DOS

Stonekeep

Interplay's Stonekeep is a definite keeper. I've finally satisfied my long overdue craving for an intuitive and exciting role-playing game. Stonekeep is not perfect, but it will keep you coming back for more! Also, it's not a terribly easy game; The combat is more than challenging and the puzzles are not quite impossible to figure out. If you have an extensive role-playing background, you'd better make an effort to see this one. Even if RPGs are not your cup of tea, the graphics and sound effects should prove to be a pleasant surprise.

Few companies always make excellent, high quality games, but Interplay certainly is one of them. They have done it again with their latest addition, Stonekeep, an action/RPG similar to Dungeon Master or Ultima Underworld. Interplay claims that they took three years to make this game, and I believe it. The gameplay, music, and especially the gameplay are excellent.

"Stonekeep" is an heroic-fantasy role playing game in which you play the role of Drake. When Drake was still a child, his castle had been attacked by the evil Shadowking, Khull-Khuums, and sank deep into the ground. Ten years have passed since this tragic episode and you are now going to re-enter the castle to free the goddess Thera, imprisoned by the Shadowking. Only if you retrieve the nine receptacles will you be able to save her from Khull-Khuums.

Wer sich seit langem ein hervorragendes, packendes Rollenspiel herbeisehnt, kann nun erleichtert durchatmen: Stonekeep erfüllte alle Kriterien, die ein gutes Rollenspiel ausmachen.

Stonekeep est un excellent soft, mais il présente des imperfections et aurait mérité une plus grandes finition au niveau des énigmes. en tout cas, il ne devrait décevoir que les aventuriers expérimentés, les autres l'adoreront !

Wer ein solides, unkompliziertes Rollenspiel in "Beholder"-Tradition sucht, kann zugreifen - aber erwarten Sie nichts revolutionär Neues. Nachdem Westwoods "Lands of Lore 2" und Bullfrogs "Dungeon Keeper" erst 1996 erscheinen werden, lindert Stonekeep akute Fantasy-Entzugserscheinungen.

It is a quite respectable game, but not a great one. There is lots to do but the story slips into the background much of the time. Also it has its fare share of bugs which will frustrate many players and there are other frustrations that I should mention.

Graphically, Stonekeep supplies some interesting bits. The monsters and non-player folks are done in full motion video, and the even the stones in the walls have a photo-realistic look, but the game's color palette looks dull and dreary. Still, Stonekeep is easy to play, and the addition of neat sound effects supplies a suitable atmosphere. Overall, Stonekeep is a dated first-person RPG that suffers from a poor interface, little depth, and few frills.

Jag råkar gilla Dungeon Master skarpt, men Stonekeep är händelselöst och långsamt, och 80-talet vilar tungt över detta spel, som varit i produktion i över tio år. Hardcore-rollspelare kan nog gilla det, men vanliga dödliga bör hålla sig undan.