A look back at: Gateway to the Savage Frontier

 

Did I, somehow forget to talk about this? Oops, looks like I did. I'm going through both of the two Savage Frontier Gold Box games in other words, and believe it or not, I played this one through weeks ago and I'm almost done with the second one. And yeah, I went back to the Gold Box games again. There's just something about the grid-based tactical RPG format of the DND games here that I really just enjoy for some reason.

It is a far cry from The Dark Queen of Krynn, which was easily the most advanced of the Gold Box games. So I have basically not much to say with regards to character creation, since you make your own party, and barely a thing to say about the gameplay, since it's the same thing as the other games. But it is surprisingly an open-ended adventure for once. It's got quite a few sidequests off the main path, but the adventure's culmination means finding a pyramid where the titular Savage Frontier is. Oh, by the way, a common theme this game and a number of other DND games in the series seem to have, you have a band of heroes, they feast after they become heroes, and something bad happens to the heroes, and it's usually drugging their food and drink, making them pass out, and stealing their stuff. This actually happens in the beginning. Pirates, Krakens (both the actual monster and a band of thugs who are named Krakens), Hosttower wizards, and the Zhentil Keep Zhentarim are the main enemies to meet all throughout the game, and there's also a number of guest star party members. One of which actually betrays you as you try to leave a certain tower. The most notable party member is Krevish, who has another type of plot twist but sticks with you most of the game. It's a game that certainly tries to have more intrigue to it than Pool of Radiance, and it was worth a go just because it is technically better, but not by much, just kind of more of the same thing. Again, sorry for not putting this post up sooner, but it does mean the Treasures of the Savage Frontier lookback will come rather soon since I'm almost done with that game.