Summary
- Release Year: 1993
- Genres: Adventure, Point-and-click, Puzzle
- Platforms: DOS
- Developers: Real World Software
- Publishers: Grandslam Video Ltd.
Armaëth: The Lost Kingdom (1993)
Armaëth: The Lost Kingdom is a dungeon crawler role-playing video game developed by Thalion Software and published by Psygnosis. It was released for the Amiga in 1993 and for MS-DOS in 1994. The game is set in the fictional world of Armaëth, which has been overrun by the forces of evil. The player controls a party of up to four adventurers who must travel through the land, defeat the evil forces, and restore peace to Armaëth.
Armaëth is a classic dungeon crawler in the vein of Dungeon Master and Eye of the Beholder. The game is played from a first-person perspective, and the player’s party explores dungeons filled with monsters, traps, and puzzles. The party members can be customized with different classes and skills, and they can equip a variety of weapons and armor.
One of the things that sets Armaëth apart from other dungeon crawlers is its focus on exploration. The game world is large and open-ended, and the player is free to explore it at their own pace. There are many hidden areas and secrets to discover, and the player can even find new party members and quests by talking to the NPCs in the game world.
Another thing that makes Armaëth unique is its combat system. The game uses a turn-based system, but it also incorporates real-time elements. For example, the player can move their party members around the battlefield in real time, and they can attack enemies with melee weapons or ranged weapons. This combination of turn-based and real-time elements makes the combat in Armaëth fast-paced and exciting.
Armaëth was a critical and commercial success upon its release. It was praised for its deep and rewarding gameplay, its memorable characters, and its beautiful pixel art. The game has been ported to a number of different platforms over the years, and it remains a popular choice for fans of dungeon crawlers.
Gameplay
Armaëth is a dungeon crawler role-playing game. The player controls a party of up to four adventurers who must travel through the land of Armaëth, defeat the evil forces, and restore peace to the kingdom. The game is played from a first-person perspective, and the player’s party explores dungeons filled with monsters, traps, and puzzles.
The party members can be customized with different classes and skills, and they can equip a variety of weapons and armor. Each class has its own unique abilities, and the player can mix and match different classes to create a party that suits their playstyle.
The combat in Armaëth is turn-based, but it also incorporates real-time elements. For example, the player can move their party members around the battlefield in real time, and they can attack enemies with melee weapons or ranged weapons. This combination of turn-based and real-time elements makes the combat in Armaëth fast-paced and exciting.
Setting
Armaëth is set in the fictional world of Armaëth, which has been overrun by the forces of evil. The player’s party must travel through the land, defeat the evil forces, and restore peace to the kingdom.
The world of Armaëth is a diverse and dangerous place. The party will travel through forests, mountains, deserts, and swamps. They will also visit towns and cities, where they can talk to NPCs, buy and sell items, and rest.
The evil forces that have overrun Armaëth are a varied and deadly bunch. The party will face off against goblins, orcs, trolls, and even dragons. They will also have to contend with traps, puzzles, and other obstacles.
Characters
The player’s party can consist of up to four adventurers. Each adventurer can be customized with a different class, skills, and equipment.
The four classes in Armaëth are:
- Fighter: Fighters are melee combatants who are skilled with swords, axes, and other melee weapons. They are also proficient in wearing heavy armor.
- Thief: Thieves are agile and stealthy characters who are skilled with daggers, bows, and other ranged weapons. They can also pick locks and disarm traps.
- Mage: Mages are spellcasters who can use a variety of spells to attack enemies, heal their allies, and buff their party.
- Cleric: Clerics are healers who can use a variety of spells to heal their allies and resurrect the dead. They can also wear light armor and use blunt weapons.
Each class has its own unique abilities, and the player can mix and match different classes to create a party that suits their playstyle.
Reception
Armaëth was a critical and commercial success upon its release. It was praised for its deep and rewarding gameplay, its memorable characters, and its beautiful pixel art. The game has been ported to a number of different platforms over the years, and it remains a popular choice for fans of dungeon crawlers.
Armaëth has been praised for its:
- Deep and rewarding gameplay
- Memorable characters
- Beautiful pixel art
- Innovative combat system
- Open-ended world
Armaëth has been criticized for its:
- High difficulty level
- Lack of a map
- Repetitive dungeons
Overall, Armaëth is a classic dungeon crawler that still holds up today. Its deep and rewarding gameplay, memorable characters, and beautiful pixel art make it a must-play for fans of the genre.
Review Score
8/10
