Dunbar2 on 2/6/2000 at 22:23

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The Underworlds had rich plots and subplots. Every place you explored had a history that drew you further into the games. Characters seemed real and what you did affected how others reacted to you. The books and scrolls you read along the way really added to the atmosphere. The Underworlds are my favorite RPG's of all time because of their immersiveness.

Also the world is very interactive. You can take items and put them together to make things. For example you can take a pole and some string to make a fishing pole. Also you can discover some undocumented spells by experimenting with the rune stones once you know their meanings. I could go on, but I wouldn't want to ruin any of the suprises.

Onto the graphics and sounds. The graphics are dated by today's standards, but back then they were good. UW1 really broke new ground with graphics. In fact IIRC Carmack was inspired to do better when he saw them at a trade show. The music is really good and enhances the mood. It will change if you are fighting or just exploring. The sound and graphics although dated, are still good.

Now for the plots. In UW1 a princess is abducted and taken to the Stygian Abyss which was once a grand experiment in getting different species to live together in harmony but has since been sealed up. You are falsely accused of the crime and are imprisoned in the abyss where you must find the princess to free yourself. In UW2, the Guardian (your nemesis) seals the castle in a gem and you must venture into the depths of the castle where there is a gem that will teleport you to different worlds. Each world is unique. Your quest is to find a way to free the inhabitants of the castle from the Guardian and stop his evil in your world.

I highly recommend both the Underworlds which can be found bundled together. After playing them, you should be able to see alot of their influence in both the Thief and Shock series. Just buy them and you won't be disapointed.

Unfortunately I couldn't find a good page that talks about the Underworlds in general, but the link off of (http://www.ttlg.com) www.ttlg.com should provide you with some good resources.

-Dunbar

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Member of the SPCL

[This message has been edited by Dunbar2 (edited June 02, 2000).]