Good Commodore 64 RPGs

[Wyrmlord]

Do they exist?

If so, which ones?

 

[ever]

I don't think there are any "exclusives" i.e not on DOS as well.

I'm sure many people will be able to prove that statement wrong, but probably now with a good RPG.

 

[Flatlander]

Do they exist?

If so, which ones?

Seriously? All of the -80s classic RPGs have C64 versions.

As for C64 only RPGs I don't think there are (m)any. Most of the stuff released then was ported to/from Apple ][, and later DOS.

 

[Wyrmlord]

Is there a C64 version that was dramatically different from the other versions, all the same?

 

[Flatlander]

Is there a C64 version that was dramatically different from the other versions, all the same?

Well, I'd say that Ultima VI was dramatically different from the other versions

In general the C64 versions were superior to Apple ones in every way, and earlier games were sound & graphics wise better than the DOS versions. DOS versions are faster and generally more convenient to play though, not so much disk swapping and loading. Personally I always go with the DOS versions even if the C64 has a high nostalgia factor to me.

 

[octavius]

Do they exist?

If so, which ones?

http://www.mobygames.com/browse/games/role-playing-rpg/c64/

 

[Flatlander]

http://www.mobygames.com/game/centauri-alliance in the Apple/C64 only category seems interesting. Anybody played it?

In the same category there are also games likes Deathlord which, ISTR, has been discussed in length before but http://www.mobygames.com/game/dos/knights-of-legend is less known. I think somebody praised its combat system here in the past?

Edit: Nevermind, Knights of Legend has a DOS version...

 

[octavius]

http://www.mobygames.com/game/centauri-alliance in the Apple/C64 only category seems interesting. Anybody played it?

Not me, but weird that a game released in 1990 would be released for Apple II and C64 only.

 

[Flatlander]

http://www.mobygames.com/game/centauri-alliance in the Apple/C64 only category seems interesting. Anybody played it?

Not me, but weird that a game released in 1990 would be released for Apple II and C64 only.

Might have something to do with that Broderbund didn't have much original RPG productions and Centauri Alliance was Michael Cranfords last game. Maybe he had it lying in his drawer a few years, sold it to Broderbund and took off. In addition the game probably didn't sell well and so there weren't any ports or sequels made.

The combat system seems interesting, looks like there is some tactical maneuvering involved.

 

[DaveO]

Wizard's Crown, Eternal Dagger, and the SSI Phantasie games. That's five already, so you'll be busy for a while. Luzur with his MASSIVE collection could probably tell you of other games on the platform worth playing.

 

[Flatlander]

Few more notable non-exclusive C64 RPGs; Wasteland, Bard's Tales (though they suck), Might & Magic I-II, Ultimas up to V (VI is not very playable on the old C64), all or most of the Gold Box games, Dragon Wars.

And you shouldn't forget the original Laser Squad, it is not an RPG but excellent tactical turn based game and IMNHO the C64 version is the best one. Lords of Chaos is another tactical game from Gollop bros but this time in a fantasy setting, again the C64 version is excellent.

 

[Ebonsword]

Are you talking about playing on an actual C64 or just using an emulator?

If you're thinking about playing on an actual C64, I would highly, highly advise against it. The loading times on many games are just excruciating. I laugh whenever I see complaints about load times in a modern game because you have no idea what bad load times are until you've sat waiting five minutes for a C64 game to load. And then had to wait another five minutes when you enter a dungeon. And then wait another five minutes when you come back out. And another five minutes when you enter a town.

I doubt I would have read nearly as many books as I have if I didn't always keep one near my C64 to pass the time while games were loading.

 

[MMXI]

I don't really see the point of this thread if it's about games that were released on the C64. Lots of them were. If this thread is about games exclusive to the C64, or even games that were best on the C64, then I can see its point.

 

[Flatlander]

Yeah. The loading times and disk swapping on a C64 was just ridiculous. Some games were fairly painless, like Ultima IV. Ultima V worked about fine until you hit the dungeons. Then it got insane.

The problem is that even with emulators these problems still exists. Even with the emulator's turbo loaders the loading still takes some time and the turbos don't even work with all the games.

 

[Flatlander]

I don't really see the point of this thread if it's about games that were released on the C64. Lots of them were. If this thread is about games exclusive to the C64, or even games that were best on the C64, then I can see its point.

Discussion of games that were exclusive to the 6502 family (Apple, Atari, C64 etc.) or 8 bits in general might be interesting. I'm sure there are some interesting gems that most gentlemen aren't aware of.

 

[Crooked Bee]

Centauri Alliance is fun. Been playing it on and off lately and I'd definitely recommend it. I wouldn't say the combat is extremely tactical, but it's quite decent, really, better than in many other role-playing games, and a party of 8 is definitely an incline over parties of 4 or 6. The only major problem is bad balance, with many character development options being sub-par or useless. cRPGs, duh.

 

[lisac2k]

http://www.mobygames.com/browse/games/role-playing-rpg/c64/

Funny, no Space Rogue on that list. Maybe because it had only some RPG elements mixed with other genres. Anyway, I would recommend it.

 

[Daemongar]

Few more notable non-exclusive C64 RPGs; Wasteland, Bard's Tales (though they suck), Might & Magic I-II, Ultimas up to V (VI is not very playable on the old C64), all or most of the Gold Box games, Dragon Wars.

The Bard's Tale games for the C64 were great, and had a unique flavor and atmosphere all their own. They did not age well, because rpgs are made for fat, lazy, non-mapping slobs who want everything done for them in real time. How could the Bard's Tale HOPE to age well in the world we live in?! You know what really sucks? Might and Magic I, that sucks. Man, I am happy I said that, it's liberating!

It came out a year AFTER The Bard's Tale, had shit graphics, leveled encounters, barely any sound, and the only save system worse than The Bard's Tale.

 

[sirfink]

Are you talking about playing on an actual C64 or just using an emulator?

If you're thinking about playing on an actual C64, I would highly, highly advise against it. The loading times on many games are just excruciating. I laugh whenever I see complaints about load times in a modern game because you have no idea what bad load times are until you've sat waiting five minutes for a C64 game to load. And then had to wait another five minutes when you enter a dungeon. And then wait another five minutes when you come back out. And another five minutes when you enter a town.

I doubt I would have read nearly as many books as I have if I didn't always keep one near my C64 to pass the time while games were loading.

And that's assuming you had a disk drive (which were $400 as I recall). Cassette? Forget about it!

And if you're going to play Wizard's Crown and/or Eternal Dagger, I think the Atari 800 versions were better. Heck, there was an Atari ST version of Wizard's Crown which was probably the best version of all.

 

[Luzur]

so, RPG's only for C64?

theres Newcomer, which i believe is only C64.

And if you're going to play Wizard's Crown and/or Eternal Dagger, I think the Atari 800 versions were better. Heck, there was an Atari ST version of Wizard's Crown which was probably the best version of all.

there was an Amiga version planned (and coded, abit) but it was abandoned.

 

[Lunac]

...
..
.

 

[octavius]

The Bard's Tale games for the C64 were great, and had a unique flavor and atmosphere all their own. They did not age well, because rpgs are made for fat, lazy, non-mapping slobs who want everything done for them in real time. How could the Bard's Tale HOPE to age well in the world we live in?! You know what really sucks? Might and Magic I, that sucks. Man, I am happy I said that, it's liberating!

It came out a year AFTER The Bard's Tale, had shit graphics, leveled encounters, barely any sound, and the only save system worse than The Bard's Tale.

Heh, I've recently replayed them both and I enjoyed MM1 more than I did Bard's Tale. Sure, MM1 graphics are poorer and there is some level scaling, but at least MM1 does not check for random encounters in real time. That was what really ruined the BT for me. BT was also quite unbalanced. The start was hard, then most of the game was too easy and the endgame became a matter of pure luck. If you ran into certain monsters in Mangar's Tower you had no chance whatosoever 'cause they would fry your party before you even got the chance to cast a spell. MM1 OTOH remained a constant challenge all the way.

 

[octavius]

...
..
.

Many good and unique games made for the ZX Spectrum, but most of them I fiind unplayable today. Not because of the poor graphics but becuase of an extremely clunky UI.
Games like Tir Na Nog, Dun Darach and Lords of Midnight are still playable, though, but the best CRPG I played on the Spectrum as a kid - Heavy on the Magick - is too frustrating for me to play nowadays.

 

[Flatlander]

Funny, no Space Rogue on that list. Maybe because it had only some RPG elements mixed with other genres. Anyway, I would recommend it.

Space Rogue is fucking great, I didn't mention it in my own list because it isn't exactly an RPG. I'd go with the DOS version though. It was a bit too heavy game for the tiny C64, with the filled polygon graphics and other next gen goodness. There were also some 5 minute loading pauses sprinkled in most annoying places. Luckily I had the Final Cartridge with turboloader which fixed the issue

 

[Metro]

Eh, most of the good ones were also available on PC so can't really peg down many good C64 'exclusives.'