Based on a heavily modified Wolfenstein 3D engine, Rise of the Triad adds a number of new features, and was originally planned as a sequel. Whereas Wolf3D was flat, ROTT truly entered the third dimension by adding height: it was now possible to move up and down! Players can fall or be launched into the air, the environment displays damage (bullet holes), and the graphics and sound are a step up. Explosive weapons can blast enemies into giblets (gibs), and characters are more lifelike, sometimes begging for mercy. There are also multiplayer levels! The number of improvements and additions to this engine is really quite amazing. As for the story, this time you must infiltrate a cult that plans to destroy Los Angeles, using one of five playable characters who have different attributes (only one character is available in the shareware version). The registered version is known as "Rise of the Triad: Dark War". There are 5 episodes in this game, with only the first episode playable in the shareware version.

Episode 1: The HUNT Begins
Episode 2: Approach
Episode 3: Monastery
Episode 4: Caves Below
Episode 5: The Slow and the Dead

Downloads

Complete version history:

Rise of the Triad: The HUNT Begins v1.3 Shareware Episode (3,668,139 bytes)	8 August 1995	DOS	Play online
Rise of the Triad: The HUNT Begins v1.2a Shareware Episode (Still searching)	25 February 1995	DOS
Rise of the Triad: The HUNT Begins v1.2 Shareware Episode (3,660,945 bytes)	17 February 1995	DOS
Rise of the Triad: The HUNT Begins v1.1 Shareware Episode (Still searching)	8 February 1995	DOS
Rise of the Triad: The HUNT Begins v1.0 Shareware Episode (3,890,787 bytes)	21 December 1994	DOS

Source code for Rise of the Triad v1.3 in Watcom C v10.0b (4,037,414 bytes)

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Help running DOS games

Availability

Apogee still sells the registered version of this game for $5.99 by download.

It can be downloaded in a Windows XP/Vista/7-compatible format from GOG for $5.99.