Prelude to Darkness COLLECTION

[Konjad]

The thread to consolidate everything you would want to find about Prelude to Darkness.

The post will be actively updated.

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Official versions' download links and their patches:

Latest:
Version 1.8 + Fowyr's fix

Older:
Version 1.7
Version 1.41 + patch 1.5 or crack to 1.41
Version 1.0
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Unofficial versions:
OpenGL version by asfasdf & Tramboi ------> RECOMMENDED! MOST STABLE <------
GitLab: https://gitlab.com/ptd3/ptd-1
Installation instructions for Windows version 2.12 (with Fowyr's fix included):

1. Download and install PtD 1.8
2. Download and unpack binaries.zip
3. Copy events.txt and people.txt to PtD folder
4. Copy bin-32 folder contents into PtD folder
5. Run the game through Prelude32.exe

Version 2.10:

Spoiler

1. Download and install PtD 1.8
2. Download and unpack 1.8 fix
3. Copy 1.8 fix's people.txt into PtD's folder and overwrite
4. Download and unpack binaries.zip
5. Copy events.txt to PtD folder
6. Copy bin-32 folder contents into PtD folder
7. Run the game through Prelude32.exe

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Running version 1.8 in Windows 10
RPGCodex review
The list of articles about the game posted on RPGCodex
Source code (v 1.5) download link and related discussion
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Collection of various information from the official website (which is now defunct):
Gameplay tips
Creating and building a party
Recruitable NPCs
Trainers
Armor
Weapons
Magic items
Potions
Creatures
Map:

Spoiler

Music files:
Citadel
God
Monastery
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Official walkthrough:
Main plot
Random encounters
The Academy
The Barrier Fortress
The Citadel
Crossing East
Ironwood
Jerrock
Kellen
Land's End
The Monastery
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Alternative link to collection of above files:
https://www.mediafire.com/folder/2posqvrjthbyd/PtD_files

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Official website (re-hosted):
http://www.cybercom.net/~zerosum/index.html

Art by 'dexers:

Spoiler

Art by felipepepe based on official website content

Art by ghostdog

 

[Modron]

Just pointing out you don't have page 2 and 3 of the main plot walkthrough in here:
https://web.archive.org/web/20170514042030fw_/http://www.zero-sum.com/walkthrough/mainPlot2.html
https://web.archive.org/web/20170515130316fw_/http://www.zero-sum.com/walkthrough/mainPlot3.html

 

[Konjad]

Added installation instructions for the community version as well as changed the link to 2.10 as 2.11 has major issues with loading the game.

 

[AdolfSatan]

This is the most inclined thread ever, needs to be on the frontpage.

 

[Konjad]

Just pointing out you don't have page 2 and 3 of the main plot walkthrough in here:
https://web.archive.org/web/20170514042030fw_/http://www.zero-sum.com/walkthrough/mainPlot2.html
https://web.archive.org/web/20170515130316fw_/http://www.zero-sum.com/walkthrough/mainPlot3.html

Added it some time ago, thanks for noticing.

Updated instructions for 2.12 which appears to work well.

 

[Modron]

Just pointing out you don't have page 2 and 3 of the main plot walkthrough in here:
https://web.archive.org/web/20170514042030fw_/http://www.zero-sum.com/walkthrough/mainPlot2.html
https://web.archive.org/web/20170515130316fw_/http://www.zero-sum.com/walkthrough/mainPlot3.html

Added it some time ago, thanks for noticing.

Updated instructions for 2.12 which appears to work well.

I am assuming you did so Sept 1st, 2022 when I made the post :D.

 

[Hermit]

Thanks, I always wanted to play! Any tips for beginners?

 

[Konjad]

Thanks, I always wanted to play! Any tips for beginners?

Have one char with high charisma, and have party members of both bloodlines. You can only join the rebellion (if you wish so) if you speak with a certain person with a party member of "People of the River" bloodline, although for the first playthrough I would rather not recommend rebellion much, rather for a replay to have a different storyline, because it ends kinda abruptly at some point.

Other than that check out links I've provided in the first post.

 

[Hermit]

Thanks, I always wanted to play! Any tips for beginners?

Have one char with high charisma, and have party members of both bloodlines. You can only join the rebellion (if you wish so) if you speak with a certain person with a party member of "People of the River" bloodline, although for the first playthrough I would rather not recommend rebellion much, rather for a replay to have a different storyline, because it ends kinda abruptly at some point.

Other than that check out links I've provided in the first post.

Thanks!

 

[lvl 2 Blue Slime]

Hello,
New poster here. Is it possible to change the game resolution somehow?
Thanks.

 

[AdolfSatan]

No, and due to the way everything’s baked, even something as small as changing the display typeface has proven pretty much impossible, so you’ll have to make do with what’s there.

Thanks, I always wanted to play! Any tips for beginners?

To add to Konjad’s post: have one character with the literacy skill or you won’t be able to keep a journal.

 

[Spike]

Which version is the most stable? 2.12?

 

[Konjad]

Which version is the most stable? 2.12?

Probably 2.10 and 2.12, but I guess nobody completed the game with these yet, but from what I've played they seem pretty fine, so do try 2.12. If you encounter any bug (especially major one) then report it here, asfasdf seems to fix them within a day or two

 

[Spike]

Which version is the most stable? 2.12?

Probably 2.10 and 2.12, but I guess nobody completed the game with these yet, but from what I've played they seem pretty fine, so do try 2.12. If you encounter any bug (especially major one) then report it here, asfasdf seems to fix them within a day or two

Wonderful, thank you for the prompt response! Any significance between the "unofficial" fixes and the "official" ones?

 

[Konjad]

Which version is the most stable? 2.12?

Probably 2.10 and 2.12, but I guess nobody completed the game with these yet, but from what I've played they seem pretty fine, so do try 2.12. If you encounter any bug (especially major one) then report it here, asfasdf seems to fix them within a day or two

Wonderful, thank you for the prompt response! Any significance between the "unofficial" fixes and the "official" ones?

Actually, the "official" and "unofficial" is the same, idk what was supposed to be under official if anythig... will fix it later, anyway just ignore it, follow my 2.12 instructions and you will have everything set

 

[Nm6k]

I followed the instructions for the 2.12 version but when I try to run the 32.exe I get a runtime error but the other exe works fine for some reason. Never mind I fixed that problem but now the game crashes on the start up screen Fixed that too so far the game is working

 

[Joseph King]

Going to give this a try, thanks to everybody behind patching the game and collecting files for it.

 

[Lyre Mors]

I've been trying to change my resolution, but it doesn't seem possible with the most current version. Am I missing something or is this a common problem? I click the new resolution but nothing happens and I don't see a "apply changes" button anywhere.

 

[Lyre Mors]

Oh, also, I think I sped up my party movement on accident, but I can't remember what hotkey I hit to do it and there isn't anything in the options menu about it. Any idea on that too?

 

[Velut]

I followed the instructions for the 2.12 version but when I try to run the 32.exe I get a runtime error but the other exe works fine for some reason. Never mind I fixed that problem but now the game crashes on the start up screen Fixed that too so far the game is working

Having the same problem with 32.exe. How did you fixed that?

 

[Lyre Mors]

Anyone on my above questions? Konjad or asfasdf maybe?

 

[asfasdf]

Current version has fixed resolution

 

[Irminsul]

I followed the instructions for the 2.12 version but when I try to run the 32.exe I get a runtime error but the other exe works fine for some reason. Never mind I fixed that problem but now the game crashes on the start up screen Fixed that too so far the game is working

Having the same problem with 32.exe. How did you fixed that?

Same here. Can you share your solution, Nm6k? Or is it fine with the other exe?

 

[Irminsul]

Velut the 32 exe worked with compatibility mode for me and the game ran really well for quite a number of hours but I'm stuck in the cave north of Lands End now, the game just won't let me out, it freezes every time I click the exit. I tried 30-50 times now with several times rolling back to earlier saves. Don't know if its worth skipping the quest just to get stuck later in the game in another cave.

Is this still being worked on? In the source code download link thread from last december they say they haven't found any more bugs. Am I just really unlucky?
The game itself was fucking great so far, I can see the inspirations VD got from this.

 

[Tramboi]

What you should do in such a case : report a bug, with a save and a repro case.

 

[Irminsul]

You mean here?

https://ufile.io/ze5i55mw

Repro is: click on the cave exit (I'm standing right next to it).
Version 2.12

 

[Lyre Mors]

Loaded my save game the other day and both my companions were completely different from the ones I rolled. Different portraits, different stats, different classes. They're not even the default characters, which would at least make a bit of sense. How does that even happen? What the fuck?

Not a huge deal because I'm still near the beginning, but very annoying as the character creation process takes a fair amount of time.

 

[volklore]

Is there still wizardry/superstition tips to not get it to crash in the new versions ?
I played this a while ago and I had found a bunch of stuff to prevent game from crashing too much (Like never reloading from the game but always quitting and relaunching, always keeping a save in before entering a dungie in case the game would not let me out again by crashing when clicking the exit door). I ended up aborting that playthrough as I got tired with this stuff.

 

[Tramboi]

FFUUUUUU I'm checking your save Irminsul , and I can't make sense of the mess the game makes with different coordinates system.
I'm sorry to say it won't be a quick fix

 

[Velut]

Do I need to have speech and strength to pass intimidation checks? Or only strength will be enough?