I stumbled across these videos by accident and must say I love them. There's quite a few games in here that I haven't heard much about before I watched them.
Anyway, I recently got my own computer so I can play some of the old crpg's (Baldur's Gate, Diablo, Fallout, Planescape, etc). Are there any other gold box games worth checking out while I'm at it? I really am getting quite into these old rpgs.
@TinyTank2 Thanks, Tiny. There's a word of them. I'd probably start with Baldur's Gate and then move on to Fallout and Planescape. Or you could go way back and do the whole Forgotten Realms gold box set starting with Pool of Radiance/Curse/Secret/Dark Queen. I'd recommend Eye of the Beholder, too, though the sequels got mixed reviews.
HAHAHAHA i get enfuriated installing neverwinter nights, with their essay long key codes, 8 double sided disks, i probably would have imploded in on myself in fury ^_^
This is one of the few gold box games that I haven't played - mostly cause of the limited character class and it having come out before I got into the series.
A friend of mine played it though and said it was good but Neutral Clerics were the pits.
hah, this was my first RPG i played on a C64 back in the day, me and a friend used to play in turns, he mapped a dungeon while i played it, the we switched,
I really liked this whole SSI series, Curse of the Azure Bonds and the rest, they were all fantastic. I am pretty sure I played this on the Atari, and later got it on a SSI compilation CD with a few of the other games in this line.
Have to agree... Being an avid, and old-school gamer (started on the Vectrex, 2600, Vic20, Odyssey... etc), and a big fan of game design, I find myself visiting this place daily. Fantastic channel.
Not 8 double sided disks, actually 4 floppies. I still own the C64 version. Box, manual, floppies, whole deal. One of my favorite games of all time. It's what made me a D&D nerd.
I still have my saves, but sadly have no way to get them off of the 5.25 inch C64 formatted floppies they're on!!!
You know, it isn't expensive to buy a used C64 and such on eBay. I think you can get a working system for under $50 if you are patient and diligent in your searching.
@blacklily8 Sorry I wasn't clear, I actually wanted to get the saves onto my PC, to use in DOSbox.
I still have my C64, but the Disk Drive died, so it hasn't been anything more than a doorstop for 16 years. I sort of migrated all of my C64 games to DOS several years ago anyway, it's just the saves that bug me! So many years of work.
I still have everything but the code wheel. I've tried to find it on the net but the one I found doesn't seem to work. Any ideas? I'm dying to play it again.
I only ever got into and finished The Secret of the Silver Blades and i loved it! With so many other C64 games around at the time i was all over the place! :)
I dispute your statement that in modern Diablo type games character creation was simple, but in these older games it was much more involved. It's not age that defines as you state, rather it's whether you are talking about a REAL RPG, rather than an ACTION-RPG.
This confusion, is because of today's multiformat market, where games with relatively little roleplaying (compared to real RPG's) like Jade Empire and Mass Effect are now called RPG's,when they are nowhere Wizardry, Ultima, etc depth.
I always wanted this game when I had a C64. Which version do you recommend as I've been planning to start playing it seriously? I've tried the C64, Amiga and PC under emulation but still not sure. I do like the music in the C64 and Amiga versions. Is there much music later in the game?
Good question. I actually interviewed the guy who wrote the music for PoR--his name is Dave Warhol and he's a fantastic guy. But, anyway, the C64 is the original, but I'm sure the Amiga or DOS versions would have better graphics and such. They might also have mouse-driven interfaces that could make them easier to play.
also I have a question for all gold box series lovers. As a dedicated gold box fetishist, I own every gold box game for all platforms (actually only Amiga and C64, I don't collect DOS versions) lately I've been after Atari ST versions. Supposedly pool of radiance and curse should have been released for the ST as well. I got hold of a Curse for ST, but couldn't find pool of radiance. does anyone know if pool of radiance for ST really exists ?
No. There is no ST Pool of Radiance, just like there is no NES Curse of the Azure Bonds. At the end of the NES Pool of Radiance they give you very long passwords to transfer your characters into 'other games'. The 'Other Games' they were referring to was going to be Curse of the Azure Bonds for the NES but it was never released for some reason. Man I would have LOVED to see CotAB on the NES :(
along with the pools of darkness, this was one of my faves in the forgotten realms gold box games. this with the pools of darkness has a more non linear gameplay, where you're free to explore pretty much anywhere after you've cleared phlan. the sequels curse and silver kind of stick to a linear scenario which I don't like very much.
I'm really tempted to pickup a C64 and give this a whirl. Though judging from the copy protection rule I'd be better off tracking down a pirate version. Who would have thought piracy does have its uses!
Damn that brings back repressed memories of sheer frustration :). I kept thinking, obviously im way ahead of where i should be, this fight is ridiculous.
But looking back now, it makes me realise just how damn TOO easy RpGs are now. Just requiring a little level grinding, rather then any actual investment of tactical thought and imagination.
i think i may dig out Dragon Wars and get my old school on :)
It definitely is step in the right direction, feeling much more like RPG in it's sheer variety of choices/options and a less forgiving difficulty. I mean, you want to feel like you've earned a victory.
The first time you encounter and fight the ogre in Ishal Tower, wow, I actually had to use tactics in a RPG again!
IIRC there was controversy over the Animate Dead spell in this game and it was cut in some later games. I used to often hire Hero NPCs, take them out somewhere and kill them at the end of a battle to take their valuable +1 Plate and Sword, then Animate Dead to make them zombies with no chance of turning on me. I'd even change their skin to "zombie" green LOL. Fun times.....
Hehe, yeah, it seems like ancient times watching this now. It was really my first such production, ever, so I was experimenting more than anything else. At some point I need to remake these and bring them up to date with my new skills.
I used to play the apple IIC black and green version. No other colors.
I found the dragon that protected the pool, but after beating it (and its dozen level 8 fighters), the game kind of just ended without any hind of part 2, or what lays beyond the mountians to the North.
Hm...I beat it twice on my Commodore 64. I remember some screen or message about continuing on, but it was just random encounters. Not much fun after completing the main quest.
I couldn't agree with you more, Ased. But I'll tell you this--I wouldn't trade a minute of it. I loved this game, I still do, and I would do anything for more games like this one. I just can't get enough. :)
They both look extremely interesting, not to mention comprehensive (at least from the their physical sizes). As for Pool of Radiance, it was an incredibly great game for the time, with an immense sense of openness. I remember taking great pleasure from entering in to fights with friendly NPCs within the main city and having the local 'cops' shutting me down! You couldn't do stuff like that in Bard's Tale. Being capable of doing stupid, irrelevant things is crucial to a sense of reality in CRPGs!
was that a picture of gta 2 in the book at 43 seconds?
my favourite gta <3
Amaranthus616 1 month ago
Just clicked on this by accident and had to subscribe. Awesome video's man! keep it up!
mattorqux 2 months ago
is your book in barnes and noble?
Gaffer213 3 months ago
I stumbled across these videos by accident and must say I love them. There's quite a few games in here that I haven't heard much about before I watched them.
Anyway, I recently got my own computer so I can play some of the old crpg's (Baldur's Gate, Diablo, Fallout, Planescape, etc). Are there any other gold box games worth checking out while I'm at it? I really am getting quite into these old rpgs.
TinyTank2 8 months ago 2
@TinyTank2 Thanks, Tiny. There's a word of them. I'd probably start with Baldur's Gate and then move on to Fallout and Planescape. Or you could go way back and do the whole Forgotten Realms gold box set starting with Pool of Radiance/Curse/Secret/Dark Queen. I'd recommend Eye of the Beholder, too, though the sequels got mixed reviews.
blacklily8 8 months ago
I love all your reviews Matt. The ad&d gold box series were the best rpg's for C-64.
rainydaymoon 1 year ago 2
Amazing reviews, I like the Barton's style and passion for all kind of games.
I am subscribed since a few months ago and I'm still in the Matt Chatt 23 chapter. Lots of vids ahead!
This is my first comment, while I watch the first video again to see the begining, and see comparatively the improvements of the chapters.
Greetings from Argentina!
ripperian 1 year ago
Comment removed
ripperian 1 year ago
HAHAHAHA i get enfuriated installing neverwinter nights, with their essay long key codes, 8 double sided disks, i probably would have imploded in on myself in fury ^_^
elfmann243 1 year ago
This is one of the few gold box games that I haven't played - mostly cause of the limited character class and it having come out before I got into the series.
A friend of mine played it though and said it was good but Neutral Clerics were the pits.
banedon88 1 year ago
Who would know Matt, from this small beginning, how much of a legend you would become! :)
HardWarUK 1 year ago
cool vids iim going to check your books hopefully very soon
inferno237 1 year ago
hah, this was my first RPG i played on a C64 back in the day, me and a friend used to play in turns, he mapped a dungeon while i played it, the we switched,
good times.
Borin81 1 year ago
Two people missed the like button.
subrealms 1 year ago
I really liked this whole SSI series, Curse of the Azure Bonds and the rest, they were all fantastic. I am pretty sure I played this on the Atari, and later got it on a SSI compilation CD with a few of the other games in this line.
viperswhip 1 year ago
I'm making it through every single one of your videos. I think you're brilliant. Thank you for these great videos! I am ordering your books now, too.
laptinek1138 1 year ago 5
@laptinek1138 Thanks, laptinek1138! I hope you enjoy them.
blacklily8 1 year ago
@laptinek1138
Have to agree... Being an avid, and old-school gamer (started on the Vectrex, 2600, Vic20, Odyssey... etc), and a big fan of game design, I find myself visiting this place daily. Fantastic channel.
lupine73 1 year ago
Your work is great - but I can't find Matt Chat TURRICAN?! Greetings, R.G. :)
rgkooper 1 year ago
Great RPG. First time played it on my Amiga in 93/94. I wish they would start a new Gold Box series games.
Emrendil 1 year ago
Comment removed
Diamondfist1 2 years ago
Not 8 double sided disks, actually 4 floppies. I still own the C64 version. Box, manual, floppies, whole deal. One of my favorite games of all time. It's what made me a D&D nerd.
I still have my saves, but sadly have no way to get them off of the 5.25 inch C64 formatted floppies they're on!!!
TwelveFortySix 2 years ago
Thanks for the head's up.
You know, it isn't expensive to buy a used C64 and such on eBay. I think you can get a working system for under $50 if you are patient and diligent in your searching.
blacklily8 2 years ago
@blacklily8 Sorry I wasn't clear, I actually wanted to get the saves onto my PC, to use in DOSbox.
I still have my C64, but the Disk Drive died, so it hasn't been anything more than a doorstop for 16 years. I sort of migrated all of my C64 games to DOS several years ago anyway, it's just the saves that bug me! So many years of work.
TwelveFortySix 2 years ago
If you post about this at Armchair Arcade, I'm sure someone there will be able to help you.
blacklily8 2 years ago
I still have everything but the code wheel. I've tried to find it on the net but the one I found doesn't seem to work. Any ideas? I'm dying to play it again.
luvmenow33 2 years ago
I only ever got into and finished The Secret of the Silver Blades and i loved it! With so many other C64 games around at the time i was all over the place! :)
blade004 2 years ago
I dispute your statement that in modern Diablo type games character creation was simple, but in these older games it was much more involved. It's not age that defines as you state, rather it's whether you are talking about a REAL RPG, rather than an ACTION-RPG.
This confusion, is because of today's multiformat market, where games with relatively little roleplaying (compared to real RPG's) like Jade Empire and Mass Effect are now called RPG's,when they are nowhere Wizardry, Ultima, etc depth.
HardWarUK 2 years ago
You hear that intro music and you're a teenager again!
HardWarUK 2 years ago
I always wanted this game when I had a C64. Which version do you recommend as I've been planning to start playing it seriously? I've tried the C64, Amiga and PC under emulation but still not sure. I do like the music in the C64 and Amiga versions. Is there much music later in the game?
MrAcrin1 2 years ago
Good question. I actually interviewed the guy who wrote the music for PoR--his name is Dave Warhol and he's a fantastic guy. But, anyway, the C64 is the original, but I'm sure the Amiga or DOS versions would have better graphics and such. They might also have mouse-driven interfaces that could make them easier to play.
blacklily8 2 years ago
Awesome job Matt, keep up the great vids! ;)
FrauTech 2 years ago 7
also I have a question for all gold box series lovers. As a dedicated gold box fetishist, I own every gold box game for all platforms (actually only Amiga and C64, I don't collect DOS versions) lately I've been after Atari ST versions. Supposedly pool of radiance and curse should have been released for the ST as well. I got hold of a Curse for ST, but couldn't find pool of radiance. does anyone know if pool of radiance for ST really exists ?
jarjar2b 2 years ago
No. There is no ST Pool of Radiance, just like there is no NES Curse of the Azure Bonds. At the end of the NES Pool of Radiance they give you very long passwords to transfer your characters into 'other games'. The 'Other Games' they were referring to was going to be Curse of the Azure Bonds for the NES but it was never released for some reason. Man I would have LOVED to see CotAB on the NES :(
Doommaster1994 2 years ago
along with the pools of darkness, this was one of my faves in the forgotten realms gold box games. this with the pools of darkness has a more non linear gameplay, where you're free to explore pretty much anywhere after you've cleared phlan. the sequels curse and silver kind of stick to a linear scenario which I don't like very much.
jarjar2b 2 years ago
I agree. This one was just fantastic. I looked forward to playing it everyday!
blacklily8 2 years ago
Dude, you're an author! That's so cool. What is the range of systems you cover in Vintage Games?
You gotta check out mrbughorn's review of The Bard's Tale. It's hilarious. He loves RPGs too.
vintagevideogamegeek 2 years ago
Will do.
It covers all manner of systems, from the earliest to the latest.
blacklily8 2 years ago
I'm really tempted to pickup a C64 and give this a whirl. Though judging from the copy protection rule I'd be better off tracking down a pirate version. Who would have thought piracy does have its uses!
Lorfarius 2 years ago
Yeah, I wore out my wheels on my original version.
blacklily8 2 years ago
Sokols keep!!!
Damn that brings back repressed memories of sheer frustration :). I kept thinking, obviously im way ahead of where i should be, this fight is ridiculous.
But looking back now, it makes me realise just how damn TOO easy RpGs are now. Just requiring a little level grinding, rather then any actual investment of tactical thought and imagination.
i think i may dig out Dragon Wars and get my old school on :)
Jeanmarcmis 2 years ago
the new Dragon Age: Origins is definitely back to being difficult. You might want to check it out. :)
blacklily8 2 years ago
Actually just started it :)
It definitely is step in the right direction, feeling much more like RPG in it's sheer variety of choices/options and a less forgiving difficulty. I mean, you want to feel like you've earned a victory.
The first time you encounter and fight the ogre in Ishal Tower, wow, I actually had to use tactics in a RPG again!
Jeanmarcmis 2 years ago
IIRC there was controversy over the Animate Dead spell in this game and it was cut in some later games. I used to often hire Hero NPCs, take them out somewhere and kill them at the end of a battle to take their valuable +1 Plate and Sword, then Animate Dead to make them zombies with no chance of turning on me. I'd even change their skin to "zombie" green LOL. Fun times.....
400SA 2 years ago
Wow, that's interesting. What kind of controversy? Where was it playing out?
I think we all tried the Hero NPC tactic you're talking about. Fun times, but it felt wrong! :P
blacklily8 2 years ago
Hi Matt,
i just saw your Deja Vu review and really liked it so i'm catching up.
It's fun to see the jump in quality between the first and last videos :)
Konuvis 2 years ago
Hehe, yeah, it seems like ancient times watching this now. It was really my first such production, ever, so I was experimenting more than anything else. At some point I need to remake these and bring them up to date with my new skills.
blacklily8 2 years ago
I used to play the apple IIC black and green version. No other colors.
I found the dragon that protected the pool, but after beating it (and its dozen level 8 fighters), the game kind of just ended without any hind of part 2, or what lays beyond the mountians to the North.
REIworker 2 years ago
Hm...I beat it twice on my Commodore 64. I remember some screen or message about continuing on, but it was just random encounters. Not much fun after completing the main quest.
blacklily8 2 years ago
this game is to blame for my addiction to games and a poor highschool performance...and then i played curse,blades and darkness doh!
to be able to transfer ur fave characters...so cool
asedcopf 2 years ago
I couldn't agree with you more, Ased. But I'll tell you this--I wouldn't trade a minute of it. I loved this game, I still do, and I would do anything for more games like this one. I just can't get enough. :)
blacklily8 2 years ago
great intro
skahtavo 2 years ago
ahead of its time for sure.
smokeyvv 2 years ago
It doesn't get any better than this. PoR is the best!
sokolkeep 3 years ago
I agree with you 100%, Sokolkeep. :)
blacklily8 3 years ago
Subscribed.
Doommaster1994 3 years ago
Looking forward to more of these Matt! Keep'm coming!
markvergeer 3 years ago
Barton rules.
PurePlombon 3 years ago 3
Awwesome! looking forward to more! I subscribed abd rated to.
MaximumRD 3 years ago
nice job matt :) when you gonna do a BT2 or Wasteland for us for the next chat with matt ^_^
no more spooky eyes thanks.
Yakumo9275 3 years ago
8) 8) 8)
The scary eyes are coming to get you, Yakumo! (cue pipe organ).
blacklily8 3 years ago
They both look extremely interesting, not to mention comprehensive (at least from the their physical sizes). As for Pool of Radiance, it was an incredibly great game for the time, with an immense sense of openness. I remember taking great pleasure from entering in to fights with friendly NPCs within the main city and having the local 'cops' shutting me down! You couldn't do stuff like that in Bard's Tale. Being capable of doing stupid, irrelevant things is crucial to a sense of reality in CRPGs!
marcusmalone 3 years ago
Do you know whether or not your books are published in Australia (or will be with respect to the second one mentioned)?
marcusmalone 3 years ago
I'm not sure, but I don't see why not. The publisher of Vintage Games is Focal Press, and I think they're international.
blacklily8 3 years ago