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Released in 1987, Alternate Reality: The Dungeon was, without question, the best gaming experience I had in my adolescent C64 years (1984 – 1991). Sure, I had many excellent C64 games, but this was the pinnacle of my C64 gaming.
(What is this game about? Well, its a 3D RPG fantasy dungeon romp - ie. you have to escape captivity from a dungeon labyrinth. Original idea? No. Well executed? YES!!!)
After not playing this for 15 years, and then recently getting "The Dungeon" working on a C64 emulator, I am happy to say that my high praise for this RPG has not lessened over time.
Today, "AR: The Dungeon" lost none of its appeal. "The Dungeon" still has pleasing aesthetics, the same enthralling gameplay, and I am now finding myself completely hooked, all over again - after 15 years! For me, this is more enjoyable than most modern RPGs - such the excellent Baldur's Gate II. High praise from me indeed!
All I can say is - PLAY THIS GAME! If you don't take my word for it, read other peoples' current impressions on "AR: The Dungeon":
"Many MANY years ahead of it's time, Alternate Reality: The City and The Dungeon were the most ambitious and compelling games released for the Atari 8 bit and Commodore 64 computers. A concept too huge for the computers of it's time, it's flaws only enhance how true this fact is. A deep rich and utterly engrossing RPG, the best and most under-rated RPG for any computer system." (Gravedirt)
"This game was the most addictive game I have ever played. I had to hide it so I would stop playing it. I found it a year later, and played it until it would load no longer. The games unforgiving save on exit, made it very intense, and the fact that it was easy to die at the beginning levels made it all the more challenging. Since I remember it so well after 15 years it must say something about the quality of this game. The best RPG I have ever played." (barkingDragon)
"The most underrated / underappreciated RPG game in the history of RPG's period....a GREAT game....." (King)
Links to this great game are at:
http://www.avatardesign.net/alternatereality
Downloads: Music, Advert
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| GRAPHICS - 9/10 |
Smartly presented, colourful layout with your character's status clearly displayed. Quality 3D dungeon graphics of the highest order. Well-designed, animated dungeon minions. Overall, the polished visuals (even in 2004) provide a convincing, claustrophobic dungeon environment.
| | SOUND - 8/10 |
Memorable, catchy "karaoke-style" tunes throughout (eg. opening titles, entering different guilds, etc..).
Novel use of sound effects to represent encountered minions' moral alignments.
| | PLAYABILITY - 10/10 |
Hugely addictive! Absorbing at the outset, due to the slick presentation, excellent atmosphere, and user-friendly control interface. After a few hours you can't help becoming completely engrossed in the experience.
Lots of clever touches throughout to impress the gamer.
The *satisfaction* felt improving your character, completing quests, and gaining rewards, has yet to be matched in all my years of role playing on the C64, Amiga and PC...
| | OVERALL - 10/10 |
An undisputed masterpiece! Clearly the best C64 RPG ever produced (yes, it's even better than Wasteland), and one of greatest RPGs of all time! Play it now!
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; "Click to zoom!")
; "Click to zoom!")
