King of Dragon Pass

Made a jaded gamer crack a smile I’ve been buying new game after new game lately, looking for something fun. Day Z was it for a while until everyone started using hacks. Queue a few more impulse buys, Cortex Command or FTL. They’re fun, but it wears off quick. Then boom, out of nowhere, I stumble across this relic with mostly 5 star reviews. Text based game where you have to learn the lore to progress, thus enabling yourself to be drawn in further. After right click enabling XP compatibility, it runs smooth on my Samsung windows 7 ultra book. Also really enjoying the background art to the text screens. Recommended.

This is a buried treasure. The game is basically a fully interactive saga of your own Viking-esque Clan... full of decision points that become your own narrative. Different then lots of other games, It is truly incredibly deep, challenging, and fun to play. The Game world is as evocative as it is original, full of men and monsters, and refreshingly as gender inclusive to women as it is to men -- a refreshing take on the "barbarian tribes" genre. SO GOOD. A bargain at 4x the price.

This brings me all the way back to the ZX81 and the first game I ever played called Warlord (which was essentially a seasonal, turn based decision maker of the most simple, text based variety as befitting 1982) - nostalgic to the max then! You guide your clan through trials and tribulations, selecting clan leaders, managing farming, combat, building, trading, religion and exploration. This plays out over years of turn based, purely text (and art, more on that below), decision making, with only the help of your advisors, as you navigate numerous short stories and scenarios. Grow strong, keep your clan happy and make friends then form a tribe of clans together. The longer game has you then taking on the huge task of uniting all of Dragon Pass. The game creates a wonderful, unique atmosphere akin to Norse and Greek mythology. Honouring your ancestors is vital , while appeasing and drawing on the all powerful gods along the way. The settings and stories are varied, entertaining and well written and it's very satisfying when you get things right. The art work needs a mention all of its own - it fits superbly and enhances the atmosphere no end (hit space to see it in its full glory on any page). If you've ever enjoyed mythology, you're a turn based fan with an eye for detail, you like reading and have a secret thing for cows then this is a little gem of a game that will give you many hours of enjoyment.

The game sports a beautiful musical score, drawn graphics and minimalist and subtle gameplay mechanics ranging from trade and diplomacy to cattle rustling and sorcery, painting before you an engaging world full of wonder and dread. As the head of your clan in a land filled with mythical creatures and other clans, you must strive to make yours the throne of Dragon Pass- it is up to you to realize the dream of your clan by a myriad of ways, often with unforseen consequences for your choices and actions with your neighbours, who also vie for the coveted throne.

I don't write reviews; I just don't do them; it's a waste of time and I'm not good with words. Having said that, my God, this game is amazing. How can something so filled with detail possibly exist? This game is a masterpiece and you owe it to yourself to take the time required to understand why. Buy it and reap the rewards.