Category: Role Playing and Adventure Games

From the Database of Home of the Underdogs GAME DESIGNER:Matthew Fassberg & Scott Kim GAME DEVELOPER:Rocket Science Games GAME PUBLISHER:Segasoft Copyright 1997, Segasoft One of the very few “Myst clones” games I actually like, Obsidian is much better than its overhyped predecessor for its novel premise that combines hard sci-fi with surrealistic fantasy, and innovative…

From the Database of Home of the Underdogs GAME DESIGNER: GAME DEVELOPER:Psygnosis GAME PUBLISHER:Psygnosis Copyright 1991, Psygnosis Obitus is a fun combination of RPG and arcade action that places you in the role of Wil Mason as he finds himself mysteriously transported to the fantasy world of Middlemere. As Wil explores the four shires of…

From the Database of Home of the Underdogs GAME DESIGNER:Ade Carless GAME DEVELOPER:Gremlin GAME PUBLISHER:Gremlin Copyright 1996, Gremlin No doubt one of the most original adventure games ever, Normalityis like a tongue-in-cheek version of George Orwell’s classic 1984: You are Kent, a very -erm- independent lad who’s being persued by the cops (the “Norms”) for…

From the Database of Home of the Underdogs GAME DESIGNER: GAME DEVELOPER:GameTek GAME PUBLISHER:GameTek Copyright 1993, GameTek One of the most overlooked classics of all time, this is essentially Starflight with a much more developed and interesting plot (although with less sophisticated details and interface): an alien ship that mysteriously crashed into earth suddenly gives…

From the Database of Home of the Underdogs GAME DESIGNER: GAME DEVELOPER:Dynabyte GAME PUBLISHER:Dynabyte Copyright 1992, Dynabyte A short-lived European adventure game that was never released in the U.S. by one of Italy’s best game developers, Nippon Safes, Inc. features a novel plot: three hapless criminals formed a team to undertake ambitious safe-cracking schemes. You…

From the Database of Home of the Underdogs GAME DESIGNER:Troy Miles GAME DEVELOPER:Interplay GAME PUBLISHER:Interplay Copyright 1990, Troy Miles Definitely the best cyberpunk game I’ve ever played, Neuromancer is an excellent adaptation of the classic book of the same name. You play a hacker who is struggling to make ends meet at the beginning, only…

From the Database of Home of the Underdogs GAME DESIGNER:Jon Freeman & Paul Reiche III GAME DEVELOPER:Free Fall Associates GAME PUBLISHER:Electronic Arts Copyright 1984, Free Fall Associates Murder on The Zinderneuf is a fun murder mystery game that can be played in one sitting. In a setting that would be familiar to fans of crime…

From the Database of Home of the Underdogs GAME DESIGNER: GAME DEVELOPER:IntraCorp GAME PUBLISHER:IntraCorp Copyright 1988, IntraCorp Murder on the Atlantic is a fun murder mystery with a cliche murder-on-the-ship plot that develops into a solid game of logical deduction and timing. Clues and evidence must be pieced together to determine the culprit. Unfortunately, the…

From the Database of Home of the Underdogs GAME DESIGNER: GAME DEVELOPER:Time Warp GAME PUBLISHER:Rainbow Arts Copyright 1991, Rainbow Arts In this solid PC version of an underrated Amiga adventure, you are a detective tasked with finding a missing mummy in Hamburg within 5 days. Hundreds of locations, characters, objects, and authentic 1912 atmosphere are…

From the Database of Home of the Underdogs GAME DESIGNER: GAME DEVELOPER:Cobra Software GAME PUBLISHER:Infogrames Copyright 1990, Cobra Software In this little-known murder mystery game, you play a sleuth who must solve a high-profile murder in Venice. While the plot is nothing original, there are many revolutionary elements in gameplay. For instance, you can use…

From the Database of Home of the Underdogs GAME DESIGNER: GAME DEVELOPER:Cobra Software GAME PUBLISHER:Infogrames Copyright 1991, Cobra Software This sequel to Murder in Venice takes you away from the picturesque city and into the cramped confines of a space station. The interface is simplified from the first game: left mouse button is used for…

From the Database of Home of the Underdogs GAME DESIGNER: GAME DEVELOPER:7th Level GAME PUBLISHER:Panasonic Interactive Copyright 1998, 7th Level The unique– and, to some, repelling– Monty Python humor comes to life in a trio of Pythonite games: Complete Waste of Time, The Holy Grail, and The Meaning of Life, thanks to active involvement of…

From the Database of Home of the Underdogs GAME DESIGNER: GAME DEVELOPER:7th Level GAME PUBLISHER:Panasonic Interactive Copyright 1996, 7th Level The unique– and, to some, repelling– Monty Python humor comes to life in a trio of Pythonite games: Complete Waste of Time, The Holy Grail, and The Meaning of Life, thanks to active involvement of…

From the Database of Home of the Underdogs GAME DESIGNER: GAME DEVELOPER:7th Level GAME PUBLISHER:Panasonic Interactive Copyright 1994, 7th Level The unique– and, to some, repelling– Monty Python humor comes to life in a trio of Pythonite games: Complete Waste of Time, The Holy Grail, and The Meaning of Life, thanks to active involvement of…

From the Database of Home of the Underdogs GAME DESIGNER:Greg Malone GAME DEVELOPER:Origin Systems GAME PUBLISHER:Origin Systems Copyright 1987, Origin Systems One of the first games produced in the Western hemisphere that are based on Oriental motif, Moebius is an ambitious design that didn’t quite pull it off. Your job, as disciple of the Headmaster,…

From the Database of Home of the Underdogs GAME DESIGNER: GAME DEVELOPER:Konami GAME PUBLISHER:Konami Copyright 1990, Konami Not to be confused with similar-sounding Impossible Mission action game from Epyx, Mission: Impossible is the adventure game that puts you in command of a 4-man spy team. You can control separate members, ordering them to do different…

From the Database of Home of the Underdogs GAME DESIGNER:Mike Verdu GAME DEVELOPER:Legend Entertainment GAME PUBLISHER:Legend Entertainment Copyright 1995, Legend Entertainment Mission Critical is an engrossing game that may be the best original hard sci-fi game ever created. As lone survivor of the ship’s crew sent to find alien technology to avert the course of…

From the Database of Home of the Underdogs GAME DESIGNER:Louis Castle & Brett W. Sperry GAME DEVELOPER:Westwood Studios GAME PUBLISHER:Infocom Copyright 1988, Infocom An update of Commodore 64 classic Mars Saga, this is a nice sci-fi RPG set on the moon Titan. Control up to 6 characters from various futuristic backgrounds to investigate strange happenings…

From the Database of Home of the Underdogs GAME DESIGNER:John McGirk IV GAME DEVELOPER:Dreamforge Intertainment GAME PUBLISHER:Strategic Simulations Inc. (SSI) Copyright 1994, Strategic Simulations Inc. (SSI) Menzoberranzan is based on R.A. Salvatore’s best-selling “Forgotten Realms” novel The Legacy, which explores the mysterious culture of the Drow. Based on the improved version of engine used in…

From the Database of Home of the Underdogs GAME DESIGNER:Marc Miller GAME DEVELOPER:Paragon Software GAME PUBLISHER:Paragon Software Copyright 1991, Paragon Software The sequel to MegaTraveller 1 surpasses its predecessor in every respect: sharp VGA graphics, more detailed character creation, and vastly improved gameplay. Although still set in the MegaTraveller universe, the plot is different each…

From the Database of Home of the Underdogs GAME DESIGNER:Marc Miller GAME DEVELOPER:Paragon Software GAME PUBLISHER:Paragon Software Copyright 1989, Paragon Software After years of producing sub-par, simplistic arcade/RPG titles, Paragon finally found their true calling with Megatraveller 1, the first Game Designers Workshop’s paper & pencil RPG to be transformed into a computer game. You…

From the Database of Home of the Underdogs GAME DESIGNER: GAME DEVELOPER:Lankhor GAME PUBLISHER:Lankhor Copyright 1990, Lankhor One of the hardest and most intriguing adventure games ever produced, Maupiti Island is also sadly one of the most overlooked despite attracting a loyal following in Europe. As private eye Jerome Lange, you are hired to investigate…

From the Database of Home of the Underdogs GAME DESIGNER:Dave Murry & Barry Murry GAME DEVELOPER:Evryware GAME PUBLISHER:Sierra On-Line Copyright 1989, Sierra On-Line Manhunter 1 and 2 are two Sierra cult classics with a no-typing interface. As a manhunter working for orb-shaped aliens, find and join the underground movement to free the earth from slavery.…

From the Database of Home of the Underdogs GAME DESIGNER:Dave & Barry Murry GAME DEVELOPER:Evryware GAME PUBLISHER:Sierra On-Line Copyright 1988, Sierra On-Line Manhunter 1 and 2 are two Sierra cult classics with a no-typing interface. As a manhunter working for orb-shaped aliens, find and join the underground movement to free the earth from slavery. Sleuthing…

From the Database of Home of the Underdogs GAME DESIGNER: GAME DEVELOPER:Samourai GAME PUBLISHER:Queen Soft Copyright 1994, Queen Soft A relatively unknown anime-style RPG from Japanese designer Samourai, Mad Paradox is your typical lad-on-a-quest-to-avenge-father’s-death game that is one of the worse games of its type ever made. The game shares many shortcomings of most early…

From the Database of Home of the Underdogs GAME DESIGNER:Dave Cummins GAME DEVELOPER:Revolution GAME PUBLISHER:Freeware Copyright 1992, Revolution This is a charming little adventure that features the “Virtual Theatre” engine– NPCs follow their own agenda, and finding someone you need is almost a puzzle in itself. Puzzles are logical and interesting, some of which have…

From the Database of Home of the Underdogs GAME DESIGNER: GAME DEVELOPER:Coca Cola GAME PUBLISHER:Freeware Copyright 1998, Coca Cola The Lost Island of Alanna will probably go down in history as one of the better marketing gimmicks ever made for one of the worst products. Coca Cola released the game in 1998 with great fanfare,…

From the Database of Home of the Underdogs GAME DESIGNER:Muriel Tramis GAME DEVELOPER:Coktel Vision GAME PUBLISHER:Coktel Vision Copyright 1995, Coktel Vision Lost in Time is arguably Coktel Vision’s best game, and one of the most fiendishly difficult and intricate puzzle games you’ll ever come across. You play Doralice, intrepid heroine who has been chosen by…

From the Database of Home of the Underdogs GAME DESIGNER: GAME DEVELOPER:Mythos Software GAME PUBLISHER:Electronic Arts Copyright 1997, Mythos Software/Electronic Arts Arguably the best games starring the world’s most famous fictional detective, Lost Files of Sherlock Holmes 1 and 2 are similar: while the plot, writing, graphics, are all first-rate, most puzzles– especially the just-click-and-watch…

From the Database of Home of the Underdogs GAME DESIGNER: GAME DEVELOPER:Mythos Software GAME PUBLISHER:Electronic Arts Copyright 1994, Mythos Software Arguably the best games starring the world’s most famous fictional detective, Lost Files of Sherlock Holmes 1 and 2 are similar: while the plot, writing, graphics, are all first-rate, most puzzles– especially the just-click-and-watch lab…

From the Database of Home of the Underdogs GAME DESIGNER: GAME DEVELOPER:Interplay GAME PUBLISHER:Interplay Copyright 1991, Interplay The sequel to Interplay’s acclaimed but undersold Lords of The Ring vol. I took place slightly before its predecessor ends: at the dark forest of Fangorn, where the adventurous band of Hobbits and their human and elf allies…

From the Database of Home of the Underdogs GAME DESIGNER: GAME DEVELOPER:Interplay GAME PUBLISHER:Interplay Copyright 1990, Interplay Commonly regarded as one of the best Tolkien games ever made, Interplay’s adaptation is an excellent blend of RPG and adventure that vividly captures the spirit of Tolkien’s worlds through cutscenes and vibrant in-game graphics. The only downsides…

From the Database of Home of the Underdogs GAME DESIGNER:Mike Singleton GAME DEVELOPER:Beyond Software GAME PUBLISHER:Freeware Copyright 1995, Beyond Software Chris Wild did a superb job on unofficial PC conversions of Lord of Midnight and its sequel Doomdark’s Revenge, Mike Singleton’s epic RPGs first released for the Spectrum and Commodore 64. Like Mike Singleton’s later…

From the Database of Home of the Underdogs GAME DESIGNER:Brian Moriarty GAME DEVELOPER:LucasFilm Games GAME PUBLISHER:LucasFilm Games Copyright 1989, LucasFilm Games One of the most unique adventures ever made, Loom is a brainchild of Brian Moriarty (the brain behind Infocom’s Wishbringer and Trinity). The game’s intriguing plot is enough to ensure its “classic” status: you…

From the Database of Home of the Underdogs GAME DESIGNER:Didrik Tollefsen & Ragnar T?rnquist GAME DEVELOPER:Funcom GAME PUBLISHER:Funcom Copyright 2000, Funcom Easily one of the best adventure games I have played in the past 3-4 years, The Longest Journey is a delightful adventure with, for once, a truly original and fascinating plot. Had the game…

From the Database of Home of the Underdogs GAME DESIGNER:Fr?d?rick Raynal GAME DEVELOPER:Adeline Software GAME PUBLISHER:Activision Copyright 1997, Adeline Software Without a doubt two of the most unique and revolutionary underdogs ever, Little Big Adventure 1 and 2 are charming isometric SVGA adventures that deftly weave action, RPG (spellcasting), and traditional adventure into a wholly…

From the Database of Home of the Underdogs GAME DESIGNER:Fr?d?rick Raynal GAME DEVELOPER:Adeline Software GAME PUBLISHER:Activision Copyright 1996, Adeline Software Without a doubt two of the most unique and revolutionary underdogs ever, Little Big Adventure 1 and 2 are charming isometric SVGA adventures that deftly weave action, RPG (spellcasting), and traditional adventure into a wholly…

From the Database of Home of the Underdogs GAME DESIGNER: GAME DEVELOPER:Sierra On-Line GAME PUBLISHER:Sierra On-Line Copyright 1997, Sierra On-Line My “Top Dog” for this game comes with a huge warning: I am biased for difficult games. That said, Lighthouse is the game for you if you, too, are an experienced adventurer who revel in…

From the Database of Home of the Underdogs GAME DESIGNER: GAME DEVELOPER:Manley Associates GAME PUBLISHER:Accolade Copyright 1992, Accolade Lost in L.A. is the inferior sequel of Search for the King, a funny Leisure Suit Larry clone released 2 years earlier. In a nod to the unfortunate adventure trend, the versatile parser in Search for the…

From the Database of Home of the Underdogs GAME DESIGNER: GAME DEVELOPER:Synthetic Dimensions GAME PUBLISHER:Strategic Simulations Inc. (SSI) Copyright 1993, Strategic Simulations Inc. (SSI) Legend of Valour is a novel experiment in 3D RPG by SSI that was billed as “better than Ultima Underworld.” Unfortunately, the game not only falls far short of its lofty…

From the Database of Home of the Underdogs GAME DESIGNER:Rick Gush GAME DEVELOPER:Westwood Studios GAME PUBLISHER:Westwood Studios Copyright 1994, Westwood Studios Arguably among the best adventure games series ever, Kyrandia games tell the stories set in the fantasy land of Kyrandia, told from 3 different perspectives: Brandon (a hero chosen to save the land), Zanthia…

From the Database of Home of the Underdogs GAME DESIGNER:Rick Gush GAME DEVELOPER:Westwood Studios GAME PUBLISHER:Westwood Studios Copyright 1994, Westwood Studios Arguably among the best adventure games series ever, Kyrandia games tell the stories set in the fantasy land of Kyrandia, told from 3 different perspectives: Brandon (a hero chosen to save the land), Zanthia…

From the Database of Home of the Underdogs GAME DESIGNER:Brett W. Sperry & Michael Legg GAME DEVELOPER:Westwood Studios GAME PUBLISHER:Westwood Studios Copyright 1994, Westwood Studios Arguably among the best adventure games series ever, Kyrandia games tell the stories set in the fantasy land of Kyrandia, told from 3 different perspectives: Brandon (a hero chosen to…

From the Database of Home of the Underdogs GAME DESIGNER:Veith Schogenhummer & Olaf Barthel GAME DEVELOPER:reLINE Software GAME PUBLISHER:reLINE Software Copyright 1990, reLINE Software A fun, detailed European RPG that could easily be the precursor of the classic complex RPG Blades of Destiny in its solid database of monsters, NPCs, weapons, and numerous quests. Combat…

From the Database of Home of the Underdogs GAME DESIGNER:James Taglione GAME DEVELOPER:Mindscape GAME PUBLISHER:Mindscape Copyright 1991, Mindscape Sure winner of the “games with the most monikers” award if there were such a thing, Legend is a great RPG that is also known as Empire and Four Crystals of Trazere. Despite the typical kill-the-big-foozle plot,…

From the Database of Home of the Underdogs GAME DESIGNER:Stephen Hand & Matt Innes GAME DEVELOPER:Magnetic Scrolls GAME PUBLISHER:MicroProse Copyright 1993, Magnetic Scrolls Magnetic Scrolls’ last game is a hugely underrated adventure game with RPG elements based on its “Magnetic Windows” system last seen in Collection 1 and Wonderland. The cliche beginning (explore your inheritance…

From the Database of Home of the Underdogs GAME DESIGNER:John Dougherty & Charles Dougherty GAME DEVELOPER:Quest Inc. GAME PUBLISHER:Electronic Arts Copyright 1988, Quest Inc. A classic RPG from Electronic Arts, this game became an instant classic once it was released on the Commodore 64. One of the best “solo” RPG ever, everything in this game…

From the Database of Home of the Underdogs GAME DESIGNER:Steve Meretzky GAME DEVELOPER:Infocom GAME PUBLISHER:Infocom Copyright 1992, Infocom Leather Goddesses of Phobos 2 is one of the most sought-after oldies in existence. It is ironic, then, that it happens to be one of the worst computer games ever made in any genre. Even more ironic…

From the Database of Home of the Underdogs GAME DESIGNER:Jordan Mechner GAME DEVELOPER:Smoking Car Productions GAME PUBLISHER:Brderbund Copyright 1997, Brderbund One of the most original and atmospheric adventures ever released, The Last Express is a masterpiece that exemplifies what storytelling should be. You are Robert Cath, who boards the train in Paris to meet a…

From the Database of Home of the Underdogs GAME DESIGNER:Steve Meretzky GAME DEVELOPER:Tom Snyder Productions GAME PUBLISHER:Infocom Copyright 1988, Infocom Infocom released Lane Mastodon, the world’s first “interactive comic book” in 1988 with little fanfare and even lesser reaction from the gaming public. Apart from being the first electronic comic book, Lane Mastodon and all…