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Features

• Type: Role-Playing, Shareware
• Developer: Epic MegaGames
• Release Date: 1993
• Random Dungeon Generation

Requirements

Miniumum
• Windows 3.1 or Better
• 286 Processor

Review

The game is split into two parts. The first is shareware, and has a variety of randomly generated and a few pre-generated dungeon levels, in addition to all the spells and many varied items, including a host of magical ones. The second costs a small amount of money, and includes around 25 dungeon levels and many more magical and normal items. The controls are simple and can be operated by keyboard and/or mouse with equal ease, though I prefer to use the mouse only for clicking on my conveniently located spell icon list.

When you start the game, you select a name and distribute a fixed number of points (shown graphicly by a bar) to Intelligence (determines spell point limits, modified by level), Constitution (in addition to level, determines hit point limits), Strength (determines weight and bulk maximums as well as bonuses to damage), and Dexterity (determines armor class bonus and chance to disarm traps). You gain spells at fixed rate, choosing what you wish and eventually gaining access to increasingly higher levels. Another way to gain spells is through use of Spell Books found occasionally.

Also, much like Daggerfall, the quality of equipment seems to get better as you level up, increasing the frequency of magical items as well as their material and power. Once you've identified a particular item (buying it from a store doesn't count), you can recognize it by sight (or through use of a Detect Objects spell).

Most dungeons are randomly generated, so you have no way of knowing what you'll be up against, and monsters respawn, so you never know when a Smirking Sneak Thief will close in on you and steal your valuables (at least you can keep money in the bank and items in a pile in town). You can, however, save before going down a level and reloading if you are displeased with the contents.

Level gaining is based on experience points, and as you raise in level you gain extra hit points, spells, and better luck at finding better magical items...and more dangerous foes.

The story of the game starts out, rather simply, as a quest to avenge the death of your parents and to reclaim your birthright -- an amulet. From there it moves on to something even bigger, but I'll not give away any more :)

This game, with its icon-based setup, would be considered a "time-waster," though most games can in the eyes of those who do not understand the heart of a gamer. The game is simple, yes, but that simplicity can be more addictive than you might expect!

The shareware (all of part one) can be downloaded here ( http://www.epicgames.com/castle.htm ), and the commercial version (both episodes on floppy) can be ordered for $19.95, though no matter what I think of the game I feel it might be a bit steep of a price for it. It may be possible to acquire it through auction sites and the like for lower prices.

All in all, I feel that Castle of the Winds is a classic (please, no Old Fart jokes, we've heard them before :) and might be worth a try (the shareware, anyways). Cosidering its miniscule size, it is a perfect game to play on a low-grade laptop or at work...erm, forget that last part, and if anyone asks I said nothing :)

Screenshots

Links

• Epic Megagames Home Page

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