Dark Sun: Wake of the Ravager

The Good
There's actually a lot to like about this game. It uses the same interface as Shattered Lands, but has better graphics, sounds, and music. There are also more weapons and spells that you can acquire. The game's interface, then, is its best feature. You can play with a pregenerated party, or you can create your own party of 4. You choose from several races, each with advantages and disadvantages. The races are: elf, human, half-elf, dwarf, halfling, half-giant, mul, and thri-kreen. The mul is similar to a cross between a human and a dwarf, while the thri-kreen is a large mantid-like creature. There are 6 stats: Strength, Dexterity, Constitution, Intelligence, Wisdom, and Charisma. These stats do not increase with levels, so its best to set them as high as possible. The inventory system is very simple: the screen shows a character portrait, with corresponding slots for armor and weapons. You can also use containers. Combat is very simple, and Wake of the Ravager has included some cool combat music and sounds. Enemies croak and scream with each hit, making it all the more funner to fight.

The Bad
The version I have is the AD&D Masterpiece Collection CD version. The music plays off of the CD. This is nice, but annoying because the game does not always load with music. And without music, it's not all that great wandering about. Also, I had problems trying to enter the 2nd level of the Tyr Mines. The game would constantly lock up after taking the elevator. (I still have no idea how to fix that). Finally, the most annoying thing is the stupid dragon that shows up everytime you enter a new screen. It's basically a loading screen, but the dragon always has some lame quote, like: "Arr...they've returned too soon..." or "...friendship, I must study this." It gets pretty annoying. Also, the ending really stinks...

The Bottom Line
If you liked Shattered Lands, you'll probably like Wake of the Ravager. Heck, if you liked Baldur's Gate, you'll probably like this game. There are many similarities between the two: the ability to pregenerate a party, the map-by-map travel, the turn-based fighting.

The Good
The graphics were nice for the time, the gameplay itself was pretty good, it had a quasi-okay plot, and it was pretty addicting.

The Bad
Randomly, Wake of the Ravager would have game-stopping bugs, a re-install would take care of the first bug, but another would pop up, I must've played and reinstalled the game 30 or more times, but never beat it. Came close though I think...

The Bottom Line
Okay, if game-stopping bugs won't piss you off.