Soulbringer

This isn't a review. It's just here to hopefully help others to my "apparent" success at getting it to run. I say apparent because after trying so many different options I finally did something easy and it worked, but I got too annoyed with the attempts that I haven't even tried the game out yet. Simply saw it load properly and get into the initial dialogue of the game before shutting it off to go to bed. I'm on Windows 10 with a Radeon RX 580 series. I've got "Soulbringer.exe" set to compatibility mode "Windows XP (Service pack 2), Run in 640 x 480 screen resolution, and run as administrator all ticked. Upon running the game you get the little menu with "Play, Video, Advanced, Quit" options. Click Video and in the Driver drop down menu choose either: "Dx7 Direct3D T&L HAL" or "Dx7:Direct3D HAL" Under the Mode drop down menu select any resolution you like as long as it ends in x16. The x32 don't work. Test, Ok, Ok, Ok, then press Play and off ya go. Simple but effective way to at least get the thing going on Windows 10. After doing so much running around and hoop jumping it's a bit annoying that these settings weren't just set by GoG.com in the first place. Specially since most of the issues I found other people had were specifically with the GoG version. Either way give it a go and see how if it works for you. I'll try it tomorrow when I wake up. Happy hunting, Humans.

Great atmosphere, but the control system is VERY clunky, so if you want to enjoy this game you HAVE to be patient :) And draw maps! I made it to level 6 but sadly got tired of all the "work" you have to put into playing... What a shame :/

I have been an RPG player since NES and people are still wondering why I keep mentioning Soulbringer as one of my top 10 favorites. My one world would be - experience. It is like nothing else in modern times and even when launched it was easily overlooked. It's hard, gritty and takes more than just time to finish. No auto focus map, pretty big landscapes, no easy way out. The best part is that if you do manage to get immersed in all of this the rewards shall be great. The character changes, evolution is palpable, and there is nothing like some good ol' payback when you finally level up and hone your skills. The ending is amazing and I think that even after all the years passed I can still name all the NPC friends and comrades in arms as well as their background story when it was all over. Highly recommended, with a pinch of salt and a lot of patience.

I've spent about 7-8 hours on the game so far. It is not a game for anyone who's used to Action RPGs nor the modern fast-paced gameplay It requires slow and methodical exploration, combat, and resource managment. You have to manage your equipments durability, potions, pay attention to how you compose combos. You will need to go back to the hub/village to repair gear, buy food, and sell your stuff. It is a cumbersome experience that feels very slow. On top of it all, there's only one map! Just one! And it's the map of the village that's all. You will need to rely on your compass since the game revolves around cardinal directions to get your bearings, roads, and post signs. With all that said it is an epic very expansive RPG with a very interesting story, grim atmosphere, and requires dedication. If you're up for it buy it if you are looking for a quick gaming fix avoid it at all cost!

Soulbringer is a cRPG, but it's not the usual cRPG one would expect. The beginning is harsh, and the exact opposite of what modern "AAA" titles do: You start with a knife, no armor at all and a low-quality compass that barely works. That's all. Death is very cheap and just a wrong move away. However, if you have patience and you use your brains, you will soon realize the game is not that hard. Forget about automap: you need to remember your way, or draw a rough map. The lack of automap may sound frustrating, but it actually works very well: it makes you feel like exploring a hostile land instead of chasing a mark on your automap - the cheap and easy way that many other games adopt. Combat system is not perfect, but will still put most cRPGs into a shame. This is not the usual "click-fest" found in "AAA" games. You can (and should) use the terrain to your advantage, pick the right weapon for a specific opponent, and use your attacking moves or combos as appropriate. Unfortunately, there is no way to control when your character will try to block an attack (it blocks automatically depending in a specific skill). The game features five skills, and you get six skill points every time you level up. How you distribute those skill points has a vast impact on how your character performs in battle. Quests actually make sense, and most are part of the (long) story the game has to tell. This is a lengthy game, and the story takes its time to unfold. "Quickies" wanting a brainless playing time over an afternoon would be kicked away right from the harsh beginning of the game, anyway. Graphics are decent and nice. Yes, the game is old, but the fact is, everything you see on the screen is well-drawn, and definitely serves its purpose very well. Sound effects and music are also nice. Overall, this a very nice game. Highly recommended for people willing to use their brains, even when playing a game. You will love it or hate it, depending on just that.