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T H E G A M E S P O T N E T W O R K
1998: Year of the RPG?
  • Introduction
• The Return of the Great Trinity
• The New Blood
• The Hybrids
• Truly Massive RPGs
• And That's Not All
• Desslock's Top Picks
• Related Links
 
 
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Ancient Evil
 
And That's Not All
You'd think that after years of seeing only a handful of role-playing games released annually, the 14 games previewed in this feature would exhaust the RPG pipeline. Not so. In fact, there are plenty of additional RPGs that either have already been released in 1998 or are scheduled to be released later this year. To conclude this feature, here's a brief description of a number of other RPGs that should make it out during 1998.

Ancient Evil - a hybrid RPG/action/adventure game being developed by Silver Lightning. Due out any day now, Ancient Evil is a third-person isometric-perspective game obviously inspired by that "devilish" game released last year.
Download the demo

Blades of Exile - Jeff Vogel and Spiderweb Software recently released this latest game in the critically acclaimed shareware Exile series. Featuring graphics and gameplay similar to the older Ultima games from Origin Systems and Richard Garriott, Blades of Exile is actually an RPG system, which allows gamers to craft their own scenarios and exchange them with other gamers. Dozens of scenarios are already available at Spiderweb's site.

Deus Ex - Origin and Looking Glass veteran Warren Spector's 3D action /RPG game will use the Unreal engine. Set in a number of real-world locations, such as the White House, Deus Ex will feature a combination of James Bond/X-Files government conspiracy elements. A veteran of the Ultima Underworld games and System Shock (one of the most underrated games of all time), Spector is a force to watch in role-playing gaming. This ION Storm game likely won't make it out until 1999.

Dink Smallwood - Another recently released shareware game, this game features gameplay similar to console-based RPGs, solid graphics, and some delightfully warped humor. Seth Robinson and RtSof have also been releasing free additional scenarios to extend the replayability of Dink Smallwood.

Dragonflight - Based upon Anne McCaffrey's Chronicles of Pern series, this recently announced title is being developed by Grolier Interactive UK, who is promising to deliver a visually rich RPG set in a full 3D environment, displayed from an isometric perspective. It is scheduled to be released late this year in the UK.

Grimoire - Another shareware game scheduled to be released this summer, Grimoire features some hard-core role-playing gameplay and graphics similar to the past few Wizardry games, and it is being developed by one of the Usenet's most outspoken gonzo posters, Cleve Blakemore.

Hexplore - An adventure/RPG hybrid, this game was recently released in Europe, in French and German, and should make its way to North America later this year. Featuring isometric 3D graphics, this game looks like a more cartoonish Diablo.

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