Abandonware DOS retro gaming spotlight

Ultima 7: soundtrack added

The Ultima VII soundtrack is, in my opinion, one of the most atmospheric and memorable scores in classic RPG history. It was released in 1992 with Ultima VII: The Black Gate and includes the all time classic "Stones". Ultima VII is regarded as one of the greatest RPGs of all ...

The second Eye of the Beholder

Eye of the Beholder II: The Legend of Darkmoon is a first-person party-based role-playing game developed by Westwood Associates and published by Strategic Simulations, Inc. (SSI). Set in the Dungeons & Dragons universe, specifically the Forgotten Realms campaign setting, the game follows the story of the adventurers known as the ...

Oldies remade: the best remakes of old DOS games

Games developed for DOS or early microcomputers (such as the Spectrum, Commodore 64, BBC Micro, etc.) date back to the 1980s. Simply put, these games are old. Graphics, sound, user experience, and interface were vastly different compared to recent games.Game development has made significant strides over the years, and today&...

Quest for Glory 2: Trial by Fire - Adventure and RPG combined

Quest for Glory II: Trial by Fire is the second chapter in the Quest for Glory series. It’s an adventure game with RPG elements, where players must choose a class—fighter, wizard, or thief—at the very start. Set in a fantasy world inspired by Middle ...

Anachronox: soundtrack added

Anachronox is a 2001 role-playing video game developed by Ion Storm and published by Eidos Interactive with a futuristic, cyberpunk-inspired setting. The story of Anachronox takes place in a galaxy where technology and magic coexist. The game’s protagonist, Sylvester "Sly" Boots, is a down-on-his-luck private investigator who finds himself ...

Might and Magic 7: For Blood and Honor

Might and Magic VII: For Blood and Honor is a fantasy role-playing game (RPG) developed by New World Computing and released in 1999. It is the seventh installment in the long-running Might and Magic series. The game is set in the fictional world of Enroth and takes place in the same ...

Electronic Games Arcade Awards - 1984

The Electronic Games Arcade Awards, also known as the Electronic Games Awards or simply the Arcade Awards, were an annual awards ceremony that recognized achievements in the electronic gaming industry during the 1980s and 1990s. The awards were organized by Electronic Games magazine, which was a prominent publication during that ...

Rogue: the first roguelike

If you're into roguelikes, you already know what Rogue is. One of the first RPGs in video game history, Rogue is a text-based dungeon crawler where you must battle your way through the depths to recover the Amulet of Yendor. It gained popularity around 1980 on mainframes and was later ported ...

The History of CRPGs: Martian Dreams

Martian Dreams is an unusual and fascinating entry in the history of video gaming. It blends history, science fiction, and adventure into a single game. Developed by Origin Systems and released in 1991, Martian Dreams takes players on a journey to Mars in 1893. The game's storyline presents an ...

GDC Spotlight Awards: the best games of 1998

The Spotlight Awards was a prominent video game awards event held during the 1990s as part of the Game Developers Conference (GDC). This event recognized outstanding achievements in video game development across a wide range of gaming platforms, including PC, console, and arcade systems.By celebrating innovation and creativity within ...

Dune: soundtrack added

Dune, released in 1992, is a game developed by Cryo Interactive and published by Virgin Games. It's based on the iconic science fiction novel of the same name by Frank Herbert. In Dune, players assume the role of Paul Atreides, the young scion of House Atreides, as he arrives on the ...

Have you ever played Ravenloft: Stone Prophet?

Ravenloft: Stone Prophet is a first-person role-playing game (RPG) released in 1995 for MS-DOS. It was developed by DreamForge Intertainment and published by Strategic Simulations, Inc. (SSI). The game is set in the Dungeons & Dragons campaign setting of Ravenloft, known for its Gothic horror themes, and is a direct sequel ...

Interactive Achievement Awards - 1998

The Interactive Achievement Awards (IAAs), now known as the D.I.C.E. Awards, are an annual ceremony that celebrates exceptional accomplishments in the video game industry. Established by the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences (AIAS) in 1998, the IAAs recognize excellence across various aspects of gaming, including game design, ...

Do you remember the first Heroes of Might and Magic?

Heroes of Might and Magic: A Strategic Quest, was released in 1995 for MS-DOS and later ported to Windows and the Macintosh. Developed by New World Computing and created by Jon Van Caneghem, the game is a turn-based strategy set in a fantasy universe that shares its lore with the Might ...

Wizardry: a CRPG series

The Wizardry series holds a pivotal place in the history of computer role-playing games (CRPGs). Created by Sir-Tech, the franchise made its debut in 1981 with Wizardry: Proving Grounds of the Mad Overlord (developed by Andrew Greenberg and Robert Woodhead), a game that set the standard for many CRPGs to come ...

The History of CRPGs: Beneath Apple Manor

Beneath Apple Manor, created by Don Worth and released in 1978 for the Apple II, is a landmark in the history of computer role-playing games and particularly in roguelike genres. It's notable for being one of the earliest graphical RPGs available for home computers, predating many of the genre's most famous ...

Feelies: cool items included in the original box

Game feelies are physical items included with video games, especially prevalent during the era of boxed PC games, that enhance the immersive experience for players. These tangible extras provide additional context and lore, or simply serve as fun collectibles that deepen the connection to the game's world and storyline. Feelies ...

Japanese Role-Playing Games (JRPG)

JRPGs, or Japanese Role-Playing Games, are a subgenre of role-playing video games that originated in Japan. They are characterized by a distinct style of storytelling, gameplay mechanics, and visual aesthetics. JRPGs often place a heavy emphasis on narrative and character development. They frequently feature intricate plots, richly developed ...

Interactive Achievement Awards - 1997

The Interactive Achievement Awards (IAAs), now known as the D.I.C.E. Awards, are an annual awards ceremony honoring outstanding achievements in the video game industry. The IAAs were established by the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences (AIAS) in 1998 to recognize excellence in various categories within the gaming ...

Circuit's Edge: a cyberpunk adventure-RPG

Circuit's Edge is a cyberpunk-themed role-playing game developed by Westwood Associates and published by Infocom. It was released in 1990 for various platforms including DOS, Amiga, and Commodore 64. Set in a dystopian future, Circuit's Edge takes place in the fictional city of Rhoes Island, a dark and gritty urban landscape ...

Albion, by Blue Byte software

Albion is a science fiction role-playing game (RPG) developed and published by German studio Blue Byte Software. It was released in 1995 for MS-DOS and later for Amiga. Albion is notable for its blend of traditional RPG elements with a unique setting and storyline. The game takes place on the planet ...

Morrowind: the best of the Elder Scrolls games?

The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind is a critically acclaimed open-world action role-playing video game developed by Bethesda Game Studios. It was released in 2002 and is the third installment in the Elder Scrolls series. The game is set in the fantasy world of Tamriel, on the island of Vvardenfell in the ...

Demo versions: what happened to game demos?

Let's start by emphasizing a crucial point: not every classic game has been "abandoned". With the resurgence of all things "vintage", there's a renewed fascination with retro items, including video games. Consequently, certain companies have acquired entire back catalogs of old games and begun selling them anew. Hence, many captivating ...

MegaTraveller 1: The Zhodani Conspiracy

MegaTraveller 1: The Zhodani Conspiracy is a science fiction role-playing game (RPG) released in 1990. The Zhodani Conspiracy is the first installment in the MegaTraveller series and was developed by Paragon Software. MegaTraveller 1 takes place in the Traveller universe's Third Imperium, a vast interstellar empire. The plot revolves around a conspiracy involving ...

System Shock 2: RPG shooter

System Shock 2 is a sci-fi first-person action role-playing game (RPG) developed by Irrational Games and Looking Glass Studios and released in 1999. System Shock 2 combines elements of first-person shooters with RPG mechanics.

Forgotten Realms Unlimited Adventures

After publishing a plethora of Gold Box titles, SSI decided to release a fantasy RPG based on the Forgotten Realms scenarios of Dungeons & Dragons where the player could create its own adventures. Forgotten Realms Unlimited Adventures (FRUA) is the ultimate Gold Box RPG and received praise from everyone who ...

Jagged Alliance 2: squad tactics at its best

Jagged Alliance 2 is a turn-based tactical role-playing strategy game developed by Sir-Tech and released in 1999 for Windows. It is the sequel to the original Jagged Alliance and has earned a reputation as one of the best games in the turn-based strategy genre. Set in the fictional country of Arulco, Jagged ...

GameSpy's 25 Favorite PC Games of the '90s

"The 1990s were landmark years for PC gaming, giving rise to three of the most deeply ingrained genres on the platform, and delivering memorable classics in the role-playing and adventure genres that the PC had long been known for. To celebrate this monumental decade we've put together some reflections ...

Dungeons, Dragons and pixels: videogames inspired by D&D

Dungeons & Dragons (D&D) is a tabletop role-playing game (RPG) that combines elements of storytelling, strategy, and chance. It was first published in 1974 by Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson and has since become one of the most popular and influential role-playing games in the world. Dungeons & ...

GameSpy Greatest PC Games of All Time: The '80s

This is a special feature of the popular (and old!) video games site GameSpy. These games were handpicked by the GameSpy staff to be part of the best PC games published in the 80s. GameSpy Online, often referred to as GameSpy, was a division of IGN Entertainment that provided a ...