showing 18 games

namepublisher(developer)year arrow_upwarddescription
The Cave of the Mind EAG2000 labelminimizeminimize
Descent To Undermountain  Interplay (Dragon Play)1997Latest version: 1.3 (as of ?) labelimageminimize
Hexen: Deathkings of the Dark Citadel id Software (Raven Software)1996Apparently the first expansion Raven Software ever did. labelimageminimize
Hexen  id Software;GT Interactive (Raven Software)1995Re-edited version with addons included
[84]***
[22]***1999-01-11 source code released under a restrictive license.
2008-09-04 source code was released under GPL compatible license***Has rather unique difficulty levels, the number of enemies gets inflated as is to be expected, but better weapons are located later on, forcing you to fight with old and "less efficient" ones much longer. But since each character has only 4 weapons total, including the starting weapon, this isn't such a big thing but does prove additional challenge early on. There are some differences in encountered enemies between the characters, too (or they're randomized, but I haven't verified that). There are only two types of "ammo" (mana, really), where the second weapon consumes blue, third weapon green, and fourth weapon both. Unlike some other games of the time, magic was not simply dispensed from some magical weapons, but the character actually seemed to have proficiency in magical arts, as witnessed by the mage classes use of lightning and ice and cleric's use of fire. Hexen is also one of the first (if not [i]the[/i] first) first-person games to implement jumping, as well as falling damage which is ignored in great many games even today.

[spoiler=Show weapons;Hide weapons]Baratus (Warrior):
* Spiked Gauntlets
* Timon's Axe
* Hammer of Retribution
* Quietus

Parias (Cleric):
* Mace of Contrition
* Serpent Staff
* Firestorm
* Wraithverge

Daedolon (Mage):
* Sapphire Wand
* Frost Shards
* Arc of Death (Lightning)
* Bloodscourge[/spoiler]***Raven Software's HeXen actually began development as an expansion for Heretic that was originally slated to hit the shelves as "Heretic II." However, the game design so expanded beyond the original game that this proposed the expansion of the Heretic universe took on a bold new identity of its own...HeXen: Beyond Heretic.

HeXen was developed over a period of 8 months, published by Id Software and distributed by GT Interactive in 1995. The game introduced the 3-D gaming world to the "hub system" of level progression, rotating polygonal brushes and multiple character classes that were available in both single player and multiplayer. All of this combined to help HeXen raise the bar for the first-person shooter genre. HeXen pushed Id Software's DooM engine to its absolute limits and surpassed Heretic as Raven Software's most popular, highly acclaimed title.

The success of HeXen prompted a mission pack, Deathkings of the Dark Citadel, and several ports to home console gaming systems including the Sega Saturn, Nintendo 64 and the Sony PlayStation. HeXen also became the first Raven Software game made available for the Macintosh.
[Raven]***[b]System requirements:[/b]
* 486 33 MHz CPU or better
* MS-DOS 5.0 or higher.
* 25 MB free HD space
* 8 MB RAM
* VGA graphics card
* Sound Blaster or 100% compatible sound card

Supports joystick and mouse.***~ Represeting a quantum leap in realism, bursting at the seams with playability and bulging interactivity, Hexen is a spellbinding and terrifying epic that pits its players as one of the three classes of hero and sets them on a nightmarish knife-edge quest to destroy the evil rulers who once controlled them. Every part of this colossal battle between horrific creatures is waged with one of the 12 death dealing weapons, either alone or in 'co-operative' or 'Deathmatch' networked play. Pretenders to the throne beware: - id Software and Raven have joined forces again to create this masterpiece of the 3D dynasty.
[Box blurb]***While you were battling the evil forces of D'Sparil, the other Serpent Riders were busy sowing the seeds of destruction in other dimensions. One such dimension is the decaying world where Hexen takes place. A world littered with the mangled corpses of nonbelievers and inhabited by the undead followers that executed them. Only three humans - a warrior, a mage and a cleric - have escaped the leaders' vicious spell. Now these brave souls have sworn to crush the evil regime that threatens to destroy the world forever. Separated upon entering the mystical portal, the three are forced to attempt on their own what they had hoped to do together: find Korax's stronghold, destroy him and restore order in the physical world.
[id Software]***A sort of sequel of Heretic, Hexen takes you to a new world to take the place of one of three heroes (A Fighter, a Cleric and a Mage) to stop the second of the Serpent Riders. The use of a "hub" system to travel back and forth through the levels is a very innovative idea. This is one of my all time favorite games, however some are turned away by the running around, collecting of puzzle pieces.
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Anvil of Dawn New World Computing (DreamForge Intertainment)1995[b]Minimum[/b]
* DOS 5.0 or greater
* 486/33 CPU
* 4 MB RAM
* 5 MB free HD space
* 2X CD-ROM drive
* Mouse

[b]Recommended:[/b]
* 486/66 CPU
* 30 MB free HD space***The game's unusual in the manner that although you select one of the five heroes to play as in the beginning, you get to meet the other four in your travels.

The choice of hero mostly affects the voice-overs (and dialog with it) and appearance, attributes are freely customizable if you so desire.***The game was apparently re-released in 2007/01 with Windows XP support. Unable to verify this currently, though.
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Blackthorne  Interplay Productions (Blizzard Entertainment)1994Interplay provides a version of this game to download from battle.net. Comes packaged for play on Windows using DOSbox or an alternative package for Mac using DOSbox. The executable zip file is encrypted preventing it from being run on non-windows systems without using Windows emulation. Once installed, the game should theoretically work on DOS, FreeDOS, or most any system DOSbox runs on. However, Blackthorne's the setup executable is not included making sound configuration especially problematic. This game is not Freeware. Blizzard retains full copyright and the downloaded version includes and EULA restating Blizzard's ownership. No right to redistribute or otherwise treat this version as Freeware is granted by Blizzard.***[b]from another world[/b] - you're actually native, but was transported as an infant into another world where you grew up, and now you've returned to bring your royal boot to the Face of Evil.
[b]unrestricted violence[/b] - player can freely kill the slaves as much as the orcish monsters.
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Hocus Pocus Apogee (Moonlite Software)1994Terexin, leader of the Council of Wizards, is sending the young sorcerer, Hocus, on a special mission to prove his worthiness. This mission will take Hocus to 16 unique realms, each filled with unique dangers and enemies. Few have survived Terexin's final test--for many it's a one-way trip.

Along the way Hocus will encounter dragons, imps, ghosts and 30 more unique creatures, demons and enemies. Survive, and Hocus becomes a full-fledged, card carrying Wizard. The other option is not so favorable. Awesome and beautiful 256-color VGA graphics. After every two levels of play the level graphics, background and enemies completely change, giving this game unparalleled variety. Hocus Pocus is a action platform game, with exciting puzzles built into each level's structure.

Hocus is armed with a standard magic spell (he's not yet a full Wizard, after all), but he can find several potions that give him a temporary boost of magical energy. There are potions that give Hocus the ability to shoot rapidly, jump higher, teleport and fire a devastating energy blast, among others.

COOL FEATURES
* Smooth 360 degree scrolling, with a parallax background.
* Over SIX MEGS of 256-color VGA animated graphics.
* Four episodes with 36 huge levels!
* Over 30 different monsters, plus four huge bosses!
* Save/restore options, selectable skill levels, four cheat passwords!

Hocus Pocus is an addictive, action-packed, entertaining game that's comparable, or better than, anything found on the home cartridge systems.
[3D Realms]
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Ancient Domains Of Mystery  author1994# averted tags/concepts #
level scaling - only present in a cave northwest of Terinyo, the small village you encounter early on. Otherwise non-existant.***Latest version: 1.1.1 (as of 2002-11)
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Red Crystal  Quantum Quality Productions1993Successfulness of an attack depends on the player knowing the height of the enemy.

Two players can complete a playthrough cooperatively using horizontal split-screen. The players can be local with non-shared keyboard and mouse or via modem.

During character creation, random stats can be re-rolled until, hopefully, a nearly perfect set is achived. This is almost required to play the game.

A character can use any spell or weapon with some degree of effectiveness. But specific weapon types or spells can be used more effectivly by certian character classes. Likewise, enemy types are strong or weak to certian spells or weapon types.

Charaters may carry up to 30 items. Items may be used, bought, sold, dropped, and picked-up. Equippable items are equiped when "USE"d. Plot items are carried and not useable (and occupy an inventory slot). Dropped items will remain where dropped for a limited time.

'the per-game look-up copy protection took Alen to Page 8, Line 1, Word 1: "bored"' - Petra Schlunk (Computer Gaming World Number 117, Page 66)
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Valhalla  Optyk (Norsehelm Production)1993Originally commercial game, but later released as freeware (without sound effects and music though). labelimageminimize
The Legend of Kyrandia  Virgin (Westwood)1992[media=youtube]_c5QrnYYk3Y[/media] labelimageminimize
Moonstone: A Hard Days Knight Mindscape (Images Software)1992For 1-4 players taking turns except for when fighting each other.***Images Software ported the game and are not the original developer.***Welcome weary travellers to The Moonstone Tavern, the only site on the Web dedicated to the 1991 Commodore Amiga and PC classic and pioneer of gore in computer and video games that is Moonstone: A Hard Days Knight. Contained within is a history of the quest, an extensive bestiary, battle tactics, ROMs, movies and wallpapers for download and tons and tons of gory screenshots that will no doubt bring the memories flooding back... So why not treat yourself to a flagon of frothing ale (on the house, naturally!), put your feet up and reminisce with me as I take you for a sojourn through Mindscape's magnificent and charnel-splattered world of knights, monsters and valiant derring-do.
[i d o r u]
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Catacomb II  Softdisk1991This 'sequel' is more or less just a level pack to the original Catacomb. Later re-released under the title "The Catacomb". labelimageminimize
Prince of Persia Brøderbund1990
[22]***
[63]***
[37]***One of the best platform games of all time. Playable for hours without rest. You start in a dungeon unarmed and must make your way through numerous traps to find a sword, then take on numerous baddies as you make your way through the dungeon. Then face the ultimate enemy yourself! A must play.
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Catacomb Softdisk (PC Arcade)1990[b]microgrid[/b] - player character and most monsters occupy 2x2 grid points
[b]penetrating projectiles[/b] - fully charged attack mows through the monsters quite easily, the bolt magic scroll likely does the same.
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The Dark Heart of Uukrul Brøderbund (Digital Studios)1990
[49]***This game has some interactive fiction, adventure and not yet defined elements. Players can visually search the room or listen find secrets, to get descriptions of the room, find riddles that hint at solutions to puzzles, and/or find clues to events in the nearby area. These are returned as text as the game has no sound whatsoever.

Advancement must be confirmed by player actions. Crosses are not just symbols in this game, they are apparently melee weapons. Equipment can require a minimum level of experience and/or a minimum character attribute. Clerics must pray to cast spells (all one action). The petitioned god can grant the cast, not answer, or punish the character. These random responses seem to be based on the character's previous actions but the mechanism is unclear.

The game is automatically saved much the same way as typical rogue-likes but a bit less often. Simply walking from one place to the next does not prompt a save, but reading a clue or resolving an encounter does. There is also a game "backup" save system. When a player is in a "sanctuary" they may manually create a second save.

Experience is shared but most of it distributed unequally based on a character's participation. The mechanism is unclear. Killing blows and attacks delivering significant damage have the most reward. Other actions are rewarded as well no mater what the result. Every character still gets something even if they did not interact with the battle at all. For example, if the first move of a battle is the player's fighter killing a single foe with a single blow, all other party members will get at least 1 XP or more for a stronger enemey.***If a character sacrifices their life to save their fellows, they lose piety. Dying is heresy, how [url=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oran_of_Iona]Oran[/url]ic¡***
[63]***
[52]***
[37]
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Galdregon's Domain  Pandora Software1989You take the role of a barbarian hero, who is unequalled in combat amongst the men of the northlands, however this quest will be, by far, your toughest trial.

To play Galdregon's Domain successfully you must not attempt to kill all the creatures, human or otherwise that you meet, although your strength in combat is generally much greater than your opponents you cannot possibly take them all on and win. You must employ stealth and cunning to outwit your opponents. It may be necessary to run from a tribe of Hobgoblins so you can sneak around them to steal a gem.

The basic aim of Galdregon's Domain is to recover the five gems of Zator and return the to King Rohan. Each gem is known to be held by one of five powerful creatures. You can be sure that the gem holders will be no push over, so before you attempt to take them on, try to gain some knowledge of their strengths ans weaknesses. The best source of information will be the local inns dotted about the countryside.

There are many objects in the lands of Mezron that may aid, or hinder you in your quest, weapons such as the Great Two Handed Sword of the Stone Giants or the Daggers of Quarx. Magical items such as wands and cloaks will give you great power over your enemies and when the going gets tough casting a fireball from a scroll will give a decided edge. Potion bottles can also be found, some of which increase your strength others may contain poison. Other objects include plate metal armour and food.
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Ultima V: Warriors of Destiny Origin1988
[49]***
[83]***
[17]***
[4]***
[22]***
[1]***
[52]
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