Stonekeep

If you're looking for a classic dungeon crawl which doesn't require you to be a pen and paper DnD game guru then this is it. It is a rather simple game, and inventory management can get a little annoying, but all round it's a good ol' game....

This was one of my two very first cRPGs (the other being Dungeon Master 2), and I still think of it very fondly after having played quite a few RPGs to date. I still take time to play it again every now and then. From cRPG point of view Stonekeep is a bit atypical, but thanks to the way it is it serves as a perfect introduction to all RPG novices. The unique 1-rune magic system, the very simple and intuitive user Interface and simple playstyle make the life of any beginner Roleplay gamer much easier. However, the players-friendly approach doesn't make this game shallow. Partly because it's a classic dungeon-crawl, and partly because of quite a deep story to unravel (even though it's linear), you will have a lot of fun. Memorable bosses (Khull-Khum, Scourge), great and funny dialogues, well designed levels and riddles (yes, some took me a few days to figure out, and there was no Gamefaqs back in 1990s), rich armoury and epic atmosphere. It all gives you pleasure while playing. Graphics-wise the game was a bit dated when it was released back in 1995, but it works well under Windows XP and Windows 7 (even the original CD retail copy I own). Back in the days it was the content that made games memorable, and special and Stonekeep is such a game. Personally I go back to it, because character dialogues make me giggle all the time. If you're having doubts, watch some playthrough on YouTube, but I can tell you with a clear conscience that it's a very good old school cRPG.

There's better dungeon clawlers out there. It came out after Dungeon Master 2 and manages to be a lot worse. Sure it has digitalized enemies and superficially might look better, but truth be told the graphics were outdated when it came out. Controls are terrible and sluggish, especially the inventory, which is a scroll (!) - yes, no bag of holding which I could live with, a scroll that stores your items... - and takes forever to scroll through. Thankfully time freezes while you handle it. DM 2 has objectively the worse graphics, I still think it looks better, as Stonekeep's dungeon levels come with only one tile each. There also are no healing items - so save your game before you use an item to find out what it does. Just cheap. Until GOG releases Dungeon Master 2 (*HINT* *HINT*) it is available on abondoned games pages. Black Crypt, another excellent dungeon crawler and my personal favorite (still have the Amiga game discs and original manual!) is also available per emulator for download. There's Legend of Grimrock 1 & 2, which are also excellent, Eye of the Beholder 2 & 3 are great and on GOG as well, and the remake of Bard's Tale (not Bard's Tale IV!). All better alternatives to Borekeep - I mean Stonekeep...

My cousin had this game when I was a kid and i absolutely loved it then even though I never got past the beginning. (I was 10 and the orc/goblin guy surprised the crap out of me) Either way this game is as fun as I remember it and definitely a good adventure crawl. It takes a bit to get used to at first and figuring out the keys can be a hassle so read the manual! You get a journal shortly in which tells you about items, maps, etc.. so don't freak out when you see the weapons and gear have no stats initially. It comes within the first 30 minutes of exploring if not sooner.

I played this game as a little squirt, I'm so glad that I could find this game. Whoever made this site deserves a medal of honor. They're a freaking national hero. Nowhere else could I find this, Realms Of The Haunting, Oddworld, and other games. These are the best games and thats what they will always be.