I was digging around in my garage and found my old Warlord's III: Darklords Rising strategy guide from way back in the day and thought to myself... I wonder... Sure enough, the game was available from GOG and installs and runs great on a modern machine. As for the gameplay, it has aged very well and remains an excellent turn based tactical fantasy game. The graphics are as good or bad as they were back then, they are simple and get the job done nicely. The game really shines in just the sheer amount of content, the various challenging scenarios to play, and lack of bloat as mentioned in another review. If there were any part that I would consider somewhat lacking, it would be that it isn't the greatest (though not the worst either) at explaining its various mechanics to you - hence why I purchased the strategy guide back then. If you like fantasy strategy games that are turn based, like a lot of bang for your buck, and are willing to spend a little bit of time getting to know the game, I really think there is a good chance you will find a game that will stick with you for life like it did for me. Very happy to play this one again!
Nox Archaist is a fantastic throwback to years gone by, yet still feels freshly baked. Like a brand new Ultima game straight out of the oven. The fact that you can run it natively on an Apple II is just amazing. Alas, I don't have that particular relic of old, but the binary runs fantastic on Mac/Win and has a few video graphics modes if that kind of thing is your fancy. The game has a lengthy and detailed manual - just like you would expect to find in an RPG from the 80's. There is good solid lore here, and the world feels believable and enticing. Graphically, this is literally Ultima to a T. Pleasing 8-bit graphics and animation just like you remember them. The sounds are great, and what music is there is quite good, though I wish there were more of it. Combat is turn based and does not have any sort of level scaling involved. You can run into areas you should not be yet and you WILL be slaughtered. This adds to the feeling of a sprawling and dangerous world, and hightens the sense or exploration and danger. The conversation system is based on the old NAME,JOB,BYE formula, with the ability to ask about specific keywords found in conversations. Lots of humor and fun quests abound. Easter eggs and references that people who have played the older games will get a chuckle from a-plenty. If you have played and enjoyed the older RPGs and wished that someone would make one for todays gamers, this is it. This is as genuine as you can get without getting Lord British to sit down and code you a new Ultima. I wish the developers nothing but success, and thank them for seeing this game through to completion for what is likely a fairly niche market. Much appreciated, highly recommended!
