Coming from the same line of development as the Wizardry games, Elminage Gothic takes the old school structures to the extreme. Other Elminage games are decidedly more forgiving than this one. Weapons can now have negative accuracy and maps are one time use magical items with one single (repairable) permanent map much later on. This is my first Dungeon Crawler and so far it felt DIFFICULT, and developed a patience and caution in me that few games demand anymore. The first dungeon is serious business and it took multiple trips back to town to eventually work out the best route, management of resources, and party formation to finally clear it. It was an amazing experience once I was able to put all the pieces together. When a towering challenge becomes managably easy through your own knowledge alone that is a triumphant feeling. The Side quests are so oldschool aswell. -A Knight says he is giving medical treatment to adventurers early on, but he gives you nothing so you forget him, only for the bell to ring in your head an hour later when you beat an encounter and find a confused man you cant immediately do anything about. - A child living in the cave gives you a book and nothing else but a corner of a room that bears the marks of habitance, but venture back with an empty party slot to that squalid little corner and lo and behold, you can take that child in and get them out of there! No clear explanations telling you what to do or that you can do it, but little hints. It makes you feel all the more competent for putting things together. You can't get that same experience from more convenience focused games that want everyone to have the same experience. This game is decidedly not convenient. But when you feel victory isn't assured, it makes the experience all the more your own. Loved my time with this, would recommend it for the first dungeon alone. Have fun!
