Lords of Chaos (video game)

Infobox VG
title=Lords of Chaos


developer=Julian Gollop
publisher=Blade Software
genre=Turn-based tactics, Fantasy theme
released=8-bit: April 1990
16-bit: August 1991
modes=1 to 4 players, turn based, depends on scenario
platforms=Amstrad CPC, Atari ST, Commodore 64, Amiga, ZX Spectrum
designer =Julian Gollop, Nick Gollop, Matt Furnish, Martin Beadle
engine =
ratings =
media =
requirements =
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"Lords of Chaos" is a turn-based tactics video game, the sequel to "Chaos" and an ancestor of the popular X-COM series of games. As with the other games, it was written by Julian Gollop. In the game, each player controls a wizard who can cast various magic spells. The spells have various effects, for example summoning other creatures, which the player also controls or damaging opposing creatures and wizards. The game can be played against a computer-controlled opponent or by up to four human players, and was released on both 8-bit and 16-bit platforms. The 8-bit versions (for the ZX Spectrum, Commodore 64 and Amstrad CPC) were released in April 1990, with the 16-bit versions (Atari ST and Commodore Amiga) following in August 1991. The prices were £9.95 for the Spectrum/Commodore 64/Amstrad CPC tape, £19.95 for the Atari ST disk and £24.95 for the Commodore Amiga disk. An IBM PC version was scheduled for release but never emerged.

As "Lords Of Chaos" is now over 15 years old and has been made freeware, [cite web | url = http://www.worldofspectrum.org/showwrap.cgi?permit=import/DamienBurke.html#GOLLOP | title = World of Spectrum Permissions| accessdate = 2007-06-06] most regular players use emulator software to play this game because of the difficulty in getting these vintage computer systems.

Game mechanics

Before embarking on the game's levels, the player is asked to design a wizard. This is done by splitting experience points amongst mana, action points, stamina, constitution, combat, defense and magic resistance. Remaining experience points are spent on spells. Spells may be offensive in nature ("magic bolt", "curse"), potions ("speed potion", "healing potion"), utility ("teleport", "magic eye") or summoning ("goblin", "unicorn", etc). These spells continue the theme from "Chaos" and include some of that games more unusual elements ("gooey blob", for example.)

After completing each scenario, the player may spend accumulated experience points to further improve their wizard.

The aim of each level of the game is for a player's wizard to reach a portal which appears after a preset number of turns. To do this, the player's wizard and creatures move around a map composed of square tiles, each of which represents one of various terrain types (for example, forest or the wall of a building). During a player's turn, only the parts of the map which that player's wizard or creatures have previously seen are shown, thus leading to other human players having to look away from the screen during each turn to avoid learning information they "shouldn't" know. Points are awarded for a player's wizard reaching the portal, for holding items of treasure (for example, valuable gems) when the wizard reaches the portal, or for enemy creatures killed during the level. Each level ends when all wizards have reached the portal or been killed, or when the portal disappears after a fixed number of turns (in which case all the remaining wizards lose).

During each turn, each creature has a fixed number of action points which it can use to accomplish actions, for example moving, fighting hand-to-hand or shooting ranged weapons. When a creature's action points are used up for the turn, it can take no actions until all the players have had a turn.

The scenarios

The game came shipped with three scenarios: "The Many Coloured Land" provided both indoor and outdoor environments; "Slayer's Dungeon" was a traditional monster-inhabited dungeon containing a powerful sword; "Ragaril's Domain" was single-player only, set in a trap-filled palace.

An expansion pack was also available if purchased directly from Mythos Games which contained two further scenarios – "Islands of Iris" and "Tombs of the Undead" – the latter was single-player only.

A demonstration scenario called "Escape From Zol" was released on the covers of "Your Sinclair" and "Zero" magazines. It was single-player only and very similar in style to "Ragaril's Domain" where you had to escape from a trap-filled building. However, even if the player won, their wizard's experience could not be used in the other five scenarios.

Critical reaction

The Spectrum version of "Lords of Chaos" was reviewed in 1990 by "Your Sinclair", awarding 90% [cite journal |last=Wilson |first=David |authorlink= |coauthors= |year=1990 |month=June |title=Lords of Chaos review |journal=Your Sinclair |volume= |issue=54 |pages= |id= |url=http://www.ysrnry.co.uk/articles/lordsofchaos.htm |accessdate= 2007-09-01 |quote=A whopper of a game - perhaps not the kind of fodder to keep die-hard arcadesters happy, but "D&D" fans, sword and sorcery nuts and strategy enthusiasts will absolutely lap it up. If you fall even vaguely into any of these categories then you'll certainly want to check out "Lords Of Chaos". ] , and by "CRASH", awarding 80%. [cite journal |last= |first= |authorlink= |coauthors= |year=1990 |month=May |title=Lords of Chaos review |journal=CRASH |volume= |issue=76 |pages= |id= |url=http://www.crashonline.org.uk/76/chaos.htm |accessdate= 2007-09-01 |quote=I liked "Laser Squad", and budding and hard core strategists should love this. It has the same sort of feel as "Laser Squad", and indeed the same type of graphical detail. Reviews rarely do justice to games as complex as this. Just take my word: it's worth looking out for.] Both reviews highlighted the game's detailed, colourful graphics and the complexity and depth of the strategic gameplay.

References

External links

* [http://l-o-c.sourceforge.net/ Zak Evans's "Lords of Chaos" remake site at sourceforge.net]
* [http://www.geocities.com/amigalordsofchaos/ Joseph Q. Numpty's "Lords Of Chaos" for Commodore Amiga and Atari ST tribute and emulation website]
* [http://www.halifaxwallace.freeserve.co.uk/ W.R. Wallace's "Lords Of Chaos" for Commodore Amiga website]
*WoS game|id=0002930|name=Lords of Chaos
* [http://hol.abime.net/914 Hall Of Light's information page about "Lords Of Chaos" for Commodore Amiga]
* [http://www.classicgaming.com/amigareviews/lordsofc.htm#lordsofchaoscu A review of the Commodore Amiga version of the game]
* [http://www.myatari.net/issues/feb2003/loc.htm A review of the Atari ST version of the game]