Summary
- Release Year: 1993
- Genres: Role-playing game (RPG)
- Platforms: DOS
Ancients: Death Watch (1993) Review
Ancients: Death Watch is a mystical fantasy role-playing game released in 1993 for the PC. The game is set in the underground city of Locklaven, where players control a party of four explorers who must battle bizarre monsters and find untold riches.
The game is played from a first-person perspective, and players use the keyboard or mouse to control their party. The dungeon consists of several levels with increasing difficulty, and the player must carefully manage their resources and abilities in order to survive.
Combat in the game is turn-based, and players can choose from a variety of attacks and spells to use against their enemies. Character improvement uses the traditional experience system, but after a level up the guild in Locklaven has to be visited. The game allows for three races (elf, dwarf, and human) and four classes (warrior, thief, mage, and priest).
Ancients: Death Watch was praised for its challenging combat, deep character customization, and atmospheric setting. However, the game was also criticized for its repetitive gameplay and lack of innovation.
Gameplay
Ancients: Death Watch is a dungeon crawler in the vein of經典遊戲Eye of the Beholder and Dungeon Master. The player controls a party of four adventurers who must explore a dungeon, fight monsters, and find treasure. The dungeon is randomly generated, so each playthrough is different.
The game is played from a first-person perspective, and the player uses the keyboard or mouse to move their party around the dungeon. The party can move in any direction, and they can interact with objects in the environment, such as doors, chests, and levers.
Combat in the game is turn-based. When the player encounters an enemy, the game switches to a combat screen. The player can then select commands for each of their party members. The player can choose to attack, cast spells, or use items.
The player’s party gains experience by defeating enemies. As the party gains experience, they will level up and become more powerful. The player can also find new equipment and items to improve their party’s abilities.
Setting
Ancients: Death Watch is set in the underground city of Locklaven. Locklaven is a sprawling metropolis, home to a variety of races and cultures. The city is also home to a number of dungeons, which are filled with monsters and treasure.
The player’s party must explore the dungeons of Locklaven in order to find the fabled Sword of Ancients. The Sword of Ancients is a powerful weapon that can be used to defeat the evil sorcerer Maldred.
Characters
The player can choose from three different races and four different classes when creating their party. The races are elf, dwarf, and human. The classes are warrior, thief, mage, and priest.
Each race and class has its own unique abilities and strengths. For example, elves are擅长using bows and arrows, while dwarves are擅长using axes and hammers. Warriors are擅长in melee combat, while thieves are擅长in stealth and lockpicking. Mages are擅长in casting spells, while priests are擅长in healing and support.
The player can customize their party to fit their own playstyle. For example, a player who prefers to fight in close combat may want to create a party with a warrior, a thief, and a priest. A player who prefers to cast spells may want to create a party with a mage, a priest, and two warriors.
Reception
Ancients: Death Watch was released to critical acclaim. The game was praised for its challenging combat, deep character customization, and atmospheric setting. However, the game was also criticized for its repetitive gameplay and lack of innovation.
Despite its flaws, Ancients: Death Watch is still considered a classic dungeon crawler. The game’s challenging combat, deep character customization, and atmospheric setting make it a must-play for fans of the genre.
Legacy
Ancients: Death Watch has had a lasting impact on the dungeon crawler genre. The game’s innovative combat system and character customization options have been imitated by many other games. The game’s atmospheric setting has also been praised by many critics.
Ancients: Death Watch is still played by many fans today. The game’s active modding community has created a number of new dungeons, items, and characters. The game is also available on a number of digital platforms, making it easy for new players to experience the game.
Conclusion
Ancients: Death Watch is a classic dungeon crawler that still holds up today. The game’s challenging combat, deep character customization, and atmospheric setting make it a must-play for fans of the genre. Whether you’re a long-time fan or a new player, Ancients: Death Watch is a game that you’ll want to check out.
Review Score
7/10
Art
Cover Art
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