|
This is based on a classic mainframe RPG called Avatar, developed at the University of Illinois for the PLATO system. Avatar was one of the first multi-user dungeon games and already featured a 3D first person view in wireframe graphics. The game was very popular, accounting for 6% of all hours spent on the PLATO system from 1978 to 1985. Avatar was a successful attempt to outdo Jim Schwaiger's 1977 mainframe MUD Oubliette, which itself was inspired by Mines of Moria, written around 1974/1975 by Chuck Miller and others. Mines of Moria was a single-player game, but already had the wireframe 3D graphics that are known from Ultima or Wizardry. Together with DND, Mines of Moria is one of the first computer role-playing games ever. Over fifteen hundred years ago, the dwarves built the mines and the city above them, Dejenol. After centuries of digging, a floor gave way deep in the mines, and monsters began to pour out, killing the miners. The mines were eventually sealed, and remained so for over a thousand years. Now, the city elders have decided to reopen the mines, and cleanse them of their evil inhabitants. Having nearly run out of experienced adventurers, the city elders have decided to train new adventurers to take up this task. You are one such adventurer, tasked with searching and making safe The Depths of Dejenol. The player forms a party by creating several characters of various races, and causing each to join some guilds to teach them useful skills. The party then adventures in the mines to gain experience, items, and gold, which may be spent at any of the several stores in order to buy equipment, companions, or information from the seer, as well as to gain levels at a guild or revive fallen characters. Mordor has fifteen dungeon levels in addition to the town, 366 different items, and 400 different monsters, providing many hours of play. Features: Exciting non-linear play; Real-time action and combat; 2D graphic world; Rich musical soundtrack; Exciting sound FX; 256 color graphics; Hundreds of unique items and monsters; A rich collection of magical spells; Nine character races to choose from; A dozen guilds with specialized skills; Auto mapping; Auto-compatibility with most Windows displays types and sizes; A game environment so advanced, and a world so rich, you will be challenged by each new adventure. |
