Dungeons & Dragons: Ravenloft Series

Great throwback to the good ol' days

Mysteriös, mysteriös Hier geht's zu meinem Nostalgie-Waetsch's Play: https://youtu.be/QSbkC24ec7c Die Grafik und Sound dieses 1st-Person-Gruppen-RPG lassen sich tolerieren, die Steuerung hingegen ist nach heutigen Maßstäben ein Horror. Der König wurde überfallen, die Beraterin ermordet und noch dazu ein wichtiges Relikt gestohlen. Da liegt es an unserer Heldentruppe, Verlorenes wiederzuholen und zu rächen. Aber als wir die Schurken verfolgen, werden wir plötzlich von einem mysteriösen Nebel "fortgezaubert". Im neuen Land haben wir es mit finsteren Gesellen zu tun und müssen erst mal herausfinden, was hier so läuft. Die Umgebung wird uns aus der 1st-Person-Perspektive gezeigt, und denkt daran, die ist aus 1994. Anders als in z. B. Ultima Underworld bewegen wir uns auch nicht in Dungeons, sondern durch Wälder und Dörfer in einer quasi Open-World. Auch sind wir hier nicht in Rechtecken unterwegs, sondern bewegen und drehen uns flüssig in alle Richtungen. Sounds deuten Gefahren an, so hören wir z. B. den Wolf schon knurren, bevor wir ihn sehen. Bei der Steuerung wurde auch viel gewagt und (leider) wenig gewonnen. Spontan würde man heute die Bewegung mit WASD steuern, mit der Maustaste schlagen. Nicht so 1994, da wurde sich noch entweder mit dem Nummernblock bewegt oder mit der gedrückten linken Maustaste plus Bewegung in eine Ecke. Das braucht "Einarbeitung" und fühlt sich einfach nicht richtig an. Hakelig wird es auch bei den Kämpfen. Die Gegner kommen auf uns zugelaufen (die Kämpfe laufen in Echtzeit) und wir klicken dann mit der linken Maustaste auf ihn. Manchmal ist er aber zu weit weg, manchmal schwuppt er hinter uns und wir drehen uns recht müßig um die eigene Achse, um den Scherken wieder ins Visier zu bekommen. Vermutlich lohnt es sich, mit STRG-F1 die Tastenbelegung über die DOSBox zu ändern (das Spiel selbst erlaubt es nicht), um so ein etwas moderneres Gefühl zu bekommen. Aber auch wenn die Steuerung ziemlich ärgerlich ist, kann man doch Spaß haben. Natürlich setzt das voraus, dass man bei der Grafik 1,5 Augen zudrückt und eben kein modernes Spiel erwartet. Folgt mir auch gerne bei Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/curator/41912197-waetschs-play

Dungeons & Dragons: Ravenloft Series is a classic RPG compilation developed by DreamForge Intertainment and republished for modern systems by SNEG, bringing together Ravenloft: Strahd’s Possession and Ravenloft: Stone Prophet in a single package. Originally released in the mid-1990s, these titles represent an era when first-person dungeon crawling was evolving into more immersive, real-time experiences. Set within the gothic horror realms of the Dungeons & Dragons Ravenloft campaign setting, the collection offers a distinct tone compared to traditional high-fantasy RPGs, emphasizing dread, atmosphere, and moral tension over heroic spectacle. Strahd’s Possession transports players to the cursed land of Barovia, a mist-covered domain ruled by the infamous vampire lord Count Strahd von Zarovich. The setting itself is one of the strongest elements of the experience. Villages feel oppressive, forests seem perpetually haunted, and ancient castles loom over the landscape as constant reminders of Strahd’s dominance. The game unfolds from a first-person perspective, allowing players to explore towns, dungeons, and wilderness areas while assembling a party of adventurers. The combination of real-time combat and traditional Dungeons & Dragons mechanics gives encounters a dynamic edge, though the system still relies heavily on strategic preparation and careful party composition. The sequel, Stone Prophet, shifts the environment dramatically, replacing Barovia’s gloomy woods with the arid deserts of Har’Akir. This change in setting introduces a different flavor of horror, rooted in ancient curses and desert mysticism. Sandstorms, crumbling ruins, and undead creatures roaming forgotten tombs create a hostile and atmospheric world. While the tone remains firmly within gothic horror, the shift in geography adds welcome variety. The continuity of core mechanics ensures familiarity, but the altered landscape and narrative themes keep the second installment from feeling like a simple retread. Both games rely heavily on party management and character development drawn from Advanced Dungeons & Dragons rules. Players recruit companions, balance skills and abilities, and manage equipment and spellcasting resources carefully. Combat occurs in real time but is deeply influenced by character statistics and tactical positioning. Encounters can be punishing, particularly when entering areas unprepared, reinforcing the importance of planning and understanding enemy weaknesses. This blend of action-oriented exploration and traditional RPG depth defines the series’ identity. Visually, the series reflects its 1990s origins. Character models, textures, and environmental details are dated by modern standards, but they maintain a certain nostalgic charm. The first-person perspective was ambitious for its time, creating a sense of immersion that distinguished it from strictly grid-based dungeon crawlers. Sound design supports the mood effectively, with eerie musical themes and ambient effects that heighten tension. While the interface and controls may feel cumbersome compared to contemporary RPGs, they are part of the historical authenticity preserved in this re-release. The modern Steam release maintains the core experience without major overhauls, focusing instead on compatibility and accessibility. Players approaching the series today should expect mechanics rooted in an earlier design philosophy—less streamlined, more demanding, and occasionally opaque. However, for those willing to engage with its systems, the games offer a richly atmospheric journey through one of Dungeons & Dragons’ most distinctive campaign settings. Ultimately, Dungeons & Dragons: Ravenloft Series stands as both a time capsule and a testament to the ambition of early 3D RPG development. Its blend of gothic horror storytelling, party-based tactical depth, and immersive first-person exploration gives it a unique identity within the broader D&D video game lineage. While modern players may need patience to adapt to its dated mechanics, those drawn to classic CRPG design and the haunting allure of Ravenloft will find a compelling and atmospheric adventure that remains memorable decades after its original release. Rating: 7/10

Back in the day and age where Windows didn't exist and where MS-DOS reigned. The games back then were focused on quality and telling stories; less so about trying to milk you for your money's worth. I can highly recommend every game in the old TSR series and anything in the 80s/90s D&D library.

Really enjoyable dungeon crawler, probably one of my favourites with a super unique atmosphere and setting. The first entry, Strahd's possession, is prone to game breaking bugs and crashes, so be prepared for some instability. Otherwise, a great game. Bring a cleric.

https://youtu.be/2V-O7_Z20XY Classics now thirty years old have a lot of historical wealth but lack strength for modern players to make it worth going back to.

Non capisco chi dice che l'interfaccia è una delle peggiori, a quanto pare non hanno giocato Deathkeep o altri titoli mooolto più confusionari, infatti ho trovato quella di questo gioco uno dei più semplificati anche perchè ti troverai poche volte bloccato non capendo cosa fare e l'esplorazione è molto più contenuta.

Dungeons & Dragons: Ravenloft Series is a darker, moodier twist on the traditional Gold Box formula. Set in the gothic horror world of Ravenloft, these games (Strahd’s Possession and Stone Prophet) lean heavily into atmosphere, trading high fantasy heroics for creeping dread and isolation. The shift to a more immersive, first-person style adds a unique edge, while still retaining that classic D&D structure of party management, exploration, and combat. It can feel a bit clunky at times, but the setting does a lot of heavy lifting - the tone is consistently eerie, and the world feels oppressive in a way few games of the era pulled off. If you’re a fan of Ravenloft or want a more horror-tinged take on classic D&D RPGs, this is worth diving into.

I'm glad these games were ported over to Steam. Hidden classics, and one of the only games set in the Ravenloft universe. It can be tricky with a lot of puzzles, hidden buttons to open doors, and a lot of enemies swarming you. There is a learning curve that can be hard to learn without looking at the manual or cluebook, but that is expected for a D&D RPG made in the 90's.

It took a bit but the gameplay really grew on me, especially after I discovered you can navigate with the mouse. After getting over the dated mechanics and game world, it's a very charming game with very charming characters. They really demonstrate the principle of less is more.