Master of Magic

[Paladin2000]

This is not a CRPG. Just an old DOS turn based stratergy games by Microprose (developed by Simtex, I think). It is kind of like Civilization mixed with the element of magic. Plus, the fun part is that you get to recruit Heroes whom actually participate in combat.

This is what HOMM should be years ago... If you enjoy HOMM and don't mind the outdated graphics, give this old game a try. Oh, remember to patch it up first. I think the lastest patch is version 1.31

Where to get it? Almost all the abandonware site has it. Since it is not technically a freeware, I can't post any links here, sorry!

[Lox]

A lot of my college friends loved this game. I have always been more of a sci-fi fan than a fantasy fan, so I was partial to Master of Orion I and II, but MOM was definately one of the better turn-based strategy games out there. The cool part was that you could customize your character by picking ranks in different spell spheres which would determine what spells you could research. There were also other advantages you could pick if you wanted to forgo spell ranks (e.g. Artificer (let you enchant items easier) or Warlord (your units start at level 2 instead of 1)). IIRC it didn't have multiplayer support which is too bad. Then again maybe it did. It's probably been 6 or 7 years since I've played it.

And if you like sci-fi turn-based strat check out Master of Orion 2.

[Jorath Calar]

I love this game, I remember playing it almost to death few years ago... one of the best [img]smile.gif[/img]

[Paladin2000]

There is a sort of multiplayer mod for MOM but I think it is not very stable. Anyway, some games aren't meant for multiplayer and I can't imagine myself sitting and waiting for my opponent to finish of his move. Since it is a turn based game, this might quite a while... naaah, I don't think I have the patience for that.

Anyway, I downloaded some cool savegame editors and let me tell you, cheating in MOM is extremely fun! I got my six champion heroes roaming around, attacking my enemies while my other troops stations in the cities as defence force. It is quite a sight seeing all six heroes fighting in a single battle. Mwahahahaha!!!

If you are really bored and have no other games to play, be sure to check it out again. Some old games are just too good to die out.

[edited]
BTW, I have MOO and MOO2. Both of them are pretty neat. I have also played X-COM I, II and III. I bought Civilization III a while ago but didn't like it because of the limit on the maximum number of turns/years (victory condition) and I can't seems to be able to turn it off. I think the game automatically ends at the year 2000 or something...rather annoying little "feature".

I also bought HOMM IV but it is still not as good as MOM (IMHO), despite the nice graphics and all...

[ 08-28-2002, 02:01 AM: Message edited by: Paladin2000 ]

[Lox]

Originally posted by Paladin2000: There is a sort of multiplayer mod for MOM but I think it is not very stable. Anyway, some games aren't meant for multiplayer and I can't imagine myself sitting and waiting for my opponent to finish of his move. Since it is a turn based game, this might quite a while... naaah, I don't think I have the patience for that.

I have always been hesitant to play turn-based multi-player games for exactly this reason. I think there was a turn-based game like MOM (it may have been Age of Wonders) that had a simultaneous turns for multi-player play. It of course required a LAN or Internet connection (none of that old-school hot-seat play). Come to think of it, there are probably several games that used this feature. It helps somewhat, but I still don't enjoy "slow" multi-player games. I much prefer Counter-Strike, TA and SC, but thats another topic.

[Ilythiiri]

this game is really fun and addictive!!.... even now i still have the orginal floppies with me!!!

[True_Moose]

I got it for about $20 3 years ago w/ X-Com 1, X-Com 2, and Master of Orion, all in one package. One of the best buys I've found in years of bargain bin hunting.

[Indemaijinj]

Which races are your favourites.

While I could never imagine playing gnolls as my main race I always insisted on having a town of them if I was a surfacer. Reason: Gnoll wolfraiders (or whatever those wolf riders were called). I usually had a core of three regiments of these. They would usually steamroll over any opposition, even big summoned nasties.

As a main race I tended to like orcs or high men, and those cute draconians.

Trolls might be fun but the Troll/Black Channel exploit gets old really fast.

[True_Moose]

Depends. I like all the Myrrhan races, but I don't care enough to spend 3(!) books for it. Other than that, high elves and my fav, lizardmen

[Paladin2000]

I prefer highmen. They can build most of the buildings and the Paladin is quite a decent high level unit. On the other hand, Orcs are quite good too because they can build all of the building types but the only problem is that Orcs' high level units aren't that impressive.

[ 09-20-2002, 08:48 AM: Message edited by: Paladin2000 ]