Darkstone Mystical features revealed

Gathering of Developers and Delphine Software Reveal Darkstone’s Mystical Features Diablo-esque 3D Action Role-Playing Game to Feature 22 Quests, Eight Characters and Seamless 3D World Dallas, TX, May 10, 1999 - Mysterious and magical features abound in Darkstone, a 3D medieval, action role-playing computer game. Developed by Delphine Software International, best known for its Moto Racers series and Fade to Black, Darkstone is a Diablo-esque style game that touts 22 adventurous scenario-led quests, dual character control, and endless replayability. Darkstone also features seamless full 3D environments and real-time lighting. Gathering of Developers, the developer-driven computer and videogame publisher, will publish the game this summer. Take-Two Interactive will publish a PlayStation version through Rockstar Games in the fall of 1999. Darkstone immerses gamers into a fantasy world, putting them in pursuit of seven magical crystals to empower a mystical orb. Attaining the orb is essential to the ultimate defeat of Draak, the horrific dragon that is attempting to annihilate the world’s population. To reach this goal, players must resolve scenario-led quests that mix action and adventure experiences with character emotion and development. In 32 unique dungeons, players confront monsters, creatures such as lizardmen, poisonous scorpions, vampires, and underworld bosses like the Prince of Darkness. “Delphine has developed a fun, easy-to-learn RPG that should draw new followers to the genre,” said Bertrand Gibert of Delphine Software. “With a ton of content-from monsters to magic items to spells-and its Quest Generator, Darkstone features endless play.” In Darkstone, players simultaneously control two heroes on their gothic journey. Gamers can assume either the female or male role of a knight, magician, thief or priest, for a total of eight interchangeable characters. These characters have seven of ten skills, such as concentration, trade, disenchantment and metamorphosis, with ranging levels of expertise. Gamers are challenged to develop and manage their characters’ attributes, in terms of food, rest, and resistance. Through combat and allocated level points, characters evolve and gain skills and experience to aid them in their quests. Each time a new game is started, the gamer plays through eight randomly chosen quests from the game’s 22 quests. Darkstone’s Quest Generator ensures that every time a game is played, the quests, enemies and objects differ. Darkstone’s features include: 100 different enemies based on 30 creature types such as spiders, skeleton captains and a Medusa. 22 types of weapons including hammers and two-handed swords to ward off diabolical enemies. 22 character-oriented skills such as the Magician’s ability to detect magical objects. 32 spells such as language, which allows players to decrypt chat messages during multi-player games, and transformations to cast upon evil creatures and opponents. Night mode in the second half of the game to test gamers’ nocturnal skills. Full camera control (orientation and zoom) and three starting-point options, giving players a great deal of control over how they view the game. Simultaneous control of two characters with the option to set the secondary character on either offensive or defensive mode. 37 levels to explore. A real-time 3D engine supporting intense particle effects, real-time colored lighting, and transparency effects. Optimization for the Pentium III chip. Ability to team with up to eight players to duel over the Internet or a LAN.