| Temple of Apshai Trilogy | |
|---|---|
 Cover artwork by Ken Macklin | |
| Publisher(s) | Epyx |
| Series | Dunjonquest |
| Platform(s) | Amiga, Amstrad CPC, Apple II, Atari ST, Atari 8-bit, Commodore 64, MS-DOS, Mac, Thomson MO5/MO6, Thomson TO7/TO9 |
| Release | 1985 |
| Genre(s) | Adventure |
Temple of Apshai Trilogy is a remake of three games from the Dunjonquest series, Temple of Apshai , Upper Reaches of Apshai, and Curse of Ra.
In 1985, Epyx published a remake of Temple of Apshai, featuring new graphics and music, and bundled with both Upper Reaches of Apshai and Curse of Ra on a single disk into the Temple of Apshai Trilogy. The game was redesigned by Stephen Landrum. [1] The trilogy was ported to 16-bit computers by Westwood Studios. [1] These versions feature mouse controls [2] [3] and room descriptions within the game instead of the manual.
In 1985, Epyx published the remake Temple of Apshai Trilogy for Commodore 64, Atari 8-bit computers, Apple II, Thomson MO, TO computers, and IBM PC listed at a price of $29.95. [4] It was released for the Commodore 64 and Atari 8-bit computers in October 1985, and for the Apple II in November 1985. [5]
The title contains an improved version of the original with Upper Reaches of Apshai and Curse of Ra on a single disk, featuring 12 dungeon levels and 568 rooms total. [6] It was created by Stephen Landrum. [7]
A Mac version of Temple of Apshai Trilogy was also advertised a month later. [6] In the following year, it appeared on Amiga and Atari ST. [8] The Amiga, Atari ST and Macintosh versions were ported by Westwood Studios. [9] Company co-founder Louis Castle stated in an interview with Computer & Video Games that his studio wanted to change the gameplay to real-time, but this was rejected by the publisher. [10] The 16-bit versions introduced a new mouse-controlled interface where commands are selected from pull-down menus, but could also be controlled with the keyboard. [2] [3] The room descriptions are contained in the program here, and can also be accessed through a menu.
In 1987, Temple of Apshai Trilogy was adapted to the Amstrad CPC and Thomson TO by d3M Software and published in France with the title La Trilogie Du Temple D'Apshai. [11] [12]
Gregg Pearlman for Antic said "The Temple of Apshai Trilogy is essentially an enjoyable game, among the most popular of its genre. Many of the elements are interesting and imaginative." [13]
Ervin Bobo for Commodore Power/Play said "good games never die. They either become classics as they are, or are improved upon at a later date. The Temple of Apshai Trilogy proves they can do both." [14]
Patrick J. Kelley for ANALOG Computing said "So, if you're the armchair-barbarian type, come on in. You have nothing to lose but . . ." [15]
Compute!'s Gazette in 1986 called Temple of Apshai Trilogy for the Commodore 64 "a classic series of computer games made even better", stating that improved graphics and game play made it worthwhile even for those who had played them before. [16] Amiga World criticized the Amiga version of Trilogy's repetitiveness, stating that "unless you are very easily amused you will probably lose interest fairly soon". [2] Bill Kunkel, Arnie Katz and Joyce Worley for ANALOG Computing, on the other hand, listed Trilogy as one of the best Atari ST games of 1986, lauded the improved graphics and interface, while asserting that "the actual content is timeless". [3] In Dragon #114's "The Role of Computers" column in 1986, reviewers Hartley and Pattie Lesser also stated that the game was "well-worth your interest." [17] Info gave the Amiga version four-plus stars out of five, stating that the trilogy "has been admirably Amiga-tized". The magazine approved of the graphics, sound, and user interface and concluded that the game would be "more likely to appeal to novices than Ultima". [18]
Roy Wagner reviewed the game for Computer Gaming World , and stated that " For simple exploring adventure and mapping this fills the need. It is a good introduction for beginning or younger players. There are no puzzles to solve." [19]
Lee Hutchinson writing for Ars Technica recalled of the Trilogy set that "It seems like rather a thin experience, but I spent hours wandering through the three Temple adventures as a ludicrously overpowered adventurer. I certainly missed the main point of the game, but it was undeniably fun to wander around and bash monsters." [20]
Rescue On Fractalus! is a space combat simulator video game created by Lucasfilm Games. It was originally released in 1985 for the Atari 8-bit computers and Atari 5200 console, then ported to the Apple II, ZX Spectrum, Amstrad CPC, Tandy Color Computer 3, and Commodore 64. The player flies a space fighter near the surface of a planet, with the goal of rescuing downed pilots. The terrain is generated via fractals, from which the eponymous planet and game title are taken.
Epyx, Inc. was a video game developer and video game publisher active in the late 1970s and 1980s. The company was founded as Automated Simulations by Jim Connelley and Jon Freeman, originally using Epyx as a brand name for action-oriented games before renaming the company to match in 1983. Epyx published a long series of games through the 1980s. The company is currently owned by Bridgestone Multimedia Group Global.
Temple of Apshai is a dungeon crawl role-playing video game developed and published by Automated Simulations in 1979. Originating on the TRS-80 and Commodore PET, it was followed by several updated versions for other computers between 1980 and 1986.
Ballblazer is a futuristic sports game created by Lucasfilm Games and published in 1985 by Epyx. Along with Rescue on Fractalus!, it was one of the initial pair of releases from Lucasfilm Games, Ballblazer was developed and first published for the Atari 8-bit computers. The principal creator and programmer was David Levine. The game was called Ballblaster during development; some pirated versions bear this name.
Nebulus is a platform game created by John M. Phillips and published by Hewson Consultants in the late 1980s for home computer systems. International releases and ports were known by various other names: Castelian, Kyorochan Land, Subline, and Tower Toppler.
Winter Games is a sports video game developed by Epyx, based on sports featured in the Winter Olympic Games.
Trailblazer is a racing video game developed by Mr. Chip Software and published by Gremlin Graphics for the ZX Spectrum, Commodore 64, Atari 8-bit computers, Amstrad CPC, Commodore 16 and Plus/4 in 1986. It was ported to the Amiga and Atari ST.
Antic was a print magazine devoted to Atari 8-bit computers and later the Atari ST. It was named after the ANTIC chip in the 8-bit line which, in concert with CTIA or GTIA, generates the display. The magazine was published by Antic Publishing from April 1982 until June/July 1990.Antic printed type-in programs, reviews, and tutorials, among other articles. Each issue contained one type-in game as "Game of the Month." In 1986, STart magazine was spun off to exclusively cover the Atari ST line.
Summer Games II is an Olympic sports video game developed and published by Epyx in North America, and published by U.S. Gold in Europe, based on sports featured in the Summer Olympic Games. It is a sequel to Summer Games released by Epyx the previous year. Summer Games II was originally written for the Commodore 64 and ported to the Apple II, Atari ST, MS-DOS, ZX Spectrum, Amstrad CPC and Amiga.
Spy's Demise is an action game written by Alan Zeldin for the Apple II and published by Penguin Software in 1982. It was ported to the Atari 8-bit computers, Commodore 64, TI-99/4A, and Vector-06c. The game contains a puzzle which at the time of release could be solved for a Spy's Demise T-shirt. According to Antic magazine in June 1984, only four people had solved it. The game was followed by a 1983 sequel, The Spy Strikes Back.
Gateway to Apshai is an action-adventure game for the Commodore 64, ColecoVision and Atari 8-bit computers. It was developed by The Connelley Group and published by Epyx in 1983 as a prequel to Temple of Apshai. It is a more action-oriented version of Temple of Apshai, with smoother and faster graphics, streamlined controls, fewer role-playing video game elements, and fewer room descriptions.
Beach Head II: The Dictator Strikes Back is 1985 shoot 'em up video game for the Commodore 64, a sequel to Beach Head, developed and published by Access Software. It was designed by Bruce Carver and his brother, Roger, and was released for the Amstrad CPC, Apple II, Atari 8-bit computers, Commodore 64, and ZX Spectrum.
The Chessmaster 2000 is a computer chess game by The Software Toolworks. It was the first in the Chessmaster series and published in 1986. It was released for Amiga, Apple II, Atari 8-bit computers, Atari ST, ZX Spectrum, Commodore 64, Amstrad CPC, MSX, Macintosh, and IBM PC compatibles.
Leader Board is a series of golf simulation video games that was developed by Bruce Carver and Roger Carver, and published by Access Software.
Boulder Dash Construction Kit is the fourth game in the Boulder Dash series. It was published for the Commodore 64 and Atari 8-bit computers in 1986 by Epyx. Ports were released for the Apple II, Atari ST, Amiga, Amstrad CPC, ZX Spectrum, and MS-DOS. The Spectrum version was rereleased as Boulder Dash IV: The Game. Boulder Dash Construction Kit includes new levels and a level editor.
Dunjonquest is a series of single-player, single-character fantasy computer role-playing games by Automated Simulations. Temple of Apshai was the most successful and most widely ported game in the series. The games relied on strategy and pen & paper RPG style rules and statistics.
Spy vs. Spy II: The Island Caper is a 1985 video game developed by First Star Software. It is the sequel to Spy vs. Spy. It can be played as both single-player and multiplayer
Ninja is a beat 'em up game developed by Sculptured Software and released by Mastertronic in 1986 for the Atari 8-bit computers, Commodore 64, and ZX Spectrum, then in 1987 for the Amstrad CPC, Amiga, Atari ST, and MS-DOS. An arcade version of the game was released in 1987 for Mastertronic's Arcadia Systems which is based on Amiga hardware. The Amiga, Atari ST, and Arcade versions were released as Ninja Mission. As a Ninja, the player attacks a fortress made of individual fixed screens which can be explored non-linearly.
Golden Oldies: Volume 1 - Computer Software Classics is a retrospective compilation of four video games from prior to the microcomputer era: Adventure, Eliza, Life, and Pong. It was published in 1985 for the Apple II, Atari 8-bit computers, Commodore 64, and MS-DOS. Atari ST and Amiga versions followed in 1986. Despite the "Volume 1" in the title, no further collections were released.
Stealth is a pseudo-3D rail shooter designed by Tracy Lagrone and Richard Sansom. The game was published in 1984 by Broderbund for the Atari 8-bit computers and Commodore 64.
Redesign by: Stephen Landrum
Amiga Version by: Westwood