To battle we go!
This little known historical RPG plays out in similar fashion other genre classics like Betrayal at Krondor and Ishar but earns quite a few points for the sheer detail of its plot and background, and which makes for a refreshing change from the usual fantasy nonsense. This one takes place in the time of the Crusades, a dark and turbulent time in history, and the complex backstory manages to drag in the Inquisition, the Templars, the Holy Ark of the Covenant and even the Devil himself. The game itself finds the player taking the role of a noble Templar who has been charged with hunting down Belasco, a rogue Inquisitor who has made a pact with the Devil and who for some reason wishes to see the whole world brought to a state of utter devastation. It falls to you to explore a series of 3D environments, engaging in combat and the usual such RPG conventions in order to save the world and put the Devil's plans to rest. Gameplay here will be familiar to anyone who's played a old-school RPG like Dungeon Master or Might and Magic, with the usual style of combat, a team of bold adventurers to control and plenty of weapons and items to juggle. There's nothing particularly original here in terms of gameplay although the background is certainly unusual enough to warrant investigation. The graphics are quite chunky for the main game, but the story sequences are told with wonderfully atmospheric visuals which bring the world to life. This certainly isn't a classic or must play RPG but if you're looking for something a little obscure, then this ticks all the boxes.
