Ishar 2: Messengers of Doom

Ishar 2: Messengers of Doom
Developer(s)Silmarils
Publisher(s)
Director(s)André Rocques
Designer(s)Michel Pernot
Pascal Einsweiler
Programmer(s)André Rocques
Fabrice Hautecloque
Michel Pernot
Artist(s)Pascal Einsweiler
Writer(s)André Rocques
Louis-Marie Rocques
Michel Pernot
Composer(s)Fabrice Hautecloque
SeriesIshar
EngineALIS[b]
Platform(s)Amiga, Atari ST, MS-DOS, Atari Falcon, Macintosh
ReleaseAmiga, Atari ST, MS-DOS
  • EU: April 1993
  • UK: May-June 1993 (ST)
  • UK: July 1993 (Amiga)
Atari Falcon
Macintosh
Genre(s)Role-playing game
Mode(s)Single-player

Ishar 2: Messengers of Doom is a 1993 role-playing video game developed and published by Silmarils for the Amiga, Atari ST, MS-DOS, Atari Falcon, and Macintosh home computers. It is the second entry in the Ishar trilogy.

Gameplay

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Atari ST version screenshot

The party from Ishar: Legend of the Fortress can be imported to the sequel. The party consists maximum of five persons.[2] When recruiting party members, race and personality traits have to be considered since all characters don't get along with each other.[3] Compared to the previous game, the game world is three times bigger, and the interface has been rearranged and streamlined.[2][4] The game can be controlled entirely with a mouse. The combat is in real-time.[2]

Plot

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An evil wizard has made a drug that poisons the people of Arborea. The drug causes hallucinations and makes them accept the wizard as ruler. The party's objective is to travel through the game's seven islands and stop the wizard.[4]

Development and release

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GOG.com released an emulated version for Windows in 2009.[5][6]

Reception

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Amiga Action called the game "a good solid RPG" but said it lacks originality.[2] CU Amiga called the game "a must buy" and "an astounding sequel".[4] In a re-review CU Amiga said Ishar 2 is the best game in the trilogy.[9] ST Format said the game is "an absorbing and atmospheric challenge".[3] Computer and Video Games called it one of the best Amiga games of the year.[8] Génération 4 compared the Amiga and Atari ST versions to the DOS version and said Amiga/ST version has fewer colours (16) and the ST version has comparable sound, and Amiga version has better sound with an Ad Lib card.[10] The Amiga 1200 version was said to be equivalent to the DOS version.[11]

Notes

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  1. ^ Amiga, Atari ST, and MS-DOS versions.
  2. ^ Short for Actor Language Integrated System.[1]

References

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  1. ^ Vaillant, Aurélien (Wasabim) (7 October 2017). "Interview with Fabrice Hautecloque". Atari Legend. Archived from the original on 24 September 2018. Retrieved 5 June 2023.
  2. ^ a b c d e McNally, Steve (August 1993). "Action Review - Ishar 2 Messengers of Doom". Amiga Action. No. 47. Europress. pp. 24–26.
  3. ^ a b c Mead, Rob (August 1993). "Screenplay Game Review - Ishar 2 Messengers of Doom". ST Format. No. 49. Future plc. pp. 70–71.
  4. ^ a b c d Dillon, Tony (July 1993). "Game Review - Ishar 2 Messengers of Doom". CU Amiga. No. 41. EMAP. pp. 72–73.
  5. ^ "New release: Ishar 1+2". GOG.com. CD Projekt. 28 April 2009. Archived from the original on 19 June 2015. Retrieved 23 May 2023.
  6. ^ "Ishar Compilation". GOG.com. CD Projekt. Retrieved 23 May 2023. This game is powered by DOSBox.
  7. ^ Baum, Thomas (August 1993). "Reif für die Inseln". Aktueller Software Markt (in German) (8/93). Tronic-Verlag. Grafik: 11/12, Steuerung: 9/12, Handlung: 10/12, Atmosphäre: 10/12, Gesamtnote: 10/12
  8. ^ a b "Review - Ishar 2". Computer and Video Games. No. 141. Future plc. August 1993. p. 88.
  9. ^ a b Traquir, Michael (April 1995). "Budget Software - Ishar 2". CU Amiga. No. 62. EMAP. p. 71.
  10. ^ a b c Latil, Didier; Huong, Michel (July 1993). "Test - Ishar 2 Messengers of Doom". Génération 4 (in French). No. 57. SARL Pressimage. pp. 74–77.
  11. ^ a b "Tests Express - Ishar 2". Génération 4 (in French). No. 59. SARL Pressimage. September 1993. pp. 60–61.
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