| Demise: Rise of the Ku'tan | |
|---|---|
| Developer(s) | Artifact Entertainment |
| Publisher(s) | IPC Software |
| Platform(s) | PC |
| Release date(s) | 31 December 1999 [1] |
| Genre(s) | Role-playing video game |
| Mode(s) | Single-player Co-operative multiplayer |
| Media/distribution | Compact Disk |
| System requirements
Minimum: Processor: Pentium-166 Recommended: Processor: Pentium-200 Memory: 64 MB RAM |
|
Demise: Rise of the Ku'tan is a medieval fantasy role-playing video game released in 1999 for the personal computer (PC), developed by Artifact Entertainment and published by IPC Software.[2] The game features the same setting as Mordor: The Depths of Dejenol, which was also developed by designer David Allen.[3]
In Demise: Rise of the Ku'tan, Lord Gherrick's realm is attacked by demons emerging from the mines of Dejanol.[3] After the assault is quelled, the player is dispatched into the mines in an attempt to locate and destroy the primordial evil at its centre. The game world is split between a series of towns and dungeons; the former features guilds and merchants, while the latter houses monsters, which must be destroyed during the course of the players' explorations. At the outset, users are required to create an avatar with particular racial traits, classes and starting statistics, and develop the character as they progress within the game. This development is achieved by gaining experience, measured as a statistic, and equipping improved weaponry, purchased from the traders. Furthermore, the game features up to 16 players in a co-operative multiplayer mode.[3] An enlarged version of the game named Ascension was published in 2011 by a group of enthusiastic players headed by Decklin (Richard Whitwell). Mordor, Demise and Ascension can be found here.
Upon release, Demise: Rise of the Ku'tan received predominately negative reviews. GameSpot were dismissive, arguing that the game lacked either "an engrossing story or an online multiplayer game with a sprawling world to explore."[4] Even the most amiable of reviewers complained of the game's interface, poor graphics and tedious sound effects, while PC Zone commented that the fact "there is 3D acceleration support is risible, as are the graphical options to enable or disable detail and effects."[5] Conversely, positive remarks were made regarding the variety of equipment, spells and the ability to combine classes.
| Reception | |
|---|---|
| Aggregate scores | |
| Aggregator | Score |
| GameRankings | 46.38%[6] |
| Review scores | |
| Publication | Score |
| Computer and Video Games | 1.1/10[5] |
| GameSpot | 3.7/10[4] |
| GameGuru Mania | 3/5[6] |
| GF3K | 7.75/10[6] |