dr_st wrote on 2026-05-29, 20:08:

twiz11 wrote on 2026-05-29, 18:00:

Have you tried using dxx rebirth

Yes, I believe that's exactly what I used the last time I started playing it. I didn't get very far before giving up / losing interest though.

i know the feeling, it does make it better to play than in dosbox. 6DOF really messes with my head, i got to take a dramamine before playing

My dedicated DOS machine has been running into some issues lately, and I'm not sure I want to deal with the headache of sourcing parts here anymore. Luckily, I've got DOSBox Staging set up exactly as I like it, and it's an excellent way to play DOS games. Here's what I've been playing:

Dark Sun: Shattered Lands
I've tried getting into this one many times over the years, but always ended up dropping it quickly due to how janky the engine is. There's no speed limiter, so the game animates ridiculously fast on even a Pentium 133 (maybe even a high-end 486)... but playing it on a slower machine results in the mouse cursor lagging all over the place if anything is going on. It just feels awful to play.

Having said that, I was finally able to get over my initial revulsion, and became quite addicted! It's a very cool setting--it's Dungeons & Dragons, but it takes place in a sort of post-apocalyptic swords & sorcery world. You start out by making your four-character party, and there are some interesting races available, including giant insects! Your characters also start out much more powerful than in other D&D games, which eliminates the frustration of low-level D&D combat.

The game starts with your party being captured and put to work as gladiators to entertain the masses, so your first quest is to figure out how to escape. You have a lot of freedom here, though the two major escape methods are to fight or sneak your way out. Even then, you have a lot of leeway in what you do. You can choose to ally with a couple different factions, or go your own way. After finally escaping, I though that I'd actually like to replay this game and try some of the other options.

So, it's an awesome game so far. One thing I'm not sure about is what device to use for the soundtrack. It supports General MIDI, MT-32 (specifically CM32L, because it uses some of the added sound effects instruments), and Gravis Ultrasound... but after switching between the three several times, I'm still not sure which I prefer. There's just no clear winner imo, as there are some tracks that sound better on certain devices. I'd prefer to use the device the soundtrack was composed for, but couldn't find any information.

Betrayal at Krondor
Another one I've tried getting into many times over the years. It's got a lot going for it, including a great SC-55 soundtrack and some charming digitized graphics, but I always had trouble getting used to moving around in the overworld. I also don't like how your digitized characters slide around the screen during battles, but that's not a big deal.

I think I'm finally getting into the game with this latest attempt. I've been sticking mostly to the roads when exploring (the game has a helpful option that makes you automatically follow whatever road you're on as long as you hold the up button), and it feels much more comfortable to play now. I've mainly spent time exploring a bit and getting to know the game, so I'm still in Act I, but I'm liking it so far.

Crusader: No Remorse
I had this back in the day (I was an Origin fanatic), but never got anywhere with it. At the time, I found it nearly impossible to play due to the controls. Revisiting it today, I'm impressed! I always appreciate when a game has a unique control scheme that takes time to learn and master, and that describes this game perfectly. Actually, the controls are quite easy to understand, as long as you just stick with the basic keyboard controls (no mouse). It's basically "tank" controls (like Alone in the Dark) with two modifiers (roll and sidestep). It took me a few attempts to get used to it, but now it feels great to play. Each time I start the game up, I end up making it further and further into the first level. Good stuff so far.

Since all my retro machines are now up and running and set up nicely , I finally started Diablo 2 for the first time ever. I beat Diablo 1 for the first time last year. Now Im onto Diablo 2 and its so cool already. I love it.

newtmonkey wrote on 2026-06-04, 17:44:

Crusader: No Remorse
I had this back in the day (I was an Origin fanatic), but never got anywhere with it. At the time, I found it nearly impossible to play due to the controls. Revisiting it today, I'm impressed! I always appreciate when a game has a unique control scheme that takes time to learn and master, and that describes this game perfectly. Actually, the controls are quite easy to understand, as long as you just stick with the basic keyboard controls (no mouse). It's basically "tank" controls (like Alone in the Dark) with two modifiers (roll and sidestep). It took me a few attempts to get used to it, but now it feels great to play. Each time I start the game up, I end up making it further and further into the first level. Good stuff so far.

It has a dual control scheme, doesn't it? Using the arrow keys gives you the traditional tank controls, while numpad keys translate directly to the four cardinal directions and the diagonals.

I liked Betrayal at Krondor. It was a great story, decent fun, and didn't demand much attention, but it can seem pretty sparse in places. Speaking of sparse, Return to Krondor felt like endless wandering to get anywhere.

newtmonkey wrote on 2026-06-04, 17:44:

Dark Sun: Shattered Lands I've tried getting into this one many times over the years, but always ended up dropping it quickly du […]
Show full quote

Dark Sun: Shattered Lands
I've tried getting into this one many times over the years, but always ended up dropping it quickly due to how janky the engine is. There's no speed limiter, so the game animates ridiculously fast on even a Pentium 133 (maybe even a high-end 486)... but playing it on a slower machine results in the mouse cursor lagging all over the place if anything is going on. It just feels awful to play.

Having said that, I was finally able to get over my initial revulsion, and became quite addicted! It's a very cool setting--it's Dungeons & Dragons, but it takes place in a sort of post-apocalyptic swords & sorcery world. You start out by making your four-character party, and there are some interesting races available, including giant insects! Your characters also start out much more powerful than in other D&D games, which eliminates the frustration of low-level D&D combat.

The game starts with your party being captured and put to work as gladiators to entertain the masses, so your first quest is to figure out how to escape. You have a lot of freedom here, though the two major escape methods are to fight or sneak your way out. Even then, you have a lot of leeway in what you do. You can choose to ally with a couple different factions, or go your own way. After finally escaping, I though that I'd actually like to replay this game and try some of the other options.

So, it's an awesome game so far. One thing I'm not sure about is what device to use for the soundtrack. It supports General MIDI, MT-32 (specifically CM32L, because it uses some of the added sound effects instruments), and Gravis Ultrasound... but after switching between the three several times, I'm still not sure which I prefer. There's just no clear winner imo, as there are some tracks that sound better on certain devices. I'd prefer to use the device the soundtrack was composed for, but couldn't find any information.

Betrayal at Krondor
Another one I've tried getting into many times over the years. It's got a lot going for it, including a great SC-55 soundtrack and some charming digitized graphics, but I always had trouble getting used to moving around in the overworld. I also don't like how your digitized characters slide around the screen during battles, but that's not a big deal.

I think I'm finally getting into the game with this latest attempt. I've been sticking mostly to the roads when exploring (the game has a helpful option that makes you automatically follow whatever road you're on as long as you hold the up button), and it feels much more comfortable to play now. I've mainly spent time exploring a bit and getting to know the game, so I'm still in Act I, but I'm liking it so far.

Crusader: No Remorse
I had this back in the day (I was an Origin fanatic), but never got anywhere with it. At the time, I found it nearly impossible to play due to the controls. Revisiting it today, I'm impressed! I always appreciate when a game has a unique control scheme that takes time to learn and master, and that describes this game perfectly. Actually, the controls are quite easy to understand, as long as you just stick with the basic keyboard controls (no mouse). It's basically "tank" controls (like Alone in the Dark) with two modifiers (roll and sidestep). It took me a few attempts to get used to it, but now it feels great to play. Each time I start the game up, I end up making it further and further into the first level. Good stuff so far.

I've DNF Dark Sun many years before. I got proably 1/3 to 1/2 way through and it just got boring. But I want to give it another try. Played on a 486 downclocked.

I also DNF'd Betrayal at Krondor about 6 years ago! I got 30 hours in and IIRC it also got boring for me. This one I'm pretty sure I won't retry. Played on a 486.

Crusader series: I loved both games and finished them both! The first one in early 2018, the 2nd in mid-late 2018. I had a blast with them both. Played in native DOS on a P200MMX.

I'm sure I've got posts in this thread on all three games if you search back in it. Have fun!

Having finished both Dark Sun games back in the day on my 486-33 I can easily say they are both worth your time.

Return to Krondor was also really short. I finished it then returned it the next day, yes you used to be able to return opened games.

Cleared the first 30 levels of Icebreaker on "INSANE" difficulty, have been on/off trying the levels past that point but I feel like one of them (maybe more) are actually completely impossible to do on harder difficulties due to seeker related softlocks.

Breezed through the Windows version of Aladdin, that was released as part of Disney's Classic Games, I think in 1996. Never played that version before, although I've played the DOS release quite a bit as a kid. The Windows version is a more exact port of the Genesis game, but it suffers from all the problems of early Windows 95 games - speed sensitivity, graphical glitches with certain GPUs, incompatibility with newer Windows versions. I managed to get it to run sort-of OK (although a bit slow) on a Thinkpad A31p under Windows Me.

dr_st wrote on 2026-06-04, 20:59:

It has a dual control scheme, doesn't it? Using the arrow keys gives you the traditional tank controls, while numpad keys translate directly to the four cardinal directions and the diagonals.

You're exactly right, it does have a dual control scheme! It's one of the great things about this game, how flexible the controls are. Personally, I don't like the numpad controls, as the game makes more sense with tank controls. The numpad controls are described in the manual as "advanced" controls, so maybe I'll switch over to them as I get used to playing the game.

clueless1 wrote on 2026-06-04, 22:13:

I've DNF Dark Sun many years before. I got proably 1/3 to 1/2 way through and it just got boring. But I want to give it anothe […]
Show full quote

I've DNF Dark Sun many years before. I got proably 1/3 to 1/2 way through and it just got boring. But I want to give it another try. Played on a 486 downclocked.

I also DNF'd Betrayal at Krondor about 6 years ago! I got 30 hours in and IIRC it also got boring for me. This one I'm pretty sure I won't retry. Played on a 486.

Crusader series: I loved both games and finished them both! The first one in early 2018, the 2nd in mid-late 2018. I had a blast with them both. Played in native DOS on a P200MMX.

I'm sure I've got posts in this thread on all three games if you search back in it. Have fun!

I remember reading your posts about BaK, but not about Dark Sun, so I'll have to search back and read those! I've got a lot of nostalgia for Origin back in the 90s, where it felt like you had to upgrade your computer for every single game, so it's been a lot of fun revisiting their games now. When you think about it, it's really strange... you had this company known for the Ultima games releasing action games one after another, requiring a cutting edge PC just to play them. What a weird time it was back then!

newtmonkey wrote on Yesterday, 15:08:

clueless1 wrote on 2026-06-04, 22:13:

I've DNF Dark Sun many years before. I got proably 1/3 to 1/2 way through and it just got boring. But I want to give it anothe […]
Show full quote

I've DNF Dark Sun many years before. I got proably 1/3 to 1/2 way through and it just got boring. But I want to give it another try. Played on a 486 downclocked.

I also DNF'd Betrayal at Krondor about 6 years ago! I got 30 hours in and IIRC it also got boring for me. This one I'm pretty sure I won't retry. Played on a 486.

Crusader series: I loved both games and finished them both! The first one in early 2018, the 2nd in mid-late 2018. I had a blast with them both. Played in native DOS on a P200MMX.

I'm sure I've got posts in this thread on all three games if you search back in it. Have fun!

I remember reading your posts about BaK, but not about Dark Sun, so I'll have to search back and read those! I've got a lot of nostalgia for Origin back in the 90s, where it felt like you had to upgrade your computer for every single game, so it's been a lot of fun revisiting their games now. When you think about it, it's really strange... you had this company known for the Ultima games releasing action games one after another, requiring a cutting edge PC just to play them. What a weird time it was back then!

I was also a huge Origin fanboy. And I upgraded my PC for their games! 🤣. I did play the Crusader series back in the day but never finished them. I did play and finish them in modern times, though. 😉

Here is probably my main post on Dark Sun. It wasn't much:
Re: What game are you playing now?

Still progressing through DOS2. I haven't been this addicted to a game for a long time. I started to think I grew out of gaming, and then this comes around.

After Fort Joy became a bit easy, the second half of the starting island get back to being a bit unforgiving. I have to build some new tactics for fights. Building barricades to funnel enemies where I want them to be was an option in the fort where there was a lot of boxes and chests around. In the marshes it's rarely an option.

dr_st wrote on Yesterday, 14:05:

Breezed through the Windows version of Aladdin, that was released as part of Disney's Classic Games, I think in 1996. Never played that version before, although I've played the DOS release quite a bit as a kid.

And today I've finished the DOS version too. I think it's the first time ever I beat the game(s) fairly without cheats. And even that just on 'Easy'. This is a classic "hard" 90s platformer - you can only stock up to 9 lives, there are no continues, and some segments are notoriously difficult without any extra lives to replenish those you lost.

dr_st wrote on Today, 15:59:

dr_st wrote on Yesterday, 14:05:

Breezed through the Windows version of Aladdin, that was released as part of Disney's Classic Games, I think in 1996. Never played that version before, although I've played the DOS release quite a bit as a kid.

And today I've finished the DOS version too. I think it's the first time ever I beat the game(s) fairly without cheats. And even that just on 'Easy'. This is a classic "hard" 90s platformer - you can only stock up to 9 lives, there are no continues, and some segments are notoriously difficult without any extra lives to replenish those you lost.

Doesn't the "Wish" that you can buy from the merchant function as a Continue?

And yeah, the devs made it really hard, so that kids couldn't just rent the game from Blockbuster and beat it over the weekend. Lion King is even worse in that regard. Kinda shady for a product intended for children.

Joseph_Joestar wrote on Today, 16:13:

Doesn't the "Wish" that you can buy from the merchant function as a Continue?

Yes, you are correct. I forgot about this. I guess it makes the game quite a bit easier, although I imagine a continue will take you to the start of the level. If some levels are just too hard to beat in one go, you are stuck.

Joseph_Joestar wrote on Today, 16:13:

Lion King is even worse in that regard.

I remember that. Recall the game was pretty fair up until 'Hakuna Matata', and then it is just straight bullsh!t. Don't feel like trying it any time soon.

dr_st wrote on Today, 16:31:

Joseph_Joestar wrote on Today, 16:13:

Lion King is even worse in that regard.

I remember that. Recall the game was pretty fair up until 'Hakuna Matata', and then it is just straight bullsh!t. Don't feel like trying it any time soon.

Yeah, I pretty much gave up on beating Lion King legit.

With Aladdin, I struggled a lot with "The Escape", but I eventually learned the timing and got through it. The music track from that level ended up being my favorite in the entire game.