Harbinger (2003)
Genres:Role-playing (RPG)
Themes:Action, Science fiction
Game modes:Single player
Story:A huge ship, known as the Harbinger, enters a solar system destroying planets and civilizations in its path. Survivors are taken aboard the havoc-wreaking ship to work in labor camps, or be unluckily sent off to the laboratories for vicious tests and experiments that often lead to insanity. Few have managed to escape into the deep, forgotten wasteland levels of the ship, where an underground society exists. They search for a means of escape while fighting for their survival with anything they can scavenge as they attempt to ward off the relentless patrols sent for them.Show more
Vote to bring this game to GOG and help preserve it.1 582
Very cool Sci-fi hack and slash from the era when we used to call them Diablo Clones. It stood out from it's peers due to the fact that not only did it feature multiple playable characters, all of whom had recorded speaking lines, but their inventory system, their stats and the weapons they can use were all entirely unique to that character and the campaign had an entirely unique progression for each of them.
Fairly simple ARPG in terms of systems, but the story turned out to be better than expected. The setting was also interesting with sci-fi technologies and alien factions. The weirdness is fairly well communicated by story and visuals. Gameplay could become somewhat dull at times, but the environments are well done and somewhat varied and the atmosphere is fairly strong. There are three characters which do follow their own storylines.
Nothing spectacular gameplay-wise. It feels closer to diablo 1 than 2, although released way after the latter. What makes it unique is the story and writing which are actually really good. I'd actually love to revisit this universe.
It's very climatic game full of memorable character and environmental designs. The lore is also quite interestingl because of the hidden stuff - easter eggs and unique dialogs which sometimes uncover unnerving elements of worldbuilding. It's overall very basic gameplay-wise, but the cool thing is that all characters have their own stories with special quests giving each of them an unique flavour. It's a nice game and because of its current scarcity it can be only obtained via piracy.
Well, I remember seeing this. On a shelve somewhere in the supermarcket : "oh this looks nice" But I was still a teen, and couldn't ask my parent to get it for me.
I managed to finish it (with only one character), thanks to abandonware, much later. But getting it 100% legaly would be nice. If I do get it here, maybe I'll try another character ? Emulation is nice, and was a great part of my gaming, a long time ago. Now ? I guess my will is lacking. I either forget the game, lose the files needed to play the game ...lots of stuff...
22 years later, I still have my disc for Harbinger. Sci-fi ARPGs are relatively few and far between, so any entry into the genre is worth noting, but Harbinger succeeded where so many others fail in managing to make a setting that actually felt that perfect blend of alien and futuristic and just on the edge of probable in some far off future. There are definite rough patches and signs of both a tight budget near the end of development as well as ambitious plans for a sequel that never came to fruition, but for all that, I still have fond memories of the characters and the Harbinger itself even as I wish they’d been able to do more with the groundwork laid.
I should also note that I appreciate the way the game plays, as I felt it forced more attention to your loadout for most of the game rather than continually looking for the next item in your build or just another bigger-number-better plug in. You are incentivized early and often to experiment and figure out what kinds of enemies are coming up, what kinds of damage they are vulnerable to, and what kinds of damage you need to resist to better navigate the corridors and systems of the Harbinger.
A final, particular note of appreciation should be noted for the fact that you actually do get more from the story by playing through with all three characters. While they all hit the major story beats, they have different conversations, motivations, and observations, some of which shed light on one another even as they never meet. Think… Eternal Darkness meets Nox.
If you are a fan of older, somewhat slower ARPGs and have a penchant for dystopian far-future sci-fi, I would strongly recommend taking a few hours to play Harbinger if you can lay hands on it.
On that note, one last thought. The intro to the game is a wonderfully grotesque introduction to just how bizarre and twisted this universe is that you’ve stepped into. Wik certainly leaves quite the impression.
Unicorn Overlord: Monarch EditionFrom the masterminds that brought 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim, Odin Sphere, and Dragon's Crown, ATLUS x Vanillaware presents the rebirth of tactical fantasy RPG. Fight against fate and embark on a royal adventure to regain your reign alongside trustworthy allies.
Unicorn Overlord combines the timeless tactical RPG genre with overworld exploration and innovative battle system for a unique epic fantasy experience in the iconic Vanillaware style.Fantasy Warfare
Unicorn OverlordFrom the masterminds that brought 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim and Odin Sphere, ATLUS x Vanillaware presents the rebirth of tactical fantasy RPG. Fight against fate and embark on a royal adventure to regain your reign alongside trustworthy allies.
Unicorn Overlord combines the timeless tactical RPG genre with overworld exploration and innovative battle system for a unique epic fantasy experience in the iconic Vanillaware style.
Traverse a vibrant world, assemble units and direct them into exquisitely animated battles. Perform heroic deeds and grow renown throughout the five nations. Cultivate a grand army with over 60 unique characters, from humans and elves to massive beasts and heavenly angelsFantasy Warfare
Borderlands GOTYWith its addictive action, frantic first-person shooter combat, massive arsenal of weaponry, RPG elements and four-player co-op, Borderlands is a breakthrough experience that challenges all the conventions of modern shooters. Borderlands places you in the role of a mercenary on the lawless and desolate planet of Pandora, hell-bent on finding a legendary stockpile of powerful alien technology known as The Vault.
Role Playing Shooter (RPS) - combines frantic first-person shooting action with accessible role-playing character progression.
Co-Op Frenzy - Fly solo in single player or drop in and out with up to 4 Player Co-Op online for a maniacal multiplayer experience.
Bazillions of Guns - Gun lust fulfilled with rocket-launching shotguns, enemy-torching revolvers, SMGs that fire lightning rounds, and tons more.
Radical Art Style - New visual style combines traditional rendering techniques with hand-drawn textures to create a unique and eye-catching spin on the First Person genre.
Intense Vehicular Combat - Get behind the wheel and engage in intense vehicle-to-vehicle combat.Open world Action Science fiction
Diablo IILike its predecessor, Diablo II is an action role-playing game with dark fantasy and horror themes. The player controls a new hero attempting to stop the destruction unleashed by Diablo's return. The game's 4 acts feature a variety of locations and settings to explore and battle in, as well as an increased cast of characters to play as and interact with. Diablo II had become one of the most popular online games of all time. Major factors that contributed to Diablo II's success include what fans found to be addictive hack-and-slash gameplay and free access to Battle.net.Top Action Fantasy
Diablo + HellfireTraveler, stay awhile and listen...
Darkness stirs beneath Tristram. An ancient evil sweeps across the land, plunging it into civil war and terrorizing the populace. A mad king, his missing son, and a mysterious archbishop are all pieces of the puzzle you need to hack through. You have journeyed to the source of this evil. The town of Tristram - now inhabited only by a handful of survivors, broken and twisted by the madness that has befallen them. A cathedral stands there, built over the ruins of an ancient monastery. Eerie lights and ungodly sounds are heard echoing through its abandoned halls, and that is where you shall venture.
Embark, if you dare, on a quest to destroy The Prime Evil…
Experience the legendary action/RPG that influenced an entire genre.
Storm Diablo's halls as either a Warrior, a Sorcerer or a Rogue - each with unique skills and abilities.
Unite to destroy Diablo - up to 4 players can band together via Internet, or play head-to-head via LAN.
Unprecedented replayability - over 200 different monsters inhabit Diablo's ever-changing labyrinth. Equip epic items to conquer fearsome bosses and their minions.
A spine-chilling story - experience the horror of a world held in the grasp of The Lord of Terror.
Ahhh, fresh meat!
Travelers looking for the authentic Diablo experience can play the game as it was in 1996, with period-appropriate 20 FPS SVGA graphics, and the ability to matchmake through the classic version of Blizzard’s Battle.net online-gaming service.
For those wanting something a bit more modern, Blizzard and GOG.COM have collaborated on an updated version of the game tuned for today’s gaming PCs, which includes out-of-the-box Windows 10 compatibility, a host of bug fixes and high-resolution support via aspect ratio-correct upscaling.
The most voted game on the GOG.com wishlist, finally trapped in a DRM-free soulstone!
Return to the beginning of this dark saga, now in digital format for the first time ever.
Better value than Wirt's wares, guaranteed.Action Fantasy
KoudelkaKoudelka is the precursor (prequel) to Sacnoth's Shadow Hearts series. Shadow Hearts takes place in the Koudelka universe and features various locales and characters from Sacnoth's debut work.Horror Survival
Touhou Diablo: Treasure Hunter GA Touhou-themed action RPG where you dive into dungeons, defeat enemies, get money and equipment, and strengthen your character.Action
Diablo III: Reaper of Souls - Collector's EditionThis collector's edition of Diablo III: Reaper of Souls includes the following:
- Diablo III: Reaper of Souls
- Behind-the-scene DVD and Bluray disc set
- Reaper of Souls soundtrack
- Reaper of Souls art book
- A Malthael mouse pad
- In-game transmogriphications
- In-game Spectral Hound companion
- Diablo III's Treasure Goblin as a pet for World of Warcraft
- Starcraft II character portraits and decalsAction Fantasy
Diablo IV: Digital Deluxe EditionDiablo IV is the next-gen action RPG experience with endless evil to slaughter, countless abilities to master, nightmarish Dungeons, and legendary loot.
This is only the beginning for Diablo IV, with new events, stories, seasons, rewards, and more looming on the horizon.Action Fantasy Horror
Diablo III: Eternal CollectionGenerations of gamers have battled the demonic hordes of Diablo, and now it’s your turn to take part in the action-RPG legacy. This Eternal Collection features Diablo III, the Reaper of Souls expansion set and the Rise of the Necromancer pack—all together in one definitive volume. Prepare yourself, mortal hero. The hellgates are opening.Action Party