Realms of Arkania: Blade of Destiny
Encyclopedia
Realms of Arkania: Blade of Destiny is a computer role-playing game developed by Attic Entertainment Software
. It was the first game based on the German pen & paper RPG system Das Schwarze Auge
by Fantasy Productions
. The original German version of the game (German title: Das Schwarze Auge: Die Schicksalsklinge) was released in 1992. Due to its success it was translated to English and released by Sir-Tech
in 1993.
1991 game Spirit of Adventure
, utilizing an increased resolution for the 3D part of the screen. The game also borrowed ideas from Eye of the Beholder
(the inventory user interface) and Might and Magic III: Isles of Terra
(the main screen user interface layout). The game did not feature NPC/monster sprites in the 3D view (a shortcoming that can be found in the entire Northlands Trilogy) that were already introduced by the first 3D real-time action computer role-playing game - Dungeon Master - in 1987. Instead of visualizing fights in the 3D view, the game switched to the isometric perspective for a unique turn-based tactical combat simulation.
, and Realms of Arkania: Shadows over Riva
. As a feature players could save the game after beating it, this allowed the players to import their characters into any of the sequels.
Attic Entertainment Software
The Attic Entertainment Software GmbH was a German computer game developer and publisher that was founded September 1990 by Hans-Jürgen Brändle, Jochen Hamma and Guido Henkel in Albstadt, Baden-Württemberg...
. It was the first game based on the German pen & paper RPG system Das Schwarze Auge
The Dark Eye
The Dark Eye , is a German role-playing game created by Ulrich Kiesow and launched by Schmidt Spiel & Freizeit GmbH and Droemer Knaur Verlag in 1984. The name literally means "the black eye"...
by Fantasy Productions
Fantasy Productions
Fantasy Productions Medienvertriebsgesellschaft GmbH is a German publishing company based in Erkrath.The company was founded in 1983 by Ulrich Kiesow, Werner Fuchs and Hans Joachim Alpers to produce small metal miniature figures...
. The original German version of the game (German title: Das Schwarze Auge: Die Schicksalsklinge) was released in 1992. Due to its success it was translated to English and released by Sir-Tech
Sir-Tech
Sir-Tech Software, Inc. was a United States-based video game developer and publisher founded by Robert Woodhead and Norman Sirotek. While the original company closed its doors in 2001, its Canadian counterpart Sir-Tech Canada continued to operate up until late 2003.Sir-Tech is best known for the...
in 1993.
Gameplay
Realms of Arkania: Blade of Destiny is a classical 3D party computer role-playing game that has up to six characters (plus an optional NPC that may be recruited) moving through 3D towns and dungeons. Travels between those 3D levels were simulated by showing a path on a regional 2D map. The game generally uses the same pseudo-3D-engine as Attic'sAttic Entertainment Software
The Attic Entertainment Software GmbH was a German computer game developer and publisher that was founded September 1990 by Hans-Jürgen Brändle, Jochen Hamma and Guido Henkel in Albstadt, Baden-Württemberg...
1991 game Spirit of Adventure
Spirit of Adventure
Spirit of Adventure is a computer role playing game developed by Attic Entertainment Software and published February 12, 1991. Most of the gameplay involved an early pseudo 3D dungeon crawler. Attic's Realms of Arkania: Blade of Destiny utilizes the same game engine.- External links:* at MobyGames*...
, utilizing an increased resolution for the 3D part of the screen. The game also borrowed ideas from Eye of the Beholder
Eye of the Beholder (computer game)
Eye of the Beholder is a role-playing video game for computers and video game consoles developed by Westwood Studios. It was published by Strategic Simulations, Inc. in 1990 for the DOS operating system and later ported to the Amiga, the Sega CD, and the SNES...
(the inventory user interface) and Might and Magic III: Isles of Terra
Might and Magic III: Isles of Terra
Might and Magic III: Isles of Terra is the third game in the role-playing game series Might and Magic. Released in 1991, it is the predecessor to Might and Magic IV: Clouds of Xeen and the sequel to Might and Magic II: Gates to Another World....
(the main screen user interface layout). The game did not feature NPC/monster sprites in the 3D view (a shortcoming that can be found in the entire Northlands Trilogy) that were already introduced by the first 3D real-time action computer role-playing game - Dungeon Master - in 1987. Instead of visualizing fights in the 3D view, the game switched to the isometric perspective for a unique turn-based tactical combat simulation.
Story
An orc chief has united all tribes of the orcs and plans to attack the lands of the humans. The player is hired by Hetman Tronde Torbensson, the leader of the Thorwalians, to find the sword Grimring (the Blade of Destiny) and prevent an orc invasion on Thorwal. However, Grimring has been lost since the death of its bearer, the Hetman Hyggelik the Great. In order to recover the sword, the player must find pieces of a treasure map which shows the location of the sword. Once the sword is recovered the player needs to defeat the orc chief and his minions. If the player does not succeed within about two ingame years, the orcs will attack and the player loses.Sequels
Blade of Destiny was the first game in the so called Northlands Trilogy, it was followed by Realms of Arkania: Star TrailRealms of Arkania: Star Trail
Realms of Arkania: Star Trail is a computer role playing game by Attic Entertainment Software based on the German RPG system Das Schwarze Auge. The original German version of the game was released in 1994...
, and Realms of Arkania: Shadows over Riva
Realms of Arkania: Shadows over Riva
Realms of Arkania: Shadows over Riva is a computer role playing game based on the German RPG system Das Schwarze Auge by Attic Entertainment Software. The original German version of the game was released in 1996...
. As a feature players could save the game after beating it, this allowed the players to import their characters into any of the sequels.
External links
- Realms of Arkania eGroup at Yahoo! GroupsYahoo! GroupsYahoo! Groups is one of the world’s largest collections of online discussion boards. The term Groups refers to Internet communication which is a hybrid between an electronic mailing list and a threaded Internet forum, in other words, Group messages can be read and posted by e-mail or on the Group's...