Review by: Brian Clair

Stonekeep combines the graphical wonder of a 3D interface with the awesome storyline that can only come from adventure and role playing games. The game opens with what is by far one of the best movie sequences I’ve ever seen. This movie shows the destruction of Stonekeep, the abduction of Drake (the character you play) to safety, and the darkness sweeping through the castle, turning the inhabitants to lifeless skeletons — their flesh torn away with their lives. In order to provide users with an even more detailed background, Stonekeep includes a hardbound novella called, Thera’s Awakening. This book relates some of Stonekeep’s past and tells you more about the evil sweeping the land.

Years later, you return to Stonekeep to extract revenge for those murdered. Once there you are greeted by Thera, one of the elemental forces of the world. She takes you below to the sunken city of Stonekeep, now inhabited by all manner of evil creatures like throgs, snakes, and sorcerers. Enemy creatures are richly detailed and animated, moving smoothly and realistically, wincing as they take damage and laughing as you do so. In your journey’s you may find others willing to help you in your quest, and you can collect up to 4 other NPC’s to join your party. In fact this is necessary as some creatures are just too powerful for you to defeat on your own. NPC’s aren’t just pictures on the screen though, during your journey they’ll talk to you and others, offering aid and helpful insights.

Like all good RPG’s, Stonekeep contains magic and player statistics. You and your companions have many different statistics, the most important being: strength, agility, and health. The first 2 stats help to determine other statistics while health determines how many hit points you have. You also have stats in defense, stealth, magic use, and an individual skill level for each of the many different weapons. The magic system is unique, in order to cast spells you must find their specific runes. Once found, you must engrave the rune onto a runecaster which you can then use to launch the spell. Runecaster’s use their own mana, once fully discharged you must recharge them using rune circles. The runes themselves are highly detailed and include special meta runes that enhance the power of other runes. This is just some of the adventure in Stonekeep, you’ll have to play it to find more…