GORASUL

                  Reviewed by Stefan Herber

Well the Germans make the best cars, manufacturing equipment and
sausages in the world so why not try their hands at an RPG? In
truth German mythology is a rich minefield for stories so there's
no reason why with a little thought and lateral thinking a good RPG
shouldn't result. Or is there?

Yes - but not when it's as messy an affair as this. This is heavily
influenced by the "Baldur's Gate" series but has almost none of
their depth although many will be relieved to know it's also much
shorter. Almost too short in fact. Or put it another way - it is
near impossible to build any of your characters up to their true
potential without a lot of repetitive gameplay. Nearing the end and
having sailed reasonably comfortably through the scenarios to date
it was clear that mine were too inexperienced to take on the final
nasties. The only way around this was to take them back to the 2 or
3 areas where monsters respawned and repeat these ad infinitum.
Well a whole evening anyway!  That's NOT how to design a game
although I'm not sure that the experience cap others provide is a
better solution.

It's a promising if unoriginal plot. You wake up in your old castle
with very little memory of who you were or how you came to be
there. Truth is you were a major magician warrior who has returned
to save the world from nasties. You only generate yourself but can
pick up others along the way varying from warriors to mages with a
party limit of 4. There are a few missions that require a temporary
member so it's best to restrict yourself to 3. I got the hang of
the control system quickly but trying to control a party of
characters is quite difficult as some always do their own thing.
There is a small amount of A1 control on these but it doesn't
really work.  Controlling finances in particular is equally hard,
as all your money seems to go on repairing your current equipment
even very late in the game. The spells are variable in strength but
can be a pain to cast - it takes forever while of course you're
being overrun with baddies. As for the final battle - I was going
to give it up as impossible but finally succeeded. Being stubborn
sometimes pays off even if only by chance.

No - yet another to avoid.
















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