WASTELAND (1988)

Interplay

I got into Wasteland about a year before I ever played Quest for Glory, so I believe this is truly my first true RPG game..and I was not disappointed. I had gotten this game from an Interplay collection CD that included some other good titles like "Out of this World". Casey was the only other person who I know who tried playing this classic, but I dont think he lasted long with it.

The setting chracters and setting grabbed my attention immediately! The idea that the world was nearly destroyed in a nuclear holocaust and the survivors would enter into a world of anarchy had me on the edge of my seat for weeks. I know the idea certainly wasn't new to creative minds, but it was new ot me, and thats all that mattered! You are band of desert do-gooders known as 'desert rangers'. Your job is to bring peace and order to the wastes in and around the city of Las Vegas.On your journey, you uncover gangs, mutants and other desert scum suviving on the blood of others. You eventually get drawn into a big plotline that involves the take-over of what is left of the world, although I couldnt imagine that being too difficult with the way the world is anyway. The character creation and skill system are unique and give the player a real sense of progression. The multiple plot lines that are going on always ensure that you are not stuck in one place for long. Unique enemies will always be there to waste for more experience. I had to restart the game more than once becuase of the difficulty, but I always found things I missed the first time though.

Although the graphics are almost nonexistant by today's standards, Wasteland will entertain avid RPGers and will draw other gamers into the mix as well. For anyone who played the Fallout series, this is the game that started it all!