Warrior of Ras volume II - Kaiv
Platform: Commodore 64
Gametype: Undefined
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This is the sequel to the first part of the Warriors of Ras series, Dunzhin. All games in this series are early graphical Roguelikes. The story is quite simple: Enter the mystical monster-infested dungeon Kaiv, slay monsters and grab treasures. 

You explore the dungeon in a turn-based manner by entering commands in text adventure, like "MOVE NORTH" or "LIGHT TORCH". The commands may be abbreviated by one or two letters. You can also move several squares at once (like "MOVE EAST 3") to speed up your quest. Another very helpful command is "SPEED", which makes the game's messages go by faster. Your progress is hindered by traps (acid pools, slimey floors etc., some of which you can escape by quickly pressing a key), thieves who rob you, random teleports and, of course, by a variety of 24 different monsters, ranging from simple Zombies, Wolves or Dwarves up to Wyverns and Vampires.

The combat system makes the Warriors of Ras series stand out from other roguelikes: Apart from your total hit points, you and the monsters also have hit points and armor for each body party separately. If the hit points of one body part reach zero, you're dead. Each attack must be directed to one of the body parts, some of which are easier to hit than others. You may also "AIM" a hit (which costs some time, but makes the attack more likely to hit) or "FORCE" an attack (this makes it more difficult to hit, but increases the damage). This and the body parts result in a quite tactical combat -- you have to guess or find out the weak parts of your opponent and choose the right way of attacking.

Kaiv extends the originally quite simple game of Dunzhin by adding a shop at the dungeon entrance where you can equip yourself. You now also have a bigger variety of items like torches, crosses (against Vampires) and mirrors (against Gorgons), and you can also find magical items: several rings, wands or potions that improve your magical or physical protection or increase you fighting skills. You also need to take enough food and drink with you to prevent dying from hunger or thirst.

The difficulty level of the game is quite high with new characters -- you often die just by being hit once by a low-level monster or by stepping into some trap. The game is generous in allowing you to save your progress at any time.

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Description from the packaging:

Welcome to RAS, a world entered only through Screenplay's new adventure series, the Warriors of Ras. This superb collection of graphic role-playing games promises to bring hours of fun to exercise your wit and reasoning skills. Each game is made up of randomly designed mazes, monsters and confrontations. Even beginning role-players can create strong warriors- and save them to play game after game!

Kaiv
Enter the cave and everything turns pitch black. But unforeseen danger will open your eyes in the second game in the role playing series Warriors of Ras.
Two dozen of the most insidious species ever created inhabit the cave inside the cave also lies the power to conquer them.

Use Mystical Rings to walk through walls, or annihilate the enemy with Wands of Power. There are Mystery Swords, Magic Potions, and picks to escape thundering cave-ins.
Choose your tools carefully. You're only human. You can carry only so much with your hands. So use your head, plan- but be careful! Pits traps, jagged cliffs and acid pools lie ahead.
As do two more Warriors of Ras games: Wylde and Ziggurat. Each is increasingly difficult. It will be very prudent on your part to explore Kaiv over and over again.
Everytime you play Kaiv the game is different. Your character becomes stronger and you become wiser.
Will you be strong enough? Wise enough?

Data Box
Author: Randall Don Masteller
Minimum Memory: 48K
Maximum Number of Players: 1
Complexity on a scale of one to ten: 6
Age Group: 10+
No joystick, trackball or special equipment is needed.
You can save your game and character.


http://www.mobygames.com/game/c64/kaiv
