PC Games of 1997 : Dungeon Keeper

Hey there geeks and geekettes and welcome back to Day 4 of PC Games of 1997.  It was high time we jump into a game that deals with unspeakable evil against the forces of good but with a twist.  How about this time around you be the nefarious monster and your mission is to create utter damnation on a realm, dispatch the goody two shoes heroes at your moat and rein in absolute tyranny. MUAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!  *ahem* In conclusion to that maniacal laughter, this is Dungeon Keeper.

Dungeon Narrator: The spoiler is at your front gate!

 

Have at thee, base villain!!

After completing the titles of Syndicate Wars (the real-time tactics or strategy game with single player and multi-player co-operative dealing organized crime under corporate sponsorship) and Genewars (Real-time strategy single player with terrain alteration and cross-species animal and plant breeding camps for warfare) Bullfrog Productions pulled out another gem of mass destruction for love lives, sleeping disorders and poor diets.  You know; the really fun game you cannot walk away from in under 4 hours.

Next target of opportunity.

Imagine you are the despicable monster that is only spoken in hushed tones. You are also a creature of ambition and conquest so with each new realm you build your lair of torture and torment and slay the hero or heroes of the realm thus ensuring your place in this new order.  This game is a real-time strategy/god game.  You are represented as this green, scaly hand with blacken nails.  You release your minions to dig tunnels, build walls and fortify your defenses.  If you feel they are not moving to the pace you would prefer them at, slap one or chuck him across the room if you like.  Remember this is your house and your rules so you dark will must be served.  Personally I pummel one to death as a lesson to the others.  Works pretty well in my humble opinion but hey that could just be me.

Your mentor (Richard Ridings of Highlander, Common As Muck, Silver, Quake III: Arena, Dungeon Keeper 2 and This Is Personal: The Hunt for the Yorkshire Ripper) not only guides you in your insidious creations but also narrates about each realm and I positively love the utter distain he has for each township and the fond hopes he has for your smiting it and thus making it your own.

As the levels continue newer creatures, implements of destruction and damnation are to be made ready for your party crashers here to spoil on your delightful fun.  

You create lairs for your monsters, food for them, a library for your warlocks, a training room for your warriors and a torture dungeon for your inquisitors.   Everyone has a pretty decent work ethic but not unlike the Sims, you must keep a watchful eye on these lackeys or they will get bored and turn on each other.  With some it is just natural enemies like Flies and Spiders but creatures such as Warlocks have a seething hatred for Vampires.  Skeletons and Bile Demons lack kinship and are most unfriendly towards one another so the goals of the game are very simple.  Dispatch the heroes and the competition of evil for your realms and leave few to tell the tale.

Minion, your coffee break is...OVER.