AD&D RAVENLOFT STRAHD'S POSSESSION + BONUS+1Clk Windows 11 10 8 7 Vista XP Install

Actual Game

Dark Sun: Shattered Lands
Dark Sun was not revolutionary among computer role-playing games generally, but it was revolutionary for SSI's Dungeons & Dragons games -- it had up-to-date graphics, sound and interface, and even a real plot. Like the "Gold Box" series before it, it's still pretty combat-intensive, but the addition of quality design and plot make this one a lot of fun.

The premise: the world of Dark Sun has been ravaged by magic that drained the very life force from the environment, resulting in the crimson sun and a desert landscape spotted with the cities of tyrannical sorcerer-kings. In this world, you, the player, lead a party of four slave gladiators condemned to fight until death in the arena. Your goal is first to escape the slave pits, and then to rally the escapee villages against an army from the city coming to put an end to all hopes of independence.

Ravenloft: Strahd's Possession
The land within the fog is ruled over by the Tyrant, Strahd. It's your quest to get rid of him, of course, and you can add two more characters to your party (making a maximum of 4) from the 8 or 9 willing souls who offer to join you. Dispense with Strahd and you have the means to escape that tortured land and deliver it from his blood-curdling clutches.

Ravenloft: Strahd's Possession has real-time combat, which can be quite frantic at times. Running away is often a good option, and you can trap creatures at the 'end of their leash' so to speak, or behind furniture and pick them off. Their AI isn't all that good. Also, there's an excellent quick save/load feature, plus plenty of healing potions for the taking which make the journey not too harrowing.

If you read everything you find the story plays out nicely, and there's always a pointer as to where to go next. There isn't a single way through to the end as you can do some quests at any time, but a warning: you can stymie your progress too, so save often!

Al-Qadim: The Genie's Curse
The Genie’s Curse has a fine plot, in which you are a young pirate who must strive to save your family from disgrace, and even execution. Unlike most games of this nature, you get to meet your family, your mom, dad, and sister (with whom you squabble, as is only right), and this helps inspire you to work on their behalf. As you wander across the Arabian-style landscape of the game, the plot keeps getting thicker and thicker.

The game’s interface is easy and fun to use. It is relatively quick moving, combat is easy and fast, and the monsters are neat-looking. You see your character in a sort of three quarters view. You look down on the landscape, but your hero and the monsters are all seen in a side view as they wander around. When your hero swings his scimitar, there is a satisfying swish and the blade whizzes through the air. There are dungeons with complex controls. Levers to push, rising and lowering platforms, moving stones, spikes that try to impale you, etc.