This 1983 release from Doric Computer Services for the ZX Spectrum is a simple, but engrossing, cave exploration game with tense combat and tough gameplay.
Tag Archives: Level-Grinder
Phantasy Star, Sega Master System
For me: THE stand-out title on the Sega Master System.
Phantasy Star is a solid – if rather basic – level-grinding RPG/adventure, and it went on to spawn a whole series of other games afterwards.
SD Snatcher, MSX
SD Snatcher is a great, futuristic, level-grinding RPG that was first released on the MSX2 (in Japan only) in 1990 by Konami.
The game was co-written by Hideo Kojima (of Metal Gear fame) and features overhead exploration sections, and first-person combat sections.
Oblivion, PC
Or, to give the game its full title: The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion – the fourth game in the popular Elder Scrolls series.
Akalabeth: World of Doom, Apple II
Richard Garriott’s Akalabeth was first released in 1979 for the Apple II home computer (and shortly afterwards for PC MS-DOS), and is arguably the first ever graphical Role-Playing Game ever released.
Dungeon Master II: The Legend of Skullkeep, PC
The sequel to the mighty Dungeon Master is a great game in its own right. First released by Interplay in 1995.
Continue reading Dungeon Master II: The Legend of Skullkeep, PC
Final Fantasy, NES/Famicom
The first ever Final Fantasy game was released in Japan in 1987 and North America in 1990. The Famicom/NES release of Final Fantasy was when Squaresoft really made the rest of the world first sit up and take notice.
Dungeon Master, PC
Although the mighty Dungeon Master did come out on the Atari ST first, its best incarnation can be found on the PC, in MS-DOS.
Wonder Boy in Monster World, Megadrive/Genesis
A brilliant Megadrive/Genesis Wonder Boy game mixing platform and RPG level-grinding elements.
Continue reading Wonder Boy in Monster World, Megadrive/Genesis
Black Crypt, Amiga
Black Crypt is the first game developed by Raven Software. It’s an Amiga exclusive, initially published by Electronic Arts in 1992. It could be argued that it’s also an unashamed clone of FTL’s Dungeon Master, but it is at least an exceptional one.