tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162314467762792782.post4815230796626250833..comments2024-03-28T15:25:30.216-04:00Comments on The CRPG Addict: Game 39: Phantasie III: The Wrath of Nikademus (1987)CRPG Addicthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01238237377918550322noreply@blogger.comBlogger32125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162314467762792782.post-16405538549939256742022-12-11T08:12:13.268-05:002022-12-11T08:12:13.268-05:00This game was the first ever PC game I purchased w...This game was the first ever PC game I purchased with my own money. I was very young, probably under 10 years old. I don't have strong memories of the game, as a lot of it was a bit beyond me. But I do remember that while it was in CGA when I played it on my childhood computer (an old XT) - when we played it on the AT computer at my dad's computer it was significantly more colourful. And yet, no matter how hard I look, there's no evidence of an EGA or Tandy version. I would love to know if anyone else has this experience.<br />Allan BWhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04945209827957492979noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162314467762792782.post-5121287543404406782020-04-03T22:20:13.648-04:002020-04-03T22:20:13.648-04:00"Your party is represented by a horse's h..."<i>Your party is represented by a horse's head. I guess that's better than the alternative.</i>"<br />I don't typically want to comment on something so long ago and offer so little, but since no one else commented on it I thought I would let you know that this one made me laugh out loud.LanHawkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11073207178889909708noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162314467762792782.post-66722663879569394222016-09-27T18:05:29.222-04:002016-09-27T18:05:29.222-04:00It's been a long time, but I must have been in...It's been a long time, but I must have been inspired by "Nikademus" to follow a Pharisee theme.CRPG Addicthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01238237377918550322noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162314467762792782.post-28684271835876788292016-09-27T16:27:39.850-04:002016-09-27T16:27:39.850-04:00I like the names of your party. I, ahem, see what ...I like the names of your party. I, ahem, see what Jew did there....<br /><br />(sorry)MockFerrethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08931362526047570416noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162314467762792782.post-48460960724582409382015-05-30T06:01:30.435-04:002015-05-30T06:01:30.435-04:00I've just discovered this great blog and I'...I've just discovered this great blog and I'm slowly making my way through all the games. I know its years too late for you but hopefully some future gamers will be helped by this.<br /><br />Phantasie III blank town issue can be resolved by renaming TOWN.CMP to DTOWN.CMP, which is part of the installation process. But as the installation process isn't needed most people will never 'install' it only play it straight from the 'disk'. By changing this, the town graphics will show up in town, but I don't think it will fix the error messages you received as I've never experienced that myself.Stafnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162314467762792782.post-26719629911084315052013-04-28T15:58:28.860-04:002013-04-28T15:58:28.860-04:00I should probably have pointed this out 2 years ag...I should probably have pointed this out 2 years ago, but...<br /><br />Firstly, the Atari ST is a very easy to use computer, and the ST version of this is identical to the Amiga. It's also available hacked, on a single disk.<br /><br />Anyway... when one's party is wiped out in Phantasie III, it isn't the end of the game. Instead you all stand before the big horny dude who deputises for Charon in these parts. He has 3 choices. Each of your characters can <br /><br />1 - die. Simple enough. They're wiped off the roster forever. Tho you can still reload an old game to get them back.<br /><br />2 - resurrect. Simply, they cease being dead and instead resume being alive again.<br /><br />or - <br /><br />3 - Undead! Undead characters automatically get promoted to level 20! This means they'll never level-up again, since the EXP you've missed out on is huge. So they're stuck with the HP and STR they died with. BUT! they can learn all the magic spells!<br /><br />So have 2 priests, keep going til the game makes a couple of them undead (might burn through a few, first). Then one priest can resurrect the other, and bob's your uncle! If both your priests die, have a third kept back at the guild who never goes on adventures, but is level 20 so can join your party for the 5 minutes it takes to bring your working priests back. Occasionally his MP run out, so rest him in the free inn. <br /><br />I'd play like this, but also have a few ordinary characters who would level up the hard way. Best for fighters, particularly. Have the Lv 20 Undeads deal out all the high-level damage spells, and the young 'ins benefit from the exp. You can even choose to give them 3x the EXP once you get into a town. <br /><br />And in this way, you can build up a strong party, to finish this pretty short game! Probably not really needed that much, last time I played, on an ST emulator, my dudes were up in the teens for exp, and were killing machines!<br /><br />And that's how you play Phantasie III, really!<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162314467762792782.post-49703551265956043202013-02-02T17:48:29.782-05:002013-02-02T17:48:29.782-05:00I don't remember PoD well enough to comment. S...I don't remember PoD well enough to comment. So far, I think <i>Pool of RADIANCE</i> beats them all.CRPG Addicthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01238237377918550322noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162314467762792782.post-73074710370938267042013-01-28T07:24:45.047-05:002013-01-28T07:24:45.047-05:00I remember this game well! (spoiler..) On first pl...I remember this game well! (spoiler..) On first play through I wiped on the looong way towards Nikademus in the end. On second, I brought loads of potions or scrolls or whatever you can bring to heal yourself. Was one of the best games in the era I think.<br /><br />Out of topic though: You gotta admit that Pools of Darkness beats them all??ElFrodonoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162314467762792782.post-24186185126743903772012-10-06T22:26:47.211-04:002012-10-06T22:26:47.211-04:00Boroth: Yep: AD&D 1st edition PHB, page 35:
B...Boroth: Yep: AD&D 1st edition PHB, page 35:<br /><br />Bow, composite short 75 g.p.<br />Bow, composite, long 100 g.p.<br />Bow, long 60 g.p.<br />Bow, short 15 g.p.<br /><br />Could have been in earlier, don't have those books on hand.Canageekhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03770924810559440307noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162314467762792782.post-58290934571609922392012-10-06T12:12:58.008-04:002012-10-06T12:12:58.008-04:00Most fantasy assumes upper middle ages technology ...Most fantasy assumes upper middle ages technology during which time the traditional longbow wasn't composite (because it was unnecessary) and the traditional shortbow (for use from horseback) was.Tristan Gallhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16769219573533545742noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162314467762792782.post-58987726177525872082012-10-06T09:50:18.133-04:002012-10-06T09:50:18.133-04:00Composite and non-composite bows have been in ad+d...Composite and non-composite bows have been in ad+d since 1st edition. Don't think they explained the difference there though. Pretty sure it was explained in an arms and equipment guidebook. Any mention of self bows (if any) would have been in that too.Borothnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162314467762792782.post-27066440694754327332012-06-09T22:56:12.088-04:002012-06-09T22:56:12.088-04:00I've not read those old books for years, but I...I've not read those old books for years, but I don't ever recall that terminology being used. Just 'Longbow' vs 'Composite Longbow', and even then, I don't recall that being used until 3e (2000). (Note; I could be very wrong on that last point).Canageekhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03770924810559440307noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162314467762792782.post-27743894017656948012012-06-08T15:58:24.718-04:002012-06-08T15:58:24.718-04:00A bit late to the party here, but to answer your q...A bit late to the party here, but to answer your question, "self" bows are just bows made out of a single piece of wood. This is in contrast to composite bows, which are made out of several different materials (like wood and horn).<br />By itself, it's not a terribly good description of the weapon. I'm pretty sure this is a hold-over from the early D&D editions.Wraithnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162314467762792782.post-17377481423197557832011-06-05T22:46:34.891-04:002011-06-05T22:46:34.891-04:00It really sucked for the first few hours at the ou...It really sucked for the first few hours at the outset. I basically never left the area of the starting town--not even going into the dungeon--until I was Level 3 or 4. I wish I'd known about importing back then.CRPG Addicthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01238237377918550322noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162314467762792782.post-30685641011244276892011-06-04T16:55:35.740-04:002011-06-04T16:55:35.740-04:00In case someone is interested in how the Import Ch...In case someone is interested in how the Import Characters functions works:<br />The level of the characters are reduced to 1, but they get 100 XP for each level they had in Phantasie I. So a lvl 12 character starts with 1200 XP and can usually (depending on class) level up to lvl 2.<br />All the Amiga versions floating around are cracked versions and comes with characters who have beaten the game, so I transferred the best ones and was able to start with a party of lvl 2 characters, which makes things a bit easier.<br />So I recommend importing characters if playing this game.PetrusOctavianusnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162314467762792782.post-90512256986103073122011-06-04T07:56:47.375-04:002011-06-04T07:56:47.375-04:00Damned, I don't remember this game being so br...Damned, I don't remember this game being so brutally hard! Just started my replaying (played it once 20+ years ago) of the Amiga version, and every group I meet either kills my party or cripples them. I can't even go the the nearest city (to buy some better equipment) without being attacked by Devils and Undead Dwarves. One hit from most enemies is either death or removal of limbs. <br /><br />There is an option to import characters from Phantasie I (Phantasie II was never ported to the Amiga), and I'm starting to think that is what you are supposed to do.<br />Unfortunately when I played Phantasie I some months ago, I played the DOS version, since the cracked Amiga versions are fully explored.<br /><br />Oh well, I'll probably replay Phantasie I to get som decent characters to import.PetrusOctavianusnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162314467762792782.post-27878048460698191632011-01-31T15:37:12.523-05:002011-01-31T15:37:12.523-05:00Yes, yes, I know. Y'all won't let that go....Yes, yes, I know. Y'all won't let that go. But I think it's worth noting that my highest-rated game so far is Might & Magic, which had the same blah CGA graphics. I'm drawn to a good story over good graphics any day, and seeing Phantasie III in the Amiga equivalent of EGA or VGA wouldn't have upped my enjoyment more than a couple of points.CRPG Addicthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01238237377918550322noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162314467762792782.post-83733224775501520642011-01-31T03:58:03.001-05:002011-01-31T03:58:03.001-05:00You have guts to endure crappy pink CGA puke color...You have guts to endure crappy pink CGA puke colors in so many of these games. VGA will come (hell even EGA would look like heaven) but you cheat yourself big time by sticking to Dos in this era as Dos sound/graphics were terrible.Morbus Manfleshnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162314467762792782.post-13752996424971710652011-01-13T15:30:34.363-05:002011-01-13T15:30:34.363-05:00Jason, afaik the original Xanadu was only availabl...Jason, afaik the original Xanadu was only available for Japanese PCs (PC-88, PC-98, MSX) and consoles. Later remakes like Revival Xanadu and Xanadu Complete Reprint Edition had Windows versions which are nearly impossible to get nowadays.Arcanumnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162314467762792782.post-61426661650647129892011-01-13T10:51:15.971-05:002011-01-13T10:51:15.971-05:00While we're discussing upcoming games, Sorceri...While we're discussing upcoming games, Sorcerian is 5th in the Dragon Slayer series and one of the previous games (Xanadu) isn't on your list but was ported to PC and is from 1987. (Romancia was also ported in 1999 but it's more of a "remake" and I wouldn't necessarily call it an RPG.)Jason Dyernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162314467762792782.post-74006072328717544722011-01-12T19:28:05.426-05:002011-01-12T19:28:05.426-05:00Star Saga is quite possibly unique (except for the...Star Saga is quite possibly unique (except for the sequel) among computer games. This is because the program itself is functionally a computer game-master for a tabletop boardgame. Essentially, there was a star map on which you kept track of where your ship was and which you could label to identify the planets (which planet is where is randomized per game). Your moves were also input into the Star Saga program itself, which kept track of your game state, adjudicated the results, and would tell you to refer to paragraphs in one of several paragraph books for most outcomes other than just moving.<br /><br />These days, physical copies are pretty much impossible to track down, but enterprising fans have recreated the map functionality as a fairly simple companion program, and abandonware downloads include PDFs of all the paragraph books and such. To play by e-mail, you mail the game save and the saved map state to the next player. The tricky bit is the game only saves after everyone's acted in a turn, so you have to deactivate the other players on your turn. This has the unfortunate consequence that people count as having skipped any turns between their last one and their current one, and don't start down any time if they took actions that would normally run into the next turn. But as long as people don't deliberately abuse this it's not a big deal.malkav11https://www.blogger.com/profile/06785046340353526574noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162314467762792782.post-5959200312882767452011-01-11T21:30:53.251-05:002011-01-11T21:30:53.251-05:00As you'll see in the next post, my charity tow...As you'll see in the next post, my charity toward my characters had to take a back seat to reality. I can tell I'll end up completely replacing my party several times in this game. <br /><br />Adamantyr, your little joke was quite prophetic. At any given time, half my party members are missing one or more limbs.<br /><br />Malkav11, usually I do a little preliminary investigation before putting games on my "upcoming" list, but I didn't do that with Star Saga. I didn't know until reading your post that it even had a multiplayer. I'll look over the documentation and make a decision.<br /><br />Wop, you could have posted anonymously, but thanks for signing in!CRPG Addicthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01238237377918550322noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162314467762792782.post-9660676775894499732011-01-11T13:40:02.862-05:002011-01-11T13:40:02.862-05:00Keep up the good work. I love your blog!!! Signed ...Keep up the good work. I love your blog!!! Signed up just to tell you that.Wophttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03919345887643911836noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162314467762792782.post-91691656370026896602011-01-10T20:16:32.210-05:002011-01-10T20:16:32.210-05:00By the way, I see Star Saga is coming up (if likel...By the way, I see Star Saga is coming up (if likely still a ways off in real time). Any plans to attempt to play the game multiplayer? I would really encourage it. It was never really designed for PBEM, so one must make one or two minor concessions (or somehow find people willing to cluster around a computer and hotseat it), but it really is rewarding in that mode, and I think it comes closest to the original designer intent.malkav11https://www.blogger.com/profile/06785046340353526574noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162314467762792782.post-9778536404384105372011-01-10T14:00:51.771-05:002011-01-10T14:00:51.771-05:00Nah, I had to blow town for a few days. An update ...Nah, I had to blow town for a few days. An update tomorrow, I hope.CRPG Addicthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01238237377918550322noreply@blogger.com