Dragonsphere
| Dragonsphere | |
|---|---|
 Cover art | |
| Developer(s) | MPS Labs |
| Publisher(s) | MicroProse |
| Director(s) | Douglas Kaufman |
| Producer(s) | Matt Gruson |
| Programmer(s) | Paul Lahaise |
| Artist(s) |
Michael Gibson Charles Shenton |
| Writer(s) | Douglas Kaufman |
| Composer(s) | Michael Bross |
| Platform(s) | MS-DOS |
| Release |
|
| Genre(s) | Adventure |
| Mode(s) | Single-player |
Dragonsphere is a point-and-click graphic adventure game developed and published by MicroProse in 1994. It has graphics which were considered high-quality at the time it was published, considered a novelty. It is still a cult classic for many.[1]
The game was the third graphical adventure game developed by MicroProse, following Rex Nebular and Return of the Phantom. It was designed by Douglas Kaufman[2] and developed using the MicroProse Adventure Development system with 256-color graphics.
In 2011, GOG.com released the game for free.[3] Tommo purchased the rights to this game and digitally publishes it through its Retroism brand in 2015.[4]
Plot
The story, taking place in a fantasy world, revolves around a magical sphere where the evil sorcerer, Sanwe, was trapped by the late King of Gran Callahach 20 years ago and he is about to break free.[5]
The newly crowned king, Callash, goes on a quest to stop the wizard before he regains his powers. However, when he faces Sanwe, he discovers that he is not the real king but a shapechanger named Pid Shuffle. It is revealed that the Queen Mother concocted the scheme to get rid of Callash and put his evil brother MacMorn on the throne, persuading the Court Wizard to aid her under the false pretense of saving Callash from mortal danger. It falls to Pid to rescue the rightful King and defeat MacMorn.
Characters
- King Callash: The newly crowned king of Gran Callahach.
- Pid Shuffle: A shapechanger, can change into a snake, seal and a bear.
- Sanwe: The main villain of the first half of the game, a magically trapped evil sorcerer.
- MacMorn: King Callash's overambitious brother.
- Llanie de Summers: A young Duchess, loyal to King Callash.
- Queen Mother: Wife to the late king and mother of Callash and MacMorn.
- Fiona: King Callash's wife and reigning Queen.
- Ner-Tom: The Court Wizard of Gran Callahach.
Music
The soundtrack was composed by Michael Bross.[6]
Reception
Finland's Pelit gave the game 92 out of 100 and summarized that Dragonsphere is "a really enjoyable and atmospheric adventure which holds the player's attention until the end."[7]
References
- ↑ Walker, John (2011-05-05). "Good Old Games Has Dragonsphere For Free". Rock Paper Shotgun.
- ↑ "Dragonsphere". ABware. Retrieved 2013-09-03.
- ↑ "New release: Dragonsphere - for FREE!". Good Old Games. 2011-05-05. Retrieved 2011-05-05.
- ↑ "Purchase Agreement between Atari, Inc. and Rebellion Developments, Stardock & Tommo" (PDF). BMC Group. 2013-07-22. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2016-03-03.
- ↑ "Dragonsphere review". AdventureGamers.com. 2013-05-24.
- ↑ "Michael Bross Interview: Recollections of an Industry Veteran (May 2007)". Game-Ost. Retrieved 2013-09-03.
- ↑ Salminen, Tapio (April 1994). "Dragonsphere". Pelit. 20-21. ISSN 1235-1199.