Okay; I’ve got several game for Mondays free games for the Weekday project. . I’m posting it a little early as I want to immerse myself in my favorite game tonight. I’ve included a series of space shooters and one more RPG to continue the theme of the past few days. The RPG I’ve included has spawned what is probably the best of the genre called Oblivion. I found the original one called Elder Scrolls I: Arena has been made abandonware. The graphics are ancient by today’s standards, but the game play offers all the aspects that you get in later Elder Scrolls games and it’s less than 2Mb in size. The three space shooters speak for themselves:
Arena: Elder Scrolls I
This is the very first of the award winning Elder Scrolls series which has culminated in Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion, which is my favorite game of the moment. This first one retains all the scope of the later games without all the pretty graphics. Ensure you get DOSBox installed first though as otherwise you wont get the game to run (I’ve included a download link to both the game and the DOSBox.
I’ve included the instructions for installation below. You can find more detailed instructions within the data folder of the installed game. It’s recommended that you install the game directly to the root directory C:\
Installation of The Elder Scrolls: Arena
1. Run the file “Arena106.exe”
2. This will open a new window, which will offer to extract Arena. The default destination is C:\. This is the best location to use. When you click the install button, it will create the folder C:\Arena and extract the files to that folder.
3. Next, run the installer for the DOSBox DOS Emulator. Proceed through its installation as prompted. Once DOSBox is installed, continue on.
4. Click Start, then Run. In the “Run” box, type “command” (without the quotes) and click OK. This will open a Command Prompt window.
5. At the command prompt, type “CD\ARENA” (again, without the quotes) and push Enter. If your command prompt is logged on to a drive other than C:, please type “C:” and push enter, then “CD\ARENA”, followed by Enter.
6. Once you have entered the Arena folder, type INSTALL and push Enter. This will launch the configuration program for Arena.
7. Select “Configure Game”.
8. Select “Select Sound Card”. A list will appear. Select “Sound Blaster or SB16 (or compatible)”
9. Select “Select Music Card” and do the same.
10. In yellow letters near the top of the screen, it should say:
“Sound Blaster or SB16 (or compatible) IO:220 IRQ:7 DMA:1” for both Sound and Music. If it does not, please enter the info in under both “Change Sound default” and Change music default.
11. Select Done, and then Exit.
12. Next, start the DOSbox Emulator. It should open it’s own window, logged into the Z:
13. At this prompt, type “MOUNT C C:\” and push enter. Then type “C:” and push Enter. Then “CD \ARENA”. Finally, “ARENA” to start the game.
Download Arena:
http://www.elderscrolls.com/downloads/downloads_arena-redirect.htm
Download DOSBox:
http://www.pcworld.com/downloads/file/fid,49494-order,1-page,1/description.html
You will need to create a shortcut so that you can start DOSBox from either the desktop or start menu. There’s a tutorial in the games discussion thread (around page 5 I think) on how to create shortcuts to both the desktop and the start menu.
The game does work, so if you have any problems starting it up, please post here and I’ll try and figure out how to get it to work for you.
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Starwraith and Riftspace:
Starwraith: Shadows of Orion (9.5Mb)
Star Wraith 3 is an outstanding 3D Space Combat Simulator by StarWraith3D Games. There are different missions and campaigns. Lot of battle modes and environments
Embroiled in a brutal civil war, forces of the Alliance and Federation are unaware of the approaching danger until it's too late. The Lexington and its crew are alone and must face this new threat in the midst of uncharted space. You must use your wits, combat skills, and leadership ability to guide your squadron through several possible mission paths that will either lead to a climactic victory or complete destruction. Long-time enemies must become new allies and advanced experimental technology will be the standard in combat as the epic battle unfolds while you pilot the most powerful and elusive starfighters of the future...
Multiplayer
Star Wraith: Shadows of Orion features a versatile multiplayer system allowing players to join together from all over the world for action-packed 3D space combat. Gameplay is taken to a whole new level when real players are united in the game's universe. New elements of teamwork, strategy, and skill are introduced to the game through several custom environments and features that are only available in the multiplayer mode.
A must download if you like flightsims ;)
Download Link:
http://www.caiman.us/scripts/fw/f3062.html
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Starwrath: Reviction (11.2Mb)
Star Wraith 4 brought new features, gameplay, and effects to the game. This was the first game to feature a mining and tractor beam along with new mission objectives to go along with it (pilot rescue and asteroid mining). Capture-the-Sphere was added to multiplayer (requiring a player to retrieve the opposing team's sphere from their base and return it to their own). The campaign in this game was linear, consisting of just over 25 missions. Beam weapons were added to capital ships, which frequently engaged each other in battle while other conflicts were taking place. Control binding options were improved along with new textures for ships, larger asteroid fields, improved planetary terrain, and enhanced HUD graphics.</blockuote>
Download link:
http://www.gamershell.com/download_22755.shtml
Screenshots:
http://www.gamershell.com/pc/star_wraith_4_reviction/screenshots.html
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Riftspace (9.5Mb)
Choose your role in true freeform gameplay spanning over 20 planetary systems, buy better ships, weapons, and even pilots as you manage a team of mercenaries.
Pursue your fortune by negotiating contracts, assigning objectives to wingmen in your squadron, traveling in search of the best prices, hunting for the most loyal and highly skilled pilots to join you, customizing your ships with a variety of weapons, and exploring system hotspots for the most profitable contracts.
RiftSpace puts you in command and gives you the freedom to explore, trade, recruit, assign, negotiate, and battle for your success.System Requirements:
- Windows 95/98/Me/2000/XP or better operating system
- 64 MB RAM or more
- 32 MB 3D accelerated video card or better
- 40 MB Hard Drive Space
- 700 MHz processor minimum (900+ recommended)
- Note: DirectX 8.1 or higher is requiredReference: http://demonews.com/download-1251.html accessed 1st Oct 08
Download Link
http://www.gamershell.com/download_22753.shtml
or all three games can be downloaded from the following address:
http://starwraith3dgames.home.att.net/go.htm
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