View source for Software:Ravenloft: Strahd's Possession

{{Infobox video game
| title = Ravenloft: Strahd's Possession
| image = Ravenloft - Strahd's Possession Coverart.png
| developer = [[Company:DreamForge Intertainment|DreamForge Intertainment]]
| publisher = [[Company:Strategic Simulations|Strategic Simulations]]
| designer = Thomas J. Holmes<br>Christopher L. Straka
| programmer = Don Wuenschell
| composer = Jamie McMenamy
| series = ''Ravenloft''
| released = 1994 (DOS)<br>1995 (FM Towns, PC-98)
| genre = [[Software:Role-playing video game|Role-playing video game]]
| modes = [[Software:Single-player video game|Single-player]]
| platforms = {{ubl|[[Engineering:DOS|DOS]]|[[Engineering:FM Towns|FM Towns]]|[[Engineering:PC-98|PC-98]]}}
}}

'''''Ravenloft: Strahd's Possession''''' is a 1994 fantasy [[Software:Role-playing video game|role-playing video game]] developed by [[Company:DreamForge Intertainment|DreamForge Intertainment]] for [[Company:Strategic Simulations|Strategic Simulations]] for [[Engineering:DOS|DOS]]. ''[[Software:Ravenloft: Stone Prophet|Ravenloft]]'' is a sequel to this game.

==Plot==
The game is based on the Ravenloft campaign setting for the ''Dungeons & Dragons'' fantasy role-playing game. The game is set in the domain of Barovia.

The [[Software:Player character|player character]]s are servants of the Lord Dhelt, leader of the land of Elturel. After an assassin assaults the Lord and steals his Holy Symbol of Helm, the PCs are sent in pursuit of the thief. Instead of catching the criminals, however, they somehow manage to transport the entire party to the mist-shrouded land of Barovia, ruled over by the vampire Count, Strahd von Zarovich.

As Barovia is surrounded by an impenetrable poison mist, the PCs have no choice but to explore the dark land of Barovia, which is crawling with undead and many more nasty things. Strahd, himself, seems interested in the characters' quest for the stolen amulet and invites the party to his castle. The characters' quest is to survive this hostile land long enough to unravel the mystery of the stolen amulet and somehow arrange safe passage out of Barovia.

==Gameplay==
[[File:Ravenloft Strahd's Possession screenshot.png|thumb|Enemies attacking]]
The game used [[3D computer graphics|3D computer graphics]] and used a [[Software:Game engine|game engine]] identical to the later SSI title ''[[Software:Menzoberranzan (video game)|Menzoberranzan]]''. Generally, the keyboard or mouse-driven directional arrows were used to move around or change perspective. As an early 3D [[Software:Game engine|game engine]], it moved slowly and could appear cumbersome. However, there was an omnipresent map in the top corner which helped gamers from becoming too disoriented by the slow and cluttered progress of the game.

The fighting system involved using the mouse to pinpoint enemies and click to attack, at which point party members would take turns attacking. This unique combat system presented some logistical problems for gamers, and seemed to involve quite a learning curve.

A review in ''Game Bytes'' Magazine said: "Characters with weapons in hand will use them one by one [...] However, since the characters have a go one at a time from left to right, and they take a varying amount of time to ready their weapon again after using it, depending on their dexterity, one often finds that characters who are ready to use their weapons cannot do so because the computer is waiting for the character whose turn it is to ready and use his weapons before going to the next one. Hence, one may be anxiously clicking away but no one is using their weapons".<ref name = "Game Bytes Magazine"/>

==Sound==
Voice acting was used in some versions of the game and the Eastern European accent of the central characters did much to improve its believability. The acting was generally well received, but in the case of Strahd, ''Game Bytes'' magazine wrote that "the attempt to make him sound suave yet menacing (which is as it should be) didn't quite come off".<ref name = "Game Bytes Magazine"/>

The music of ''Strahd's Possession'' was highly atmospheric and was critically acknowledged as a vast improvement of SSI's previous offerings. ''Game Bytes'' magazine said that "the music superbly brings out the mood and atmosphere, and is reminiscent of those found in gothic horror movies, with the organ being the central instrument".<ref name = "Game Bytes Magazine">{{citation | author = Sir Launcelot du Lake | periodical = Game Bytes Magazine | title = AD&D RAVENLOFT: STRAHD'S POSSESSION CD from SSI | volume=21 | year = 1994 | url = http://www.ibiblio.org/GameBytes/issue21/greviews/raven.html}}</ref>

==Publication history==
This game was later included in the 1996 compilation set, the ''AD&D Masterpiece Collection''.<ref name="Arcane2">{{cite journal|last= Butcher|first=Andy|date=January 1996|title=Games Reviews|journal=Arcane|publisher=Future Publishing|issue=2|pages=80}}</ref> In October 2015, the game was re-released on [[Company:GOG.com|GOG.com]] with support for [[Software:Microsoft Windows|Microsoft Windows]], [[Software:MacOS|OS X]], and [[Software:Linux|Linux]] pre-packed with [[Software:DOSBox|DOSBox]], bundled with the sequel.<ref>{{cite web |title=Release: Dungeons & Dragons: Ravenloft, Dark Sun, Krynn Series |url=https://www.gog.com/news/release_dungeons_dragons_ravenloft_dark_sun_krynn_series |website=[[Company:GOG.com|GOG.com]] |publisher=[[Company:CD Projekt|CD Projekt]] |access-date=5 November 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151029213045/http://www.gog.com/news/release_dungeons_dragons_ravenloft_dark_sun_krynn_series |archive-date=29 October 2015 |date=27 October 2015 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Shearer |first1=Stew |title=GOG Crits Again: Adds Seven More ''Dungeons & Dragons'' Classics |url=https://v1.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/161203-GOG-Re-Releases-Seven-Dungeons-Dragons-Classics |website=The Escapist |access-date=5 November 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151029215420/http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/161203-GOG-Re-Releases-Seven-Dungeons-Dragons-Classics |archive-date=29 October 2015 |date=28 October 2015 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Sykes |first1=Tom |title=GOG adds D&D: Ravenloft, Dark Sun and Krynn |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/gog-adds-dd-ravenloft-dark-sun-and-krynn/ |website=PC Gamer |access-date=5 November 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151029205952/http://www.pcgamer.com/gog-adds-dd-ravenloft-dark-sun-and-krynn |archive-date=29 October 2015 |date=27 October 2015 |url-status=live}}</ref>

==Reception==
{{Video game reviews
| PCGUS = 82%<ref name=pcgamerus>{{cite journal | author=T. Liam, McDonald | journal=PC Gamer US | title=''Ravenloft'' | date=June 1994 | issue=1 | pages=72}}</ref>
| rev1 = ''Electronic Entertainment''
| rev1Score = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref name=e2 />
| rev2 = ''Computer Game Review''
| rev2Score = 82%<ref name=cgr />
}}

In ''PC Gamer US'', T. Liam McDonald wrote that ''Strahd's Possession'' was "one of SSI's best AD&D-based releases, packed with character, featuring just enough novelty, and being very nicely put together".<ref name=pcgamerus /> Barry Brenesal of ''Electronic Entertainment'' called it "a strong step forward for SSI's epic role-playing fantasies", and found the game to be "cleverly designed, well-plotted, and atmospheric".<ref name=e2>{{cite journal | author=Brenesal, Barry | journal=Electronic Entertainment | title=''Ravenloft'' | date=June 1994 | issue=7 | page=101}}</ref> Kevin Perry of ''Computer Game Review'' felt that ''Strahd's Possession'' failed to capture the Ravenloft campaign setting, and he described its interface as an exercise in "despair and frustration". He summarized that "some of [the game's] ideas will help usher along the next generation of CRPGs, but it doesn't". Conversely, the magazine's Ted Chapman called it "a decent enough game" and recommended it to fans of the genre.<ref name=cgr>{{cite journal | author1=Honeywell, Steve | author2=Perry, Kevin | author3=Chapman, Ted | journal=Computer Game Review | title=Things Get Eerie When the Sun Goes Down... | date=June 1994 | volume=3 | issue=11 | page=32}}</ref> ''Computer Gaming World''{{'}}s Petra Schlunk approved of the game's "insidiously credible atmosphere". She disliked the real-time magic system, buggy enemy [[Software:Spawning (gaming)|spawning]] and pathing, and erratic movement speed, and reported frequent crashes, but liked the graphics, sound, dialogue, and character creation system. Schlunk concluded that "aside from a few technical problems and a somewhat cumbersome interface, ''Ravenloft'' is a solid, thoughtfully designed and enjoyable game", not so long as to discourage a replay to finish it again more efficiently.<ref name="schlunk199406">{{Cite magazine | last=Schlunk | first=Petra | date=June 1994 | title=Exorcising The Madness Of Strahd's Possession | url=http://www.cgwmuseum.org/galleries/index.php?year=1994&pub=2&id=118 | magazine=Computer Gaming World | pages=74–78}}</ref>

''Strahd's Possession'' was nominated for ''Computer Gaming World''{{'}}s Role-Playing Game of the Year award in May 1995. The editors remarked that the game's "subject matter and new 3-D look enhance the solid background universe created by TSR's AD&D team".<ref name=cgwpremier1995>{{cite magazine | author=Staff | magazine=Computer Gaming World | title=The ''Computer Gaming World'' 1995 Premier Awards | url=http://www.cgwmuseum.org/galleries/index.php?year=1995&pub=2&id=130 | date=May 1995 | issue=130 | pages=35, 36, 38, 40, 42, 44}}</ref>

According to GameSpy, "''Ravenloft: Strahd's Possession'' was a welcome return to form for SSI".<ref name="rauschIII">{{cite web | last = Rausch | first = Allen | date = 2004-08-17 | url = http://pc.gamespy.com/articles/539/539722p3.html | title = A History of ''D&D'' Video Games - Part III | publisher = Game Spy | access-date = November 17, 2012}}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* {{MobyGames|id=/ravenloft-strahds-possession}}

{{DreamForge Intertainment}}

[[Category:DOS games]]
[[Category:Linux games]]
[[Category:MacOS games]]
[[Category:Role-playing video games]]
[[Category:Single-player video games]]
[[Category:Strategic Simulations games]]
[[Category:Windows games]]

{{Sourceattribution|Ravenloft: Strahd's Possession}}