This Week's Most Viewed Games Tagged 'Windows, core, rpg' on The Great Games Experiment This Week's Most Viewed Games Tagged 'Windows, core, rpg' on The Great Games Experiment http://www.greatgamesexperiment.com/css/logo.jpg This Week's Most Viewed Games Tagged 'Windows, core, rpg' on The Great Games Experiment en-us Last Scenario Last Scenario is a game made using the popular RPGMaker XP that could possibly rival Aveyond's level of professionalism, perhaps even surpass it. Tiles, music and sound effects are standard material that is included with the package, but most of the character portraits, sprites and backgrounds seen in this release were created by the developer.

The C key is used for most interactions and menu selections. Press the X key to access the inventory screen or to cancel any choices. A medium length RPG with over a thousand rooms, side quests, a unique spellcard system and even a collectible board game, it's quite unlikely that any fan would complete this production in a couple of sittings

(from Indy Gamer)
]]> 26 Jun 2007 12:16:14 PlaneShift PlaneShift is a cross-platform, open source, and free MMORPG in development.

PlaneShift is has a classic medieval fantasy setting, with a slight twist. Instead of a generic planet, the game is set inside a gigantic stalactite named Yliakum, divided into eight levels, of which the lower two are flooded.
]]> 06 Feb 2007 02:44:47 S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chernobyl
Man made hell...

S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow Of Chernobyl takes you into a near future where nuclear disaster has taken place. When a strange second explosion at the old Chernobyl site rocks the landscape, it leaves a vast "Exclusion Zone" plagued with deadly energy disturbances in its wake. The quarantined Exclusion Zone expanded over time, and by 2012, specially equipped poachers, known as S.T.A.L.K.E.R.s, venture into the Zone to claim radioactive artifacts for the black market. You are a new S.T.A.L.K.E.R. battling for survival among rivals, soldiers and mutant creatures while trying to discover the true nature of Chernobyl's dark past and horrific future.
]]> 07 Jan 2007 09:06:28 Deus Ex The year is 2052 and the world is a dangerous and chaotic place. Terrorists operate openly - killing thousands; drugs, disease and pollution kill even more. The world's economies are close to collapse and the gap between the insanely wealthy and the desperately poor grows ever wider. Worst of all, an ages old conspiracy bent on world domination has decided that the time is right to emerge from the shadows and take control. No one believes they exist. No one but you.
]]> 22 Nov 2006 09:26:12 Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic It is Four Thousand years before the Galactic Empire and hundreds of Jedi Knights have fallen in battle against the ruthless Sith. As the last hope of the Jedi, you must lead a band of freedom fighters in an epic struggle to save the galaxy. Can you master the awesome power of the Force on your quest to save the Republic? Or will you fall to the lure of the dark side?
Hero or villain, savior or conqueror...you must choose wisely as you alone will determine the destiny of the entire galaxy!
]]> 25 Nov 2006 04:18:12 Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Step inside the most richly detailed and vibrant game-world ever created. Oblivion is the latest chapter in the epic and highly successful Elder Scrolls saga and utilizes the latest PC and next-generation video game hardware to fully immerse you into the experience.
]]> 25 Nov 2006 06:28:05 Diablo 2 Since the beginning of time, the forces of Order and Chaos have been engaged in an eternal struggle to decide the fate of all Creation. That struggle has now come to the Mortal Realm...and neither Man, Demon, nor Angel will be left unscathed...

After possessing the body of the hero who defeated him, Diablo resumes his nefarious scheme to shackle humanity into unholy slavery by joining forces with the other Prime Evils, Mephisto and Baal. Only you will be able to determine the outcome of this final encounter...

In Diablo II, return to a world of dark fantasy. As one of five distinct character types, explore the world of Diablo II -- journey across distant lands, fight new villains, discover new treasures, and uncover ancient mysteries, all in the quest to stop the Lord of Terror, once and for all...

Game Features

  • Five all-new character classes with unique attributes and abilities

  • Four different, fully populated towns complete with wilderness areas

  • Multiple dungeons, caverns, and crypts in every town for players to explore

  • Expanded world, filled with all-new quests, weapons, spells, armor, monsters, and non-player characters

  • Advanced combat system, incorporating class-specific fighting techniques and spells

  • Full Multiplayer support, including Internet play over Battle.net®

  • Optional 3Dfx and Direct3D support
    • ]]>     07 Dec 2006 12:38:51     Hellgate: London Notice: In production

    London, 2038. The once great city lies in ruins. A massive, sinister gash in the fabric of our reality gnarls and churns, dominating the horizon as it blends into a permanently darkened sky. The unspeakable cataclysm that befell London threatened to engulf the world as the shadow of the demons fell across the face of mankind.

  • Introduction

    • According to legend, when the ravens depart the Tower of London, it will crumble to rubble and disaster will befall England. As man became more dependent on science, ancient lore and rituals were lost to the antiquity of time.

  • Classes

    • Mankind is a race of survivors. A rebellious few survive in the shadows of their former dominance, combining the holy, ancient, and arcane rites with the fringe sciences of the modern era.

  • Demons

    • Emerging from the swirling chaos of the Hellgate, the demons overwhelmed humanity's defenses. The Hellgate writhes and seethes like a living thing, a tornado of eldritch energies through which the minions of the netherworld surge forth.

  • Mods

    • Some equipment can be modified through the introduction of various technological and magical elements, commonly called Mods. These Mods are typically integrated into pre-defined slots or hard points on an item through a simple procedure that can be performed by any adventurer.

    Bill Roper said,
    Success should be based on skills, level, items, and so on. So it's really based on what makes you successful in an RPG. That being said, it certainly isn't going to hurt a guy if he's good at shooters.

    Additional Game Features:

    • First person perspective!

    • Dynamically generated content and levels including tons of weapon and item drops for scavenging.

    • PvP will be included, although it is likely that it will be for Elite members only. PvP modes may include duels and arena matches

    • Has some combat aspects of a shooter, but is first and foremost an action rpg. Players will not need to scavenge for ammo. The only mention of "ammo" refers to a type of modification.

    • Quest driven story, yet with a lot of freedom to adventure and treasure hunt in hopes of finding the best of the randomly generated goodies, as was so popular in the spiritual predecessor Diablo!

    Proposed Subscription Details (thanks Hellgate Guru!) These are just a few of the features discussed, visit the Hellgate Guru links for more info:

    • Free player accounts as well as "elite" optional subscription play options that are currently stated as $9.95 per month for U.S. players.

    • Free players can access all initial content and play with free or elite players, but elite accounts will receive regular content updates.

    • Elite players can access premier 24/7 customer support via phone and email, and will have priority in case of player ques.

    • Free players may create 3 characters, Elite players up to 12. Elite players will have a 40 item "swap stash" versus 20 items for free players.

    • Elite accounts can access additional play modes.

    • Elite players will have enhanced graphical options for characters.


    Ex-Blizzard employees Bill Roper, Erich Schafer, Max Schafer, and Dave Brevik--the men behind Diablo, are the heart of the development of Hellgate: London.

    Developers: Flagship Studios
    Co-publishers: Namco Bandai Games & Electronic Arts

    The game runs on a proprietary engine developed specifically for this game. The only other component that Flagship has licensed is Havok for physics.

    System Requirements: Pending!
    ]]>     16 Dec 2006 10:48:21     Disciples III "Disciples III will feature more than 150 different "characters"--the war heroes, monsters, ghosts, and other beasties that can make up a war party in the game, and like in the previous games, the size of your war party will depend on your leader character's leadership skill. Apparently, some monsters in the game, such as dragons, will be absolutely huge, and will take up to 12 squares on the game's combat map, which has been retouched as a grid-based map divided up into two halves--yours and your opponents"

    (qtd. from Gamespot.com)
    ]]>     18 Jul 2007 01:20:25     Age of Time "Barbie horse adventure" is a fair description. Except you can kill the horses. And other people. And arrest people and beat them while they are in jail. And blow them up with dynamite.

    It's a persistent online fantasy action game.
    ]]>     10 Oct 2006 02:52:07     Fallout 2 The sequel to the greatest rpg of all time (I think so anyway) This one packs even more humor and gratuitous violence than ever before.

    You play as an ancestor to the vault dweller after he founded a tiny village. You must go on a quest to find a G.E.C.K or Garden of Eden Creation Kit.
    ]]>     08 Nov 2006 07:52:41     Planescape: Torment Planescape: Torment is a computer role-playing game developed for Microsoft Windows by Black Isle Studios. Released on December 12, 1999, the game takes place in the Advanced Dungeons & Dragons Planescape campaign setting. Unlike other computer role-playing games, such as Baldur's Gate, Torment places emphasis on conversation and storyline instead of combat.

    The game begins in Sigil, where the protagonist, an enigmatic and heavily scarred immortal dubbed The Nameless One by the game's interface, wakes up in a mortuary with no memory of his identity and past experiences. Assuming the role of The Nameless One, players embark on a quest to solve the mysteries surrounding him.

    Torment received almost universal critical praise, and has since become a cult classic. The game was added to Gamespy's "Hall of Fame" in August 2004, and to Gamespot's "Greatest Games of All Time" list in October 2005.

    (from the Wikipedia page on Planescape: Torment)
    ]]>     04 Dec 2006 09:51:58     Ultima IV - Quest of the Avatar From the Moby Games entry:

    The fourth game in the now well-established Ultima series featured an improved game engine, with color graphics and better character interaction (you could now have actual conversations with NPCs). But what really makes Ultima IV shine is its radical departure from any other RPG made before or since in terms of the story and goal.

    Instead of building up your character by any means possible in order to face the Ultimate Evil in a big bang up showdown, in Ultima IV you were trying to become the Avatar, a role model of sorts for the people of the land. This meant upholding the "eight virtues" and basically trying to become a better person. In most RPGs you chose to be a just/nice hero because the people you'd help would usually provide you with some nice equipment for your services, but in Ultima IV you helped people not for a reward or to advance the plot but simply because it was the "right thing to do". The game actually frowns on behavior that was typical of most other RPGs, such as backstabbing fleeing monsters or picking up everything that wasn't nailed down even if it didn't belong to you. The game keeps track of all your actions, so if you went about killing and looting like in most RPGs, you'd never finish the game.

    This VERY different approach to the game's ultimate goal is what makes Ultima IV famous so many years later, and became the sort of design philosophy that made all the following Ultimas so unique in their genre.

    Of course, the game still has plenty of traditional RPG elements such as dungeons to explore and hostile monsters to kill, as well as a typical final "Holy Grail" type quest where you had to find the Codex of Ultimate Wisdom to complete your transformation into Avatarhood.

    In 1996 Computer Gaming World named Ultima IV as #2 on its Best Games of All Time list on the PC.

    The game was released for free to the public. The original MS-DOS version is available on many sites, and a game engine recreation is now available for for Windows, Mac OSX, and Linux.
    ]]>     05 Dec 2006 01:59:25     Bioforge
    Take the starring role in Origin's latest Interactive Movie"

    Centuries in the future, a madman's interstellar plot is set in motion, and only you have the skills, the position and the armament to stop it. You are the Mondites' first success in creating the perfect warrior.

    Stripped of memory and enhanced with both human and alien technology, you are a primary element of their master plan - unless you can rediscover who you are, uncover your enemies' plans and make your break for freedom. But you'd better be quick - time and opportunity are running out.

    Game features:

    • Variable identity outcomes - your choices throughout the game determine your former identity from a list of experimental subjects.

    • Lifelike, fluid animation with 24 powerful combat maneuvers.

    • Interactive backgrounds - from ground-to-air weapons, to monitors and projectile-reflective surfaces.

    • 8-channel digital sound effects, cued by distance and camera location.

    • 3-D, texture-mapped synthetic actors whose images actually show the injuries suffered in combat.

    • Multiple camera angles and beautifully rendered alien environments.

    • 22 voice actors!

    • Believed to have the first single-skin, fully texture mapped, skeleton-based characters ever seen in gaming.

    Origin Systems (An Electronic Arts Company) developed and published this single player adventure. It was released in the U.S. in April 1995. At the time the following system requirements were high end!

    Requirements
    MS-DOS: Intel486/50+ or 100% compatible PC system. Required: MS-DOS 5.0 or higher, 8MB RAM, 5MB Hard drive space (29MB recommended), 2x CD-ROM drive, MSCDEX version 2.2 or higher, Microsoft mouse , keyboard.
    Graphics: 256-color VGA.
    MUSIC: Ad Lib, Sound Blaster/SB Pro/SB 16/SB AWE, Wave Blaster, General Midi MPU-401 interface, or 100% compatible sound board.
    DIGITIZED SPEECH and SOUND EFFECTS: Sound Blaster/SB Pro/SB 16/SB AWE or 100% compatible sound board.


    Trivia: Spoiler warning! In spite of a highly detailed story that obviously was painstakingly crafted, the game ending is rather notorious for falling a bit short. The developers endeavored at one point to rewrite the ending, which then blossomed into a possible sequel, but at length the whole initiative was dropped.
    ]]>     14 Dec 2006 10:44:27     The Repopulation You awaken in unfamiliar surroundings to find that earth has been destroyed. You are part of a Repopulation effort on Novus Orsa, Alpha Centauri. This Post-Apocalyptic multiplayer RPG aims to break the boundaries of modern MMORPGs.

    Players can join or form societies in their effort to rebuild humanity. Innovative PVP systems will pit society vs. society while working together, and against one another at the common and conflicting goals.

    Unique features include a completely dynamic quest generation system that breaks the molds set in previous titles. Player created societal systems, tournaments and sporting events. We promise to show you things you have never seen before.
    ]]>     23 Nov 2006 08:46:24     System Shock 2 A dark and moody cyberpunk RPG that brings back to life SHODAN one of the best realized arch-nemesis in computer gaming.

    This time around it is a ship - not a station that has been taken over.

    Story telling elements such as voice mail as 'ghost' residue are used to great effect. You can see similar mechanisms being used in F.E.A.R and others.

    Uses a modified Thief engine so there is a significant focus on 'sneak'- although the game can be player through in multiple ways.
    ]]>     06 Dec 2006 06:56:49     Neverwinter Nights According to wikipedia:
    "Neverwinter Nights (NWN), produced by BioWare and published by Infogrames (now Atari), is a third-person perspective computer role-playing game that is based on third edition Dungeons & Dragons and Forgotten Realms rules (with minor changes). It was originally to be published by Interplay Entertainment, but the publisher's financial difficulties forced the change. Infogrames released Neverwinter Nights for Windows on June 18, 2002. BioWare released the freely downloadable Neverwinter Nights Linux Client in June 2003. MacSoft released a Mac OS X port in August 2003."
    ]]>     10 Dec 2006 08:21:17     Final Fantasy VIII In a time of both sophisticated technology and powerful magic, an evil sorceress corrupts the world's largest military power through manipulation and deception, enslaving mankind to do her bidding. Her goal is not something as simple as world domination; but to completely conquer all of space and time.

    To counter the turn of events, various leaders head combat training schools, known as Gardens, that turn out elite fighting forces. Known as SeeDs, they defend, serve, and protect humankind from the sorceress. The sole purpose of these academies is to vanquish the sorceress and save humanity as we know it, although they take many other assignments for the right price.

    A small, loose-knit group of SeeD graduates find themselves wrapped in a much bigger endeavor than simple military combat. Now, a gunblade specialist, together with a diverse group of young heroes, must set aside his fears, face the emotions he's run from, and become the leader that he never wanted to be.
    ]]>     14 Jan 2007 09:18:24     Tactics 100 Live Very awesome rpg based game where you control your army against the actual live person who is also connected to the particular flash game from their own computer. Take turns and attack each other to determine the winner in this awesome game. Enjoy Tactics 100 Live game
    ]]>     26 Jun 2007 07:57:02     Nethack After the Creation, the cruel god Moloch rebelled
    against the authority of Marduk the Creator.
    Moloch stole from Marduk the most powerful of all
    the artifacts of the gods, the Amulet of Yendor,
    and he hid it in the dark cavities of Gehennom, the
    Under World, where he now lurks, and bides his time.
    ]]>     26 Nov 2006 12:00:10     Septerra Core Septerra Core is a PC only rpg developed by Valkyrie Studios. Players encounter intriguing puzzles, strong character development and fast paced strategic combat, all driven forward by a story which takes place in the original, highly detailed fantasy world of Septerra, so named after it's 7 layers, each with distinctive characteristics, geography and politics.


    Additional Game Features:

    • Hundreds of locations for players creates a large, fully explorable world with seven continents.

    • Highly developed storyline and characters offer fifteen chapters of gameplay.

    • Simple interface allows players to tap into the complex options of the game, without overly complex menus.

    • In addition to the main character, players may choose from eight companions, each with a unique background story, motivation and skill set.

    • Engage enemies in a combat system that has all the strategy of turn based combat, but keeps the game fast paced.

    • Over 140 NPCs that respond to your characters with over 5 hours of recorded dialog.

    • Experiment with item combinations to create over 100 spell effects by collecting a deck of "Fate Cards."

    • Large 16-bit backgrounds that are natural and non-repetitive.

    • Hundreds of Items and Weapons allow you to tweak out your characters.

    • Highest quality production, including 640x480 graphics, 16-bit color, completely recorded dialogue and fully animated movie sequences.

    • Artwork inspired heavily by the Japanese anime genre, employing stylised characters and fantastic landscape, combining futuristic science fiction elements with, for example, medieval concepts.

    Developer: Valkyrie Studios
    Publisher: Monolith Productions
    Released: October 31, 1999

    Minimum System Requirements

    Windows 95/98, DirectX 5.0, Pentium 200, 4X CD-ROM, 32 MB RAM, DirectX-compatible sound card, Mouse and Keyboard
    ]]>     19 Dec 2006 10:42:49     Nox You are tasked with destroying the wicked queen of the undead. Depending on which of the 3 character classes you choose you get a different adventure.
    ]]>     24 Jan 2007 03:53:42     Titan Quest From the co-creator of Age of Empires, Brian Sullivan, comes an all-new action role-playing game set in the mythical worlds of ancient Greece and Egypt. Amazing visuals and fast-action gameplay deliver a true cinematic gaming experience. Lush ancient world settings crafted in near-photo realistic detail provide the player with an extraordinary canvas on which to set forth on an epic quest of the ultimate good versus evil.

    What sets the game apart from other action RPGs is that Titan Quest features a flexible class system that allows almost limitless ways for the player to develop their character. Skills can be customized in many ways, and never become obsolete.

    That game also comes with a very versatile map/mission/campaign editor that allows users to create campaigns with their own stories and adventures.
    ]]>     25 Jan 2007 04:48:40     The Continuum The Continuum combines classic turn-based wargaming, collectibility and RPG character development into one multi-player adventure that will change the way you game. Characters, abilities and equipment combine with in-game artifacts, epic battlefields, and changing scenarios to provide an experience that is at once familiar and all-new.

    Players will have a huge impact on the ultimate design, features, and direction that the game takes as the beta rolls out. Pre-registration for the beta is open at the official website for The Continuum.
    ]]>     17 May 2007 01:28:46     Fallout Set in a future apocalypse version of the 50's-60's, Fallout is an RPG made by the now out of business Interplay and Black Isle Studios. It's violent, funny, and it can be played 100 times and never lose its appeal.

    You play as a member of a high-tech vault made to protect from the bombs. Now you must find a water chip to save your vault.
    ]]>     01 Nov 2006 10:22:36     Cute Knight A young woman seeks her destiny, and the truth about her past in this roleplaying game from Hanako Games. Beneath the city lurks a deadly dungeon full of perils and treasure. But most of the action and tough decisions take place when the young woman is in and around town, trying to find her place in this life and unravel the mystery of her past. Find romance, find a job to pay for fighting lessons, or spend time as a street musician learning your trade and playing for tips. This is not your traditional dungeon - delving, dragon-slaying tale! It's something of "The Sims" meets "Princess Maker" meets "Dungeons and Dragons".

    Everyday decisions such as where to work, what to learn in school, or how to handle one's social life has an effect not only upon your short-term wealth and well-being, but has long-standing ramifications in what your character will eventually become as she reaches full adulthood.

    There are over 50 possible endings, from warrior to barmaid to princess and plenty in-between. The dungeon beneath the city, and events that occur during the game, and the items that can be found are all different every time you play. This is a game that is designed with replayability in mind, so there is plenty of fun and excitement to be had.
    ]]>     23 Nov 2006 12:18:33     Baldur's Gate II

    Shadows of Amn


    Welcome to a world of intrigue, adventure and fierce combat.

    Every world has conflict. Good and evil. Friend and foe. Safety and danger. In Baldur's Gate II: Shadows of Amn, you'll find yourself between these factions. This epic sequel will immerse you in a world of intrigue, adventure and fierce combat where your ability to discern the difference between these sides - with the assistance of steel and spell - determines your fate.

    In Baldur's Gate I, you defeated your evil half-brother Sarevok and prevented your father Bhaal, the dead Lord of Murder, from returning to the Forgotten Realms. Now, in Baldur's Gate II: Shadows of Amn, the stakes have become much higher. Will you resist the evil within you, and forge a legend of heroic proportions? Or will you embrace your monstrous inner nature, and carve a swath of destruction across the Realms?

    Your story begins anew in the exotic southern kingdom of Amn, amidst the opulence of the sinister capital city of Athkatla. Journey through the fierce, unforgiving wilderness of Amn, and through the treacherous caverns of the Underdark, in your quest for artifacts of awesome power and treasure of inestimable wealth.. even challenge dragons, if you dare. Such is the life of a legend.
    ]]>     26 Nov 2006 06:24:56     Silent Storm Silent Storm is a true 3D tactical turn-based Role-Playing-Game set against the backdrop of WWII.
    As the conflict rages on the frontlines, you'll be leading a small multinational squad behind enemy lines to gather information and wreak havoc on your enemies while trying to thwart a mysterious new rising power whose plans are even more horrific than anything the world has yet witnessed.

    Silent Storm is fully rendered in breathtaking 3D and includes fully destructible environments, realistic weaponry and unlimited tactical possibilities. Turn-based gaming has never looked this good! Choose your squad from over 40 operatives of 30 different nationalities, each with a unique background and mix of specialties and skills.

    US PackshotYou'll be able to arm each of them with a mix of over 75 authentic WWII weapons ranging from commando daggers to shoulder-mounted rocket launchers. Silent Storm sets a new standard for the turn-based genre with rag-doll kinetic physics and bullet trajectory tracing lending a level of realism to characters and warfare that surpasses any title in the genre. Two non-linear campaigns let you command Allied or Axis forces and give you full control over the style and difficulty of play.

    The variety of squad members and weaponry let you emphasize stealth or maximum firepower, and nearly unlimited random encounters let you prepare your squad for their secret missions where skill and tactical cunning will make the difference between life and death.
    ]]>     28 Nov 2006 01:08:01     Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines brings White Wolf's famous pen-and-paper role playing game to the back to the PC . For the first time players can explore the World of Darkness from a first person perspective in a game which utilizes Valve's striking Source Engine.

    Unlike third person role playing games, Bloodlines will put you in the shoes of the character you control. You will get up close and personal with the brilliantly animated characters that populate the game world and tangled in the web of intrigue that is the staple of Troika Games' roleplaying titles.

    Although set in the same universe, Bloodlines is not a sequel to the last Vampire title: Redemption.

    You begin your journey this time in modern day Los Angeles as a newly embraced vampire. By creating you without the consent of your clan's Elders, your sire has violated one of vampire society's most hallowed laws. As punishment for the crime he has been put to death. Normally you would be expected to share the same fate but the newly installed Prince of Los Angeles thinks you might have some merit: you're a newly embraced vampire with no sire to guide you; you are unfamiliar with the world of vampires and their laws and customs. You would be useful and expendable pawn in his grand scheme.

    You will employ a variety of firearms and skills such as computer hacking and lock picking as well as your devastating array of vampiric powers called Disciplines. And what would a game about vampires be if there wasn't some blood drinking?

    You choose to play as a member of one of seven diverse and specialized vampire clans and you'll need to employ all of your preternatural skills to survive. You'll need to charm, sneak, intimidate and fight your way through the dangerous world the vampires inhabit and along the way decide just who you really owe your allegiance to.

    With so many different clans, as many as 5 different endings and the ability pursue several avenues of specialization as you upgrade your character, Bloodlines will provide a great deal of replayability.
    ]]>     01 Dec 2006 06:25:23     Deus Ex: Invisible War Fifteen years following the events depicted in the multi-award winning Deus Ex, the world is just beginning to recover from catastrophic depression.

    As an elite anti-terrorist agent, you must fight numerous militant factions bent on violently reshaping the world to suit their own agendas. Using high-tech gadgetry and futuristic body modification (or biomods), you are granted near superhuman powers.

    Travel the globe while uncovering fiendish plots of world domination. Unmask the conspirators, while uncovering the shocking truth behind your own origins.
    ]]>     09 Dec 2006 01:08:20     Glow The player is charged with the task of retrieving data on a biological weapon from the site of a major test failure. Assisted by military allies, the player will adapt his character to survive the environment and upgrade with larger weapons and improved strategy.

    It features a unique shader-driven art style and a streamlined play interface that will seem familiar to enthusiasts of Robotron and Tri-Stat-based game players.
    ]]>     20 Dec 2006 11:54:52     Baldur's Gate Baldur's Gate was the first great daptation of the classic tabletop, role-playing game Dungeons & Dragons that reinvigorated the hardcore role-playing genre for the PC.

    It offers six separate races and eight core character classes, from which the player can create a completely original character. The game world is beautifully designed in the best 2d renders of its time, and players are free to explore this wonderful game environment in any way they see fit, all against the backdrop of a thoughtfully conceived and versatile plot written by the genre's finest at Bioware.

    Your adventures begin as a young orphan living with your stepfather within the safe and scholarly confines of Candlekeep on the Sword Coast. It is an idyllic life until you are forced to leave the place in order to ensure the safety of everyone within. Your stepfather is killed on the night of your journey, and it becomes clear that you are intended to be next. You, as the young protagonist, then set out to discover your true identity, which your stepfather kept from you, and your ultimate destiny.

    During the adventures, you recruit a number of personable allies, battle foes, delve into dungeons, trek across wilderness, solve mysteries, and complete a plethora of epic quests that are seamlessly sown into the fabric of the overall plot. The story line unfolds in response to your choices to reveal your character's true identity as well as the nature and motive of your enemies.

    Baldur's Gate is the epitome of the classic role-playing experience. It won several awards in 1998 for being the Role-Playing Game of the Year, and as such, it sets itself as the standard by which all such games will be judged. Games like Planescape: Torment, Neverwinter Nights and Knights of the Old Republic all take inspiration from the masterpiece that is Baldur's Gate.
    ]]>     25 Jan 2007 03:49:28     The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind A strange land, home to the dark elves, is under siege from within. The evil Dagoth Ur strives to conquer all, and the Tribunal which protects the land are weakened and can no longer hold out against the onslaught. To Morrowind, to the island of Vvardenfall, you are sent, to do battle with Dagoth Ur and free the false gods of the Tribunal from their ancient folly.
    ]]>     09 Jan 2007 10:43:39     Sacred A RPG set in the expansive world of Ancaria. An evil necromancer tries to take over the world by taking over the magic powers of one of the demons that rule the damned in hell. Your task is to stop him.

    It is possible to forge your own weapons, create your own attack combinations.

    The world is very much alive and bright, but of course there are all the dark elements that are needed to make a good RPG.
    ]]>     24 Jan 2007 03:09:44     Knight Shift Story

    In a distant land, long, long ago there once lived a prince, he was righteous and just, noble and honourable by nature and above all evil. Dark and treacherous powers joined together to spread evil over the land and to banish the prince from the principality and the thoughts of the people. Then because of an unsuccessful spell from the despicable lords the prince was banished to another dimension, but not from the memory and hearts of the people. Some years later, through the opening of a portal between dimensions by a good hearted magician, the prince was able to return to his principality. The task then was to drive out the evil lords from power and to allow peace and order to return. A bitter fight against the powers of evil is now imminent...


    Gameplay

    The Single Player RTS part of the game consists of three addictive, story driven campaigns. Each of them takes place in a different geographical area and bounds you every minute with new challenges like rescuing a kidnapped Princess or fighting a ferocious Dragon - or combat with nasty, ugly, smelly monsters and the bones of the walking dead. During the campaigns the player develops his characters and gains access to new weapons, special armour and magic items. He also has the possibility of creating new characters or building new structures. Additionally, an extensive RPG mode surprises with an even larger selection of maps, quests, weapons and enemies, plus a highly improved character development. For RTS fans and friends of massive multiplayer battles, several RTS skirmish and MP modes guarantee endless hours of exciting gameplay.
    ]]>     09 Mar 2007 01:27:19     Puzzle Quest Puzzle Quest: Challenge of the Warlords is a brand new, genre-bending title that ups the ante on traditional puzzle games by incorporating strategy, role-playing elements and a persistent storyline. Set in the Warlords universe, the game challenges players to save the land of Etheria from evil Lord Bane as gamers engage in battles fought by means of competitive, head-to-head "match-three" style puzzle games in one of three gameplay modes: Single-player, Instant Action or Multiplayer. Victory will advance a player's customisable hero, magical arsenal, creature companions and more—ultimately rewarding gamers at nearly every turn and deepening their immersion into the richly diverse world. The game's remarkable mix of classic puzzle gameplay and an abundant suite of characters, customisations, spells, companions, tameable monsters and more provides a fresh take on the puzzle genre that offers endless hours of replayability. Designed specifically for handheld gaming systems, Puzzle Quest can be enjoyed in long or short doses, cultivating a casual but deeply satisfying and compelling gameplay experience.
    ]]>     31 Mar 2007 09:08:10     Darklands Darklands was a long and engaging role-playing game from 1992 where you guided a party of four adventurers around medieval Germany. It was very open-ended, in that you could travel to any city and get quests from just about anyone (as long as your reputation was high enough). There wasn't magic in the traditional sense, although characters with the right skills could conjure potions or pray to different saints to receive important blessings. There was also a long main plot which took the party through numerous cities and dungeons, although you could keep playing even after defeating the final bad guy.
    ]]>     10 Apr 2007 09:36:32     Tactics Core The tactics core engine is a powerful strategy RPG development module. Tactics core supports the four basic commands. Attack - deal physical or magical damage to a target or target area. healer units use heal to restore HP instead. Move - walk to an empty space. Friendly units on the path will move aside. Move can be undone as long as Attack is not used after it. Wait - end the current unit's turn. If no actions where taken this unit only waits half the time for the next turn. Status - Display unit information. Use this to determine the strengths and weaknesses of a unit. You are a group of warriors trying to protect your castle against enemies, make sure you use the tactices wisely to protect your home. Good luck in this Tactics core game!
    ]]>     25 Jun 2007 07:52:56     Silverfall Silverfall is an immense, intensely paced role-playing/action game within an amazing universe. In a kingdom where nature and technology are opposed, the forces of evil seize magic places in order to take over their power.

    Incarnate a hero and progress in a fantastic adventure full of numerous quests. Explore a fantasy world and discover an innovative magic environment. Get ready to face countless terrifying creatures and formidable bosses that inhabit the lands of the Nelwë kingdom. Develop more than 130 spells and skills and surround yourself with the best companions to become the hero who will combat the coming of the Order of Nothingness.
    ]]>     01 Jul 2007 10:03:25     Fallout Tactics Step into the feet of a soldier of the Brotherhood of Steel, a group that worships technology to improve life in the nuclear wastes. Fight through a campaign against raiders, super mutants, and robots using real life weapons and futuristic technology unique to the Fallout Universe. Now with new sprite and texture models to make the series look new and great.
    ]]>     16 Nov 2006 11:21:38     Styrateg Are you in the mood for some great turn-based strategy? Or a fantasy quest that cuts straight to the tactical combat? Styrateg combines simple yet compelling turn-based strategy with traditional roleplaying-game elements to create an easy-to-learn, fast-playing adventure!

    Your odyssey begins when you receive a letter from your old friend, Gregorius, now a prior in the western march. Evil is pouring over the border and the kingdom's armies are being overrun. He begs you to defend the kingdom with your unique powers and martial skill. Before long, you will amass a small army of your own to protect the kingdom and strike back at the heart of the invading darkness!

    Styrateg allows you to play one of several characters with their individual special abilities. As you undertake several quests your character will gain experience, levels, magical items, and new powers. You will also gain new and unusual troops to command as you do battle with ferocious enemy forces. The turn-based gameplay allows you to take your time with your moves, but the pace remains brisk and exciting.
    ]]>     23 Nov 2006 03:30:32     Maple Story You can explore a totally new and unknown world you have never been to, put on beautiful clothes and gorgeous accessories, and even attract other users in the process. You may begin the journey to explore the world of unknown alone, but you may come out on the other end with numerous new friends through hunting and chatting. If you're tired of hunting and competition, how about playing minigames with a friend for a change?

    You'll become a brave adventurer protecting the Maple World, and if you're exhausted from all the intense battles and competition, you may one day build your own house at a quiet rural village, enjoying the life of a recluse who welcomes visitors.

    At Maple Island, you will learn from the NPC's simple hunting skills and basic control of the game to help you ease into the game. Then, you'll board the ship that heads to Victoria Island, and that's where your journey REALLY begins.

    From Lith Harbor that welcomes you from a long journey from Maple Island, you'll run into such fascinating towns as Henesys - the village of bowmen with comfy mushroom-shaped houses gathered together; Ellinia - the village of magicians with mysterious spells embedded between tall trees; Perion - the village of warriors with the fighting spirit typical of the Indians living in highlands; and Kerning City - the village of thieves that reminds you of the back alleys of dark cities.

    You'll be playing the game at Victoria Island where all these diverse and unique towns and fields coexist.

    Here, you are going to be just a regular gamer hunting down monsters and protecting yourself in the process. You'll be given 4 paths to choose from, 4 that will define your life in MapleStory: Warrior, Bowman, Thief, and Magician. Through leveling up and meeting some requirements, you'll be able to make job advancements and nurture your character in your own, unique way.
    ]]>     26 Nov 2006 07:31:06     Neverwinter Nights 2 Neverwinter Nights 2 is a title by Obsidian using the Dungeon and Dragons 3.5E ruleset by Wizards of the Coast. It provides an epic role playing experience in the single player campaign as well as easy to use tools for the community to bring their visions alive. Multiplayer is a core aspect of the game and it allows for cooperative and competative play depending on the module, as well as a dungeon master client controlling the world and characters as the players play.
    ]]>     27 Nov 2006 02:16:50     System Shock System Shock is one of the classics: a science fiction horror game that set nerves on edge as the player -- a cybernetically-augmented hacker -- tries to rein in a rampant AI on Citadel Station. Constantly taunted and hunted by the AI SHODAN, the player must counter SHODAN's attempts to destroy human life on Earth.

    System Shock went on to receive critical acclaim and garnered awards in the adventure genre, despite its mediocre commercial performance. The game's legacy influences game development to this day.

    Developer: Looking Glass Studios
    Release: 1994

    Platform: PC, Macintosh

    Producer: Origin Systems
    ]]>     28 Nov 2006 05:43:10     Arcanum: Of Steamworks and Magick Obscura Imagine a place of wonder, where magic and technology hold equal sway, and an adventurer might just as easily wield a flintlock pistol as a flaming sword. A place where great industrial cities house castle keeps and factories, home to Dwarves, Humans, Orcs and Elves alike. A place of ancient runes and steamworks, of magic and machines, of sorcery and science.

    Welcome to the Land of Arcanum

    Arcanum is the first game to come from the development house Troika Games, LLC, started by former Fallout team members Tim Cain, Leonard Boyarsky, and Jason Anderson. This team takes the depth of gameplay and world-building in role-playing games to entirely new levels of realism and excitement.

    Arcanum creates a compelling new world where magic and technology coexist in an uneasy balance. As Arcanum opens, the mechanical age has only recently arrived in this ancient land where Humans, Elves, Dwarves, Orcs and other races have learned to survive in the new sprawling industrialized cities. But this radical shift from magic to technology has created a potentially explosive situation. As the townspeople and other thinkers begin mass production of light bulbs, batteries, eyeglasses and guns, the Mages grow leery. This tightly wound setting is the starting point from which the character must set out on his quest.
    ]]>     05 Dec 2006 05:04:59     Arx Fatalis Arx Fatalis is a first-person RPG, which plunges the player into an amazingly complex fantasy world. Arx Fatalis combines intelligent storyline with impressive medieval surroundings. The user-friendly interface allows the highest interactivity possible. Arx Fatalis creates a state of intense immersion that allows the player to feel that all his actions have a direct consequence in the Arx game world.

    The goal of the game is to destroy the secret cult of Akbaa: the god of devastation and chaos, and thereby prevent his return to the physical world. Should the player fail, the demon is bound to impose his reign of terror upon Arx. The player, assuming the role of the potential hero, fights inside an underground fortress using wooden clubs, swords and magical items to defend himself against creatures including goblins, trolls, ratmen and other vicious opponents. But, brute force is not always the best way to succeed and the player has at his disposal the innovative new "onscreen gesture based magic system" to assist him in his progress through the game. Using the mouse, burning runes can be drawn in mid-air. A series of these gestures combine to create powerful magic spells that will protect the player or empower him to defeat his enemies and pursue his quest.

    In addition to the struggles against demons and monsters there are numerous opportunities for interaction with the creatures and objects inside the fortress helping the player to rediscover his memory, solve puzzles and fulfill quests. Collecting experience points enables the player to appropriately craft his hero's skills and abilities and to develop his overall persona. Dare to enter the world of Arx Fatalis. Explore underground cities, secret temples, lost civilizations, dwarf mines and discover the magic of Arx Fatalis...

    (from the official Arx Fatalis website)
    ]]>     05 Dec 2006 11:49:23     Gothic Gothic is a hybrid real-time 3D action RPG in which the player is forced to survive in a prison world divided into competing factions. As the player is mercilessly thrust into the prison world, he must choose to be one of four character classes and develop in that faction, moving up through the hierarchy and fighting new battles. The main character must evolve and develop, battling ever changing enemy factions and attempting to move up through the callous hierarchy. In the beginning, the character is merely a newcomer - an outsider - and must fulfill menial, insignificant tasks in order to make allies and survive. As time passes and the character accomplishes various tasks, he achieves a higher reputation among the others. As his reputation improves, other members will ask him to perform increasingly important tasks. Eventually, he is an influential, powerful member of the penal colony.
    ]]>     06 Dec 2006 10:24:21     Gothic II The mine valley of Khorinis. The glorious days of the once productive mines in this small seaside region were long over. Surrounded by the impenetrable magical barrier, the slaves eked out their miserable existence in this apparently natural prison.

    One brave man managed to burst the bonds of imprisonment. Following his own call to freedom, he ventured deep into the subterranean temples. Willing to do whatever was necessary, he went out to banish Evil and destroy the magical barrier forever. Spurred by the hatred of men long-suppressed, the prisoners streamed trough the only pass to freedom.
    ]]>     06 Dec 2006 10:38:43     Gothic III Players saved their home island from the forces of evil in Gothic I and Gothic II. Now it is time to travel to the realms of the mainland, where invading Orcs have enslaved the human kingdom. There are but a few free humans in the nearly uninhabitable icy north and southern desert, and a handful of rebels hiding in the forests and mountains of Midland. Players can choose to join the rebellion or serve the Orcish Usurpers, ultimately tipping the scales and deciding the outcome of the last war to save the world. There is no simple linear story in Gothic III – every game will be different and unique – but all will ultimately lead to players to decide the fate of humankind.
    ]]>     06 Dec 2006 10:44:39     Freedom Force vs The Third Reich
    When Nuclear Winter returns with a plot to destroy Freedom Force and the free world, gaming's greatest heroes must team up with a flurry of fresh faces! As the sinister soviet's plan unfurls, patriot city's finest find themselves flung through time into the greatest conflict the planet has ever seen: World War 2!


    The second of the series, Freedom Force vs. the Third Reich is a superhero tactical-rpg/strategy game with an extensive character customisation system. As in the original Freedom Force game, the interface is intuitive and easy to use, the storyline is lighthearted and humorous, and there are excellent character development tools.

    Missions are framed within stylish cutscenes that are highly reminiscent of the golden age of comics. Nearly all of the action and movement in the game can be controlled by mouse, but shortcut keys are also functional. Gameplay is in real time by default, but with a turn based aspect, as with a tap of the spacebar you can pause the game and issue orders.


    Additional game features

    • A brand new chapter in the ever-expanding Freedom Force universe.

    • Six new playable heroes from two distinct eras of comic books.

    • A hoard of new villains bent on world domination.

    • Radically enhanced graphics running on a brand new engine (Gamebryo).

    • Vastly improved multiplayer, including several completely new modes.

    • For the first time in gaming, a trip to the Golden Age of comics.

    • Create your own comic battles with story-based multiplayer.

    • Fully destructable environments.

    • Real-time shadows, dynamic lights and more new rendering features.

    • Create your own hero with the hero editor.

    • Robust Modding tools.


    Computer Gaming World's Strategy Game of the Year 2002!


    Developed by Irrational Games, and released in the U.S. on March 8, 2005 by publisher Vivendi Universal Games.

    System Requirements:
    733 MHz P3 or Athlon processor or equivalent. 128MB RAM, ATI Radeon 7000 or NVIDIA Geforce GTS or equivalent DirectX 9.0c compliant 32MB video card with hardware T&L. 700MB hard disk space. DirectX compatible sound card. 56K modem or broadband internet connection for online play. Windows 98/ME/2000/XP
    ]]>     16 Dec 2006 03:04:54