You kids and your "Final Fantasy" games! Let me tell you about REAL RPGs! Alongside such classics as Ultima, Wizardry, and SSI's Gold Box RPGs, Might and Magic helped set the standard by which all future RPGs in this style would be judged. All the M&M games are packed with a ludicrous amount of content, and the fact that you are getting SIX of them, plus bonuses, for only ten bucks, is a deal and a half. These games are complicated and huge. I highly recommend printing out the manuals, especially for the early games, for constant reference, as there is a lot of stuff to keep track of. Also, make sure to make maps on graph paper so you don't get lost, especially in the early games where there is no in-game map (Oh, don't be such a lazy bum! Trust me, you'll thank me later.) Because of their age, the early games of the series might look a little archaic, but trust me when I say that if you give them a chance, the graphics and keyboard driven interface will eventually become second nature, and the enthralling gameplay will take over. Besides, if you're quibbling that the graphics and interface aren't good enough, you're on the wrong website. Be warned, though! These games will not hold your hand in the slightest! They are tough, no-nonsense games that are not afraid to kick your butt if you step outside your party's abilities. Back then, games weren't afraid to be tough. Nowadays you kids have it easy, with your "casual games" and tutorials! Why, I remember when you had to WORK to beat games! These are games for REAL gamers! Not those silly, arrogant "I only play photo-realistic games that I can beat on my first try if I play hard enough" gamers! Casual gamers, stay away! Otherwise, prepare for the adventure of a lifetime! These are potentially the most epic games of all time, and if you keep plugging away at them, you're in for a real treat! You'll find an incredible storyline, discover an amazing universe, and all the while, you'll see the evolution of gaming in progress. Now get off my lawn!
Before polygons were the norm, before the introduction of sound cards, before even graphics were good enough to be a worthwhile addition in some people's minds, there was Zork and games like it. Originally designed as a programming exercise to make a better game than Colossal Cave Adventure (one of the first great computer games and the first text adventure), Zork would eventually become one of the most popular computer game series of the early '80s, and if you are willing to avoid scoffing at the idea of playing a game where you read, you'll see that age hasn't slowed down Zork by much. While it is almost hilariously archaic by today's standards, the puzzles, the humorous script, and the imaginative locations still stand tall. The series does have its frustrating moments, and the games do require a lot of patience, but remember that this was the early days of home computing, back when a megabyte was considered a lot of memory. I highly recommend this collection. Not only are you getting some of the best (or at least most important) games of all time, but you are getting them for a very good price. Be wary, though: When you run out of light, the grues feed tonight!
