Dungeons & Dragons: Dark Sun Series

Old school turn-based role playing game. Interesting story, not too easy. Complete cheat pdf included. I'm delighted to be able to play this (again). I didn't buy all the TSR gold-boxes, only Dark Sun, Eye of the beholder serie and al-qadim.

My favorite game

Classic I've played since the 90's. Everyone should give it a shot

cool but older then my ass hair

This is a gem. I would buy this again as a reboot if that ever happens. DnD rules!

For starters, there is one negative review that is unfairly bringing the rest of the rating down. The review claims that the games sucks because it could have been better if was remastered. I agree it would have been better but giving this a thumbs down based on what it COULD be is just wrong. If you want to see a remaster of this game, giving it a thumbs down and encouraging people not to buy this version is pretty dumb. If you like this game, go thumbs up some of the positive ratings. TRANSFER CHARACTERS FROM DARK SUNS SHATTERED LANDS TO WAKE OF THE RAVAGER!!! First, you need to beat Shattered Lands, then when it drops you back into the game do any remaining side quests you want to and then save it. For steam you have to edit the game.conf in the Dark Sun 2 folder. Take the save game file from the original game, create a folder in the Dark Suns 2 Dosbox game folder where the RAVAGER folder is and name the new folder DSUN. At this point the only two folders should be RAVAGER and DSUN. this is the folder that Dosbox uses for C:\. Place the save game file from Dark Sun Shattered lands into the DSUN folder you just created. Now find the game.conf in the Dark Suns 2 folder and edit it with notepad. Change where it says RAVAGE.BAT to CHARTRAN.EXE and save. Run the game like normal, it should show up with a screen that says something like C:\dsun C:\Ravager press enter to transfer. Press enter, you'll see it throw the character names up there and its done. Change the line in game.conf from CHARTRAN.EXE back to RAVAGE.BAT save and they should show up when you go to character creation, right click and chose add. You'll get the vast majority of your items when you start a game in ravager. All xp past lvl 9 will be added and after the first combat event you'll level up to where you XP is. For example my mage leveled from 9 to 12 immediately because even though the level cap in the first game was 9 I had the XP to get to lvl 12. Some of the armor pieces and various books and quest items turned into 1 ceramic piece and one belt turned into a leather body armor. I wish I new about this feature back in the 90's I probably would have given this game more a chance. Dosbox cycles matter. If your magic battles are going slow (as mine were) then use CTRL + F12 to increase cycles (12,000 + seemed to work for me) and CTRL + F11 to decrease cycles. The game is great and holds up well I think. I love the different races and classes to choose from. The combat is excellent and starting you off in the arena as a tutorial of sorts is brilliant. When you get out into the desert and the world opens up its just fantastic to explore. I love the setting and a lot of the stories that you encounter are really good. The game is definitely set up for you to be the "Good guy saviour of the wastes type of guy but there are plenty of evil ways to finish the quests also." Personal Favorite Team. I like running the thief as the main character so that all the options they have will readily appear. I almost didn't go with a thief at all but as my primary character I seem to be getting better random loot. Went with Ranger instead of Fighter or Gladiator because of the no penalties to duel wielding. Melee combat is extremely powerful and the mutliclass system doesn't seem to have many limitations. It's kind of like going into combat with 4 rangers, 3 clerics, 2 preservers and 1 thief. Half Elf - Ranger / Preserver / Thief Thri-Kreen - Cleric / Ranger / Psionic Half-Giant - Ranger / Cleric Elf - Preserver / Cleric / Ranger The game is clunky and if you specialize (meaning you only pick one class) then you might find yourself having a hard time with the final battle and the next game if you decide to try that option. Or at least that's what happened to me. Couldn't figure out what was going on and saw that most people use multiclasses online. Having tried multiclasses out I find that it's definitely the way to go. I remember as a kid playing the game as 4 half giants with different classes. I might try that again on my next playthrough. I also didin't realize that there was a huge underground temple that connected a lot of the maps together until literally the end of the game so something to look forward to next time. Also, having played through it a few times now I really enjoy the "random encounters" you come across. Not sure how many there are exactly, and there's one with a druid where you collect butterflys that I haven't found yet. Not sure if you need to be a specific class ... any help is welcome.

a gold classic ! dungeons and dragons (advanced) at its best

Developed by Strategic Simulations and published by SNEG, Dungeons & Dragons: Dark Sun Series is a collection that preserves two of the most distinctive role-playing games ever released under the Dungeons & Dragons license: Dark Sun: Shattered Lands and Dark Sun: Wake of the Ravager. While many fantasy RPGs take place in worlds filled with thriving kingdoms, noble heroes, and lush landscapes, the Dark Sun games transport players to Athas, a brutal desert world scarred by ecological devastation, political oppression, and constant struggle for survival. Even decades after their original release, these games remain notable for their unique setting, ambitious design, and willingness to challenge both players and genre conventions. The setting alone is enough to separate the collection from most fantasy role-playing games. Athas is not a world of abundance but one of scarcity. Water is precious, vegetation is rare, and powerful sorcerer-kings dominate the few remaining city-states. The environment feels hostile long before players encounter enemies, creating a sense of danger that permeates every aspect of the adventure. This bleak atmosphere gives the games a personality unlike anything found in more traditional fantasy worlds. The setting feels closer to a post-apocalyptic survival story than a conventional heroic quest, making exploration consistently interesting. Dark Sun: Shattered Lands begins with a compelling premise that immediately establishes the harsh realities of Athas. Players take control of a party of gladiatorial slaves who must escape captivity and navigate a dangerous world filled with political intrigue, hostile creatures, and ruthless rulers. The progression from powerless prisoners to influential figures capable of shaping the fate of entire regions creates a rewarding narrative arc. Unlike many RPGs where heroes begin with a sense of destiny, Shattered Lands makes players earn every victory through determination and careful decision-making. Wake of the Ravager builds upon that foundation by expanding the scale of the story. The sequel introduces even greater threats and explores more of the Dark Sun setting, presenting a larger and more ambitious adventure. Together, the two games create a cohesive journey that showcases many of the most interesting aspects of Athas. Players who complete both titles gain a deeper appreciation for the setting's lore, conflicts, and unique interpretation of fantasy storytelling. Character creation is one of the strongest aspects of the collection. Instead of focusing on a single protagonist, players assemble an entire party, selecting races, classes, and abilities that influence how the adventure unfolds. This approach creates a greater sense of strategic planning because party composition directly affects combat effectiveness and exploration options. Building a balanced group becomes an enjoyable challenge in its own right, particularly for players who appreciate traditional tabletop-inspired mechanics. The games draw heavily from Advanced Dungeons & Dragons rules, and that influence is felt throughout the experience. Character progression, combat calculations, spellcasting, and skill development all reflect the complexity of the tabletop system. For longtime Dungeons & Dragons fans, this authenticity is a major strength. The games successfully capture the feeling of managing a tabletop party while adapting those mechanics to a computer RPG format. Combat remains one of the most engaging elements despite the age of the games. Battles are tactical and require careful positioning, resource management, and strategic thinking. Charging blindly into encounters is rarely effective. Instead, players must consider the strengths and weaknesses of their party while making efficient use of spells, psionic powers, and equipment. The tactical depth helps keep combat rewarding, especially as enemies become more dangerous later in the adventure. One feature that makes the Dark Sun games particularly memorable is their use of psionics. Unlike many fantasy settings where magic dominates every aspect of gameplay, Athas gives psychic powers a major role. Characters can develop unique abilities that add both narrative flavor and strategic flexibility. The inclusion of psionics helps reinforce the world's identity and creates gameplay opportunities that feel distinct from other Dungeons & Dragons adaptations. Exploration is another area where the games excel. Athas feels vast and unpredictable, encouraging players to venture beyond the main storyline. Hidden locations, optional quests, and unexpected encounters reward curiosity. The sense of discovery is enhanced by the unusual setting, as players never quite know what strange creature, ruined settlement, or dangerous faction they might encounter next. Quest design is surprisingly sophisticated for games of this era. Many objectives involve more than simply defeating enemies. Players frequently engage with political conflicts, negotiate with various groups, and make choices that influence the course of events. These elements help the world feel alive and provide additional depth beyond the combat systems. From a visual standpoint, the collection clearly reflects its early 1990s origins. The pixel art, interface layouts, and animations are undeniably dated by modern standards. However, the presentation still succeeds at conveying the harsh nature of Athas. Desert landscapes, ruined structures, and exotic creatures create a memorable atmosphere despite technical limitations. For fans of classic RPGs, the retro visuals may even enhance the experience by preserving the authenticity of the original releases. The soundtrack and sound design contribute effectively to immersion. Music reinforces the feeling of exploring a harsh and unforgiving world, while environmental sounds and combat effects help bring encounters to life. Although the audio lacks the cinematic quality of modern RPGs, it remains appropriate for the setting and supports the overall tone of the adventure. Unfortunately, the collection also inherits many of the frustrations associated with older role-playing games. The user interface can feel cumbersome, inventory management is often awkward, and important information is not always presented clearly. Modern players accustomed to detailed quest logs, streamlined menus, and extensive tutorials may initially struggle with the lack of convenience features. The learning curve is particularly steep. Many mechanics are based on older Dungeons & Dragons systems that are not immediately intuitive for newcomers. Understanding combat calculations, character statistics, and progression systems often requires patience and experimentation. While experienced RPG fans may appreciate this complexity, less experienced players could find it intimidating. Difficulty can also be unforgiving. The games rarely hold the player's hand, and mistakes can have serious consequences. Success often depends on careful preparation and a solid understanding of party management. This demanding approach contributes to the sense of accomplishment but may not appeal to everyone. or players willing to embrace older mechanics and design philosophies, the collection offers a rewarding journey through a world unlike any other. Athas remains one of fantasy gaming's most fascinating settings, and these two adventures represent some of the finest explorations of that universe. While the lack of modern conveniences may discourage some newcomers, those who appreciate classic RPGs will discover a pair of ambitious adventures filled with depth, challenge, and unforgettable atmosphere. Rating: 8/10

!!! STEAM DECK !! Runs out of the box. But: for audio to work, might require config. from pre-launcher app (easy). And to enjoy the game in 16:10 display format, requires config. from pre-launcher app as well. See report on ProtonDB (https://www.protondb.com/app/1904580).

D&D Goldbox goodness