Summary

Release Year: 1985
Genres: Role-playing game (RPG), Strategy, Tactical
Platforms: Amstrad CPC, Commodore C64/128/MAX, ZX Spectrum
Publishers: Beyond

Doomdark’s Revenge: A Deeper Dive into the Classic CRPG

Introduction

Doomdark’s Revenge is a classic computer role-playing game (CRPG) released in 1985 for the Commodore 64, ZX Spectrum, and Amstrad CPC. It is the sequel to the 1984 game Lords of Midnight, and uses a similar game system, but with a more complex story and more character interaction.

Story

The story of Doomdark’s Revenge takes place several years after the events of Lords of Midnight. Luxor the Moonprince has returned to his kingdom of Varenorn, and has been ruling wisely and justly. However, his peace is shattered when his son, Morkin, is kidnapped by Shareth, the daughter of Doomdark, the evil ruler who was deposed in the first game.

Luxor sets out to rescue his son, and is joined by Rothron the Wise and Morkin’s lover, Tarithel the Fey. As they journey, they recruit other characters to their party, including giants, dwarves, and barbarians.

Shareth has brainwashed Morkin, and so Luxor must also find a way to turn him back to his side. The player must also contend with Shareth’s dark mist, which follows them throughout the game and causes their characters to deteriorate in mood and effectiveness.

Gameplay

Doomdark’s Revenge is a turn-based game. The player controls their party of characters by day, and Shareth’s forces move by night. The player can move their characters in any of the eight compass directions, and can engage in combat with Shareth’s forces.

Combat is simple but effective. Each character has a certain number of attack and defense points, and the outcome of combat is determined by a die roll. Characters can also use magic spells, which can be used to attack enemies, heal party members, or buff their own abilities.

The player must also manage their party’s resources, such as food and water. If a character’s mood drops too low, they will become less effective in combat. The player must also be careful to avoid Shareth’s dark mist, which can cause characters to become lost or confused.

Characters

There are a total of 12 characters that can be recruited to the player’s party in Doomdark’s Revenge. Each character has their own unique abilities and strengths, and the player must carefully consider which characters to bring on each mission.

The main characters in the game are:

Luxor the Moonprince: The ruler of Varenorn and the father of Morkin. Luxor is a powerful warrior and a skilled magician.
Rothron the Wise: A wise old man who is a master of magic. Rothron is a valuable asset to the party, as he can heal characters, buff their abilities, and attack enemies with powerful spells.
Tarithel the Fey: A beautiful and powerful fey woman. Tarithel is a skilled archer and a master of illusion magic.
Morkin: Luxor’s son and the heir to the throne of Varenorn. Morkin has been brainwashed by Shareth, and the player must find a way to turn him back to their side.

Objectives

There are several different objectives that the player can complete in Doomdark’s Revenge. The main objective is to rescue Morkin and bring him back to the Gates of Varenorn. However, the player can also choose to kill Shareth, retrieve the Crowns of Icemark, and save other characters who have been captured by Shareth’s forces.

Legacy

Doomdark’s Revenge was a critical and commercial success upon its release. It was praised for its complex story, innovative gameplay, and beautiful graphics. The game has been ported to a number of different platforms over the years, and it remains a popular choice for retro gamers.

Doomdark’s Revenge is considered to be one of the best CRPGs of all time. It is a challenging and rewarding game that offers a deep and immersive experience. If you are a fan of CRPGs, then you owe it to yourself to check out Doomdark’s Revenge.

Tips for Playing Doomdark’s Revenge

Here are a few tips for playing Doomdark’s Revenge:

Recruit as many characters as you can. Each character has their own unique abilities, and the more characters you have in your party, the more versatile you will be.
Manage your resources carefully. Food and water are essential for keeping your characters healthy and effective. Make sure to stock up on supplies before setting out on a long journey.
Be careful of Shareth’s dark mist. The dark mist can cause your characters to become lost, confused, or even killed. Avoid the mist whenever possible, and use magic spells to dispel it if you must enter it.
Don’t be afraid to experiment. There is no one right way to play Doomdark’s Revenge. Experiment with different strategies and tactics until you find what works best for you.

Conclusion

Doomdark’s Revenge is a classic CRPG that offers a deep and immersive experience. With its complex story, innovative gameplay, and beautiful graphics, it is a game that will appeal to fans of all ages. If you are looking for a challenging and rewarding CRPG, then you owe it to yourself to check out Doomdark’s Revenge.

Review Score

8.5/10

Doomdark’s Revenge (1985)