Summary
- Release Year: 1986
- Platforms: Arcade, Atari ST/STE
Halls of Kairos: A Timeless Classic of Computer Role-Playing
Released in 1986, Halls of Kairos is a groundbreaking computer role-playing game (CRPG) that set new standards for the genre. Developed by Westwood Associates and published by SSI, the game combined innovative gameplay, a compelling story, and a challenging dungeon-crawling experience that captivated players and critics alike.
Gameplay
Halls of Kairos is played from a first-person perspective, with the player controlling a party of up to six adventurers as they explore a vast and dangerous dungeon. The game’s dungeon is randomly generated, ensuring that each playthrough is unique. Players must carefully manage their resources, including food, water, and torches, as they navigate through the dungeon’s many levels.
Combat in Halls of Kairos is turn-based, with players and enemies taking turns to attack and cast spells. The game features a wide variety of weapons, armor, and spells, allowing players to customize their party’s combat abilities to suit their playstyle.
In addition to combat, players must also solve puzzles and overcome traps in order to progress through the dungeon. The game’s puzzles are often clever and challenging, requiring players to think outside the box to find solutions.
Story
The story of Halls of Kairos is simple but effective. The player’s party of adventurers is hired by a wealthy merchant to retrieve a powerful artifact known as the Orb of Kairos from the depths of a dangerous dungeon. As the party delves deeper into the dungeon, they uncover a sinister plot that threatens the entire world.
The game’s story is told through a series of in-game cutscenes and dialogue with non-player characters. The writing is well-crafted and engaging, and the characters are well-developed and relatable.
Graphics and Sound
For its time, Halls of Kairos featured impressive graphics and sound. The game’s dungeon environments are detailed and atmospheric, and the character sprites are well-animated. The game’s soundtrack is also excellent, with a mix of ambient and upbeat tracks that perfectly complement the game’s atmosphere.
Legacy
Halls of Kairos was a critical and commercial success upon its release, and it is still considered one of the best CRPGs ever made. The game’s innovative gameplay, compelling story, and challenging dungeon-crawling experience have inspired countless other CRPGs over the years.
In 2005, Halls of Kairos was inducted into the Academy of Adventure Gaming Arts & Design’s Hall of Fame. The game has also been re-released on a number of platforms, including GOG.com and Steam.
Conclusion
Halls of Kairos is a timeless classic of computer role-playing. The game’s innovative gameplay, compelling story, and challenging dungeon-crawling experience have captivated players for over three decades. If you’re a fan of CRPGs, then you owe it to yourself to check out Halls of Kairos.
Review Score
8.5/10
