Assuming you are Brett Andersen,
you asked about RPGs on the PC and my recommendations.
It sounds like you are very busy, so I will get right to my question. Can you recommend a fantasy role playing adventure game?
I enjoyed Stonekeep by Interplay. I am looking for something that takes it to the next level. Better graphics, a larger world, and lots of monsters to kill! It must be a fantasy game. A few names off the top of your head would at least give me a place to start.
The last ones I played were Might and Magic and Stonekeep. (I have been busy getting a masters degree) Thanks for your time.
Brett Andersen
A decent single player RPG that's downloadable off the internet is Sierra On-line/ Dynamix's Betrayal at Krondor. It's all over the place even in fan sites. and it's completely legal.
Betrayal at Krondor is based on the Midkemia fantasy universe by Raymond E. Feist. This one is a little dated by today's SVGA standards, but it's very open ended and loads to do. It took me two weeks to finish Chapter one (of Nine), but thats only cause I really took my time to look at everything.
Basically you can do a lot of junk, but you can cut to the chase if it gets boring.
Available in bargain bins is Lands of Lore: The Throne of Chaos. This one's by Westwood, and you'd best get the CD version cause it's got neat voice acting.
Of course, they cheesily obliged themselves to have some TV star do a voice for name sake. That guy is Patrick Stewart, who plays King Richard. Voice acting is excellent all throughout, Stewart notwithstanding.
In this title, you're engaged in an Eye of the Beholder type interface, which is step-based FPSing with none of the Dramamine requirements. Scotia, the evil witch hag thing, has uncovered the Nethermask, a huge gem that enables her to shapeshift at will, and enhances her magical abilities. She now controls the Dark Army in an effort to take over Gladstone and the White Alliance.
Rich mythology and a constantly jerking plot ala Shannara books make for a fun filled romp, and although the story and gameplay is linear ala adventure, there's no denying the skill and craftsmanship that went into the game.
If high fantasy isn't your thing, go for Fallout. This one came out last Christmas, so it's got more bells and whistles than the previous two titles I've mentioned.
Fallout is considered by many as the spiritual successor to the legendary Wasteland, (inspired by the works of Michael Stackpole) where the world of the grungy Road Warrior/Mad Max and retro-tech of Brazil collide.
Eighty years after most of human civilization has annihilated each other in nuclear war, humans have either gone off as mutants, while others who survived are trying to rebuild civilization. You and your family however, have spent most of your lives in the isolated little nuclear shelter known as Vault 13.
One day however, the water controller chip has gone the way of the dodo, and you're the unlucky one they've chosen to search for a replacement, or else in 150 days, your Vault will die of thirst. During your travels for the chip, you'll discover some of the quirkiest inhabitants any RPG world could have, and a sinister plan that is lurking in the shadows, which will be made clearer once you find the chip.
The game makes use of a modular RP system that was loosely based on the GURPS system by Steve Jackson, and allows you to create characters from scratch or use prerolled ones.
This game won RPG of the Year in circles around the world. Some gave it Game of the Year. Look out for Fallout 2, which is premiering (via a big party at California) tomorrow night: October 30, 1998.
Well, three games to make on your shopping list. Now go go go!
Happy gaming,
Matthew
Arcilla