The Magic Candle

The Magic Candle
Developer(s)	Mindcraft
Publisher(s)	Mindcraft
Platform(s)	Apple II, Amiga, Commodore 64, MS-DOS, NES
Release date(s)	1989
Genre(s)	RPG
Mode(s)	Single-player

The Magic Candle is a computer role-playing game designed by Ali Atabek and developed and published by Mindcraft in 1989.^[1]

Story

In the game, players must assemble a group of six adventurers and journey across the kingdom of Deruvia to keep the demon Dreax imprisoned in the eponymous magic candle, which has begun to melt. The game's world includes several towns and cities, two castles, and several dungeons and towers. Unlike many computer games, one wins not by defeating a final enemy, but by collecting the necessary items and learning the necessary chants in order to preserve the magic candle. Players begin with one adventurer, a human hero called Lukas. Additional adventurers can be found in the game's two castles. Much of The Magic Candle's fun derives from discovering exactly what is needed to preserve the eponymous candle.

Races

There are five races available in this game^[2]:

• Dwarves - Very short but exceptionally strong.
• Elves - Tall and slender with special attachment to the forests.
• Halflings - Small charismatic race with large furry feet.
• Man - Or Human.
• Wizards - Wizards are considered a race in this game. This race is similar to the race of Man, but practices magic.

Professions

There are nine Professions available in this game^[2]:

• Carpenter - Can build shelter for camping.
• Fighter - Skilled in combat.
• Gem-Cutter - Can recognize gems for sale.
• Knight - Skilled both in combat and in defense.
• Mage - Skilled in Magic. Only Wizards can be mages.
• Mercenary - Offer their services for hire.
• Metal Smith - Can repair weapons.
• Ranger - Good hunters and move well in unknown terrain. This is Lukas' profession.
• Tailor - Can make and repair garments. Good for getting jobs in towns.

World Realism

The Magic Candle is known to have several traits that increase the realism of the game and of the world of Deruvia^[2]:

• Party Splitting - You could split your party into several different groups and have each of them perform a different task, including working at different jobs to earn money in a town.
• Wear and Tear - Weapons would accumulate wear and tear, and even break if not maintained properly.
• Hunger and Fatigue - Characters need to eat, rest, and sleep in order to remain healthy.
• Residences - You can't just go barging into a private home. You have to knock on the door, and know the name of the residence owner.
• Time Factor - Shops close during the night and re-open at dawn. NPCs can be in different places at different times of the day.

Sequels

The Magic Candle was successful enough to have sequels: The Magic Candle II: The Four and Forty (1991), and The Magic Candle III (1992). The Keys to Maramon (1990) was an action-title spinoff. Bloodstone: An Epic Dwarven Tale, released in 1993, is a prequel to The Magic Candle.

The series also spawned two spin-offs: Siege (1992) and its sequel Ambush at Sorinor (1993) are tactical strategy games, both taking place in the world of The Magic Candle.

Reception

The game was reviewed in 1989 in Dragon #148 by Hartley, Patricia, and Kirk Lesser in "The Role of Computers" column. The reviewers gave the game 3 out of 5 stars.^[3] Scorpia of Computer Gaming World gave the game a very positive review, noting that killed monsters tend to stay dead, a welcome change from the "endless wave" of other CRPGs. Criticisms included the relatively slow combat and the inability to quickly find people or shops in town.^[4] The magazine later recognized it as "Role-Playing Game of the Year", describing it as "extensive, well-written, and balanced.".^[5]

References

1. ^ Barton, Matt (2007-02-23). "Part 2: The Golden Age (1985-1993)". The History of Computer Role-Playing Games. Gamasutra. http://www.gamasutra.com/features/20070223b/barton_03.shtml. Retrieved 2009-03-26. 
2. ^ ^{a b c} The Magic Candle Review
3. ^ Lesser, Hartley, Patricia, and Kirk (August 1989). "The Role of Computers". Dragon (148): 68–73. 
4. ^ Scorpia (April 1989), "Keeper of the Flame", Computer Gaming World: 28–30 
5. ^ "Game of the Year Awards", Computer Gaming World: 8, 41, October 1989 

External links

• The Magic Candle at MobyGames
• Jason Spangler's Magic Candle page