User avatar
intric8
Seattle, WA, USA

Posted Mon Apr 19, 2021 1:06 pm

Three years ago when I beat Dungeon Master for the 1st (and only) time I picked up a crushed copy of Chaos Strikes Back - the Expansion Set #1.

Chaos Strikes Back (CSB), released in 1989 two years after the original game, is legendary for its unfairness and difficulty. Frankly I didn't plan on playing it for more than a few hours. And that's exactly what I did at the time. It’s essentially Dungeon Master 1 but with a completely new smaller dungeon that is supposedly mind crushing and built to frustrate. It didn't sound nearly as thrilling as my experience with the original, which had a big learning curve for me but was very enjoyable. To this day there's nothing quite like the genius of the spell system in that game.

Anyway, DM1 was SO hard for me but also such a glorious achievement. I felt like I beat the game by the skin of my teeth and near my wits' end. To end a game like that is about as good as it ever gets, where when it happens you're at first shocked you did it, then a massive rush of relief and pride fills your entire being. The game is so great; I'm sure it gave me new white hairs, though.
EzW7tlxVIAUO7x_.png
EzW7u5DUcAEuslb.png
EzW7yNpVgAIi8Pb.png
Lord Chaos himself.

EzW70arVgAE1Ee4.png
This might be my self-portrait after finishing the game. It aged me.


I really picked up CSB so I could play around with the very cool character Utility Disk that I'd read about. It allows the modification of the character graphics, which I had a lot of fun poking at back then.

These are some of the light-touch modifications I made at the time.

EzW8HAHVUAkfafY.png
Stamm the Man.

EzW8RFOVoAUXWAV.png
EzW8NeRVIAI8EEv.png
EzW8S7pVkAYsHxx.png

Anyway, recently my friend walldog not knowing I had Chaos Strikes Back disks (and crushed box), alerted me to a listing on Ebay. Near-mint box (let's say A-). FTL boxes are notoriously flimsy and often total junk. This one looked great and was the most complete box I'd ever seen. So I made a bid. To my astonishment, I won with that single bid!
IMG_2978.jpg

It not only came with everything you can think of - manual, reg card, advert for hint book, both disks) but also the rare coin (now I have 2) a "map" (?) and [drumroll] a spiral-bound Adventurer's Handbook! That's the actual hint book the advert promoted for $15 BITD!
IMG_2979.jpg
IMG_2980.jpg
It has spell info, maps - all kinds of interesting stuff. I've never seen a physical copy of this booklet before and as a bonus it fits perfectly inside the box. This handbook is probably the very reason why the box never got crushed over the years!


Even has an original FTL sticker! Only thing lacking from my DM, CSB and DM2 collection is an original CD Soundtrack which is as rare as an Amiga Rejuvenator. That quest continues. But this makes me want to give CSB a chance again. Must. Finish. Pools of Darkness!

IMG_2982.jpg
When you see this logo, do you hear the "Swoooosh!" sound effect, too?


User avatar
obitus1990
USA

Posted Mon Apr 19, 2021 7:30 pm

Is it just me, or does the "Amigaloved" ZED remind anyone else of Dave Haynie, :D ?

And the female character definitely looks "enhanced," ifyouknowwhatimean, in the Amigaloved version :)

User avatar
intric8
Seattle, WA, USA

Posted Mon Apr 19, 2021 10:03 pm

remind anyone else of Dave Haynie
omg that's hilarious.





Return to “Conquests”