If you're looking for the platforming game by Apogee / 3D Realms, try Dark Ages: Volume 1, Prince of Destiny, because the game we're talking about here is a Dragon Warrior-style RPG. The plot is as RPGish as it gets: "A hero must arise to defeat the evil wizard, unify the land, and write a new legend." It could be any RPG game, and although this game is simple and derivative, it does seem to work pretty well."Dark Ages I: The Continents" is a DOS-based role-playing game (RPG) released in 1992 by Sierra On-Line. It is part of a series of Dark Ages games, often referred to as "Dark Ages" or "Dark Ages I", which featured an immersive fantasy world filled with medieval and mythological elements. Story and Setting: The game is set in a fantasy world known as the Continents. This world is made up of several different regions, each with its own unique environment, cultures, and challenges. The player assumes the role of a hero or adventurer, journeying across these continents to explore dungeons, encounter mythical creatures, and engage in quests that advance the story. Lore: The game’s plot delves into the ancient history of the continents, including the rise of evil powers and the search for powerful relics and artifacts. Exploration and World-Building: The game features a vast world with a variety of environments to explore, from towns and villages to forests, mountains, and dungeons. Exploration is central to the gameplay, with players needing to interact with NPCs (non-player characters) for information and to advance the storyline. Players can travel between continents, each of which offers new challenges and rewards. Turn-Based Combat: Combat in "Dark Ages I: The Continents" is turn-based, meaning players take turns with enemies to perform actions such as attacking, casting spells, or using items. Party-Based System: The player usually controls a party of adventurers, each with different abilities, strengths, and weaknesses. Combat strategy revolves around managing the party effectively. The game allows for both melee combat and magic spells, with different characters in your party specializing in different areas of combat and magic. Character Development: As a classic RPG, character progression is key. Players can level up their characters by gaining experience points (XP) through defeating enemies, completing quests, and discovering new locations. Skill Trees: Each character can develop specific skills based on their class, such as warrior, mage, or healer. These choices impact the strategies used in combat and exploration. Graphics and Audio: "Dark Ages I: The Continents" featured EGA graphics (with 16 colors) for environments and character sprites, which were fairly standard for RPGs on the DOS platform in the early 1990s. Sound: The game supported PC Speaker and AdLib sound, providing atmospheric music and sound effects, although the audio was limited by the technology of the time. Quests and Puzzles: Players engage in quests that involve solving puzzles, defeating powerful enemies, and collecting magical items or relics. Non-linear Gameplay: While there is an overarching storyline, players have the freedom to explore the world and tackle quests in a non-linear fashion. This adds a degree of replayability and encourages exploration. Difficulty: The game is known for its challenging combat and complex puzzles. Players must manage their resources carefully, balance their party’s skills, and develop strategies to overcome difficult enemies. Multiple Endings: Based on the decisions made during gameplay, players could experience different outcomes, adding to the depth of the game.
4/24/2024