Discover the latest Remastered RPGs with Enhanced Graphics and Full Compatibility for Modern PCs
Remakes have become a staple in the video game industry, and while I’m not the biggest fan, they’re a welcome addition. One major benefit is the ability to play classic games on modern devices without needing emulators or complicated setups. Plus, these remakes and remasters often feature enhanced graphics and occasionally new content.
Today, I want to highlight some of the most recent remakes and remasters that allow gamers to experience legendary RPGs that have shaped the industry and inspired iconic series like Final Fantasy.
These games, which originally emerged in the ’80s and ‘90s, are from the era that shaped my gaming preferences and influenced my tastes. Below, you can find some of the latest remasters you can enjoy now on modern PCs
Dungeons And Dragons: Gold Box Classics
Let’s dive into this nostalgic retro gaming corner with the famous Gold Box games. In the late ’80s, SSI acquired the rights to create video games licensed from the second edition of Dungeons & Dragons. This license produced historic titles such as Pool of Radiance, Champions of Krynn, Neverwinter Nights, Countdown to Doomsday from the famous Buck Rogers series (which we discussed in this article), and many others that brought prestige to the RPG world on various platforms, including Commodore 64, Amiga, and Atari.
Today, you can find all the famous GOLD BOX games on Steam and GOG, thanks to the Dungeons & Dragons: Gold Box Classics bundle. This incredible collection contains all the games from the famous ’80s graphics engine, playable on modern PCs.
The Gold Box Classics can be purchased as a complete package, or each sub-collection can be bought individually. Here’s a detailed list of what each collection offers:
Forgotten Realms: The Archives – Collection One
- Eye of the Beholder
- Eye of the Beholder 2
- Eye of the Beholder 3
Forgotten Realms: The Archives – Collection Two
- Pool of Radiance
- Curse of the Azure Bonds
- Secret of the Silver Blades
- Pools of Darkness
- Gateway to the Savage Frontier
Forgotten Realms: The Archives – Collection Three
- Menzoberranzan
- Dungeon Hack
Dungeons & Dragons: Ravenloft Series
- Ravenloft: Strahd’s Possession
- Ravenloft: Stone Prophet
Dungeons & Dragons: Dark Sun Series
- Dark Sun: Shattered Lands
- Dark Sun: Wake of the Ravager
Dungeons & Dragons: Krynn Series
- Champions of Krynn
- Death Knights of Krynn
- The Dark Queen of Krynn
Indeed, SNEG went beyond merely reviving the mentioned titles by adding several extra features:
A dedicated launcher for Gold Box games, making it easier to manage and transfer your adventures between sessions. Enhanced DOSBox support to ensure optimal performance on modern hardware. A specialized Companion App for the Eye of The Beholder Series (The All-Seeing Eye) and most other Gold Box Classics (Gold Box Companion). This app handles dungeon mapping, provides easy access to journal entries, and offers access to spell books and much more.
Warlords
The Warlords series, crafted by Steve Fawkner, stands as a hallmark in the realm of turn-based strategy games, ingeniously melding role-playing elements within a rich fantasy setting. Debuting in 1990, this enduring series encompasses four primary games, two expansion packs, and numerous spin-offs.
Renowned for its strategic complexity, Warlords invites players to command diverse units, cultivate powerful heroes, conquer cities, and navigate intricate diplomatic landscapes. Set in the mythical world of Etheria, the series juxtaposes the forces of good and evil, offering an immersive experience that has captivated gamers for decades.
Thanks to the SNEG publisher, the first three titles in the series are back with some performance optimization, ensuring each game works perfectly on modern hardware peripherals. The games available on Steam and GOG are:
- Warlords I + II
- Warlords III: Darklords Rising
Wizardry: Proving Grounds of the Mad Overlord
The last one is a true 3d remaster of one of the most influential Western RPGs of all time. The legendary RPG, Wizardry: Proving Grounds of the Mad Overlord, has officially launched its version 1.0 and is now available even on consoles. Digital Eclipse, the studio behind this 3D remaster, previously in early access for PC, can now be enjoyed on PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and Nintendo Switch. PC gamers can still find it on Steam and GOG.
Originally released in 1981 for the Apple II, SirTech’s Wizardry: Proving Grounds of the Mad Overlord was a pioneer in bringing the tabletop RPG experience of Dungeons & Dragons to the computer screen. Its influence was far-reaching, inspiring the development of Japanese RPGs like Final Fantasy and Dragon Quest and cementing its place in gaming history. The series flourished in Japan, leading to over forty titles, including sequels and spin-offs, predominantly for the Japanese market.
Digital Eclipse, known for preserving the legacy of classic games with titles like The Making of Karateka and Llamasoft: The Jeff Minter Story, has breathed new life into this iconic RPG, adding modern graphics and user-friendly features while preserving its original gameplay mechanics. Running on the restored Apple II source code, this version maintains the challenging, dice-roll-driven encounters that defined the 1981 release. Enhancements include a rich bestiary, improved party management, and a versatile interface, allowing players to toggle between streamlined and original features.
Now, let me know what you think about these games and which games from the past you wish had a remaster. Join us on Discord and on our social pages.
