Darklands

[fable]

I've been playing this old favorite CRPG of mine, which I initially reviewed for a magazine in 1992. Has anybody else tried it? It holds up pretty well. You can read about it here, and here.

[fable]

It's been over 5 years, so I think I can safely bump this. Once. Just to see if any new forum members have played/are playing this old but great Microprose RPG. I've decided to play it again, myself, and still find it a pleasurable diversion.

[Monolith]

It's an excellent sandbox RPG with lots of great features. I love the text based adventures and the menu based cities - they feel a lot more realistic and atmospheric than any towns I've visited in any other RPG. Add to that the historical setting, well implemented magic system, reputation system, riddles and interesting character generation (gaining attributes and skills by historical background and occupation) and character system and you got yourself an instant classic. Unfortunately the RTwP combat sucks and it gets repetetive pretty fast but still, I've been coming back to this on a regular basis since I discovered it thanks to you, Fable, a couple of years ago. Shouldn't be played without the manual though.

[fable]

I think some people might have an idea of what sandbox means that differs from the way Darklands play: as a "you set up everything" kind of game. It might be better to call it generally non-linear. It does have a lengthy plot that you only get hints of in the first part of the game, and many features are locked in place. But how your party becomes strong enough to deal with problems later is entirely up to you, and character creation is the strongest I've seen in any RPG, bar none.

I'm still surprised some company hasn't jumped on Darklands to make an update or followup. Hell, I'm surprised of many player-designed attempts over the years, none has ever come to fruition.

I actually like the combat. For the time, it was pretty sophisticated, with a range of weapons that had different speeds, attack, and penetration values. There were also four different modes of melee attack. The problem for me, at least, is too much repetition in the kind of challenge you face early on, where you have to repeatedly raise your skills against night thugs in any given town. On the other hand, the random dungeon creation was top notch, so that raubritter castles really do differ considerably, as does the conduct of the raubritters, themselves. And the kobold mines are a source of neverending amusement.

[Stones]

Heh, funny seing this here. I downloaded the game a while ago beeing freeware and all. But I've never really gotten properly started. I ended up using the pre-built characters since I didn't have the manual at hand:

I started out in a tavern in some city. I quickly went out and looked around, didn't know what to do so I decided to get some easy cash having some of my characters use their skill working as alchemists and the like. After a while I got bored and went out. Taking a turn down some back streets and getting attacked before I realised it was almost midnight. I had a relatively easy battle, only shooting myself with the crossbow once, and decided I should get some rest. Not really wanting to pay for rooms I went over to the park and decided to sleep there. By morning I felt adventurous and headed for the city gates to try my luck in the countryside. Strolling down the main streets this time, I reached the gates quickly. When I talked to the guardes it seemed they had more interests in fighting than letting me out. Oh well, I've dealt with thugs and thieves I'll be all right. Unfortunately for me this was not the case. After they scraped pieces of my adventurous party of the street my first try at this promising game was over...

I didn't get a very good feel of this game not really having played it, and as said before the manual is probably handy. Even so I found it enjoyable to play and I think that I did quite well Luckily it's one of those old games that pull of old graphic quite well.

[fable]

I think the manual and clue book are up on Replacementdocs. As Darklands is abandonware, their distribution is not illegal.

As an old hand at Darklands, if I can help out with any admittedly prejudiced advice, I will.