Retro Revival, Part #26 - Darklands (2011, GOG.COM)
17Buy the game here;
http://www.gog.com/en/gamecard/darklands
Good Old Games has just released MicroProse's classic Darklands (1992) and although I've never personally played it before today I know it to be one of the most ambitious open world RPG ever released.
Far from a generic fantasy game, Darklands takes place in 15th century Germany (albeit with a few supernatural elements thrown in for good measure) and there are thus plenty of real-world locations in the game as well as references to historical figures. The gameplay is party-based and structured around a deep skill system with plenty of stats and abilities, 37 classes and a variety of social backgrounds to choose from (which in turn affect class restrictions etc.) as well as an abundance of skill and equipment checks throughout the game. The party can follow the storyline or otherwise explore the huge world map freely in search of fame and fortune, and combat is resolved within a "pause-based" system which is somewhat reminiscent of later RPGs like Baldur's Gate. Exploration of cities is largely text-based with an impressive amount of options about what to do and how to approach the numerous dangerous situations the party invariably finds itself in.