I wasn't prepared for how engrossing this game is. 30+ years on and it is still more than capable of evoking a keen sense of mystery and wonder that kept me coming back. It will take a bit to get into for someone who is more used to modern control schemes, but don't consider it archaic: there are benefits to the way this game plays. Managing items and casting spells can be done while moving through the environment, which can alleviate potential frustrations with backtracking. Aside from that, the mouse-centric movement is still novel and fun, even if the execution is a tad finicky. Combat, navigation, and platforming are all more than possible to get good at, and it's satisfying to deftly navigate the depths, so I'd say a stellar job was done considering the pioneering nature of this game. I really appreciated the way the writing tied different floors, factions, and items together in a way that felt believable. Coupled with the thoughtful placement of key (and inconsequential) items, the Stygian Abyss feels more like a real place than I expected. A heavy dose of secrets and hard-to-find clues (some of which are required to finish the game) give the impression that the game world is more far-reaching and mysterious than it probably is. Thorough exploration and use of the map's note feature (and a handy notepad) are all you really need to get through the game, but the manual and hint book are invaluable if you're stuck. Just go into it with an open mind and a willingness to learn and play around, and you'll have just as great a time as I did. This is my first time playing this game and, as someone who is not overly familiar with traditional dungeon crawlers, this has quickly become one of the most memorable gaming experiences I've had in years. I can't imagine what this was like in 1993 - but if it's anything like what it feels like to play now, I can see why this game was so influential. A true masterpiece.
I wasn't prepared for how engrossing this game is. 30+ years on and it is still more than capable of evoking a keen sense of mystery and wonder that kept me coming back. It will take a bit to get into for someone who is more used to modern control schemes, but don't consider it archaic: there are benefits to the way this game plays. Managing items and casting spells can be done while moving through the environment, which can alleviate potential frustrations with backtracking. Aside from that, the mouse-centric movement is still novel and fun, even if the execution is a tad finicky. Combat, navigation, and platforming are all more than possible to get good at, and it's satisfying to deftly navigate the depths, so I'd say a stellar job was done considering the pioneering nature of this game. I really appreciated the way the writing tied different floors, factions, and items together in a way that felt believable. Coupled with the thoughtful placement of key (and inconsequential) items, the Stygian Abyss feels more like a real place than I expected. A heavy dose of secrets and hard-to-find clues (some of which are required to finish the game) give the impression that the game world is more far-reaching and mysterious than it probably is. Thorough exploration and use of the map's note feature (and a handy notepad) are all you really need to get through the game, but the manual and hint book are invaluable if you're stuck. Just go into it with an open mind and a willingness to learn and play around, and you'll have just as great a time as I did. This is my first time playing this game and, as someone who is not overly familiar with traditional dungeon crawlers, this has quickly become one of the most memorable gaming experiences I've had in years. I can't imagine what this was like in 1993 - but if it's anything like what it feels like to play now, I can see why this game was so influential. A true masterpiece.
