful Black Crypt recently (I never completed it back when it was released) and I'm not sure if the save game files have some kind of issue. Basically, you can use the Wizard View spell to draw the map as you experience it, which is a really nice system. It doesn't reveal the whole level, but it dynamically updates as you progress -which is ideal. The problem I'm having is that with some levels (the larger ones, I think) when I reload a game, the map just shows me the squares immediately adjacent to my location, and nothing of the rest of it - after I spent the previous session mapping out the whole level (and some of them are massive). Yes, there are level maps available, but they obviously don't reflect your progress on your current level. I also find it much easier accessing the map in-game rather than trying to read my manual or flipping screens to see the on-line versions. Has it always been like this or is it something the WHDLoad slave has introduced?

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30 June 2023, 15:14	#3
Angus Amiga Games Database Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: South West England Posts: 1,256	Good idea. Hopefully my 1260 won't upset it. I would still welcome any wisdom from Black Crypt Black Belts. :-)

30 June 2023, 17:04	#4
ransom1122 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Omnicorp Age: 45 Posts: 5,822	You mention "with some levels" can you confirm which levels it happens and which levels it doesn't?

01 July 2023, 01:41	#6
ransom1122 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Omnicorp Age: 45 Posts: 5,822	I beat this game many years ago, only with maps and a walkthrough... too difficult too finish without it... It's been so long that I don't remember that problem.. Can you provide a save file for me to test?

01 July 2023, 05:19	#7
Rotareneg Registered User Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: Kansas, USA Posts: 327	I don't remember this happening on a real Amiga way back when Black Crypt came out (retail box bought in the US, not sure if there was separate NTSC/PAL versions or not) nor a few years ago on WinUAE with the regular HD install (not WHDLoad.)

16 July 2023, 21:45	#13
Doomer Registered User Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Enclosed City of Ghule Posts: 61	CHARACTERS(A-E) files is only party stats, inventory and position. OrigDungeons(A-E) is actual state of dungeon, around 171KB per slot and TempDungeons but I don't remember for what. Upload OrigDungeons and TempDungeons too.

22 July 2023, 21:21	#15
demoniac Registered User Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: - Posts: 1,696	Angus, are you using the TRSI crack with the Bytec fix (as supposedly the original TRSI release removed puzzles from the game as well)? I have been meaning to start this game at some point.

23 July 2023, 02:03	#17
demoniac Registered User Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: - Posts: 1,696	I guess I will reach out whenever I play this. Might not be for a while.

23 July 2023, 08:46	#18
Angus Amiga Games Database Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: South West England Posts: 1,256	Should be okay. But hopefully the WHDLoad version will be fixed at some point.

23 July 2023, 18:59	#19
Doomer Registered User Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Enclosed City of Ghule Posts: 61	I downloaded saves but game crashes when I want see map, strange. So must download WHD version and make my own to check. Btw dungeon exe and protection is in bcdft file.

23 July 2023, 19:31	#20
Angus Amiga Games Database Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: South West England Posts: 1,256	Yes, it sometimes just went to a black screen if Ivtried to access the map on an underwater level. Ah, I didn't realise about the bcdft file.

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