Neophyte (series)
Encyclopedia
Neophyte: The Journey Begins, Neophyte: Koplio’s Story, and Neophyte: The Spirit Master are a series of three action role-playing
computer games created by Alien Software, and produced by Minor Insight as freeware
demos
for the never-released Neophyte computer game.
A fourth freeware demo was to be released before the final full version of the game, but was not because of the dissolution of Alien Software.
, programmed by John Corwin, and Sven Dixon was the Lead Artist.
The Neophyte series of games take place in an unnamed magic
al world of fiction similar to Earth. There are four continents: Regara, Esparcin, Aethra and Hydran. In the prehistory of this world, evil ruled the world until the Goddess of Light sealed all evil in to the "Orb of Salumain", bringing the world into an age of prosperity. However, the orb was imperfect, and its guardian dragon
Coronus became malevolent. Many creatures allied themselves to Coronus, who rampaged the land and slew many people. The Monastery
of Semident (which is the setting for Koplio's Story) was built on the site of the Battle of the Plateau, one of the great battle fought against Coronus. Coronus was eventually defeated by Gorus, who was granted great benediction
s from the Goddess; after his death his powers passed to his armor, which is kept at the Semident monastery. However, Koplio's Story and The Journey Begins contradict each other: while the former presents Gorus as a hero, the latter presents him as a villain who was himself defeated in battle.
Vacmatio is the villain of the game series. He is an evil monk
trying to claim the armor of Gorus. Although he was purportedly defeated by Aliquis the Great ten years before the start of the games, he is seen as having returned to the land during the course of the game.
In the games, the most powerful nation is the "Empire of Light", with its capital at Tridan, which stretches from the continent of Esparcin to the continent of Aethra. Its current King is Exelic XXXII. It's only rival was the Akenah Empire on the continent of Hydran, which has decayed over the years.
. Gameplay consists mostly of two parts: solving puzzles and mysteries through role-play and NPC interaction; and defeating enemies via the use of weapons and magic.
The player accumulates experience through the latter, and this boosts both health
and magic power
.
Action role-playing game
Action role-playing games form a loosely defined sub-genre of role-playing video games that incorporate elements of action or action-adventure games, emphasizing real-time action where the player has direct control over characters, instead of turn-based or menu-based combat...
computer games created by Alien Software, and produced by Minor Insight as freeware
Freeware
Freeware is computer software that is available for use at no cost or for an optional fee, but usually with one or more restricted usage rights. Freeware is in contrast to commercial software, which is typically sold for profit, but might be distributed for a business or commercial purpose in the...
demos
Game demo
A game demo is a freely distributed demonstration or preview of an upcoming or recently released video game. Demos are typically released by the game's publisher to help consumers get a feel of the game before deciding whether to buy the full version....
for the never-released Neophyte computer game.
A fourth freeware demo was to be released before the final full version of the game, but was not because of the dissolution of Alien Software.
Development
In 1998, Alien Software released the first three episodes in the Neophyte universe, an RPG gameworld similar in style to anime RPGs commonly seen on console systems. The episodes, all released as shareware although they are complete games in their own right, quickly garnered a sizable cult following among fans of console RPGs. Unfortunately, Alien Software dissolved on 15 March, 1999 before they could finish the final chapter of their RPG Neophyte. The complete game (which would combine these freeware episodes, as well as additional ones, in a huge gameworld) was never released. The games were produced and designed by Mike YoungMike Young (game designer)
Mike Young is a game designer, author, and founder of the firstindependent professional LARP publishing house, "Interactivities Ink".- Works :...
, programmed by John Corwin, and Sven Dixon was the Lead Artist.
Storyline
Magic (gaming)
Some role-playing games or game systems can include a set of rules that are used to portray magic in the paranormal sense. These rules simulate the effects that magic would have within the game context, according to how the game designer intended the magic to be portrayed...
al world of fiction similar to Earth. There are four continents: Regara, Esparcin, Aethra and Hydran. In the prehistory of this world, evil ruled the world until the Goddess of Light sealed all evil in to the "Orb of Salumain", bringing the world into an age of prosperity. However, the orb was imperfect, and its guardian dragon
Dragon
A dragon is a legendary creature, typically with serpentine or reptilian traits, that feature in the myths of many cultures. There are two distinct cultural traditions of dragons: the European dragon, derived from European folk traditions and ultimately related to Greek and Middle Eastern...
Coronus became malevolent. Many creatures allied themselves to Coronus, who rampaged the land and slew many people. The Monastery
Monastery
Monastery denotes the building, or complex of buildings, that houses a room reserved for prayer as well as the domestic quarters and workplace of monastics, whether monks or nuns, and whether living in community or alone .Monasteries may vary greatly in size – a small dwelling accommodating only...
of Semident (which is the setting for Koplio's Story) was built on the site of the Battle of the Plateau, one of the great battle fought against Coronus. Coronus was eventually defeated by Gorus, who was granted great benediction
Benediction
A benediction is a short invocation for divine help, blessing and guidance, usually at the end of worship service.-Judaism:...
s from the Goddess; after his death his powers passed to his armor, which is kept at the Semident monastery. However, Koplio's Story and The Journey Begins contradict each other: while the former presents Gorus as a hero, the latter presents him as a villain who was himself defeated in battle.
Vacmatio is the villain of the game series. He is an evil monk
Monk
A monk is a person who practices religious asceticism, living either alone or with any number of monks, while always maintaining some degree of physical separation from those not sharing the same purpose...
trying to claim the armor of Gorus. Although he was purportedly defeated by Aliquis the Great ten years before the start of the games, he is seen as having returned to the land during the course of the game.
In the games, the most powerful nation is the "Empire of Light", with its capital at Tridan, which stretches from the continent of Esparcin to the continent of Aethra. Its current King is Exelic XXXII. It's only rival was the Akenah Empire on the continent of Hydran, which has decayed over the years.
The Journey Begins
Neophyte: The Journey Begins, released in 1998, follows the adventures of Thael, a neophyte warrior. His village of Xis was saved by Aliquis the Great from Vacmatio. During the course of his adventures, Thael rescues Princess Aphea of the Empire from the resurrected Vacmatio, who wanted to make a human sacrifice out of her.Koplio’s Story
Neophyte: Koplio's Story, released in 1998, follows the adventures of Koplio, a neophyte monk at the Semident monastery, in the center of Regara. During the course of his adventures, Koplio rescues his brothers at the monastery from being mutated into members of Vacmatio's army, "The Horde", although he is unable to stop Vacmatio from stealing the Armor of Gorus.The Spirit Master
Neophyte: The Spirit master, released in 1999, follows the adventures of Neika Mantru, a neophyte shaman from the Shintari tribe in southeastern Regara. Neika saves her clan members from being overrun by the Akkei Clan of dark sorcerers, who are supported by the Akenah Empire.Gameplay
All three games belong to the action roleplaying genre of computer games. The player follows the protagonist with a top-down perspective, commonly used in 2D games2D computer graphics
2D computer graphics is the computer-based generation of digital images—mostly from two-dimensional models and by techniques specific to them...
. Gameplay consists mostly of two parts: solving puzzles and mysteries through role-play and NPC interaction; and defeating enemies via the use of weapons and magic.
The player accumulates experience through the latter, and this boosts both health
Health (gaming)
Health is a game mechanic used in role-playing, computer and video games to give value to characters, enemies, NPCs, and related objects. This value can either be numerical, semi-numerical as in hit/health points, or arbitrary as in a life bar....
and magic power
Magic point
Magic points are units of magical power that are used in many role-playing, computer role-playing and similar games as an expendable resource that is needed to pay for magic spells and other abilities, such as special attacks...
.