Myth TFL not Running

[niceshoez]

Hi all,

I was excited to see a childhood game get resurrected and now trying to play it. I believe i have installed everything to specifications but when I try running the first TFL missions, I get the cutscenes to play but then the game goes back to the main menu. Myth 2 Soulblighter missions work fine but TFL doesn't want to execute. I read other forum posts here and the suggestions were to rename the 'local' folder in the Myth 2 installation directory. I have tried that but a new empty local directory gets made after running the game. Please advise. Thank you!

Here is a log of the runtime activity:

2026-06-01 22:31:39
Myth II Build 471b running under Modern Windows 10.000000 ----------------------------------------------
Loading poweruser.txt... not found.
DEBUG: Updating monolithic tag cache:
Initial count: 25
Number removed: 0
Number added: 0
New count: 25
DEBUG: Adding 18 monolithic tags:
small install
medium install
large install
international small install
international large install
Patch 1.2
Patch 1.3
Patch 1.4
Patch 1.5
bagrada metaserver
Patch 1.8 Interface
TFL Interface
Patch Templates
TFL Netgame Sounds Addon
Magma - HD Megapack 1of2
Magma - HD Megapack 2of2
Magma - HD High Contrast
Demo Detail Textures
Scanning for software devices...
Found 1 to use
Scanning for Direct3D devices...
Found 1 to use
Scanning for DirectX 11 devices...
Found adapter: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 Ti
Found 1 to use
Scanning for 3Dfx devices...
Found 0 to use
Scanning for OpenGL devices...
Found 1 to use
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 Ti/PCIe/SSE2 | NVIDIA Corporation | OpenGL 4.6
Initializing sound with DirectSound...
Initialized for DirectSound3D using COM
DirectSound initialized successfully.
Warning: Unable to find cutscene 'prologue.smk'.
Running OpenGL 4.6 at 1920 x 1080 (VSync ON)
Starting mesh "Crow's Bridge" with 2 plugins...
Magma - The Fallen Levels v2
Patch 1.8.5 Unity
Using 1.8.5 gameplay...
OpenGL: Initialized with TexCacheSize=512, ErasePreviousFrame=0, MaxAnisotropy=8, MSAASamples=1, UseDepthTest=1, UseMipMaps=1, UseNPO2Textures=1, UseShaders=1, UseLightmapBlendingShader=0, UpdateCMapChunked=1, UseCMapTiles=1, UseAppleClientStorage=0
Error: File system Open in Z:\Myth2\code\Myth2Code\definitions.c, line #416: couldn't read header for collection definition 'ebbf'.
Error: File system Open in Z:\Myth2\code\Myth2Code\definitions.c, line #581: projectile definition postprocess failed on 'internal hold sparkle'.
Error: File system Open in Z:\Myth2\code\Myth2Code\definitions.c, line #581: projectile group definition postprocess failed on 'internal hold effect'.
Error: File system Open in Z:\Myth2\code\Myth2Code\definitions.c, line #416: couldn't read header for scenery definition 'bat4'.
Error: File system Open in Z:\Myth2\code\Myth2Code\definitions.c, line #416: couldn't read header for scenery definition 'bat2'.
Error: File system Open in Z:\Myth2\code\Myth2Code\definitions.c, line #416: couldn't read header for scenery definition 'bat3'.
Error: File system Open in Z:\Myth2\code\Myth2Code\definitions.c, line #416: couldn't read header for scenery definition 'bagb'.
Error: File system Open in Z:\Myth2\code\Myth2Code\definitions.c, line #416: couldn't read header for object definition 'bash'.
Error: File system Open in Z:\Myth2\code\Myth2Code\definitions.c, line #581: projectile definition postprocess failed on 'barrel board'.
Error: File system Open in Z:\Myth2\code\Myth2Code\definitions.c, line #581: projectile group definition postprocess failed on 'apple barrel explosion'.
Error: File system Open in Z:\Myth2\code\Myth2Code\definitions.c, line #581: scenery definition postprocess failed on 'apple barrel'.
Error: File system Open in Z:\Myth2\code\Myth2Code\definitions.c, line #581: projectile group definition postprocess failed on 'potato barrel explosion'.
Error: File system Open in Z:\Myth2\code\Myth2Code\definitions.c, line #581: scenery definition postprocess failed on 'potato barrel'.
Error: File system Open in Z:\Myth2\code\Myth2Code\definitions.c, line #581: projectile group definition postprocess failed on 'pickle barrel explosion'.
Error: File system Open in Z:\Myth2\code\Myth2Code\definitions.c, line #581: scenery definition postprocess failed on 'pickle barrel'.
Error: File system Open in Z:\Myth2\code\Myth2Code\definitions.c, line #416: couldn't read header for sound definition 'ther'.
Error: File system Open in Z:\Myth2\code\Myth2Code\shapes.c, line #1827: failed to load sequence sound TFL thrall:eruption:'ther'
Error: File system Open in Z:\Myth2\code\Myth2Code\definitions.c, line #416: couldn't read header for sound definition 'ther'.
Error: File system Open in Z:\Myth2\code\Myth2Code\definitions.c, line #581: projectile group definition postprocess failed on 'thrall myth i entrance'.
Error: File system Open in Z:\Myth2\code\Myth2Code\definitions.c, line #581: monster definition postprocess failed on 'thrall tfl'.
Error: File system Open in Z:\Myth2\code\Myth2Code\definitions.c, line #581: unit definition postprocess failed on 'thrall fodder'.
Error: File system Open in Z:\Myth2\code\Myth2Code\definitions.c, line #416: couldn't read header for object definition 'bash'.
Error: File system Open in Z:\Myth2\code\Myth2Code\definitions.c, line #581: projectile definition postprocess failed on 'ch00 fir'bolg bow'.
Error: File system Open in Z:\Myth2\code\Myth2Code\definitions.c, line #581: projectile group definition postprocess failed on 'ch00 fir'bolg peices'.
Error: File system Open in Z:\Myth2\code\Myth2Code\definitions.c, line #581: monster definition postprocess failed on 'fir'bolg (flameless)'.
Error: File system Open in Z:\Myth2\code\Myth2Code\definitions.c, line #581: unit definition postprocess failed on 'fir'bolg (palace guards, left)'.
Error: File system Open in Z:\Myth2\code\Myth2Code\definitions.c, line #416: couldn't read header for sound definition 'dwpa'.
Error: File system Open in Z:\Myth2\code\Myth2Code\definitions.c, line #581: projectile definition postprocess failed on 'dwarf chute'.
Error: File system Open in Z:\Myth2\code\Myth2Code\definitions.c, line #581: projectile group definition postprocess failed on 'dwarven chute'.
Error: File system Open in Z:\Myth2\code\Myth2Code\definitions.c, line #581: projectile definition postprocess failed on 'dwarf paratrooper'.
Error: File system Open in Z:\Myth2\code\Myth2Code\definitions.c, line #581: projectile group definition postprocess failed on 'dwarven paratrooper'.
Error: File system Open in Z:\Myth2\code\Myth2Code\definitions.c, line #581: monster definition postprocess failed on 'dwarf tfl'.
Error: File system Open in Z:\Myth2\code\Myth2Code\definitions.c, line #581: unit definition postprocess failed on 'dwarven suicide brigade'.
Error: File system Open in Z:\Myth2\code\Myth2Code\definitions.c, line #416: couldn't read header for object definition 'bash'.
Error: File system Open in Z:\Myth2\code\Myth2Code\definitions.c, line #581: projectile definition postprocess failed on 'ghol sack'.
Error: File system Open in Z:\Myth2\code\Myth2Code\definitions.c, line #581: projectile group definition postprocess failed on 'ghol pieces'.
Error: File system Open in Z:\Myth2\code\Myth2Code\definitions.c, line #581: monster definition postprocess failed on 'ghol tfl'.
Error: File system Open in Z:\Myth2\code\Myth2Code\definitions.c, line #581: unit definition postprocess failed on 'ghol eyebiter tribe'.
Error: File system Open in Z:\Myth2\code\Myth2Code\definitions.c, line #416: couldn't read header for ambient sound definition 'amka'.
Error: File system Open in Z:\Myth2\code\Myth2Code\definitions.c, line #416: couldn't read header for ambient sound definition 'racr'.
Error: File system Open in Z:\Myth2\code\Myth2Code\definitions.c, line #416: couldn't read header for ambient sound definition 'amsm'.
Error: File system Open in Z:\Myth2\code\Myth2Code\definitions.c, line #416: couldn't read header for local proj group definition 'chsm'.
Warning: Unable to find cutscene 'prologue.smk'.
Closing Myth.

[Gholsbane]

Which version of TFL did you download? I would recommend this one and NOT the "local folder" version unless you know what you're doing.

https://tain.totalcodex.net/items/show/ ... llen-lords

[Gholsbane]

Ah I see you've got "Magma - The Fallen Levels v2". Yeah try the one I linked instead. The game will create an empty local folder if it's missing, that's fine and normal.

[niceshoez]

Ah I see you've got "Magma - The Fallen Levels v2". Yeah try the one I linked instead. The game will create an empty local folder if it's missing, that's fine and normal.

Thanks for the reply, I'll give your suggestion a whirl!

[niceshoez]

Which version of TFL did you download? I would recommend this one and NOT the "local folder" version unless you know what you're doing.

https://tain.totalcodex.net/items/show/ ... llen-lords

Do I need to manually remove anything from the plugin folder once I try the suggested version?

[Gholsbane]

You shouldn't have to remove anything from the plugins folder. You choose which plugins to load in game.

[Melekor]

"Magma - The Fallen Levels v2" is completely compatible with 1.8.5 so it should work.

The advice you saw is correct, the most likely cause of this is that your local folder has incompatible files in it. Yes the game creates a new empty one, that's fine, the point is you want it to be empty.
If that doesn't solve the problem then we are on to much less likely causes, such as corrupted files.

If emptying your local doesn't work, you can try a file integrity check:
https://tain.totalcodex.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=6618

[niceshoez]

Thanks for all the support, I'll let you know what happens once I give it another go.

[niceshoez]

After trying all the suggestions, I am sadly getting the same behavior. None of the TFL missions run and the program execution goes back to the main menu.

Interestingly though, I went to try the regular Soulblighter mission and they no longer work either. They were running fine before and somehow not working now. The local directory is empty on all run attempts. I may have to start over and delete everything to try again from a clean install. Any ideas?

[Gholsbane]

Yes I recommend a clean install. Your tags folder may have become corrupted somehow.

[niceshoez]

Ok, I started over,

I installed Soulblighter and it works great.

Next, I went to the post 'Myth TFL: Read This First' and saw the link inside it pointing to solo TFL zip. I grabbed it and installed 'Magma - The Fallen Levels v2' file into the plugins folder but gameplay behaves in the same way - goes back to the main menu after the map cutscene plays. The only preferences I have set was to have the game play fullscreen at resolution 1920 x 1080 (which it was defaulted). I am reading the contents of the log and there is a plugin with a 'Myth II Interface (800x600)' reference to, I presume, a screen resolution. Could that be interfering with my 1920x1080 preference settings?

Contents of my 'tags folder'
07/21/2015 05:07 AM 8,938,408 international large install
11/19/2018 09:42 PM 31,505,697 international small install
07/21/2015 05:07 AM 69,249,420 large install
07/21/2015 05:07 AM 329,544 medium install
06/07/2026 01:58 PM 13,640 plugin cache
07/21/2015 05:07 AM 6,211,910 small install

My log:
2026-06-07 14:09:31
Myth II Build 454 running under Modern Windows 10.000000 ----------------------------------------------
Loading poweruser.txt... not found.
DEBUG: Updating monolithic tag cache:
Initial count: 17
Number removed: 0
Number added: 0
New count: 17
DEBUG: Adding 15 monolithic tags:
small install
medium install
large install
international small install
international large install
Patch 1.2
Patch 1.3
Patch 1.4
Patch 1.5
GateofStormsNet
Patch 1.8 Interface
Myth II Interface (800x600)
Patch Templates
Magma - Detail Texture Megapack
Demo Detail Textures
Scanning for software devices...
Found 1 to use
Scanning for Direct3D devices...
Found 1 to use
Scanning for DirectX 11 devices...
Found adapter: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 Ti
Found 1 to use
Scanning for 3Dfx devices...
Found 0 to use
Scanning for OpenGL devices...
Found 1 to use
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 Ti/PCIe/SSE2 | NVIDIA Corporation | OpenGL 4.6
Initializing sound with DirectSound...
Initialized for DirectSound3D using COM
DirectSound initialized successfully.
Warning: Unable to find cutscene 'prologue'.
Closing Myth.

[Melekor]

Contents of my 'tags folder'
07/21/2015 05:07 AM 8,938,408 international large install
11/19/2018 09:42 PM 31,505,697 international small install
07/21/2015 05:07 AM 69,249,420 large install
07/21/2015 05:07 AM 329,544 medium install
06/07/2026 01:58 PM 13,640 plugin cache
07/21/2015 05:07 AM 6,211,910 small install

These filesizes match the tags from the demo version of the game. This explains the problem. You need the full version to play the TFL plugin (and most other plugins).

[niceshoez]

These filesizes match the tags from the demo version of the game. This explains the problem. You need the full version to play the TFL plugin (and most other plugins).

Ah! ok, what a shame, I don't have TFL on CD anymore and I used the demo to get the Soulblighter working.

The readme in the fallen levels made it sound like you didn't need anything but the plugin-

"This plugin is available in three ways - firstly as a 140mb download of the full file. If this is what you've got, installation is simply a matter of copying the file "Magma - The Fallen Levels v2" into your plugins folder. "

Is the demo for TFL available somewhere?

Thanks!

[niceshoez]

These filesizes match the tags from the demo version of the game. This explains the problem. You need the full version to play the TFL plugin (and most other plugins).

I found a pristine copy of MYTH TFL from Bungie on ebay, I bought it and it arrived today. I copied the 'tags' directory from the cd into the Myth II 'tags' directory. I gave the installation a try and unfortunately same behavior. Once intro cutscene from Crow's Bridge plays, the execution goes back to the main menu. Any ideas?

My MYTH II tags directory:
10/24/1997 08:00 PM artsound.gor
10/28/1997 05:53 PM cutscene.gor
07/21/2015 05:07 AM international large install
11/19/2018 09:42 PM international small install
07/21/2015 05:07 AM large install
06/11/2026 07:28 PM <DIR> Local
07/21/2015 05:07 AM medium install
06/11/2026 08:08 PM plugin cache
10/24/1997 09:00 PM scrap.gor
07/21/2015 05:07 AM small install
10/28/1997 10:19 AM tags.gor

I did see that in the MYTH TFL cd, the tags directory also had a 'local' directory which I copied into the MYTH II directory. Was i supposed to do that?

Thanks for any ideas!

[Melekor]

I found a pristine copy of MYTH TFL from Bungie on ebay, I bought it and it arrived today. I copied the 'tags' directory from the cd into the Myth II 'tags' directory. I gave the installation a try and unfortunately same behavior. Once intro cutscene from Crow's Bridge plays, the execution goes back to the main menu. Any ideas?

You need the full version of Myth II, not the full version of TFL.

I did see that in the MYTH TFL cd, the tags directory also had a 'local' directory which I copied into the MYTH II directory. Was i supposed to do that?

No. Myth II cannot read any files from TFL. They are totally incompatible.