Harbinger (2003)
Genres:Role-playing (RPG)
Themes:Action, Science fiction
Game modes:Single player
Story:A huge ship, known as the Harbinger, enters a solar system destroying planets and civilizations in its path. Survivors are taken aboard the havoc-wreaking ship to work in labor camps, or be unluckily sent off to the laboratories for vicious tests and experiments that often lead to insanity. Few have managed to escape into the deep, forgotten wasteland levels of the ship, where an underground society exists. They search for a means of escape while fighting for their survival with anything they can scavenge as they attempt to ward off the relentless patrols sent for them.Show more
Vote to bring this game to GOG and help preserve it.1 582
Very cool Sci-fi hack and slash from the era when we used to call them Diablo Clones. It stood out from it's peers due to the fact that not only did it feature multiple playable characters, all of whom had recorded speaking lines, but their inventory system, their stats and the weapons they can use were all entirely unique to that character and the campaign had an entirely unique progression for each of them.
Fairly simple ARPG in terms of systems, but the story turned out to be better than expected. The setting was also interesting with sci-fi technologies and alien factions. The weirdness is fairly well communicated by story and visuals. Gameplay could become somewhat dull at times, but the environments are well done and somewhat varied and the atmosphere is fairly strong. There are three characters which do follow their own storylines.
Nothing spectacular gameplay-wise. It feels closer to diablo 1 than 2, although released way after the latter. What makes it unique is the story and writing which are actually really good. I'd actually love to revisit this universe.
It's very climatic game full of memorable character and environmental designs. The lore is also quite interestingl because of the hidden stuff - easter eggs and unique dialogs which sometimes uncover unnerving elements of worldbuilding. It's overall very basic gameplay-wise, but the cool thing is that all characters have their own stories with special quests giving each of them an unique flavour. It's a nice game and because of its current scarcity it can be only obtained via piracy.
Well, I remember seeing this. On a shelve somewhere in the supermarcket : "oh this looks nice" But I was still a teen, and couldn't ask my parent to get it for me.
I managed to finish it (with only one character), thanks to abandonware, much later. But getting it 100% legaly would be nice. If I do get it here, maybe I'll try another character ? Emulation is nice, and was a great part of my gaming, a long time ago. Now ? I guess my will is lacking. I either forget the game, lose the files needed to play the game ...lots of stuff...
22 years later, I still have my disc for Harbinger. Sci-fi ARPGs are relatively few and far between, so any entry into the genre is worth noting, but Harbinger succeeded where so many others fail in managing to make a setting that actually felt that perfect blend of alien and futuristic and just on the edge of probable in some far off future. There are definite rough patches and signs of both a tight budget near the end of development as well as ambitious plans for a sequel that never came to fruition, but for all that, I still have fond memories of the characters and the Harbinger itself even as I wish they’d been able to do more with the groundwork laid.
I should also note that I appreciate the way the game plays, as I felt it forced more attention to your loadout for most of the game rather than continually looking for the next item in your build or just another bigger-number-better plug in. You are incentivized early and often to experiment and figure out what kinds of enemies are coming up, what kinds of damage they are vulnerable to, and what kinds of damage you need to resist to better navigate the corridors and systems of the Harbinger.
A final, particular note of appreciation should be noted for the fact that you actually do get more from the story by playing through with all three characters. While they all hit the major story beats, they have different conversations, motivations, and observations, some of which shed light on one another even as they never meet. Think… Eternal Darkness meets Nox.
If you are a fan of older, somewhat slower ARPGs and have a penchant for dystopian far-future sci-fi, I would strongly recommend taking a few hours to play Harbinger if you can lay hands on it.
On that note, one last thought. The intro to the game is a wonderfully grotesque introduction to just how bizarre and twisted this universe is that you’ve stepped into. Wik certainly leaves quite the impression.
King's Field: The Ancient CityKing's Field: The Ancient City, known in Japan as King's Field IV, is a medieval-themed first-person role playing video game produced by From Software for the PlayStation 2 in 2001. It is the fourth game in the King's Field series and the last one released for home consoles.Action Fantasy Horror
Jade Cocoon: Story of the TamamayuEnter the world of Jade Cocoon: Story of the Tamamayu. As Levant. a Cocoon Master. you will engage powerful monsters in deadly one on one combat. As the magic and talon clashes of these battles turn to your favor you can call on the mystic cocoon powers and capture your fallen foe. Once captured these mighty creatures will be the key to unlocking the curse that has overcome your village.Action
Guild Wars: Collector's EditionIn a world torn by conflict, where human kingdoms are all but destroyed and guilds sacrifice all for a chance to control the Hall of Heroes, a champion must rise from the ruins of a once-proud land to lead refugees from the ashes and fulfill an ancient prophecy. Will that hero be you?
The Guild Wars Collector's Edition box includes:
- Exclusive in-game Divine Aura for your characters
- Logitech Internet Chat Headset
- Teamspeak Software (custom version)
- Artbook "The Art of Guild Wars" with 128 Pages
- Guild Wars Soundtrack CDAction Fantasy Historical
Fable IIISet 50 years after the events of Fable II, the continent of Albion (where the Fable series is set) is under the control of Logan, a tyrant king and the Hero's older brother[1]. The player's character, the "Hero", is forced into a quest to become a revolutionary leader to defeat Logan after he reveals his true personality to the Hero. Over the course of the first half of the game, the Hero will overthrow Logan and become ruler of Albion themselves. During the second half of the game, a strange force from Aurora, called The Darkness will threaten Albion and the player has to decide how to react to it.Open world Action Fantasy Comedy Sandbox
Fable TrilogyThis bundle includes three full Xbox 360 games: Fable Anniversary, Fable II and Fable III.Action Fantasy
Anomaly PresidentIn this presidential rogue-like action game, gather votes and run for presidency by day, then transform into a warrior to take down your enemies by night! Master unique skills to become a swordmaster, a cyber mage, or anything in between, and overthrow the ruthless president!Action
Fable: The Lost ChaptersFable was expanded and rereleased as Fable: The Lost Chapters for Xbox and Windows PC platforms in September 2005. The game was later ported to Mac OS X by Robosoft Technologies and published by Feral Interactive on 31 March 2008.
The Lost Chapters features all the content found in the original Fable, as well as additional new content such as new monsters, weapons, alignment based spells, items, armour, towns, buildings, and expressions, as well as the ability to give children objects. The story receives further augmentation in the form of nine new areas and sixteen additional quests. Characters such as Briar Rose and Scythe, who played only minor roles in the original game, are now given more importance and are included in certain main and side quests. Other character-based augmentations include the voice of the antagonist, Jack of Blades, sounding deeper, harsher and more demonic, and the ability to uncover (and resolve) the murder mystery of Lady Grey's sister. The updated edition of the game also applied fixes for certain glitches, such as the "dig glitch," in which the protagonist would move backward each time he used the shovel, pushing him through solid objects and sometimes trapping him.Action Fantasy Comedy Sandbox
FableIn Fable, the players' every action determines their character's skills, appearances and moralities. Life stories are created from childhood through adulthood and on to old age. Players may choose the paths of righteousness or dedicate their characters' lives to evil; observing as they transform into reflections of their actions and decisions. As players' characters develop, the world reacts to them and their actions. People comment on their successes, failures, appearances and behaviors. Their many opinions are expressed through applause, mockery, trepidation, panic and even flirtation. With each person characters aid and every creature they slay, the world is changed forever. In Fable, gamers decide: "Who will I be?"Open world Action Fantasy Historical Sandbox
Fable AnniversaryFully re-mastered with HD visuals and audio, Fable Anniversary is a stunning rendition of the original game that will delight faithful fans and new players alike! The all new Heroic difficulty setting will test the mettle of even the most hardcore Fable fan. With no Resurrection Phials and even more lethal enemies to contend with, will you be able to survive? Forge a hero based on your actions: age and evolve a hero or villain through the actions you choose and the path you follow-be it for good, evil, or in-between. Build your living legend: Through deeds and actions, build a name for yourself across the land. Recruit allies and followers. Gain glory or notoriety. Who will you be? With an entirely new lighting system, slick new interface, all new textures, models and gameplay, Fable Anniversary is the full HD, definitive Fable experience.Open world Action Fantasy Historical Comedy
DeltaruneDive into the parallel story of UNDERTALE, DELTARUNE...! Meet endearing cast of new and familiar characters in a tale that steps closer to its end, chapter by chapter. Fight (or spare) your way through, dodging bullets in nonviolent action-packed RPG battles as you explore a mysterious world and listen to funky, funky music.Trending Action Comedy Mystery Drama