Menzoberranzan

• Platform: IBM PC Compatible
• Release Date: 1994
• Genre: Role-Playing
• Style: First-Person RPG
• Similar Games: Dungeon Master II: The Legend of Skullkeep (IBM PC Compatible)

Game Description

In another Forgotten Realms game, Menzoberranzan, a hostile city in the realm called Underdark, sets the stage for this role-playing experience. As you begin Menzoberranzan, your companions are kidnapped and forced underground by the Drow Elves, a merciless bunch of evil worshipers who fight and use magic with equal prowess. But, as you are drawn into the game, what appears to be a simple search and rescue mission to save your friends turns into a much larger and demanding journey. The drow elves, minions of Lolth, the Spider Queen, were looking for their darkworld traitor Drizzt Do'Urden and you and your village just happened to get in the way. There is much more at stake than just rescuing your friends.

Menzoberranzan comes with all the standard fare of role-playing games. Character generation is based on the fundamental four basic factors: race (elf, dwarf, gnome, human, half-elf or halfling), class (cleric, mage, ranger, fighter, paladin, thief), alignment (good or neutral as lawful or chaotic, neutral good or true neutral), and six attributes. A wide range of weapons, magic spells, surprises, nasty creatures and evil opponents await the adventurer in this subterranean world.

With a full range of options to customize the game on your computer, Menzoberranzan provides intensive gameplay for all fans of the genre who like to mix magic and fighting in a blend of adventuring, exploration and mayhem.

Review: Overall

The initial disappointment of any experienced fan of the fantasy role-playing genre when playing Menzoberranzan will probably lie in the realization that there is nothing new here from previous titles of the Forgotten Realms series. You've seen this before in the guise of a different story, similar graphics and stereo-typed characters. There's something to be said for the old adage, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it!", but there should be equal emphasis on improving or enhancing a product to keep it fresh and inspired. This isn't a bad game, it's just sort of like an old car that's been carefully maintained (but without new parts) to keep it running. However, there is an upside to this. It's comfortable and will get you where you want to go, sure and steady.

Menzoberranzan is, not surprisingly, a very long game. It's filled with enough mini-quests and dungeon crawling segments to keep even the most die-hard hack and slasher occupied for hours and hours. The central quest, freeing the village and rescuing the unfortunates who got spirited away by those nasty drow elves, is achievable but not before your two characters have paid the price through experience and level advancement. Like any decent role-playing game, this one contains a vast array of weaponry, spells and items to be mastered by your adventurers. Since you are limited to two primary characters, your selection of the class (cleric, mage, ranger, paladin, thief or fighter), influenced by which of the six races he/she belongs to, is a factor in how you'll manage to complete your mission. The good news is that you can "employ" two other non-player characters throughout the game. The better news is that you're not stuck with anyone that joins your party of four as you have the option to dump them anytime and find someone new with skills more to your liking. This ongoing decision-making of which NPC's best meet your needs is integral to the game and adds a welcome dimension of strategy.

The interface is simple and straightforward. Maneuvering in the 3-D game world is generally easy but not without its occasional hiccup or stumble. You'll find the world in Menzoberranzan to be relatively flat without the need for such activities as swimming or mountain climbing. There is an auto-mapping feature that allows you to make data entries and doesn't limit you to looking at one map depending on your location. You have the option of scrolling through all the maps you've uncovered as your adventurers make their way through the various locations. Sound effects are basically well done and the musical score of the game is a highlight. If you're looking for something really new and innovative in the world of role-playing, Menzoberranzan will not be the answer to your search. If you're looking for a tried and tested, dungeon crawl type adventure with lots of fighting and spell casting and a decent plot/storyline, then you could do worse than this one.

Review: Enjoyment

A typical role-playing adventure. If you like hack and slash, spell casting, exploration based RPG's, Menzoberranzan works. Just don't look for ground breaking graphics and dynamic movement.

Review: Graphics

High resolution 3-D environment is occasionally rough and unpolished and can slow movement in certain areas. For the most part, the graphics are clear and detailed but fall a bit short of creating a desired moody atmosphere.

Review: Sound

Music is really good but the sound effects are standard fare.

Review: Replay Value

Multiple choices in character generation usually make for good replay value and this is no exception.

Review: Documentation

Good manual with lots of information.

Production Credits