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Thread: First-person dungeon crawlers

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    ServBot (Level 11) Edmond Dantes's Avatar
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    Default First-person dungeon crawlers

    So here's an odd circumstance... I was watching a "true horror stories" vid on Youtube, and one of the stories involved two people exploring an abandoned school and going into the basement, where they encounter crazed homeless people.

    Oddly, this awakened in me a desire to crawl some dungeons.

    So, what are some favorite dungeon crawlers of yours? Particulrly of the first-person variety, like Eye of the Beholder or Wizardry (to name some more popular ones). In particular are there any you like but don't seem too well-known?

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    Well, these are console, as I didn't have a PC growing up, but...

    Shining the Holy Ark (Saturn)
    AD&D Slayer (3DO)
    Super Black Onyx (Famicom)

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    Dragon Warrior

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    Dungeon Master is always my go-to game in this category... but if that's too well-known, then I'm going to go ahead and recommend either of it's sequels: Dungeon Master II: Skullkeep, or Chaos Strikes Back.

    Chaos Strikes Back was only ever released for the Atari ST for some strange reason, but here's a version that was disassembled and remade for modern operating systems. I was playing it on my Pandora earlier and it works great.

    If you have an Amiga handy (or don't mind emulating), I'd also recommend Black Crypt. It's very much a Dungeon Master ripoff, but it's a very good one.

    --Zero

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    ServBot (Level 11) Edmond Dantes's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by bb_hood View Post
    Dragon Warrior
    1) not first person

    2) arguably not a dungeon crawler

    3) I'm actually already playing it

    Actually, I did find a rather interesting dungeon crawl game for the NES.... Swords & Serpents. Its apparently by the same guys as The Bard's Tale but its an NES exclusive. Not sure how that happens.

    Quote Originally Posted by Ze_ro View Post
    Chaos Strikes Back was only ever released for the Atari ST for some strange reason, but here's a version that was disassembled and remade for modern operating systems. I was playing it on my Pandora earlier and it works great.
    Wasn't CSB also on the Amiga? I could swear that it had an Amiga-only intro animation even...

    I actually downloaded two remakes/ports--CBSwin (which emulates the original Atari ST versions of Dungeon Master and Chaos) and Return to Chaos... I keep forgetting I have them. Was actually really into Dungeon Master due to being like "Ah, so this is what inspired Eye of the Beholder!" I've got a journal of all the rune combinations I've found...

    Got lucky and found DMII at Goodwill, PC version. Apparently the Sega CD edition has different music. There's also a Saturn-exclusive game in the series that is totally "I must have that" levels.

    If you have an Amiga handy (or don't mind emulating), I'd also recommend Black Crypt. It's very much a Dungeon Master ripoff, but it's a very good one.

    --Zero
    Oh hell yes I could use more Amiga games (even though I do have to play them emulated)!
    Last edited by Edmond Dantes; 04-11-2016 at 11:29 AM.

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    The aforementioned Shining games and the Shin Megami Tensei series.

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    Quote Originally Posted by celerystalker View Post
    AD&D Slayer (3DO)
    I know I already mentioned it the other week, but I freaking LOVE that game.

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    Enemy Zero


    I think that's the name of the one I am thinking of I remember it being on Saturn and PC atleast and it was sort of more Sci-Fi but still a 1st person crawler

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    I really enjoyed the new-ish Grimlock games on steam. And the Etrian Odyssey series. Also Wizardy: Tales of the Forsaken Land. I have a hard time with older dungeon crawlers so I appreciate the presentation of the modern titles plus Etrian's mapping system.


    If you want a good challenge though check out Megami Tensei 2 (Famicom) and Shin Megami Tensei. Great dark setting. Brutal challenge.

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    Quote Originally Posted by Edmond Dantes View Post
    1) not first person

    2) arguably not a dungeon crawler

    3) I'm actually already playing it
    Sorry. I totally failed. Ive been playing Dragon Warrior II lately and Ive got DW on the brain.

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    Quote Originally Posted by bb_hood View Post
    Sorry. I totally failed. Ive been playing Dragon Warrior II lately and Ive got DW on the brain.
    Makes you feel any better I was recently playing through DQ1 in Japanese.

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    I never played it myself, but I remember reading something that made me want to play Stonekeep, and I've heard it is good.

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    Quote Originally Posted by Edmond Dantes View Post
    Actually, I did find a rather interesting dungeon crawl game for the NES.... Swords & Serpents. Its apparently by the same guys as The Bard's Tale but its an NES exclusive. Not sure how that happens.
    Swords and Serpents isn't bad. I thought the combat was pretty unique at the time. It allows you to target different parts of your enemies (heat, body, and feet). It uses passwords that are pretty long that don't even save everything, so you may not want to turn the game off until you finish it (or just don't want to play anymore).

    Although I haven't played them yet, I've heard good things about Orcs & Elves and The Dark Spire on DS.
    Last edited by Scissors; 04-13-2016 at 02:09 PM.

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    If you like Swords and Serpents, check out Dungeon Magic on NES as well. It's from Natsume and Taito, and uses battery save.

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    ServBot (Level 11) Edmond Dantes's Avatar
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    I used to own Dungeon Magic.... I wish I still did because it was rather unique somehow....

    You know what really screws me up about Dungeon Magic though? That there's an arcade game of the same name, also by Taito. Its apparently related story-wise somehow (you're fighting the same evil wizard in either case). So it seems like there was an attempt to franchise it.

    Some neat info about Swords and Serpents here:
    http://allconsolerpgs.blogspot.com/2...s-nes-and.html

    The password thing makes me think that if I ever attempt it, I basically will have to keep the NES on until I beat it, or else record my gameplay with my DVD Recorder so I can jot down the passwords. Is it safe to leave an NES running while you sleep though?

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    Quote Originally Posted by Daria View Post
    I really enjoyed the new-ish Grimlock games on steam.
    The Legend of Grimrock games are fantastic. I bought them both on GoG and have played through quite a bit of the first game. They did a fantastic job of taking the best elements of the genre and eliminating the worst when making the first game. I haven't booted up the sequel yet, but from what I understand it's a rare sequel that builds and expands upon the first title and is basically a better game in every way. The first Grimrock is so good I can't wait to try the second!

    Grimrock 1 is hard as nails, but fair. It has excellent level design and clever puzzles. Its character leveling system is also very well thought out. Its been a very VERY long time since gaining a single level and putting a few skill points into a tree have weighed this heavily on me.
    If a god is willing to prevent evil, but not able, then he is not omnipotent. If he is able, but not willing, then he must be malevolent. If he is both willing and able, then why is there evil? If he is neither able or willing then why call him a god?

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    Oh, yes, arcade Dungeon Magic/Lightbringer rules. I was so happy when they included that on Taito Memories and Taito Legends 2. Freaking awesome game.

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    Quote Originally Posted by Daria View Post
    Makes you feel any better I was recently playing through DQ1 in Japanese.
    Thank you. Why did you choose to play the Japanese version?

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    Quote Originally Posted by bb_hood View Post
    Thank you. Why did you choose to play the Japanese version?
    I needed footage for a video. I wanted to show the Japanese release since it looks slightly different.

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    and by "Slightly Different" Daria means "looks like it was designed for the Commodore 64, and Roto's descendant clearly enjoys the buffet table more than Erdrick's, and absolutely nobody is able to face any direction other than south" (you actually have to specify a direction when you use a command like "talk" or try to open a door). Oh, and it uses passwords instead of a save battery. So I guess Swords and Serpents no longer has to feel bad about that.

    One of these days I would love to do a video about the awesomeness of RPGs during the NES era. The problem is getting footage, since RPGs were never usually meant to be beaten quickly. In my case I'm slightly afraid of wasting DVD-Rs. There is one game--Legend of the Ghost Lion--that I might go ahead and record myself, though. That is truly an underappreciated gem.

    ....... buuuuut now we're not talking about first-person dungeon crawlers. I don't really mind, since I love 8-Bit RPGs, but I really want to crawl dungeons.

    I actually bought Legend of Grimrock on GOG (I soooo keep wanting to say "me Grimrock not kisser, me Grimrock king!") but the only comp I have that might run it is this laptop. And I hate gaming on a laptop. But at least I have it for when the day comes...

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