Strictly average fantasy RPG
A fairly traditional fantasy RPG, Ancients 1 will appeal to followers of Eye of the Beholder or Dungeon Master and while it is nothing spectacularly original, it remains a solid piece of gaming nostalgia that is likely to have passed most gamers by, but which is certainly worth a brief exploration. Plot wise, the game takes a typical fantasy theme of a land falling into the clutches of a terrible evil and which must be rescued by the player. While the story is nothing original, it is well enough told and reasonably gripping, but don't expect a classic tale to rival Baldur's Gate or Elder Scrolls. The same can be said of the gameplay itself, which is a standard dungeon crawler and which starts with player creation akin to Dungeons and Dragons and which features the usual classes like Warrior, Rogue and Priest and stats like Intelligence, Strength and Dexterity. Once things get rolling, players find themselves controlling a party of four and exploring the city of Lockhaven and its environs, including the delightfully fragrant sewer system. Combat is both random and turn-based, with the usual array of options, including ranged or melee attacks as well as magic. As you might have guessed, Ancients really is pretty ordinary in every respect and doesn't do anything different to dozens of other fantasy RPGs. The story is straightforward and lacking in sidequests, making its long-term appeal somewhat limited, while the graphics, sound and gameplay are also pretty run of the mill. However, it doesn't really do anything wrong and if you are a true RPG fan, there is some enjoyment to be found here. Newcomers to the genre will also enjoy its accessibility, but it lacks the depth to make it anything more than average.
