Theldrow

Infobox VG| title = Theldrow


developer = Glenn Andreas
released = 1989
genre = Computer role-playing game
modes = Single player
platforms = Apple Macintosh

Theldrow is a turn-based computer role-playing game, written in 1989 by Glenn Andreas for the Apple Macintosh. The game featured a turn-based first person perspective interface similar to early Might and Magic games, pixel art (originally black-and-white), and a very original fantasy setting. It is a very difficult game.

The Story

The protagonist (the player chooses his name) is a 17-year-old boy, searching for his father who left when the protagonist was a child. His father should have returned ten years ago in the game, but he never did. The protagonist sets off towards the city of Boden with only a dagger and a small sack of gold. From there, he starts exploring the hostile forest, basements, and dungeons of the abandoned castle Cravenshaw, which lies just across the river.

Gameplay

Movement

The player controls the protagonist by clicking different points on a 3D-like first person perspective landscape consisting of several 2D bitmaps. The world is turn based and grid based, and you can see 3 spaces into the horizon.

Combat

Hostile creatures cannot be seen on the landscape, so they are invisible until they attack. The player performs attacks by selecting the creature to attack by clicking on its icon on the combat screen and then choosing a command from the menu bar. This could be attacking the creature by hand, or casting a spell. When all creatures from the encounter are defeated, the player will eventually receive treasures.

Magic

Spells can be cast wherever they are needed. There are two types of spells: Magic and Cleric. Magic spells cost the player spell points, and after casting cleric spells, the player has to spend time in a temple by praying or offering gold. Some spells require material components, which can be obtained by killing certain creatures. For example, spider glands can be found by defeating giant spiders.

Items

There are 12 item slots in the player's inventory, plus 3 slots for wielding items: The left hand, the right hand, and the body. In the hands, swords, shields and magic rings are wielded. Spell scrolls must also be wielded here before they're cast. On the body, suits of armor is placed.

hops

Items can be sold and bought at shops. The prices go down if the player negotiates successfully or purchases fairly. But they go up if negotiation fails or the player gets caught of theft.

imilar games

* Might and Magic
* Dungeon Master (computer game)
* Wizardry
* Bard's Tale

External links

* [http://projects.gandreas.com/theldrow/index.html Home page]
* [ftp://ftp.funet.fi/pub/mac/games/theldrow.sit Theldrow] as a StuffIt archive in FUNET's FTP archive of old Macintosh games