Swords of Xeen is a computer role-playing game developed by Catware and published by New World Computing

New World Computing

New World Computing, Inc. was an American computer game developer and publisher founded in 1984 by Jon Van Caneghem, his wife, Michaela Van Caneghem, and Mark Caldwell. It was best known for its work on the Might and Magic computer role-playing game series and its spin-offs, especially Heroes of...

. It was initially released in 1995

1995 in video gaming

-Events:*May 11 – Introduction of trade magazine GameWeek *May 11-16 — The 1st annual Electronic Entertainment Expo is held in Los Angeles, California...

 as a "bonus scenario" in the Might and Magic Trilogy compilation (the "trilogy" refers to Might and Magic III, IV, and V). Subsequently, it was also included in several series anthologies. The game was never published in standalone form.

Development

The game began as a mod based on the Might and Magic V engine, which was released in 1993. Personalities from Catware were responsible for leading the modding effort, with story contributions from Ellen Beeman. As development progressed, collaboration with New World Computing was established, and the mod received publishing support.

Swords of Xeen exploits some quirks of the engine to great effect, such as morphing monsters by using the regular animation of one monster and the attack animation of another. The game also contains bugs in scripting, which allow the player to bypass many encounters by walking sideways.

Story

Swords of Xeen takes place on an entirely new world that is under attack by 'The Source', which claims to be the genius behind Alamar, the main enemy of Might and Magic V.

Reception

The game's graphics and sound, which had not changed from Might and Magic V, were dated. However, the game was praised for its gameplay, receiving a 4/5 from one review.