Summary
- Release Year: 1983
- Genres: Adventure, Role-playing game (RPG)
- Platforms: Commodore C64/128/MAX, DOS
- Developers: Bear Systems
- Publishers: Human Engineered Software
Oubliette: The Ultimate Fantasy Role-Playing Game
Released in 1983, Oubliette is a groundbreaking fantasy role-playing game that allows players to create a party of up to six characters and explore a vast dungeon filled with monsters, traps, and treasure. The game was developed by Richard Garriott, who would later go on to create the Ultima series.
Oubliette is notable for its innovative gameplay, which includes a real-time combat system and a complex character development system. Players must carefully manage their party’s resources, including food, water, and equipment, in order to survive the dungeon’s challenges. The game also features a unique “morality” system, which affects how characters interact with each other and the world around them.
Oubliette was a critical and commercial success, and is considered to be one of the most important early RPGs. It was praised for its innovative gameplay, rich world, and challenging difficulty. The game has been ported to numerous platforms over the years, and remains popular with fans of retro gaming.
Gameplay
Oubliette is a dungeon-crawling RPG in which the player controls a party of up to six characters. The game is played from a first-person perspective, and the player can move their party through the dungeon in real time. Combat is also real-time, and the player must use their characters’ abilities to defeat enemies.
The dungeon in Oubliette is vast and complex, with multiple levels and rooms. The dungeon is filled with a variety of monsters, traps, and treasure. Players must carefully explore the dungeon and manage their party’s resources in order to survive.
Character Development
One of the most unique aspects of Oubliette is its character development system. Each character in the party has a number of attributes, including strength, dexterity, intelligence, and charisma. These attributes affect the character’s abilities in combat and other situations.
Players can improve their characters’ attributes by gaining experience points. Experience points are earned by defeating enemies and completing quests. As characters gain experience, they will level up and become more powerful.
In addition to their attributes, characters in Oubliette also have a number of skills. Skills represent specific abilities, such as swordsmanship, archery, or healing. Players can improve their characters’ skills by using them in combat and other situations.
Morality
Oubliette features a unique morality system that affects how characters interact with each other and the world around them. Each character has a morality score, which can range from -100 to 100. A character’s morality score affects their behavior, as well as how other characters react to them.
Characters with high morality scores are more likely to be helpful and compassionate, while characters with low morality scores are more likely to be selfish and aggressive. Players must carefully consider the morality of their characters, as it can have a significant impact on the game’s story and gameplay.
Legacy
Oubliette was a critical and commercial success, and is considered to be one of the most important early RPGs. The game’s innovative gameplay, rich world, and challenging difficulty set a new standard for the genre. Oubliette has been ported to numerous platforms over the years, and remains popular with fans of retro gaming.
Oubliette’s legacy can be seen in many modern RPGs. The game’s real-time combat system, complex character development system, and morality system have all been adopted by other RPGs. Oubliette is a true classic of the genre, and it continues to inspire and entertain gamers today.
Tips for Playing Oubliette
Here are a few tips for playing Oubliette:
- Choose your party carefully. The characters in your party will have a significant impact on your gameplay experience. Make sure to choose a party with a mix of skills and abilities.
- Manage your resources carefully. Food, water, and equipment are essential for survival in the dungeon. Make sure to keep your party well-stocked.
- Be aware of your surroundings. The dungeon is filled with traps and enemies. Be careful not to walk into a trap or get ambushed by a group of monsters.
- Don’t be afraid to experiment. Oubliette is a complex game with many different possibilities. Don’t be afraid to try different strategies and tactics.
- Have fun! Oubliette is a challenging but rewarding game. Take your time and enjoy the experience.
Review Score
8.5/10
