Akalabeth: World of Doom

The Good
Well I suppose the game is a starting point for the "overworlds and underworlds" game design concept. The game's overworld and dungeons could not be much cruder. I'd want to play this game even if it was complete crap, to see the starting point of games like the Phantasy Star series. Of course this game more directly led to the Ultima series and the first Ultima game, released the following year, was a vast improvement on this.

The Bad
Well the game IS complete crap. Even considering its point in history. Crude graphics I can forgive and even appreciate, but the game is programmed, or rather allowed, to be an utter bastard. The random, computer controlled creation of overworlds and underworlds can create some totally unforgiving situations. I did my best to meet the game's challenge, but eventually decided that it was stupid to put so much time and effort into such a bad game. Rogue was first released in the same year I believe and of course that also gave the computer control over level creation, but I think Rogue is a hell of a lot better, despite the original having even cruder graphics i.e ASCII characters

The Bottom Line
Actually, if you're interested in seeing how RPGs began, I'd recommend watching a video of SOMEBODY ELSE play this game. Even if you love classic RPG, I can't see any point in subjecting yourself to actually playing it.

I'm saying this under the assumption that the original Apple II version is just as unfair as this Windows/DOS version i.e earlier versions of the game might be worth playing if there is some programming in them that helps you stay alive a bit longer.