The Computer RPG thread
Nov 29, 2018 14:00:28 GMT -5
Post by bonesnapdeez on Nov 29, 2018 14:00:28 GMT -5
Okay, some thoughts on some of the oldies.
Ultima - Honestly, the whole series is worth playing (with the exception of Escape from Mt. Drash which isn't canon anyway). The mainline titles are mostly enjoyable, as are the Runes of Virtue, Worlds and Underworld spin-offs. I recommend starting at Akalabeth and proceeding forward. Moreover, you really wanna play the 1998 Windows enhanced port of Akalabeth. This has some redrawn sprites, but, more importantly, also has a true save/load feature (the original game experience is like a four-hour slog with permadeath -- yikes). Note that the 1998 Akalabeth isn't what downloads from GOG.com automatically when you get the game free, but it is included as a bonus. Also, I really like the NES port of the fourth game. It's a great East meets West experience, a JRPG-ification of a Western game. I'd say play that in addition to the original.
Dunjonquest - Unheralded top-down dungeon-crawlers. Tough to play these nowadays, even via emulation, as they were released for the more obscure computer systems. I recommend going right for one of the later installments, Gateway to Apshai, which is similar to the previous games but more accessible. It was released in cartridge format for three different systems. It's one of the "purest" dungeon crawlers ever, in that literally all you do it kill monsters and collect loot. The dungeon setting itself is even oddly inconsequential, just plain blackness and the player has the ability to simply push a button to skip to the next floor.
Wizardry - The first-person WRPG series. Time-consuming and tough as balls. This is where I actually switch to consoles for a more streamlined experience. NES/Famicom for the first three, SNES for the fifth. The fourth game is trollish crap, avoid. Set aside a whole month to finish one of these, you'll need it. Good games, but oh so sadistic.
The Bard's Tale - I'm really only familiar with the very first game. Good for those who like the idea of Wizardry but find those games too tedious. This is a more streamlined experience with a fantastic setting and accompanying lore. Gotta plug an NES port yet again, this one has a great mapping feature which is a tremendous help.
Might & Magic - I'm mostly familiar with the initial trilogy. These games are huge and less repetitive than the Wizardry titles. Again, you'll need like a month per game. Love the environments and art design here. Once again, consoles. The NES port of the first game is fabulous, with some additional tunes not in the original. The second game is on Genesis and, strangely enough, there are two different SNES / Super Famicom ports (one a PAL exclusive, one a [fan-translated] Japanese exclusive). The third game is great on SNES.
Dungeons & Dragons - Massive series. Really not a series, but several of them all based on a license. I really like the Intellivision games, which are both quite different. One is top-down and the other a first-person dungeon crawler. These were ported to the PC and DS as well. As far as the "Gold Box" and other old games go, I have mixed opinions. Some are great, some are really redundant, others are just bad. Eye of the Beholder is essential and arguably the best classic dungeon crawler of yore. Al-Qadim: The Genie's Curse is pretty sleek, the closest thing the series had to a Zelda. Warriors of the Eternal Sun, a Genesis exclusive, is a snazzy mix of top-down and first-person play. Of course the Infinity Engine games are awesome, you know that.
Rogue - Yeah, a self-explanatory classic. I had a downloaded version, once owned an actual disk, and now play it on my tablet. Fantastic addictive randomized gameplay. See where it all began.
Dungeons of Daggorath - Another singular game, from 1982. I've been meaning to get an actual cart, but it can now be downloaded for Windows easily enough too. This one has a first-person wireframe setting, like Ultima dungeons, but is actually an early ARPG. A fast-paced and fun exploratory game. Avoid the sequel, it sucks.
Ultima - Honestly, the whole series is worth playing (with the exception of Escape from Mt. Drash which isn't canon anyway). The mainline titles are mostly enjoyable, as are the Runes of Virtue, Worlds and Underworld spin-offs. I recommend starting at Akalabeth and proceeding forward. Moreover, you really wanna play the 1998 Windows enhanced port of Akalabeth. This has some redrawn sprites, but, more importantly, also has a true save/load feature (the original game experience is like a four-hour slog with permadeath -- yikes). Note that the 1998 Akalabeth isn't what downloads from GOG.com automatically when you get the game free, but it is included as a bonus. Also, I really like the NES port of the fourth game. It's a great East meets West experience, a JRPG-ification of a Western game. I'd say play that in addition to the original.
Dunjonquest - Unheralded top-down dungeon-crawlers. Tough to play these nowadays, even via emulation, as they were released for the more obscure computer systems. I recommend going right for one of the later installments, Gateway to Apshai, which is similar to the previous games but more accessible. It was released in cartridge format for three different systems. It's one of the "purest" dungeon crawlers ever, in that literally all you do it kill monsters and collect loot. The dungeon setting itself is even oddly inconsequential, just plain blackness and the player has the ability to simply push a button to skip to the next floor.
Wizardry - The first-person WRPG series. Time-consuming and tough as balls. This is where I actually switch to consoles for a more streamlined experience. NES/Famicom for the first three, SNES for the fifth. The fourth game is trollish crap, avoid. Set aside a whole month to finish one of these, you'll need it. Good games, but oh so sadistic.
The Bard's Tale - I'm really only familiar with the very first game. Good for those who like the idea of Wizardry but find those games too tedious. This is a more streamlined experience with a fantastic setting and accompanying lore. Gotta plug an NES port yet again, this one has a great mapping feature which is a tremendous help.
Might & Magic - I'm mostly familiar with the initial trilogy. These games are huge and less repetitive than the Wizardry titles. Again, you'll need like a month per game. Love the environments and art design here. Once again, consoles. The NES port of the first game is fabulous, with some additional tunes not in the original. The second game is on Genesis and, strangely enough, there are two different SNES / Super Famicom ports (one a PAL exclusive, one a [fan-translated] Japanese exclusive). The third game is great on SNES.
Dungeons & Dragons - Massive series. Really not a series, but several of them all based on a license. I really like the Intellivision games, which are both quite different. One is top-down and the other a first-person dungeon crawler. These were ported to the PC and DS as well. As far as the "Gold Box" and other old games go, I have mixed opinions. Some are great, some are really redundant, others are just bad. Eye of the Beholder is essential and arguably the best classic dungeon crawler of yore. Al-Qadim: The Genie's Curse is pretty sleek, the closest thing the series had to a Zelda. Warriors of the Eternal Sun, a Genesis exclusive, is a snazzy mix of top-down and first-person play. Of course the Infinity Engine games are awesome, you know that.
Rogue - Yeah, a self-explanatory classic. I had a downloaded version, once owned an actual disk, and now play it on my tablet. Fantastic addictive randomized gameplay. See where it all began.
Dungeons of Daggorath - Another singular game, from 1982. I've been meaning to get an actual cart, but it can now be downloaded for Windows easily enough too. This one has a first-person wireframe setting, like Ultima dungeons, but is actually an early ARPG. A fast-paced and fun exploratory game. Avoid the sequel, it sucks.