Shadowcaster

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Shadowcaster
Studio Raven software
Publisher Origin Systems
Senior Developer Steve Raffel, Brian Raffel, Steve Coallier
Erstveröffent-
lichung		 1993
platform DOS
Game engine Doom prototype
genre Ego shooter
Game mode Single player
control Keyboard and mouse
system advantages
preconditions		 80386 33 MHz, 4 MB RAM, hard disk, DOS 5.0
medium 5 3.5-inch HD disks
language English

Shadowcaster is an early first-person shooter and 3D computer role-playing game developed by Raven Software for MS-DOS computers in 1993 . The game engine was an early prototype of the Doom engine.

Game description

The player slips into the role of the human Kirt, who is later called Shadowcaster (shadow thrower). He comes from the magical race The people who have the gift of shapeshifting . The aim is to destroy evil (Malkor). It can take on six different meta-forms, flying, running and swimming. You get a new metaform when you touch an obelisk .

Shapeshifting forms
  • Kirt (human), special skills: jumping, kicking. Only in this form can he regenerate
  • Maorin (large, upright cat with four arms and two legs). Advantages: faster running, stronger, better visual abilities. Disadvantage: afraid of water
  • Caun (little elf) advantages: long jump, camouflage shield, agility. Disadvantage: forces are used directly
  • Opsis (flying ball with one eye, similar to a Beholder in Dungeons & Dragons ). Pros: good swimmer, sends out a deadly stream of air, expands the map view. Disadvantage: weak fighter.
  • Kahpa (frogman). Advantage: good fighter, underwater breathing, generates electric shocks.
  • Ssair (flying dragon). Strong and robust, it can breathe fire.
  • Grost ( golem ). Very robust, can paralyze and produce earthquakes, as well as break through walls.

In addition to fighting, you have to collect items as well as eat and drink in the game. There are also teleporters.

technology

The graphics are relatively pixelated for today's standards and offer 256 colors (VGA). There is fast 3D action for that. The game already offers automapping ; the size of the main screen can be reduced to run smoothly on slower computers ( 80386 ). Usually the screen consists of various displays for the inventory, the view of the character used, the contents of the two hands and the power displays, which are located in the right third. But you can switch to full screen.

There is Soundblaster Pro support (music) and digital voice and sound effects. The input device Cyberman from Logitech is also supported.

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