Software:Evil Islands: Curse of the Lost Soul

From HandWiki
Short description: 2000 video game
Evil Islands: Curse of the Lost Soul
Developer(s)Nival Interactive
Publisher(s)
  • EU: 1C Entertainment
  • NA: Fishtank Interactive
Platform(s)Microsoft Windows
Release
  • RU: October 26, 2000
  • NA: April 16, 2001[1]
Genre(s)Role playing game, real-time strategy
Mode(s)Single-player, multiplayer

Evil Islands: Curse of the Lost Soul, or simply Evil Islands (Russian: Проклятые земли), is a PC game by Nival Interactive that combines role-playing, stealth, and real-time strategy. Evil Islands introduces a new interface and full 3D graphics.

The game was published in October 2000 in Russia and CIS (Russian version) and a few months later in English.

Gameplay

The game has a mix of real-time strategy and roleplaying elements such as leveling up, acquiring new abilities, learning spells, and buying new weapons and armor. Each quest can be done in many ways, for example using stealth to get past obstacles, going in alone and killing everyone or taking one or two companions with you. However some quests require the player to pickpocket a foe or to take an item from somewhere and use it elsewhere. There are many different ways to get to each quest with each path having its own dangers. There's a deep weapon and armor making feature that allows the player to craft his or her own equipment using blueprints from a town blacksmith and materials found by looting dead bodies or bought from the shopkeeper. However some looted items such as a Banshee cloak or Wolf's fang can't be used for crafting, but instead can be sold for money. Magic can also be used with spells such as Heal, Fireball, Eagle sight, Celestial Lightning, Invisibility, Weaken, Haste, and other such spells for both offensive and defensive use. Bows and crossbows are also available for ranged combat. But the game uses more physical fighting than actual spell casting or archery for combat. But because of the games open ended nature the option to use those methods for combat are still there.

The player can make Zak run, walk, sneak, and crawl. Running causes a lot of noise and attracts the attention of nearby enemies and also decreases Zak's fatigue, so he will eventually have to stop running and rest. Crawling has the slowest movement rate but enemies are less likely to notice Zak when he is crawling, and stealth is increased further during the night. Foes that Zak has to face include but are not limited to Goblins, Orcs, Lizard men, Ogres, Dragons, Humans, Undead, Trolls, Boars, Beholders, and many other beasts each with their own strengths and weaknesses, making the player think on tactics such as watching at the enemy movement patterns or scaring some boars into a pack of wolves to ensure they don't join the fight and aid a single more powerful enemy.

Story

A man named Zak wakes up on an unknown island with no memory of his past and how he got there. He stumbles upon some locals, who refer to him as 'the Chosen' due to the fact he possesses a knife made of metal. Zak makes his way to their village, where the elder, Erfar the Silvertongue, explains to him he is on the island of Gipath. A former backwater of a once great empire, Gipath was cut off from the rest of the world in a magical cataclysm which turned the planet into a series of 'islands' suspended in an astral void, now only connected by portals. Gipath, containing no natural metal deposits of its own, forces its inhabitants make do with mainly Stone Age technology.

As the 'Chosen', Zak is sent by elder Erfar on various quests which serve to improve the safety of the village. Along the way, Zak meets new companions and explores the furthest reaches of the island. Among other things, he learns that the island is being kept afloat by a Great Magician, and a group of explorers from the Khadaganian Empire have made their way to Gipath for reasons unknown. Eventually, it is revealed that Erfar sees Zak as a threat and intended to bring about his death by sending him on so many dangerous missions. Erfar, however, manages to escape before Zak can bring him to justice.

Zak finally meets the Great Magician of Gipath, a powerful wizard known as Tka-Rik. Tka-Rik explains he belongs to an ancient race called the Joons, whose powerful civilization once ruled the world and was nearly wiped out by a demonic entity known as the 'Curse'. Until recently, he thought he was the last remaining member of his race, but he reveals that he has sensed the presence of two Joon youths - a young man and woman. Tka-Rik tasks Zak with finding the two remaining Joons.

Zak is sent first to the cold, snowy island of Ingos, part of the Canian Empire. Here, he tracks down a girl referred to by the locals as the 'Princess', who has gone into hiding with creatures called Wormheads. The Princess is revealed to be the young Joon woman, named Lu-A-Jalla, who tells Zak she has been separated from her lover. After Zak returns her to Tka-Rik, he is next sent to the desert island of Suslanger, part of the oppressive Khadaganian Empire, where the Great Magician last sensed the presence of the young Joon man. Zak finds refuge with a brotherhood of rebels in the hostile land. During his travels Zak learns that the young Joon man was on the run and used a portal to teleport himself away. As only a Great Magician can determine where he teleported to, Zak must use a portal to get back to Tka-Rik. Zak is helped to the Suslanger portal to Gipath by a rebel named Brother Faceless. Faceless eventually reveals that he is actually Erfar Silvertongue, and that all along he was a native of Suslanger. Erfar then attempts to murder Zak. Zak survives and kills Erfar, but returns to Gipath empty-handed.

Though initially displeased at Zak's perceived failure, Tka-Rik then begins to recall that, using powerful magic, he himself physically transformed the young Joon man in order to protect him from the Curse. Afterwards, he sent him to the most remote corner of the world and erased both their memories of the event in order to keep them safe. All along, it was Zak himself who turned out to be the young Joon man; At-Zako. Realizing they cannot outrun the Curse, they choose instead to face it. Tka-Rik summons and confronts the Curse and he and At-Zako (Zak) eventually defeat it in combat, thus securing the continued future of Joon race.

Multiplayer

Evil Islands also has an online multiplayer feature allowing players to do quests, and level up, similar to the solo side of the game but with human players. Quests are different from those of the single player story and have different objectives and rewards. The multiplayer portion of the game is also much harder than normal play especially without other players, encouraging people to group up.

Reception

Reception
Aggregate score
AggregatorScore
Metacritic74/100[2]
Review scores
PublicationScore
CGMStarStar[3]
CGWStarStarStarHalf star[4]
Eurogamer8/10[6]
Game Informer5.25/10[7]
GameSpot7/10[8]
GameSpy83%[9]
IGN8.7/10[10]
Next GenerationStarStar[11]
PC Gamer (US)90%[12]

The game received above-average reviews according to the review aggregation website Metacritic.[2] IGN praised the graphics and goofy characters.[10] GameSpot noted that the combat animations are good and the fighting is well balanced for different styles of play.[8] However, Carla Harker of NextGen said, "Evil Islands ain't all bad, but it would be a lot more enjoyable if it weren't made so absurdly difficult by random chance."[11] Jake The Snake of GamePro said, "Handsome 3D landscapes—viewable from nearly any angle and filled with rolling hills and nicely detailed objects—give Evil Islands a unique look and feel."[13][lower-alpha 1]

The game was a finalist for The Electric Playground's 2001 "Best RPG for PC" award, but lost the prize to Software:Arcanum: Of Steamworks and Magick Obscura.[14]

Expansion

An expansion for the game, Evil Islands: Lost in Astral (Russian: Проклятые земли: Затерянные в Астрале. English transliteration: Proklyatie zemly: Zaterjannye v astrale), was released only in Russia on January 27, 2006. It is about the adventures of a young Joon named Kir.

A small team made a mostly machine-translated English fan-translation patch for the text files and graphics in the add-on with updates from September 12, 2021 to January 8, 2023. However, the speech files were not subtitled.[15][16][17]

Notes

  1. ↑ GamePro gave the game 4.5/5 each for graphics, sound, control, and fun factor.

References

  1. ↑ IGN staff (April 16, 2001). "News Briefs". Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on March 9, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220309020907/https://www.ign.com/articles/2001/04/16/news-briefs-151. Retrieved February 23, 2024. 
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Evil Islands: Curse of the Lost Soul". Fandom. Archived from the original on November 8, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201108092133/https://www.metacritic.com/game/pc/evil-islands-curse-of-the-lost-soul. Retrieved February 23, 2024. 
  3. ↑ Chick, Tom (May 29, 2001). "Evil Islands [Curse of the Lost Soul"]. Computer Games Magazine (theGlobe.com). Archived from the original on February 3, 2004. https://web.archive.org/web/20040203024539/http://www.cgonline.com/reviews/evilisland-01-r1.html. Retrieved October 28, 2019. 
  4. ↑ del Sol, Arcadian (August 2001). "The Good Kind of Evil (Evil Islands: Curse of the Lost Soul Review)". Computer Gaming World (Ziff Davis) (205): 69. Archived from the original on November 3, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20221103221011/https://www.cgwmuseum.org/galleries/issues/cgw_205.pdf. Retrieved February 23, 2024. 
  5. ↑ Saltzman, Marc (June 22, 2001). "Evil Islands: Curse of the Lost Soul". Greedy Productions Ltd.. Archived from the original on March 8, 2003. https://web.archive.org/web/20030308151903/http://www.elecplay.com/review.html?article=6160&full=1. Retrieved September 8, 2021. 
  6. ↑ Bye, John "Gestalt" (March 29, 2001). "Evil Islands : Curse of the Lost Soul". Gamer Network. Archived from the original on May 17, 2001. https://web.archive.org/web/20010517120634/http://www.eurogamer.net/content/r_evili/. Retrieved June 29, 2022. 
  7. ↑ "Evil Islands: Curse of the Lost Soul". Game Informer (FuncoLand) (97). May 2001. 
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 Todd, Brett (April 20, 2001). "Evil Islands: Curse of the Lost Soul Review [date mislabeled as "May 17, 2006""]. Fandom. Archived from the original on April 29, 2001. https://web.archive.org/web/20010429054549/http://gamespot.com/gamespot/stories/reviews/0,10867,2710654,00.html. Retrieved September 8, 2021. 
  9. ↑ Haumersen, Lee (May 1, 2001). "Evil Islands: Curse of the Lost Soul". IGN Entertainment. Archived from the original on February 27, 2006. https://web.archive.org/web/20060227145800/http://archive.gamespy.com/reviews/may01/evilislands/index.shtm. Retrieved September 8, 2021. 
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 Adams, Dan (April 20, 2001). "Evil Islands: Curse of the Lost Soul". Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on October 28, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20191028110613/https://www.ign.com/articles/2001/04/20/evil-islands-curse-of-the-lost-soul. Retrieved February 23, 2024. 
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 Harker, Carla (July 2001). "Evil Islands: Curse of the Lost Soul". NextGen (Imagine Media) (79): 88. https://archive.org/details/NextGen79Jul2001/page/n89/mode/2up. Retrieved September 8, 2021. 
  12. ↑ "Evil Islands: Curse of the Lost Soul". PC Gamer (Imagine Media) 8 (6): 78. June 2001. 
  13. ↑ Jake The Snake (June 2001). "Evil Islands: Curse of the Lost Soul". GamePro (IDG) (153): 95. Archived from the original on December 9, 2004. https://web.archive.org/web/20041209080644/http://www.gamepro.com/computer/pc/games/reviews/13207.shtml. Retrieved February 24, 2024. 
  14. ↑ EP staff (2002). "Blister Awards 2001 (Best RPG for PC)". Greedy Productions Ltd.. Archived from the original on September 17, 2003. https://web.archive.org/web/20030917091757/http://www.elecplay.com/feature.html?id=8152&page=2. Retrieved September 8, 2021. 
  15. ↑ "Evil Islands : Lost in Astral : Full game with ENG translation". 2023. https://www.reddit.com/r/EvilIslands/comments/131o190/evil_islands_lost_in_astral_full_game_with_eng/. 
  16. ↑ Meoseko (September 12, 2021). "Evil Islands: Lost in Astral in set?". CD Projekt. https://www.gog.com/forum/rage_of_mages_series/evil_islands_lost_in_astral_in_set/post10. 
  17. ↑ Meoseko (September 12, 2021). "Thread: "Evil Islands lost in astral"". https://www.gipat.ru/forum/thread-3757-post-45685.html#pid45685. 
  • MobyGames is a commercial database website that catalogs information on video games and the people and companies behind them via crowdsourcing. This includes over 300,000 games for hundreds of platforms.[1] Founded in 1999, ownership of the site has changed hands several times. It has been owned by Atari SA since 2022.

Features

Edits and submissions to the site (including screenshots, box art, developer information, game summaries, and more) go through a verification process of fact-checking by volunteer "approvers".[2] This approval process after submission can range from minutes to days or months.[3] The most commonly used sources are the video game's website, packaging, and credit screens. There is a published standard for game information and copy-editing.[4] A ranking system allows users to earn points for contributing accurate information.[5]

Registered users can rate and review games. Users can create private or public "have" and "want" lists, which can generate a list of games available for trade with other registered users. The site contains an integrated forum. Each listed game can have its own sub-forum.

History

Logo used until March 2014

MobyGames was founded on March 1, 1999, by Jim Leonard and Brian Hirt, and joined by David Berk 18 months later, the three of which had been friends since high school.[6][7] Leonard had the idea of sharing information about computer games with a larger audience. The database began with information about games for IBM PC compatibles, relying on the founders' personal collections. Eventually, the site was opened up to allow general users to contribute information.[5] In a 2003 interview, Berk emphasized MobyGames' dedication to taking video games more seriously than broader society and to preserving games for their important cultural influence.[5]

In mid-2010, MobyGames was purchased by GameFly for an undisclosed amount.[8] This was announced to the community post factum , and the site's interface was given an unpopular redesign.[7] A few major contributors left, refusing to do volunteer work for a commercial website.{{Citation needed|date=June 2025} On December 18, 2013, MobyGames was acquired by Jeremiah Freyholtz, owner of Blue Flame Labs (a San Francisco-based game and web development company) and VGBoxArt (a site for fan-made video game box art).[9] Blue Flame Labs reverted MobyGames' interface to its pre-overhaul look and feel,[10] and for the next eight years, the site was run by Freyholtz and Independent Games Festival organizer Simon Carless.[7]

On November 24, 2021, Atari SA announced a potential deal with Blue Flame Labs to purchase MobyGames for $1.5 million.[11] The purchase was completed on 8 March 2022, with Freyholtz remaining as general manager.[12][13][14] Over the next year, the financial boost given by Atari led to a rework of the site being built from scratch with a new backend codebase, as well as updates improving the mobile and desktop user interface.[1] This was accomplished by investing in full-time development of the site instead of its previously part-time development.[15]

In 2024, MobyGames began offering a paid "Pro" membership option for the site to generate additional revenue.[16] Previously, the site had generated income exclusively through banner ads and (from March 2014 onward) a small number of patrons via the Patreon website.[17]

On February 13, 2025, Freyholtz stepped down as the site lead to move onto new projects, leaving operations to Tracy Poff, a veteran coder on the site, and Atari staff.[18]

See also

  • IGDB – game database used by Twitch for its search and discovery functions

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Sheehan, Gavin (2023-02-22). "Atari Relaunches The Fully Rebuilt & Optimized MobyGames Website". https://bleedingcool.com/games/atari-relaunches-the-fully-rebuilt-optimized-mobygames-website/. 
  2. ↑ Litchfield, Ted (2021-11-26). "Zombie company Atari to devour MobyGames". https://www.pcgamer.com/zombie-company-atari-to-devour-mobygames/. 
  3. ↑ "MobyGames FAQ: Emails Answered § When will my submission be approved?". Blue Flame Labs. 30 March 2014. http://www.mobygames.com/info/faq7#g1. 
  4. ↑ "The MobyGames Standards and Practices". Blue Flame Labs. 6 January 2016. http://www.mobygames.com/info/standards. 
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Miller, Stanley A. (2003-04-22). "People's choice awards honor favorite Web sites". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. 
  6. ↑ "20 Years of MobyGames" (in en). 2019-02-28. https://trixter.oldskool.org/2019/02/28/20-years-of-mobygames/. 
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 Plunkett, Luke (2022-03-10). "Atari Buys MobyGames For $1.5 Million". https://kotaku.com/mobygames-retro-credits-database-imdb-atari-freyholtz-b-1848638521. 
  8. ↑ "Report: MobyGames Acquired By GameFly Media". Gamasutra. 2011-02-07. https://www.gamedeveloper.com/game-platforms/report-mobygames-acquired-by-gamefly-media. 
  9. ↑ Corriea, Alexa Ray (December 31, 2013). "MobyGames purchased from GameFly, improvements planned". http://www.polygon.com/2013/12/31/5261414/mobygames-purchased-from-gamefly-improvements-planned. 
  10. ↑ Wawro, Alex (31 December 2013). "Game dev database MobyGames getting some TLC under new owner". Gamasutra. https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/game-dev-database-mobygames-getting-some-tlc-under-new-owner. 
  11. ↑ "Atari invests in Anstream, may buy MobyGames". November 24, 2021. https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2021-11-24-atari-invests-in-anstream-may-buy-mobygames. 
  12. ↑ Rousseau, Jeffrey (2022-03-09). "Atari purchases Moby Games". https://www.gamesindustry.biz/atari-purchases-moby-games. 
  13. ↑ "Atari Completes MobyGames Acquisition, Details Plans for the Site's Continued Support". March 8, 2022. https://www.atari.com/atari-completes-mobygames-acquisition-details-plans-for-the-sites-continued-support/. 
  14. ↑ "Atari has acquired game database MobyGames for $1.5 million" (in en-GB). 2022-03-09. https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/atari-has-acquired-game-database-mobygames-for-1-5-million/. 
  15. ↑ Stanton, Rich (2022-03-10). "Atari buys videogame database MobyGames for $1.5 million". https://www.pcgamer.com/atari-buys-videogame-database-mobygames-for-dollar15-million/. 
  16. ↑ Harris, John (2024-03-09). "MobyGames Offering “Pro” Membership". https://setsideb.com/mobygames-offering-pro-membership/. 
  17. ↑ "MobyGames on Patreon". http://www.patreon.com/mobygames. 
  18. ↑ "An update on MobyGames leadership". 2025-02-13. https://www.mobygames.com/forum/3/thread/269628/an-update-on-mobygames-leadership/#post-269628. 
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