New Voting: The Codex’s Best Computer RPGs (pre-Diablo)
I’ve been wanting to have the hive mind’s opinion on what the best CRPGs were before the modern game era. So here we are, a thread giving each of you the opportunity to vote for the best CRPGs before the release of the original Diablo in December of 1996.
Rules:
Each Codex member gets to make one post allocating 10 points to a maximum of 5 games. You cannot allocate more than 5 of your points to any single game.
At the end of the New Year I will begin tallying up the points. The game with the most points when the votes are counted will be the in first place, second most points will be in second place, and so on.
Below is the list of games picked by the Ring of Prestigious Gentlemen:
I’d like to thank the Ring of Prestigious Gentlemen, who helped me put together the above list and gave me advice on how to proceed. The members were Decado, mondblut, ERYFKRAD, Fowyr, Zed Duke of Banville, JarlFrank, Dorateen, octavius, and zwanzig_zwoelf.
To answer some of the questions you may have, I wrote some Q & A.
Q: What made you want to put this together?
A: Felipepe has done some awesome work putting together the RPGCodex best of lists in the past. But the lists will always cater to the demographic of our users and will increasingly ignore older games as the years roll on. Those of us that grew up with or love to play games from the beginning years of the CRPG genre are dwindling in numbers and our opinions should be recorded while memories and experiences are still strong.
Q: Why did you decide upon Diablo as the cutoff?
A: I didn’t. Initially I thought it should be pre-Baldur’s Gate, which would have been CRPGs up to 1998. Then I thought pre-Fallout, which would have been 1997 as the cutoff. The Ring of Prestigious Gentlemen pointed out hardware changes that were occurring around the time Diablo was published. Also, for better or for worse, Diablo was an evolution that raised the popularity of the action RPG genre and hurt the market for turn-based RPGs.
Q: This game (Al-Qadim, Alien Logic, Hired Guns) is on your suggested RPG list, but it’s an action game with RPG elements. And you left off this other game (X-Com, Lords of Midnight, Stronghold) that has stronger RPG elements. This is bullshit!
A: I tried to stick with games that advertised themselves as RPGs and not strategy games. The list is as good as I and the Ring of Prestigious Gentlemen could make it without falling into a paralyzing “What is and RPG” argument.
Q: Bro, I’m in Europe and you missed the best CRPG of the pre-Diablo era (Istanbul Efsaneleri, Die Dunkle Dimension, Tera: La Cité des Crânes).
A: If the game was European, but had enough of an English speaking market we tried to include it in our list. Unfortunately, some games that look great probably do not have enough visibility on the predominantly English speaking RPG Codex to score enough points to make it on the finalized Best Of list that I’m trying to compile, even if it was a missed gem and the 'best eva'.
Q: Dude, up yours. I’m going to put in my vote for this awesome, obscure game anyway.
A: Okay.
Mentions: Calling upon the following fans of older CRPGs to vote on this thread, but readers should feel free to invite others:
Edit: Bolded a section for people who don't read good.
I’ve been wanting to have the hive mind’s opinion on what the best CRPGs were before the modern game era. So here we are, a thread giving each of you the opportunity to vote for the best CRPGs before the release of the original Diablo in December of 1996.
Rules:
Each Codex member gets to make one post allocating 10 points to a maximum of 5 games. You cannot allocate more than 5 of your points to any single game.
At the end of the New Year I will begin tallying up the points. The game with the most points when the votes are counted will be the in first place, second most points will be in second place, and so on.
Below is the list of games picked by the Ring of Prestigious Gentlemen:
1980
Akalabeth: World of Doom (Richard Garriott)
Eamon (Donald Brown)
Rogue (Epyx)
1981
Temple of Apshai (Epyx)
Ultima 1 (Origin)
Wizardry 1: Proving Grounds of the Mad Overlord (Sir-Tech)
1982
Dungeons of Daggaroth (DynaMicro)
Sword of Fargoal (Epyx)
Ultima 2: The Revenge of the Enchantress (Origin)
Wizardry 2: Knight of Diamonds (Sir-Tech)
1983
Gateway to Apshai (Epyx)
Ultima 3: Exodus (Origin)
Wizardry 3: The Legacy of Llygamyn (Sir-Tech)
1984
Questron (SSI)
1985
AutoDuel (Origin)
The Bard's Tale 1: Tales of the Unknown (Interplay)
Phantasie (SSI)
Sword and Sorcery (Personal Software Services)
Wizard's Crown (SSI)
Ultima 4: Quest of the Avatar (Origin)
1986
The Bard's Tale 2: The Destiny Knight (Interplay)
Might and Magic 1: Secret of the Inner Sanctum (New World Computing)
Phantasie 2 (SSI)
Rings of Zilfin (SSI)
Roadwar (SSI)
Shard of Spring (SSI)
Starflight (Binary Systems)
Wizardry 4: The Return of Wedna (Sir-Tech)
1987
2400 AD (Origin)
Alternate Reality: The Dungeon (Datasoft)
Deathlord (EA)
Dungeon Master (Psygnosis Limited)
Eternal Dagger (SSI)
Faery Tale Adventure: Book 1 (MicroIllusions)
Legacy of the Ancients (EA)
Phantasie 3: The Wrath of Nikademus (SSI)
1988
The Bard's Tale 3: Thief of Fate (Interplay)
BattleTech: The Crescent Hawk's Inception (Westwood)
Demon's Winter (SSI)
Heroes of the Lance (SSI)
Might and Magic 2: Gates to Another World (New World Computing)
Moraff's Revenge (Moraffware)
Pool of Radiance (SSI)
Prophecy 1: The Fall of Trinadon (Activision)
Questron 2 (SSI)
Sentinel Worlds 1: Future Magic (EA)
Star Command (SSI)
Ultima 5: Warriors of Destiny (Origin)
Wasteland (Interplay)
Wizardry 5: Heart of the Maelstrom (Sir-Tech)
Wizard's Lair 1: The Trial (Microstar)
1989
2088: The Cryllan Mission (Victory Software)
Bloodwych (Image Works)
Curse of the Azure Bonds (SSI)
The Dark Heart of Uukrul (Digital Studios)
Dragon Wars (Interplay)
Drakkhen (Infogames Europe)
Dungeon Master: Chaos Strikes Back (FTL Games)
Hero's Quest (Quest for Glory 1): So You Want to Be a Hero (Sierra)
Hillsfar (SSI)
Keef the Thief (Naughty Dog)
Knights of Legend (Origin)
The Magic Candle (Mindcraft Software)
Mines of Titan (Westwood)
Rance 1: The Quest for Hikari (AliceSoft)
Space Rogue (Origin)
Starflight 2: Trade Routes of the Cloud Nebula (Binary Systems)
Sword of Aragon (SSI)
Tangled Tales (Origin)
Windwalker (Origin)
1990
Buck Rogers: Countdown to Doomsday (SSI)
Captive (Mindscape)
Champions of Krynn (SSI)
Crystals of Arborea (Silmarils)
DarkSpyre (Event Horizon Software)
Dragonflight (Thalion Software)
Elvira: Mistress of the Dark (Horror Soft)
Escape from Hell (EA)
Hard Nova (Spaceport Malibu)
Fountain of Dreams (EA)
Keys to Maramon (Mindcraft Software)
Legend of Faerghail (Electronic Design Hannover)
The Lord of the Rings Volume 1 (Interplay)
MegaTraveller 1: The Zhodani Conspiracy (Paragon Software)
Quest for Glory 2: Trial by Fire (Sierra)
Secret of the Silver Blades (SSI)
Space 1889 (Paragon Software)
Spirit of Excalibur (Synergistic Software)
Tunnels and Trolls: Crusaders of Khazan (New World Computing)
Ultima 6: The False Prophet (Origin)
Wizardry 6: Bane of the Cosmic Forge (Sir-Tech)
Worlds of Ultima: The Savage Empire (Origin)
1991
Conan: The Cimmerian (Synergistic Software)
Death Knights of Krynn (SSI)
Disciples of Steel (MegaSoft Entertainment)
Die Drachen von Laas (ATTIC Entertainment Software)
Dusk of the Gods (Event Horizon)
Elvira 2: The Jaws of Cerberus (Horror Soft)
Eye of the Beholder (Westwood)
Eye of the Beholder 2: The Legend of Darkmoon (Westwood)
Fate: Gates of Dawn (reLINE Software)
Gateway to the Savage Frontier (Beyond Software)
Knights of Xentar (Elf)
The Magic Candle 2: The Four and Forty (Mindcraft)
MegaTraveller 2: Quest for the Ancients (Paragon)
Might and Magic 3: Isles of Terra (New World Computing)
Moonstone: A Hard Day's Knight (Mindscape)
Neverwinter Nights (Stormfront Studios)
Pools of Darkness (SSI)
Spirit of Adventure (Attic Entertainment Software)
Twilight 2000 (Paragon)
Vengeance of Excalibur (Synergistic Software)
Worlds of Ultima: Martian Dreams (Origin)
1992
Abandoned Places: A Time for Heroes (ArtGame)
Amberstar (Thalion Software)
Black Crypt (Raven Software)
Buck Rogers: Matrix Cubed (SSI)
Challenge of the Five Realms (MicroProse)
The Dark Queen of Krynn (SSI)
Darklands (Microprose)
Defender of Boston (Tim Wisseman)
Ishar: Legend of the Fortress (Silmarils)
The Legacy: Realm of Terror (Magnetic Scrolls)
Legend (Mindscape)
Legends of Valour (Synthetic Dimensions)
Lords of the Rings Volume 2: The Two Towers (Interplay)
Lords of Time (Hollyware)
The Magic Candle 3 (Mindcraft Software)
Might and Magic: Clouds of Xeen (New World Computing)
Prophecy of the Shadow (SSI)
Planet's Edge (New World Computing)
Quest for Glory 3: Wages of War (Sierra)
Ragnarok (Norsehelm Productions)
Realms of Arkania: Blade of Destiny (Attic Entertainment Software)
SpellCraft: Aspects of Valor (Tsunami Productions)
Spelljammer: Pirates of Realmspace (SSI)
Star Control 2: The Ur-Quan Masters (Toys for Bob)
The Summoning (Event Horizon)
Treasures of the Savage Frontier (Beyond Software)
Ultima Underworld: The Stygian Abyss (Blue Sky Productions)
Ultima 7: The Black Gate (Origin)
Ultizurk 1: The Grandmaster's Quest (Dr Dungeon)
Wizardry 7: Crusaders of the Dark Savant (Sir-Tech)
1993
Ambermoon (Thalion Software)
Betrayal at Krondor (Dynamix Inc)
BloodNet (MicroProse)
Bloodstone: An Epic Dwarven Tale (Mindcraft Software)
Captive 2 (Byte Engineers)
Castle of the Winds (Epic MegaGames)
Daemon's Gate (Imagitec Design)
Dark Sun: Shattered Lands (SSI)
Dungeon Hack (DreamForge)
Dungeon Master 2: The Legend of Skullkeep (FTL)
Excelsior Phase One: Lysandia (11th Dimension)
Eye of the Beholder 3: Assault on Myth Drannor (SSI)
Fates of Twinion (Ybarra Productions)
Forgotten Realms Unlimited Adventures (SSI)
Hired Guns (DMA)
Ishar 2: Messengers of Doom (Simarils)
Lands of Lore: The Throne of Chaos (Westwood)
Might and Magic V: Darkside of Xeen (New World Computing)
Perihelion (Morbid Visions)
Princess Maker 2 (Gainax)
Quest for Glory 4: Shadows of Darkness (Sierra)
Psionics (Nachos Software)
Shadow of Yserbius (Ybarra Productions)
Ultima Underworld 2: Labyrinth of Worlds (Origin)
Ultima Underworld 7 Part 2: Serpent Isle (Origin)
Warriors of Legend (Synergistic Software)
Warwizard (MicroGenesis)
Whale's Voyage (Flair Software)
1994
Aethra Chronicles Volume 1: Celystra's Bane (Michael Lawrence)
Al-Qadim: The Genie's Curse (Cyberlore)
Alien Logic: The Skyrealms of Journe Adventure (Ceridus)
Dark Sun: Wake of the Ravager (SSI)
The Elder Scrolls: Arena (Bethesda)
Heimdall 2: Into the Hall of Worlds (8th Day)
Ishar 3: The Seven Gates of Infinity (Silmarils)
Heroquest 2: Legacy of Sorasil (Gremlin Interactive)
Hexx: Heresy of the Wizard (TAG)
Menzoberranzan (Dreamforge)
Might and Magic: World of Xeen (New World Computing)
Nahlakh (Tom Proudfoot Games)
Ravenloft: Strahd's Possession (Dreamforge)
Realms of Arkania: Star Trail (Attic Entertainment)
Superhero League of Hoboken (Legend Entertainment)
Ultima 8: Pagan (Origin)
Yendorian Tales Book 1 (SW Games)
1995
Albion (Blue Byte Software)
Anvil of Dawn (Dreamforge)
Druid: Daemon's of the Mind (Synthetic Dimensions)
Entomorph (Cyberlore)
Exile: Escape from the Pit (Spiderweb Software)
Exile 2: Crystal Souls (Spiderweb Software)
Mordor: The Depths of Dejenol (MakeItSo Software)
Ravenloft: Stone Prophet (Dreamforge)
Rol Crusaders (NoriaWorks Entertainment)
Ruins of Cawdor (Ybarra Productions)
Stonekeep (Interplay)
Swords of Xeen (New World Computing)
Trials by Magic (Silver Lightning)
World of Aden: Thunderscape (SSI)
1996
Birthright: The Gorgon's Alliance (Synergistic Software)
Elder Scrolls: Daggerfall (Bethesda)
Evil's Doom (Olympia)
Exile 3: The Ruined World (Spiderweb Software)
Kargon (ACP)
Legion (Gobi Software)
Madman (Dr Dungeon)
Nemesis: The Wizardry Adventure (Sir-Tech)
Realms of Arkania 3: Shadows Over Riva (Attic Entertainment)
Ring Cycle (Maelstrom Games)
Yendorian Tales Book 1 Chapter 2 (Spectrum Pacific)
Akalabeth: World of Doom (Richard Garriott)
Eamon (Donald Brown)
Rogue (Epyx)
1981
Temple of Apshai (Epyx)
Ultima 1 (Origin)
Wizardry 1: Proving Grounds of the Mad Overlord (Sir-Tech)
1982
Dungeons of Daggaroth (DynaMicro)
Sword of Fargoal (Epyx)
Ultima 2: The Revenge of the Enchantress (Origin)
Wizardry 2: Knight of Diamonds (Sir-Tech)
1983
Gateway to Apshai (Epyx)
Ultima 3: Exodus (Origin)
Wizardry 3: The Legacy of Llygamyn (Sir-Tech)
1984
Questron (SSI)
1985
AutoDuel (Origin)
The Bard's Tale 1: Tales of the Unknown (Interplay)
Phantasie (SSI)
Sword and Sorcery (Personal Software Services)
Wizard's Crown (SSI)
Ultima 4: Quest of the Avatar (Origin)
1986
The Bard's Tale 2: The Destiny Knight (Interplay)
Might and Magic 1: Secret of the Inner Sanctum (New World Computing)
Phantasie 2 (SSI)
Rings of Zilfin (SSI)
Roadwar (SSI)
Shard of Spring (SSI)
Starflight (Binary Systems)
Wizardry 4: The Return of Wedna (Sir-Tech)
1987
2400 AD (Origin)
Alternate Reality: The Dungeon (Datasoft)
Deathlord (EA)
Dungeon Master (Psygnosis Limited)
Eternal Dagger (SSI)
Faery Tale Adventure: Book 1 (MicroIllusions)
Legacy of the Ancients (EA)
Phantasie 3: The Wrath of Nikademus (SSI)
1988
The Bard's Tale 3: Thief of Fate (Interplay)
BattleTech: The Crescent Hawk's Inception (Westwood)
Demon's Winter (SSI)
Heroes of the Lance (SSI)
Might and Magic 2: Gates to Another World (New World Computing)
Moraff's Revenge (Moraffware)
Pool of Radiance (SSI)
Prophecy 1: The Fall of Trinadon (Activision)
Questron 2 (SSI)
Sentinel Worlds 1: Future Magic (EA)
Star Command (SSI)
Ultima 5: Warriors of Destiny (Origin)
Wasteland (Interplay)
Wizardry 5: Heart of the Maelstrom (Sir-Tech)
Wizard's Lair 1: The Trial (Microstar)
1989
2088: The Cryllan Mission (Victory Software)
Bloodwych (Image Works)
Curse of the Azure Bonds (SSI)
The Dark Heart of Uukrul (Digital Studios)
Dragon Wars (Interplay)
Drakkhen (Infogames Europe)
Dungeon Master: Chaos Strikes Back (FTL Games)
Hero's Quest (Quest for Glory 1): So You Want to Be a Hero (Sierra)
Hillsfar (SSI)
Keef the Thief (Naughty Dog)
Knights of Legend (Origin)
The Magic Candle (Mindcraft Software)
Mines of Titan (Westwood)
Rance 1: The Quest for Hikari (AliceSoft)
Space Rogue (Origin)
Starflight 2: Trade Routes of the Cloud Nebula (Binary Systems)
Sword of Aragon (SSI)
Tangled Tales (Origin)
Windwalker (Origin)
1990
Buck Rogers: Countdown to Doomsday (SSI)
Captive (Mindscape)
Champions of Krynn (SSI)
Crystals of Arborea (Silmarils)
DarkSpyre (Event Horizon Software)
Dragonflight (Thalion Software)
Elvira: Mistress of the Dark (Horror Soft)
Escape from Hell (EA)
Hard Nova (Spaceport Malibu)
Fountain of Dreams (EA)
Keys to Maramon (Mindcraft Software)
Legend of Faerghail (Electronic Design Hannover)
The Lord of the Rings Volume 1 (Interplay)
MegaTraveller 1: The Zhodani Conspiracy (Paragon Software)
Quest for Glory 2: Trial by Fire (Sierra)
Secret of the Silver Blades (SSI)
Space 1889 (Paragon Software)
Spirit of Excalibur (Synergistic Software)
Tunnels and Trolls: Crusaders of Khazan (New World Computing)
Ultima 6: The False Prophet (Origin)
Wizardry 6: Bane of the Cosmic Forge (Sir-Tech)
Worlds of Ultima: The Savage Empire (Origin)
1991
Conan: The Cimmerian (Synergistic Software)
Death Knights of Krynn (SSI)
Disciples of Steel (MegaSoft Entertainment)
Die Drachen von Laas (ATTIC Entertainment Software)
Dusk of the Gods (Event Horizon)
Elvira 2: The Jaws of Cerberus (Horror Soft)
Eye of the Beholder (Westwood)
Eye of the Beholder 2: The Legend of Darkmoon (Westwood)
Fate: Gates of Dawn (reLINE Software)
Gateway to the Savage Frontier (Beyond Software)
Knights of Xentar (Elf)
The Magic Candle 2: The Four and Forty (Mindcraft)
MegaTraveller 2: Quest for the Ancients (Paragon)
Might and Magic 3: Isles of Terra (New World Computing)
Moonstone: A Hard Day's Knight (Mindscape)
Neverwinter Nights (Stormfront Studios)
Pools of Darkness (SSI)
Spirit of Adventure (Attic Entertainment Software)
Twilight 2000 (Paragon)
Vengeance of Excalibur (Synergistic Software)
Worlds of Ultima: Martian Dreams (Origin)
1992
Abandoned Places: A Time for Heroes (ArtGame)
Amberstar (Thalion Software)
Black Crypt (Raven Software)
Buck Rogers: Matrix Cubed (SSI)
Challenge of the Five Realms (MicroProse)
The Dark Queen of Krynn (SSI)
Darklands (Microprose)
Defender of Boston (Tim Wisseman)
Ishar: Legend of the Fortress (Silmarils)
The Legacy: Realm of Terror (Magnetic Scrolls)
Legend (Mindscape)
Legends of Valour (Synthetic Dimensions)
Lords of the Rings Volume 2: The Two Towers (Interplay)
Lords of Time (Hollyware)
The Magic Candle 3 (Mindcraft Software)
Might and Magic: Clouds of Xeen (New World Computing)
Prophecy of the Shadow (SSI)
Planet's Edge (New World Computing)
Quest for Glory 3: Wages of War (Sierra)
Ragnarok (Norsehelm Productions)
Realms of Arkania: Blade of Destiny (Attic Entertainment Software)
SpellCraft: Aspects of Valor (Tsunami Productions)
Spelljammer: Pirates of Realmspace (SSI)
Star Control 2: The Ur-Quan Masters (Toys for Bob)
The Summoning (Event Horizon)
Treasures of the Savage Frontier (Beyond Software)
Ultima Underworld: The Stygian Abyss (Blue Sky Productions)
Ultima 7: The Black Gate (Origin)
Ultizurk 1: The Grandmaster's Quest (Dr Dungeon)
Wizardry 7: Crusaders of the Dark Savant (Sir-Tech)
1993
Ambermoon (Thalion Software)
Betrayal at Krondor (Dynamix Inc)
BloodNet (MicroProse)
Bloodstone: An Epic Dwarven Tale (Mindcraft Software)
Captive 2 (Byte Engineers)
Castle of the Winds (Epic MegaGames)
Daemon's Gate (Imagitec Design)
Dark Sun: Shattered Lands (SSI)
Dungeon Hack (DreamForge)
Dungeon Master 2: The Legend of Skullkeep (FTL)
Excelsior Phase One: Lysandia (11th Dimension)
Eye of the Beholder 3: Assault on Myth Drannor (SSI)
Fates of Twinion (Ybarra Productions)
Forgotten Realms Unlimited Adventures (SSI)
Hired Guns (DMA)
Ishar 2: Messengers of Doom (Simarils)
Lands of Lore: The Throne of Chaos (Westwood)
Might and Magic V: Darkside of Xeen (New World Computing)
Perihelion (Morbid Visions)
Princess Maker 2 (Gainax)
Quest for Glory 4: Shadows of Darkness (Sierra)
Psionics (Nachos Software)
Shadow of Yserbius (Ybarra Productions)
Ultima Underworld 2: Labyrinth of Worlds (Origin)
Ultima Underworld 7 Part 2: Serpent Isle (Origin)
Warriors of Legend (Synergistic Software)
Warwizard (MicroGenesis)
Whale's Voyage (Flair Software)
1994
Aethra Chronicles Volume 1: Celystra's Bane (Michael Lawrence)
Al-Qadim: The Genie's Curse (Cyberlore)
Alien Logic: The Skyrealms of Journe Adventure (Ceridus)
Dark Sun: Wake of the Ravager (SSI)
The Elder Scrolls: Arena (Bethesda)
Heimdall 2: Into the Hall of Worlds (8th Day)
Ishar 3: The Seven Gates of Infinity (Silmarils)
Heroquest 2: Legacy of Sorasil (Gremlin Interactive)
Hexx: Heresy of the Wizard (TAG)
Menzoberranzan (Dreamforge)
Might and Magic: World of Xeen (New World Computing)
Nahlakh (Tom Proudfoot Games)
Ravenloft: Strahd's Possession (Dreamforge)
Realms of Arkania: Star Trail (Attic Entertainment)
Superhero League of Hoboken (Legend Entertainment)
Ultima 8: Pagan (Origin)
Yendorian Tales Book 1 (SW Games)
1995
Albion (Blue Byte Software)
Anvil of Dawn (Dreamforge)
Druid: Daemon's of the Mind (Synthetic Dimensions)
Entomorph (Cyberlore)
Exile: Escape from the Pit (Spiderweb Software)
Exile 2: Crystal Souls (Spiderweb Software)
Mordor: The Depths of Dejenol (MakeItSo Software)
Ravenloft: Stone Prophet (Dreamforge)
Rol Crusaders (NoriaWorks Entertainment)
Ruins of Cawdor (Ybarra Productions)
Stonekeep (Interplay)
Swords of Xeen (New World Computing)
Trials by Magic (Silver Lightning)
World of Aden: Thunderscape (SSI)
1996
Birthright: The Gorgon's Alliance (Synergistic Software)
Elder Scrolls: Daggerfall (Bethesda)
Evil's Doom (Olympia)
Exile 3: The Ruined World (Spiderweb Software)
Kargon (ACP)
Legion (Gobi Software)
Madman (Dr Dungeon)
Nemesis: The Wizardry Adventure (Sir-Tech)
Realms of Arkania 3: Shadows Over Riva (Attic Entertainment)
Ring Cycle (Maelstrom Games)
Yendorian Tales Book 1 Chapter 2 (Spectrum Pacific)
I’d like to thank the Ring of Prestigious Gentlemen, who helped me put together the above list and gave me advice on how to proceed. The members were Decado, mondblut, ERYFKRAD, Fowyr, Zed Duke of Banville, JarlFrank, Dorateen, octavius, and zwanzig_zwoelf.
To answer some of the questions you may have, I wrote some Q & A.
Q: What made you want to put this together?
A: Felipepe has done some awesome work putting together the RPGCodex best of lists in the past. But the lists will always cater to the demographic of our users and will increasingly ignore older games as the years roll on. Those of us that grew up with or love to play games from the beginning years of the CRPG genre are dwindling in numbers and our opinions should be recorded while memories and experiences are still strong.
Q: Why did you decide upon Diablo as the cutoff?
A: I didn’t. Initially I thought it should be pre-Baldur’s Gate, which would have been CRPGs up to 1998. Then I thought pre-Fallout, which would have been 1997 as the cutoff. The Ring of Prestigious Gentlemen pointed out hardware changes that were occurring around the time Diablo was published. Also, for better or for worse, Diablo was an evolution that raised the popularity of the action RPG genre and hurt the market for turn-based RPGs.
Q: This game (Al-Qadim, Alien Logic, Hired Guns) is on your suggested RPG list, but it’s an action game with RPG elements. And you left off this other game (X-Com, Lords of Midnight, Stronghold) that has stronger RPG elements. This is bullshit!
A: I tried to stick with games that advertised themselves as RPGs and not strategy games. The list is as good as I and the Ring of Prestigious Gentlemen could make it without falling into a paralyzing “What is and RPG” argument.
Q: Bro, I’m in Europe and you missed the best CRPG of the pre-Diablo era (Istanbul Efsaneleri, Die Dunkle Dimension, Tera: La Cité des Crânes).
A: If the game was European, but had enough of an English speaking market we tried to include it in our list. Unfortunately, some games that look great probably do not have enough visibility on the predominantly English speaking RPG Codex to score enough points to make it on the finalized Best Of list that I’m trying to compile, even if it was a missed gem and the 'best eva'.
Q: Dude, up yours. I’m going to put in my vote for this awesome, obscure game anyway.
A: Okay.
Mentions: Calling upon the following fans of older CRPGs to vote on this thread, but readers should feel free to invite others:
Edit: Bolded a section for people who don't read good.
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