DOSBox RPGs

[fastpunk]

So yeah, I just installed DOSBox, curious what all the fuss was about. Then I went looking for some old RPGs and found Abandonia.com. First things first, I wanted to try The Stygian Abyss, I was very curious about Looking Glass' first game. It's surprisingly good looking, certainly owns the much praised Doom or Wolf3D. Anyway, I have a few questions for you old school role-players:

1. Why can't I download Betrayal at Krondor for example? Or Eye of the Beholder? I'm guessing I have to buy them... but if that's the case then why are they on Abandonia in the first place? Anyway, anyone know how I can procure these oldies without the fuss of torrent clients and shit? Although I guess I'll end up there if nothing gives... I heard tons of good things about Betrayal at Krondor and really want to try it.

2. Out of the following RPGs, which one would you definitely play?
Bard's Tale series
Darklands
Lands of Lore
Wasteland

3. Out of the Ultima series, which one's the best?

4. Know any more sites a la Abandonia?

 

[Claw]

3. VII
4. HotU?

 

[larpingdude14]

1.
Betrayal at Krondor:
http://www.old-games.ru/game/82.html - click on Скачать ISO (1 диск)

Eye of the Beholder Trilogy:
http://rapidshare.com/files/80891492/Ey ... D.rar.html

2. dunno, try Anvil of Dawn. (The only DosBox RPG i played)

3. Download and decide for yourself:
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=I2WCHFJ6

4.
http://adventurelegends.6x.to/
http://retrobert.blogspot.com/ (italian)
http://www.old-games.ru/ (russian, slow)
http://www.the-underdogs.info/
http://isoart.bravehost.com/

 

[deuxhero]

You could try arena (released for free) if it sounds appealing.

 

[Erzherzog]

I think that I read that when the copyright owner requests a game to be taken down, they just leave the review up and such.

 

[kingcomrade]

http://www.rpgcodex.net/phpBB/viewtopic ... 95&start=0

 

[cardtrick]

1. Why can't I download Betrayal at Krondor for example? Or Eye of the Beholder? I'm guessing I have to buy them... but if that's the case then why are they on Abandonia in the first place? Anyway, anyone know how I can procure these oldies without the fuss of torrent clients and shit? Although I guess I'll end up there if nothing gives... I heard tons of good things about Betrayal at Krondor and really want to try it.

Betrayal at Krondor (Incidentally, the first result when Googling "Betrayal at Krondor" . . . )

Eye of the Beholder

2. Out of the following RPGs, which one would you definitely play?

Realms of Arkania 2: Star Trial

Ahem, of your actual choices, Darklands by far. It's in my top 5 favorite RPGs. Wasteland is good but a little overrated, I've never played Bard's Tale and have very little desire to (it's apparently a lot like the first few Wizardries, which I don't really enjoy), and Lands of Lore seems appealing in some ways but I'm not wild about real time combat, no character creation, and the simplistic character development system. Still, it's on my To-Play list.

Nevertheless, Darklands and RoA2: Star Trail are both way out in front of the others you listed.

3. Out of the Ultima series, which one's the best?

I don't like the Ultima series.

4. Know any more sites a la Abandonia?

Home of the Underdogs is the other big one, but a Google search with the game's title in quotes and then either "download" or "abandonware" will usually be better than going to any particular site. You could try looking for torrents, too -- I know a while ago there was one floating around with pretty much every DOS RPG zipped up.

 

[Saxon1974]

So yeah, I just installed DOSBox, curious what all the fuss was about. Then I went looking for some old RPGs and found Abandonia.com. First things first, I wanted to try The Stygian Abyss, I was very curious about Looking Glass' first game. It's surprisingly good looking, certainly owns the much praised Doom or Wolf3D. Anyway, I have a few questions for you old school role-players:

1. Why can't I download Betrayal at Krondor for example? Or Eye of the Beholder? I'm guessing I have to buy them... but if that's the case then why are they on Abandonia in the first place? Anyway, anyone know how I can procure these oldies without the fuss of torrent clients and shit? Although I guess I'll end up there if nothing gives... I heard tons of good things about Betrayal at Krondor and really want to try it.

2. Out of the following RPGs, which one would you definitely play?
Bard's Tale series
Darklands
Lands of Lore
Wasteland

3. Out of the Ultima series, which one's the best?

4. Know any more sites a la Abandonia?

Hi there, I have been on a quest to replay all my favorite games I played as a kid.

As far as #2)

Those are all pretty great games. I prefere the Bard's Tale series and definitely wasteland (I am a fantasy RPG'er but I have a hard time not putting wasteland as my number RPG of all time, fantastic game). I did replay the C64 version using the Vice c64 emulator though as I like the color scheme on the non PC versions better.

Im currently playing through Bard's Tale I (C64 version), I love these old games still today, they just have a certain feel and gameplay that I love. You are gonna need to either get the maps on the net or do your own mapping. If you get the maps off the net it takes some of the mystery and fun out of it though I think. It's much more fun discovering things by yourself and not knowing what's around each corner.

I think Bard's Tale II is the best of the Bard's games. It's a shame the creator of the games abandoned the series after number II and went into some religious based career. (At least for us RPG fans).

Darklands is very good too, it has a nice mix of fantasy and germanic history weaved in. Lots and lots of options on what you can do, I didn't like how the towns were just text screens though.

Lands of lore is very well done but its very linear which is quite a turnoff to me, but for what it is its superbly done.

As for # 3)

I have a hard time choosing my favorite Ultima, I think It's between Ultima III and Ultima V. Many think Ultima IV is the best, while I agree it's great I just don't like how it forces you to be nice all the time. Ultima III was the game that got me started playing RPG's and so I have a soft spot for it, I played it recently and its still big fun. If you can't handle old school graphics though you might want to play Ultima 6 and 7 for the upgraded graphics.

I liked but didnt love Ultima 7. The real time combat was confusing and chaotic and the dungeons were pretty lame compared to earlier game. The interactivity and the details of the world were great for the time though.

 

[Texas Red]

1.
Betrayal at Krondor:
http://www.old-games.ru/game/82.html - click on Скачать ISO (1 диск)

Eye of the Beholder Trilogy:
http://rapidshare.com/files/80891492/Ey ... D.rar.html

2. dunno, try Anvil of Dawn. (The only DosBox RPG i played)

3. Download and decide for yourself:
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=I2WCHFJ6

4.
http://adventurelegends.6x.to/
http://retrobert.blogspot.com/ (italian)
http://www.old-games.ru/ (russian, slow)
http://www.the-underdogs.info/
http://isoart.bravehost.com/

You have now completely blown your alt away.

 

[fastpunk]

You could try arena (released for free) if it sounds appealing.

As in Elder Scrolls Arena? I think I saw it on Abandonia, I'd be curious to see how it all started.

I think that I read that when the copyright owner requests a game to be taken down, they just leave the review up and such.

I see. Bastards! :D

http://www.rpgcodex.net/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=10695&start=0

Wow, never noticed that 'little' thread. The Codex just got a whole lot better.

...

Thanks for the links! Realms of Arakania 2 you say? I saw it on Abandonia, I'll give it a try.

...

Darklands sounds better and better. I'll give Bards Tale a try though. Shit, I'd like to try em all, I feel like a kid who just got into a toy store full of free stuff. Thanks for the insight on the Ultima series btw.

Actually, thanks everyone who posted. But keep those opinions coming!

 

[Thalkirst]

1.

Betrayal at Krondor:
http://retrogames.intranet.hu/sub/krondor.zip

EOB series:
http://retrogames.intranet.hu/sub/eyeofthebeholder.zip
http://retrogames.intranet.hu/sub/eyeof ... lderII.zip
http://retrogames.intranet.hu/sub/eyeof ... derIII.zip

BTW on this site, there are tons of other abandonware DOS titles, with direct download links. Click on "Játékok" (=Games) on the home page.
http://retrogames.intranet.hu/

2. Darklands and Land of Lore are both fun, definitely recommended. I did no play Wasteland and Bard's Tale.

3. -

4. see #1

 

[Thalkirst]

My DOS RPG recommendations:

Wizardry 7:
http://retrogames.intranet.hu/sub/wizardry7.zip

AD&D:

Ravenloft:
http://retrogames.intranet.hu/sub/ravenloft.zip

Krynn Gold Box games:
http://retrogames.intranet.hu/sub/cpkrynn.zip
http://retrogames.intranet.hu/sub/dnkrynn.zip
http://retrogames.intranet.hu/sub/dqkrynn.zip

Dark Sun 1+2:
http://retrogames.intranet.hu/sub/darksun.zip
http://retrogames.intranet.hu/sub/dsun2.zip

 

[Callaxes]

DARKLANDS YOU BALD FREAK!

 

[Virtz]

1. This is odd. Wasn't Betrayal at Krondor released as freeware eventually?
2. Definately Darklands, it stands out from the bunch - less combat, more possibilities.
3. VII, in my opinion.
4. old-games.ru probably has the least license respecting database. Their policy seems to more or less be "If it's 5 years old, it's fair game". The downside is that unless you know Russian, you won't be able to read the reviews (but there is an English toggle for the menu bars and such).
Other than that, there's squakenet, which is basically a direct download portal. Best off going there when you know what you're looking for and can't find it at your favourite sites.
HotU hasn't been updated for over a year or two, but it's a great site with a large database when you're looking for something new to play among oldies, especially thanks to their "similar games" feature (somewhat like on Abandonia).

 

[Binary]

DARKLANDS YOU BALD FREAK!

FTW

Yeah BaK is a must as well. It used to be freeware but I think that changes when Vivendi acquired Sierra?

And yes, of course, try Ultima 7. At least try it ffs.

 

[Zomg]

Something like the diskette version of BaK was released "for free" i.e. under some obscure nonstandardized license that isn't really freeware - probably limited to downloading it from Sierra's website or something - the paperwork of which is in some filing cabinet somewhere that hasn't been opened in 10 years.

 

[mondblut]

1. Why can't I download Betrayal at Krondor for example? Or Eye of the Beholder? I'm guessing I have to buy them... but if that's the case then why are they on Abandonia in the first place?

No clue about EOB, and BAK was released for free by Sierra and is/was available for download from their site. I guess they were on Abandonia and then downloads were taken down.

Anyway, anyone know how I can procure these oldies without the fuss of torrent clients and shit? Although I guess I'll end up there if nothing gives... I heard tons of good things about Betrayal at Krondor and really want to try it.

Look @ sierra online site.

2. Out of the following RPGs, which one would you definitely play?
Bard's Tale series
Darklands
Lands of Lore
Wasteland

Darklands for sure. Well, some people here worship Wasteland too.

Bard's Tale is a primitive prehistoric dungeon crawl (get Wizardry 6-7 instead), and Lands of Lore is EOB with eye-candy (get Ishar instead).

3. Out of the Ultima series, which one's the best?

6, 7, 7.5. Beware the horrid combat in the 7s.

4. Know any more sites a la Abandonia?

www.the-underdogs.info used to be the no.1 abandonware site, but hasn't been updated for like 2 years. there is not much left to update it with though

 

[Mareus]

I would also recommend:

Albion
Wizardry 7
World of Xeen
Bloodomen: Legacy of Kain
Anvil of Dawn
Eye of Beholder Trilogy (if you like dungeon crawling)
Masters of Magic

If you haven't played them already of course.

 

[Hory]

 

[Wyrmlord]

Hey, fastpunk, I'd recommend using VDMSound rather than DOSbox for playing those games. It does a much better and smoother job.

I have been playing Betrayal at Krondor and Darklands with it. In DOSbox, those games lagged a bit, and the sound was seriously messed up. With VDMSound, I found those games much more playable.

 

[Nedrah]

This thread might also have some interesting info for you.

 

[fastpunk]

Wow, Darklands is really racking up the votes. Guess I'll go with that one.

DARKLANDS YOU BALD FREAK!

I see you, I see you, no need to make it bigger. Damage to massive eyes!

Hey, fastpunk, I'd recommend using VDMSound rather than DOSbox for playing those games. It does a much better and smoother job.

I have been playing Betrayal at Krondor and Darklands with it. In DOSbox, those games lagged a bit, and the sound was seriously messed up. With VDMSound, I found those games much more playable.

Thanks, I'll keep that in mind. But so far DOSBox worked great. Some games, like The Stygian Abyss, play shitty slow on default settings but increasing the frameskip and CPU cycles makes it work great. At Stygian Abyss' settings Darklands is a bit too fast so I need to reduce CPU cycles... it's all about finding a proper setting for each game. As for sound, I'm receiving it loud and clear. I'll keep VDMSound as a backup solution in case some games don't work properly.

edit: Thanks Nedrah. That thread should be helpful. And thanks all for the tips. :D

 

[Suchy]

BETRAYAL AT KRONDOR YOU BALD FREAK!

Fixed.

 

[Mareus]

Hey, fastpunk, I'd recommend using VDMSound rather than DOSbox for playing those games. It does a much better and smoother job.

I have been playing Betrayal at Krondor and Darklands with it. In DOSbox, those games lagged a bit, and the sound was seriously messed up. With VDMSound, I found those games much more playable.

Some games work better with DosBox, some work better with VDMSound. Get both if you intend to seriously play oldies.

 

[SkeleTony]

If graphics are not a concern for you and you can handle old-school, Ultima 4 era graphics then you definitely want to check out Nahlakh but be sure to visit THE FORUM for valuable information to make playing a bit easier(it is a notoriously hard game until you play it for a while).
Also runs great with the D.O.G. frontend for DosBox.

Fans of the Bard's Tale games will want to check out The Warrior's Tale which is a heavily inspired-by-Bard's Tale(right down to lack of an auto-map!) game.

Wizardry 7 is great but if you are not familiar with it and do not consult online sources, you will be in for a devil of a time trying to do anything at the beginning.


You can get all the standard Forgotten Realms/Dragonlance Goldbox AD&D CRPGs HERE. My favorite is probably Gateway to the Savage Frontier(no idea why).

You can get the Dark Sun games HERE. The first one is truly great. I never got around to playing the second one.