| Adventure Math Epic MegaGames, 1992 | |||||||||||||||
| User rating: No rating | DOS Shareware (partial game) | No screenshot yet | |||||||||||||
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Adventure Math has easily the best graphics and sound of any DOS math game I've ever seen. Wave synthesis even produces a voice that says the numbers as you type them. In the normal game, you answer math questions in a form where one of the numbers from the question and the answer are provided, and you have to provide the other number, such as "5 + ? = 8" instead of the usual "5 + 3 = ?" format. Answer enough questions correctly and you can play a bonus level, in which you have a space ship at the bottom of the screen, a math problem to solve, and three answers at the top of the screen. Objects are bouncing around on the screen, so you have to shoot the correct answer and avoid being destroyed by the bouncing objects. There are 10 difficulty levels, designed to engage children between Grades 1 and 5. Unlike Mather, this game will not provide a challenge for adults. The shareware version includes only addition and subtraction questions, the registered "Deluxe" version adds multiplication, division, and a timer, which are really the only things missing from this program. Adventure Math v2.0 Shareware (373k) The registered version of this game is still sold through www.epicclassics.com for $12 on floppy disk only.
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| Adventures of Robbo Epic MegaGames, 1993 | |||||||||||||||
| User rating: 6 | DOS Freeware (former commercial) | No screenshot yet | |||||||||||||
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Adventures of Robbo is a fun little puzzle game by the creators of Heartlight PC. You guide Robbo through levels in which push objects but not pull them, and he can shoot at enemies or blow up bombs when he has enough battery power. He must collect all bolts in every level without being destroyed or blocking his access to the bolts or the exit, so planning is very important. Along with Heartlight PC and Electro Man, this game was part of the Epic Puzzle Pack, and was the only game not to be released as a shareware version. The original, unreleased shareware version has been lost, but programmer Maciej Miasik has generously recompiled it from the original source code. The full version features more levels and voice.
Developer xLand generously released this game as freeware under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 2.5 license on 25 June 2006.
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| Ancients Epic MegaGames, 1993 | |||||||||||||||
| User rating: No rating | DOS Shareware (partial game) | No screenshot yet | |||||||||||||
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An RPG with a 3D, first-person perspective, much like the Moraff games, but without the benefit of a map. It has all the usual elements of an RPG: you can pick character types, develop your attributes, cast spells, fight monsters. Episodes are titled as though they are separate games, but the second episode is a continuation of the first, and Epic advertised them as episodes of the same game. There are 2 episodes in this game, with only the first episode playable in the shareware version. Ancients I: The Deathwatch Ancients v2.0 Shareware Episode (486k) I have found no ordering information for this game, and it is not listed at www.epicclassics.com. It can be ordered from Amazon: Ancients II
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| Brix Epic MegaGames, 1991 | |||||||||||||||
| User rating: No rating | DOS Shareware (partial game) | Screenshot | |||||||||||||
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A nearly identical clone of Puzznic, right down to the appearance of the pieces and brick backgrounds. Brix is a challenging and entertaining puzzle game in which you push blocks around the levels and to try get them beside identical blocks to eliminate them. Two or more of the same block will eliminate each other, and all must be eliminated to finish each level. Pushing the pieces will require you to think about how to make a path for them, how to eliminate them in the right order, and how to use gravity and elevators to your advantage while avoiding obstacles like lasers. Author Michael Riedel distributed v1.0, with 112 levels, under the developer name "Radiesel", and the documentation declares the game public domain. Version 2.0 was developed by Radiesel and published as shareware by Epic MegaGames, adding a soundtrack, backgrounds, animation, and other bells and whistles. Registering the game gives you Brix 2 Deluxe, which adds 112 new levels and a level editor.
The registered version of this game is still sold with Brix 2 Deluxe through www.epicclassics.com for $14 on floppy disk only.
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| Castle of the Winds Epic MegaGames, 1992 | |||||||||||||||
| User rating: No rating | Win16 Freeware (former shareware) | Screenshot | |||||||||||||
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Castle of the Winds is a cult classic RPG for Windows. At the beginning of the game, you have ability points that you can distribute between three characteristics, and you can choose your hero's gender. The storyline is linear and the gameplay and inventory system are cunningly simple. In contrast to the cities, the dungeons are almost monochrome, and the graphics throughout the game are minimalist. It may not look like much, but something about it makes it surprisingly fun. There are two volumes in this game, with only the first volume playable in the shareware version. Part 1: A Question of Vengeance Castle of the Winds v1.1A Registered Version (679k) Author Rick Saada has generously released this game as freeware.
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| Dare to Dream Epic MegaGames, 1993 | |||||||||||||||
| User rating: No rating | Win16 Shareware (partial game) | Screenshot | |||||||||||||
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Dare to Dream is a point-and-click adventure that takes place inside the mind of a troubled ten year-old boy. Tyler Norris lost his father eight months ago, and his dreams have been haunted by someone named Christian. His concerned mother has taken him to a psychiatrist, and that's where the story begins. You must explore the world inside Tyler's mind, examining objects and solving puzzles to rescue Tyler from his own dreams. There are 3 parts in this game, with only the first part playable in the shareware version. Part 1: In a Darkened Room Dare to Dream Shareware Episode (743k) I have found no ordering information for this game, and it is not listed at www.epicclassics.com.
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| Drum Blaster Epic MegaGames, 1991 | |||||||||||||||
| User rating: No rating | DOS Freeware (former shareware) | No screenshot yet | |||||||||||||
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I had to decide if this is actually a game or if it's music software. I've decided that it's a game, because it's fun to play. Drum Blaster is a music and noise maker with quite a few options, as well as different animated musicians. Although there are no goals or challenges to overcome, this could be entertaining for younger players. Epic became the publisher for Drum Blaster version 3.0. The registered version has 4 add-on packs. Pack 1 - Cool Drums
Author Larry Tipton generously released this game as freeware under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported license on 7 October 2007.
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| Electro Man Epic MegaGames, 1994 | |||||||||||||||
| User rating: No rating | DOS Freeware (former shareware) | No screenshot yet | |||||||||||||
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A very unusual platformer. Your play a cyborg named Jack, a human modified to look like Robocop in order to fight robots who killed your family. Your goal is to locate three computer chips in every level. Your gun only fires when you can find energy for it, and you have infinite lives, which is good because this is a very hard game. One of the difficult aspects of the game is the attempt at realistic physics. You can't change your direction in mid-air, meaning that you can't jump straight up and then push forward, you must be moving forward to jump forward. Once you've jumped, you can't push in the opposite direction to try to come down closer. Not being able to change direction in mid-air may be a difficult adaptation if you're used to console video games; inertia is a real consideration in this game. The graphics and sound are quite good, and there are voices. Originally published by CDV Software as electro BODY, the name was changed to Electro Man when published by Epic. There are 8 levels in this game, with only the first level playable in the shareware version. Electro Man Creative Commons Registered Version (887k) Developer xLand generously released this game as freeware under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 2.5 license on 25 June 2006.
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| Epic Baseball Epic MegaGames, 1993 | |||||||||||||||
| User rating: No rating | DOS Shareware (partial game) | No screenshot yet | |||||||||||||
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Not a baseball game, but a baseball simulation. You are the manager in a "fantasy league," responsible for choosing players and handling the management of a virtual baseball team. Epic Baseball v1.1 Shareware Episode (615k) I have found no ordering information for this game, and it is not listed at www.epicclassics.com.
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| Epic Pinball Epic MegaGames, 1993 | |||||||||||||||
| User rating: 8 | DOS Shareware (partial game) | Screenshot | |||||||||||||
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Simply one of the best DOS games ever. This pinball game has realistic graphics, sound, physics and gameplay. A shareware legend. Tables were organized into 3 packs of 4 tables each, and one table was exclusive to the registered CD-ROM. There are 13 tables in this game, with only the first table playable in the shareware version. Pack 1: Android, Pot of Gold, Excalibur, Crash and Burn Epic Pinball v2.1 Shareware Episode (844k) The registered version of this game is still sold through www.epicclassics.com for $29 on CD-ROM only.
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| Extreme Pinball Epic MegaGames, 1995 | |||||||||||||||
| User rating: 6 | DOS Shareware (partial game) | Screenshot | |||||||||||||
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Extreme Pinball is basically Epic Pinball with enhanced graphics and sound. The gameplay is so familiar, it is probably using the Epic Pinball engine or an upgraded version of it. That means this game looks, sounds, and feels like a real pinball table. There are 4 tables in this game, with only the first table playable in the shareware version. Rock Fantasy Extreme Pinball v1.0 Shareware Episode (3044k) The registered version of this game is still sold through www.epicclassics.com for $19 on CD-ROM only.
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| Heartlight PC Epic MegaGames, 1993 | |||||||||||||||
| User rating: No rating | DOS Freeware (former shareware) | No screenshot yet | |||||||||||||
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Heartlight PC is a simple, but challenging puzzle game in which you must guide a dwarf through levels by collecting all of the hearts in a level. You can move up, down, left and right, in levels where hearts, rocks, bombs, and other objects are suspended in a field of grass. The challenge comes from properly using gravity to drop obstacles out of your path without trapping yourself or the hearts, or strategically dropping explosives to reach new areas. The are 60 levels in this game, with only the first 20 playable in the shareware version. Heartlight PC Creative Commons Registered Version (455k) Developer xLand generously released this game as freeware under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 2.5 license on 25 June 2006.
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| Heroes: The Sanguine Seven Safari Software (Epic MegaGames), 1994 | |||||||||||||||
| User rating: No rating | DOS Freeware (former shareware) | No screenshot yet | |||||||||||||
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Heroes is an EGA platformer with FM sound and a comic book theme. You can play as seven different heroes, including a flying squirrel who can glide short distances, a woman with a rocket pack, and a wad of bubble gum who can climb walls. The heroes must stop the reign of terror of an evil rabbit named Wild Hare. Comic book stereotype phrases like "Bam" and "Oof" appear when heroes or villains are hit. The shareware version is called "The Tantalizing Trio" because only three of the heroes are playable. There are 50 levels in this game, with only the first 11 different playable in the shareware version. Heroes: The Sanguine Seven v1.0 Registered Version (542k) Author Jeffrey Fullerton generously released this game as freeware under the Heros Freeware License.
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| Highway Hunter Safari Software (Epic MegaGames), 1995 | |||||||||||||||
| User rating: No rating | DOS Shareware (partial game) | No screenshot yet | |||||||||||||
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In the future the Earth has been conquered by the Axis of Allied Planets, who have terraformed the planet to be more hospitable to aliens, making it deadly to humans. Using an assault vehicle, you must blast your way through the highways to destroy the terraformers and save the world. There are lots of shield and weapon upgrades to help you destroy the cars, helicopters and other vehicles that try to destroy you. There are 3 episodes in this game, with only the first episode playable in the shareware version. Episode 1 - Evil Drivers Highway Hunter v1.0 Shareware Episode (844k) I have found no ordering information for this game, and it is not listed at www.epicclassics.com. It can be ordered from Amazon: Highway Hunter
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| Jazz Jackrabbit Epic MegaGames, 1994 | |||||||||||||||
| User rating: 6 | DOS Shareware (partial game) | No screenshot yet | |||||||||||||
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Jazz Jackrabbit is a combination of several styles of platform game. Being a rabbit, Jazz can run very fast and speed is a major component of the game, warranting instant comparison to Sonic the Hedgehog. There are a lot of items to collect, which requires extensive exploration, something that Sonic wouldn't have time for. Finally, Jazz carries a big gun and finds many different kinds of ammo. He's also a great jumper, so perhaps he's Sonic, Mario, and Duke Nukem rolled into one. The graphics and sound are excellent, and Jazz Jackrabbit is generally regarded as one of the best DOS games ever. Originally, episodes 1-3 and 4-6 could be purchased separately, and three new episodes, A-C, were added in the CD-ROM version, Jazz Jackrabbit CD. There are 9 episodes in this game, with only the first episode playable in the shareware version. Episode 1: Turtle Terror Jazz Jackrabbit v1.1 Shareware Episode (1386k) The registered version of this game is still sold through www.epicclassics.com for $25 on CD-ROM only.
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| Jazz Jackrabbit: Holiday Hare Epic MegaGames, 1994 | |||||||||||||||
| User rating: 10 | DOS Freeware (always) | No screenshot yet | |||||||||||||
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Released as "Jazz Jackrabbit Christmas Edition", this freeware episode lists itself as "Episode X: Holiday Hare" on the episode selection screen, beneath the 9 episodes from Jazz Jackrabbit. Episode X was never added to the original game, so Holiday Hare is a standalone game based on the Jazz Jackrabbit engine. Featuring the same awesome graphics as the original, tons of weapons, and a rock and roll soundtrack based on a medley of Christmas carols, Jazz travels to the wintery planet Holidaius to fight more tortoises and other enemies. Jazz Jackrabbit: Holiday Hare (1404k)
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| Jazz Jackrabbit: Holiday Hare 1995 Epic MegaGames, 1995 | |||||||||||||||
| User rating: No rating | DOS Freeware (always) | No screenshot yet | |||||||||||||
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For the second year in a row, Epic released a freeware episode of Jazz Jackrabbit that lists itself as "Episode X: Holiday Hare" on the episode selection screen, beneath the 9 episodes from Jazz Jackrabbit. Despite the identical name and episode designation as 1994's "Christmas Edition", Holiday Hare 95 is a new standalone game based on the Jazz Jackrabbit engine. Featuring the same awesome graphics as the original, tons of weapons, and an incredible remix of Carol of the Bells for the soundtrack, this time Jazz travels to the planet Candion to fight more tortoises and other enemies, and eat lots of candy.
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| Jill of the Jungle Epic MegaGames, 1992 | |||||||||||||||
| User rating: 5 | DOS Shareware (partial game) | No screenshot yet | |||||||||||||
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Jill can jump really high and throw various weapons in this mediocre platformer. Most of the thinking in this game involves figuring out how to get Jill to jump to new areas, which can be a bit tedious. It does feature an innovative map screen, which can also be explored, and there are voices. The graphics are far less impressive by comparison. There are 3 episodes in this game, with only the first episode playable in the shareware version. Episode 1 - Jill of the Jungle Jill of the Jungle v1.2 Shareware Episode (300k) The registered version of this game is still sold through www.epicclassics.com for $19 on floppy disk only.
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| Ken's Labyrinth Epic MegaGames, 1993 | |||||||||||||||
| User rating: 5.5 | DOS Freeware (former shareware) | No screenshot yet | |||||||||||||
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The author calls this the first Wolfenstein 3D clone. Aliens from the planet Zogar, led by Ken, have abducted your dog, Sparky, and discovered dogs to be the most intelligent species in the universe. They've also abducted you and put you in a labyrinth that they use to test the strength and intelligence of different species. There are lots of weird aliens to shoot and a dog to save in this unusual first-person shooter. There are 3 episodes in this game, with only the first episode playable in the shareware version. Episode 1 - Search for Sparky Ken's Labyrinth v2.01 Registered (867k) Author Ken Silverman generously released this game under the Ken's Labyrinth Freeware License on 16 November 1999.
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| Kiloblaster Epic MegaGames, 1992 | |||||||||||||||
| User rating: No rating | DOS Shareware (partial game) | No screenshot yet | |||||||||||||
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Essentially an updated version of Galaga, with less creative formations. Lots of power-ups, though. You shoot your way through wave after wave of alien ships in classic arcade shooter style. There are 3 episodes in this game, with only the first episode playable in the shareware version. Episode 1 - Death of a Starship Kiloblaster v2.0 Shareware Episode (530k) The registered version of this game is still sold through www.epicclassics.com for $19 on floppy disk only.
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| One Must Fall 2097 Epic MegaGames, 1994 | |||||||||||||||
| User rating: 9 | DOS Freeware (former shareware) | Screenshot | |||||||||||||
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In this fighting game, instead of picking a fighter you pick both a giant robot and a pilot. Robots fight in a number of different arenas, some of which contain hazards that can damage fighters. After each fight there is a brief sportscast with a summary and an actual screenshot from the fight. A tournament mode lets you start with a minimal robot and win money to upgrade it for future fights. There are 11 robots, 5 arenas and 4 tournaments in this game, with only 3 robots, 1 arena and 1 tournament playable in the shareware version. One Must Fall 2097 v2.1 Registered Version (6684k) Diversions Entertainment, who developed this game, has generously released this game as freeware.
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| Overkill Epic MegaGames, 1992 | |||||||||||||||
| User rating: No rating | DOS Shareware (partial game) | No screenshot yet | |||||||||||||
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A pretty average space shooter. You know the drill: kill everything that moves, collect power-ups, try not to get destroyed. There are 6 episodes in this game, with only the first episode playable in the shareware version. Overkill v2.0 Shareware Episode (393k) The registered version of this game is still sold through www.epicclassics.com for $19 on floppy disk only.
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| Radix: Beyond the Void Epic MegaGames, 1995 | |||||||||||||||
| User rating: 6 | DOS Shareware (partial game) | No screenshot yet | |||||||||||||
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Radix is a cross between a first person shooter and a flight simulator. In 2049, aliens from another universe started entering ours through an opening called "the Void". The Radix is the most powerful space ship Earth has, and is the only hope of defeating the vastly more powerful alien invaders. The game can be viewed from the cockpit or from behind the ship. You can move in all three dimensions, accelerate, and see what's behind you with a rear camera. Some of the environment is destroyable, which can be achieved with a variety of weapons and bombs. A radar also allows you to see where enemies are located. The graphics are typical for first person shooters from the era, the soundtrack has a rock theme, and there is voice. There are 3 episodes in this game, with only the first episode playable in the shareware version. Episode 1 - Theta 2
The registered version of this game is still sold through www.epicclassics.com for $15 on CD-ROM only.
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| Seek and Destroy Safari Software (Epic MegaGames), 1995 | |||||||||||||||
| User rating: No rating | DOS Shareware (partial game) | No screenshot yet | |||||||||||||
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Seek and Destroy is a combat game with 360° movement and an aerial view. In most levels you can use either an Apache helicopter or a tank to complete objectives such as recovering hostages, stealing information, or just destroying stuff. Weapons can be purchased with the money you find after destroying some buildings. The game has decent graphics and sound, including voice, and using the mouse to control your direction and speed becomes easy fairly quickly. There are 20 levels in this game, with only the first 8 playable in the shareware version. Seek and Destroy v1.0 Shareware Episode (3736k) The registered version of this game is still sold through www.epicclassics.com for $15 on CD-ROM only.
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| Solar Winds Epic MegaGames, 1993 | |||||||||||||||
| User rating: No rating | DOS Shareware (partial game) | No screenshot yet | |||||||||||||
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This is not a typical RPG. The game takes place in a far away galaxy, where humans live in a solar system orbiting a star called Enigma. You are Jake Stone, a notorious smuggler, and you have a cool space ship. It's an odd premise for an RPG, but a story unfolds as you talk to people throughout the solar system, and you have a lot of freedom in the decisions you make. You can do some things out of order, and decide whether to negotiate with people, or just kill them. The game goes on regardless of what decision you make. Defeating enemy space ships increases the energy available for you to allocate to your ship's attributes, such as shields and weapons, and you get new items to improve your ship as you progress. Other than a lack of swords, magic and dragons, this really is an RPG. The first episode is a little shorter than I expected, but otherwise I find it engrossing and original. There are 2 episodes in this game, with only the first episode playable in the shareware version. NOTE: Solar Winds v2.0 lists as v2.0 in the documentation by Tim Sweeney, but v1.1 in the configuration screen. Episode I: The Escape Solar Winds v2.0 Shareware Episode (499k) The registered version of this game is still sold through www.epicclassics.com for $25 on floppy disk only.
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| Space Chase Safari Software (Epic MegaGames), 1993 | |||||||||||||||
| User rating: No rating | DOS Shareware (partial game) | No screenshot yet | |||||||||||||
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The graphics, sound and engine should remind you a lot of Crystal Caves and Secret Agent in this simple EGA platformer. There's no map screen, though; this game is linear. In Space Chase you play Jason Chase, a former marine who can really jump. Your mission is to defeat the leaders of Evil Guys, Inc. Levels are full of jewels and other bonuses, as well as monsters and robots. Ammunition is limited, so it's sometimes wiser to avoid enemies rather than shoot everything that moves. The graphics and sound aren't the greatest, but they're better than some EGA games I've played, and the fun factor makes the game worth playing through. There are 3 episodes in this game, with only the first episode playable in the shareware version. Episode 1: City Under Siege Space Chase v2.02D Shareware Episode (410k) I have found no ordering information for this game, and it is not listed at www.epicclassics.com.
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| Super ZZT Epic MegaGames, 1992 | |||||||||||||||
| User rating: No rating | DOS Freeware (former shareware) | No screenshot yet | |||||||||||||
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The sequel to ZZT, Super ZZT switches from being a collection of single screens to a system that allows massive levels that can be scrolled in every direction. The text mode is changed to 40×25 mode from 80×40 in ZZT, so you can't see as far ahead in this game. Gameplay is otherwise familiar, and a number of new enemies are added. Gameplay seems to be easier in Super ZZT, and there are less occasions where you lose instantly by failing to solve a puzzle. Super ZZT also featured a level editor, but the game proved less popular than the original, and less levels were designed for it. Volume numbers in Super ZZT continue from the original ZZT. There are 3 volumes in this game, with only the last volume playable in the shareware version. Volume 5: ZZT's Proving Grounds Super ZZT v1.1 Shareware Episode (101k) Epic MegaGames has generously released this game as freeware.
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| Traffic Department 2192 Safari Software (Epic MegaGames), 1994 | |||||||||||||||
| User rating: 10 | DOS Freeware (former shareware) | No screenshot yet | |||||||||||||
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As Lt. Velasquez, a pilot with the Traffic Department, you must take back the streets from the Vulture terrorist organization. You use a variety of vehicles to drive through the streets and shoot enemy vehicles as the Traffic Department finds itself mired ever deeper in a cosmic terrorist war. There are 3 episodes in this game, with only the first episode playable in the shareware version. Episode Alpha: Process of Elimination
Developer John Pallett-Plowright generously released this game as freeware under the Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivs 3.0 License on 19 July 2007.
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| Tyrian 2000 Epic MegaGames, 1995 | |||||||||||||||
| User rating: 10 | DOS Freeware (former shareware) | No screenshot yet | |||||||||||||
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Originally published as Tyrian, this game is widely regarded as one of the best shooters ever. At the highest settings, Tyrian features amazing graphics and sounds, as well as voice. Many enemy ships, especially bosses, visibly take damage and break into smaller vehicles as pieces get destroyed, adding a real arcade feel to the game. The self-regenerating shields are especially helpful for aggressive players. You can collect money to buy upgrades for your ship, as well as pick up holographic data cubes that provide information or contribute to the story, or contain advertisements for fictional products. Even the advertisements provide some background information, and other characters contact you to keep you apprised of the situation. The story actually has depth and is not merely an afterthought to provide continuity to the levels. You can sometimes choose the levels you play by choosing a direction on the map screen, and there are secret bonus levels. Definitely recommended. Originally a trilogy, a new episode was added in version 2.0. A fifth episode was added to version 3.0, at which time the game was officially renamed Tyrian 2000. There are 5 episodes in this game, with only the first episode playable in the shareware version. Episode 1 - Escape Tyrian 2000 v3.0 Registered Version (5642k) Author Jason Emery has generously released this game as freeware.
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| Xargon Epic MegaGames, 1994 | |||||||||||||||
| User rating: 8 | DOS Shareware (partial game) | No screenshot yet | |||||||||||||
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In Xargon you play Malvineus Havershim, an archaeologist who was studying ruins in Madagascar when a trap caused him to lose consciousness and wake up in a strange world ruled by the evil Xargon. Presumably this planet has very low gravity because you can jump very high and fall from great heights without injury. I question the ethics of the hero at times. He's an archaeologist visiting a new world and some of the creatures in the earlier levels seem to be minding their own business and merely defending their territory, but he gets points for killing them anyway. The monsters and power-ups are interesting, and the graphics are extremely detailed and shiny. The music sets the mood well, and there is a reasonable variety of voices. The difficulty level is lower than many platformers, reducing the frustration factor, and the game focuses on exploration and has many secret areas, which is exactly the way I like a game to be. The quality of the graphics, music and exploration remind me of Hocus Pocus. A score card or completion indicator to let you know when you've found everything would have been nice, but otherwise the game is quite enjoyable by any audience. There are 3 episodes in this game, with only the first episode playable in the shareware version. Episode 1: Beyond Reality Xargon v3.0 Shareware Episode (580k) I have found no ordering information for this game, and it is not listed at www.epicclassics.com.
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| Zone 66 Epic MegaGames, 1993 | |||||||||||||||
| User rating: 8 | DOS Shareware (partial game) | No screenshot yet | |||||||||||||
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Zone 66 is a 360° scrolling shooter that takes place two centuries in the future in a time when Earth is unified by single world government. Terrorism has been a problem, but now there have been nuclear attacks. You are a former member of the Global Security Agency and your city has been destroyed, and your wife and child with it. Defeat the terrorists and have your revenge. There are a number of aircraft to choose from, and you can choose what weapons you arm them with. You can return to the hangar during battle to repair and reload. The intro is a gritty anime sequence with a killer soundtrack (in SoundBlaster mode; cool and powerful in Ultrasound mode; rather tame in Adlib mode), and bits of the story are revealed after each level. There are 8 episodes in this game, with only the first episode playable in the shareware version. Episode 1 - Foreign Shores Zone 66 v1.5 Shareware Episode (994k) I have found no ordering information for this game, and it is not listed at www.epicclassics.com. It can be ordered from Amazon: Zone 66
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| ZZT Epic MegaGames, 1991 | |||||||||||||||
| User rating: 10 | DOS Freeware (former shareware) | Screenshot | |||||||||||||
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Tim Sweeney's famous first game, published by Potomac Computer Systems until v3.2, when it was renamed Epic MegaGames. ZZT is an ASCII adventure along the lines of the famous Kroz series. The hero can move from screen to screen, fighting monsters and collecting treasures as he goes. Torches are necessary to see in dark rooms such as caves, and keys are needed to open passages to some areas. ZZT is known for clever level design and use of the 16 color palette, and also uses the PC speaker to create music more effectively than most games of this era. The game also came with a level editor, inspiring thousands of user-created levels. There is still a fan following for this game even today. Epic released the full version of this game as freeware on their website in 1997, but Epic Classics is still selling it on their website. I am asking the author whether or not it is still legal to distribute the full version. There are 4 volumes in this game, with only the first volume playable in the shareware version. Volume 1: Town of ZZT ZZT v3.2 Registered Version (176k) Epic MegaGames generously released this game as freeware under the ZZT Freeware License. It is also still sold through www.epicclassics.com for $12 on floppy disk only.
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