Summary
- Release Year: 1979
- Genres: Role-playing game (RPG)
- Platforms: Apple II, DOS, iOS, Linux, Mac, PC (Microsoft Windows)
- Developers: Richard Garriott
- Publishers: California Pacific Computer, Quantum Toast
Akalabeth: World of Doom (1979)
Akalabeth: World of Doom is a dungeon crawler role-playing video game created by Richard Garriott and published by California Pacific Computer Company in 1979. It was originally released for the TRS-80 and Apple II, and was later ported to the Commodore PET, Atari 8-bit family, and IBM PC. Akalabeth is the first game in the Ultima series, and is considered to be one of the most important early role-playing games.
Gameplay
Akalabeth is a first-person dungeon crawler in which the player controls a single character through a series of randomly generated dungeons. The player’s goal is to defeat the evil Balrog and restore peace to the world of Akalabeth.
The player character can move through the dungeons, fight monsters, and collect treasure. The player can also level up their character by gaining experience points, which are awarded for defeating monsters and completing quests.
Akalabeth features a simple but addictive gameplay loop that has been imitated by many other role-playing games. The game is challenging but fair, and the player is constantly rewarded for their progress.
Story
The story of Akalabeth is simple but effective. The player character is a young adventurer who is summoned by Lord British to the castle of Britannia. Lord British tells the player that the evil Balrog has escaped from its prison and is wreaking havoc on the world. The player character is tasked with defeating the Balrog and restoring peace to Akalabeth.
The player character travels through a series of dungeons, fighting monsters and collecting treasure. Along the way, the player character meets a variety of NPCs who provide them with information and assistance.
The final dungeon is the Balrog’s lair. The player character must defeat the Balrog in order to complete the game.
Development
Akalabeth was created by Richard Garriott, who was a high school student at the time. Garriott was inspired by the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, and he wanted to create a computer game that would capture the same sense of adventure and exploration.
Akalabeth was developed on a TRS-80 computer. Garriott used a combination of BASIC and assembly language to create the game.
Akalabeth was a commercial success, and it helped to launch Garriott’s career in the video game industry. Garriott went on to create the Ultima series, which is one of the most popular and successful role-playing game franchises of all time.
Legacy
Akalabeth is a classic dungeon crawler role-playing game that has had a profound impact on the video game industry. The game’s simple but addictive gameplay loop has been imitated by many other role-playing games, and the game’s story and setting have inspired many other fantasy games.
Akalabeth is still played by many gamers today, and it is considered to be one of the most important early role-playing games. The game is a testament to the creativity and innovation of Richard Garriott, and it is a must-play for any fan of role-playing games.
Conclusion
Akalabeth: World of Doom is a classic dungeon crawler role-playing game that is still enjoyed by many gamers today. The game’s simple but addictive gameplay loop, compelling story, and memorable characters have made it a timeless classic. If you are a fan of role-playing games, then you owe it to yourself to check out Akalabeth: World of Doom.
Review Score
7.5/10
Art
Cover Art
Screenshots
