DownloadI presume that many Role-Playing Games fans
around the world, if allowed to make a wish to a
genie, would say something like "I wish there was a RPG much
like the old "Ultima"s, but with
top-down dungeons and a not-so-boring combat system.". This
wish would be a waste, because them Genie could probably answer
with something like "Just download "Excelsior"!
Wish granted!"
Although the graphics are old-fashioned and the sounds
uninspiring, Excelsior is an excellent
RPG. The authors have managed to create a land full of cities,
dungeons and Non-Player
Characters with multiple quests and, which is very important, not
too much linearity: if you
get stuck on a specific quest, for example, finding the blue
amulet, there is no reason for you
to stop playing; you can do anything else, like finding the
King's son and then you can come
back later... this is something that made most of the
"Ultima" games famous and tremendously
enjoyable.
In Excelsior, you are a Fixer, a demi-deity that corrects
problems on many different planets.
You must assume a mortal form, choosing one of the 13 races and
13 classes to help the world of
Lysandia with the increase of monsters around. Although this is
not a hack-and-slash, combat
abounds; fortunately, the combat system is simple and adequate.
When you go up levels, stronger
monsters start appearing (for example, upon reaching level 6,
golems start popping up), with
more valuable items than before, which is an interesting idea.
There are many skills to gain,
by the most interesting ways (the way to get the "Fist
Fighting" skill is by insulting a
certain fellow... guess what happens! :). Spells when bought are
immediately added to the
spellbook, and the casting success depends on your alignment...
...and I could go on and on talking about all of the features of
this great game.
CONCLUSION: Shareware RPGs don't get much better than
"Excelsior". This one is well worth any
RPG fan's time, and the downloadable version isn't even crippled.
Return to PC Games