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Back in the 80s, many of us enjoyed playing Ultima IV on the C64. It was arguably one of the best RPGs ever released, featuring a top-down playing field with lush scenery, dungeons to explore, characters to traverse, and tons of enemies to fight. So, in a complete surprise to us, High North Studios AS, along with Raw Fury, announced Skald: Against the Black Priory, a game that GOG says is “inspired by RPGs of yesteryear, combining modern design and compelling storytelling with authentic 8-bit look and charm.”
SKALD: Against the Black Priory is a classic turn-based RPG. The action unfolds in a dark and violent fantasy universe: full of tragic heroes, violent deaths and terrible horror. If that wasn’t enough to hook you, the game is not only dark and deadly, but it has an exciting storyline inspired by legendary titles like Ultima and the Gold Box series, and allows you to control and lead a party of up to six characters on an epic and dangerous quest!
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And here’s the latest from the GOG and Steam page in full. “Set in a dark-dark fantasy world of tragic heroes, violent deaths, and Lovecraftian horror, SKALD: Against the Black Priory makes choices important as players explore an engaging storyline mixed with crisp tactical, turn-based combat, and character customization. Inspired by cult retro role-playing games, SKALD: Against the Black Priory explores the fascinating expanses of Framemark and the Outer Isles to uncover the grand schemes of the Gallic Empire. Players will be treated to an unforgettable story filled with unexpected twists and turns, with a unique grid. modern storytelling and classic RPG elements that will feel familiar yet innovative to RPG fans old and new.
Players will gain key features including:
- Equipping your heroes with a modern inventory system, completing objectives through quest logs and reading logs to discover hidden secrets.
- Unique visual effects created from thousands of painted tiles and images inspired by the legendary Commodore 64 computer, with an optional CRT filter to create a true retro gaming experience.
- Work your way up to level 20 by choosing a character, selecting their stats, and building a party from a number of diverse allies, each with their own skill set, agenda, and personality. Players will meet and recruit fully developed pre-created characters with unique backstories and hand-crafted interactions, and will be able to round out the party with: “mercenaries”, blank characters they can create from scratch to their exact specifications, or mix and match as they are going. Players can also choose to travel on their own.
- Choosing between a dozen classes and backgrounds, customizing spells and equipment to prepare for the journey ahead, and uncovering the schemes of the Gallic Empire as you explore the vast expanses of Freimark and the Outer Isles.
Links :1) GOG 2) Steam