Summary
- Release Year: 1989
- Genres: Adventure, Puzzle, Role-playing game (RPG)
- Platforms: Amiga, Atari ST/STE, FM Towns, Sharp X68000
- Developers: FTL Games
- Publishers: Victor Musical Industries
Dungeon Master: Chaos Strikes Back (1989)
Dungeon Master: Chaos Strikes Back is an expansion and sequel to Dungeon Master, the earlier 3D real-time action role-playing video game. Chaos Strikes Back was released in 1989 and is also available on several platforms (including Atari ST, Amiga, X68000, PC-98, FM Towns and PC). It uses the same engine as Dungeon Master, with new graphics and a new, far more challenging, dungeon.
The story of Chaos Strikes Back picks up where Dungeon Master left off. The four adventurers who defeated the evil wizard Managra have returned to their home village, only to find it in ruins. The villagers have been kidnapped by a new evil wizard, Lord Chaos, and taken to his fortress in the Abyss. The adventurers must once again set out on a quest to defeat Chaos and rescue the villagers.
Chaos Strikes Back is a significant improvement over Dungeon Master in many ways. The graphics are more detailed and colorful, and the dungeon is much larger and more complex. The game also features a number of new enemies and traps, as well as new weapons and items.
One of the most significant changes in Chaos Strikes Back is the addition of a new character class, the thief. The thief is a nimble and agile character who can pick locks, disarm traps, and steal items from enemies. The thief is a valuable addition to any party, and can make a significant difference in the game’s outcome.
Another major change in Chaos Strikes Back is the addition of a new spell system. In Dungeon Master, spells were cast by finding and using scrolls. In Chaos Strikes Back, spells are cast by memorizing them and then using them from a spell book. This new system gives players more control over their spellcasting, and allows them to customize their characters to a greater extent.
Chaos Strikes Back is a challenging game, but it is also a very rewarding one. The sense of accomplishment that comes from defeating Lord Chaos and rescuing the villagers is immense. If you are a fan of dungeon crawlers, then you owe it to yourself to check out Dungeon Master: Chaos Strikes Back.
Gameplay
Dungeon Master: Chaos Strikes Back is a real-time action role-playing game. The player controls a party of four adventurers who explore a dungeon, fight monsters, and solve puzzles. The game is played from a first-person perspective, and the player can move the party around the dungeon using the arrow keys.
The party consists of four character classes: the fighter, the cleric, the mage, and the thief. Each character class has its own unique abilities and strengths. The fighter is a melee combat specialist, the cleric can heal and protect the party, the mage can cast spells, and the thief can pick locks and disarm traps.
The player must use the party’s abilities to overcome the challenges of the dungeon. The dungeon is filled with monsters, traps, and puzzles. The player must use the party’s combat skills to defeat the monsters, the cleric’s healing abilities to keep the party alive, the mage’s spells to overcome obstacles, and the thief’s skills to disarm traps and open locked doors.
The player must also manage the party’s resources. The party has a limited amount of health and mana, and they must use items to replenish these resources. The player must also manage the party’s inventory, and they must decide which items to carry and which items to leave behind.
Development
Dungeon Master: Chaos Strikes Back was developed by FTL Games and published by Electronic Arts. The game was released in 1989 for the Atari ST, Amiga, X68000, PC-98, FM Towns and PC.
The game was developed by a team led by Doug Bell and John Carmack. Bell had previously worked on the original Dungeon Master, and Carmack would later go on to found id Software and develop the Wolfenstein 3D and Doom video games.
Chaos Strikes Back was a critical and commercial success. The game was praised for its graphics, gameplay, and challenge. The game was also a financial success, and it helped to establish FTL Games as a major force in the video game industry.
Legacy
Dungeon Master: Chaos Strikes Back is considered to be one of the greatest dungeon crawlers of all time. The game’s graphics, gameplay, and challenge have all stood the test of time. The game has also been influential on the development of other dungeon crawlers, such as Diablo and Torchlight.
Chaos Strikes Back is still enjoyed by gamers today. The game is available on a variety of platforms, including PC, Mac, and mobile devices. The game has also been ported to modern consoles, such as the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One.
Conclusion
Dungeon Master: Chaos Strikes Back is a classic dungeon crawler that is still enjoyed by gamers today. The game’s graphics, gameplay, and challenge are all top-notch, and the game has a lot to offer fans of the genre. If you are looking for a challenging and rewarding dungeon crawler, then you should definitely check out Dungeon Master: Chaos Strikes Back.
Review Score
9/10
