CRPG Book Project - 21 RPGs that brought something new to the table @ Gamasutra

[HiddenX]

Another sneak peek at Felipe's CRPG book:

CRPG History Abridged - 21 RPGs that brought something new to the table

As some of you might know, due to my occasional rant here, I'm the editor of the CRPG Book Project, a non-profit, crowd-sourced project to promote Computer RPGs and their rich history.

Over the past 18 months working on the book I've examined almost 300 RPGs, from the latest releases to PLATO titles from the 70's. All this research is being put into the book, but I'm fully aware that not everyone thinks a +400-page book on RPGs is a cool thing (shame on you), so I've decided to make a really, really, really abridged version, focusing on one single aspect: cool stuff.

So here's a clickbait-like article on some of the most interesting things I came across. I'll focus on more obscure stuff (or at least obscure outside hardcore RPG forums), but I'll also add a few well-know games that do deserve another pass at the spotlight:

• Dungeons of Daggorath (1982)
• Alternate Reality: The City (1985)
• Alien Fires: 2199 A.D. (1986)
• Wizardry IV: The Return of Werdna (1987)
• Bloodwych (1989)
• World of Ultima: The Savage Empire (1990) and
• Martian Dreams (1991)
• Ishar: Legend of the Fortress (1991)
• Might & Magic: World of Xeen (1992)
• Wizardry VII - Crusaders of the Dark Savant (1992)
• Ultima VIII: Pagan (1994)
• Wizardry 8 (2001)
• Geneforge (2001)
• ZanZarah: The Hidden Portal (2002)
• Fable (2004)
• Magical Diary (2011)
• Expeditions: Conquistador (2013)
• NEO Scavenger (2014)

Special mention: The Age of Enlightenment Trilogy:

• Ultima IV: Quest of the Avatar (1985)
• Ultima V: Warrior of Destiny (1988)
• Ultima VI: The False Prophet (1990)

More information.

 

[HiddenX]

Great list - but I don't like Pagan and Fable so much.

 

[Ivanwah]

"This game is a Visual Novel/RPG hybrid about a girl who finds out that she's a wizard Harry witch…"
Gold.

 

[Drithius]

Notably missing Diablo... Love it or hate it, you don't create an entire genre of copycats virtually overnight without bringing something new to the table.

 

[felipepepe]

The idea was never to list ALL or THE MOST the innovative games, just a few curiosities.

 

[Kordanor]

I didn't even remember this feature of Ishar anymore.
Last time I checked something in Ishar I was surprised that it had free positioning.

Wondering who's got the license for that series now...might actually be a nice and cheap license for creating a new indie game.

 

[GuybrushWilco]

Interesting list, but I think a list of early innovative RPGs should definitely include Ultima and Wasteland.