Ishar + Ishar 2

Ishar + Ishar 2 is a compilation of the first two games in the Ishar series, a classic role-playing franchise set in the fantasy world of Arborea. In Ishar: Legend of the Fortress, players embark on a quest to uncover the secrets of a mysterious fortress, while Ishar 2: Messengers of Doom tasks them with stopping an evil wizard who has poisoned the land with a hallucinogenic drug, forcing the people to accept his rule. The games feature real-time combat, party-based gameplay, and expansive worlds to explore, with the sequel offering a larger map and refined mechanics. Known for their atmospheric storytelling and strategic depth, these titles are beloved entries in the RPG genre.

Ishar + Ishar 2: A Deep Dive into a Forgotten RPG Classic

Introduction

The Ishar series, developed by the French studio Silmarils in the early 1990s, represents a fascinating yet often overlooked chapter in the history of computer role-playing games (CRPGs). The compilation Ishar + Ishar 2, released in 2009 by DotEmu, bundles the first two entries in this ambitious trilogy: Ishar: Legend of the Fortress (1992) and Ishar 2: Messengers of Doom (1993). These games, originally released for the Amiga, Atari ST, and DOS, are celebrated for their atmospheric world-building, innovative mechanics, and challenging gameplay. However, they also suffer from cryptic design choices and a lack of narrative clarity that can frustrate modern players.

This review will explore the Ishar series in exhaustive detail, examining its development history, narrative depth, gameplay systems, and lasting legacy. By analyzing the games’ strengths and weaknesses, we can better understand their place in the evolution of CRPGs and why they remain a cult favorite among retro gaming enthusiasts.

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Development History & Context

The Studio: Silmarils

Silmarils was a French video game developer founded in 1987 by André and Louis-Marie Rocques. The studio was known for its ambitious projects, often pushing the technical limits of contemporary hardware. Before the Ishar series, Silmarils developed titles like Targhan (1989) and Metal Mutant (1990), which showcased their knack for blending action and adventure elements. However, it was the Ishar trilogy that cemented their reputation as innovators in the RPG genre.

The Ishar games were developed using the ALIS (Actor Language Integrated System) engine, a proprietary tool designed to handle the complex interactions and real-time elements of the series. This engine allowed for a seamless blend of first-person dungeon crawling and overland exploration, a rarity in CRPGs of the era.

The Gaming Landscape of the Early 1990s

The early 1990s were a golden age for CRPGs, with titles like Ultima VII: The Black Gate (1992), Eye of the Beholder (1991), and Dungeon Master (1987) setting the standard for immersive gameplay and narrative depth. The Ishar series emerged during this period, offering a unique blend of real-time combat, party-based mechanics, and a dark fantasy setting.

However, the Ishar games were not without competition. The Amiga and Atari ST, the primary platforms for the series, were home to a plethora of RPGs, including Amberstar (1992) and Dungeon Master II (1993). Despite this, the Ishar series carved out its niche by focusing on atmospheric world-building and challenging gameplay mechanics.

Technological Constraints

The Ishar games were developed during a transitional period in gaming hardware. The Amiga and Atari ST, while capable of impressive graphics and sound for their time, had limitations in terms of memory and processing power. The DOS versions of the games, while more advanced, still had to contend with the constraints of early 1990s PC hardware.

These limitations influenced the design of the Ishar games in several ways:
– Graphics: The games used a 256-color VGA palette, which, while limited by modern standards, was pushed to its limits by Silmarils’ artists. The result was a visually rich world with detailed environments and atmospheric lighting.
– Sound: The sound design was constrained by the hardware of the era, with the Amiga and Atari ST versions featuring simpler audio compared to the DOS versions, which could leverage Ad Lib sound cards for enhanced music and effects.
– Gameplay: The real-time combat system was a technical achievement, but it also required careful optimization to run smoothly on the hardware of the time.

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Narrative & Thematic Deep Dive

Plot Overview

The Ishar series is set in the fictional world of Arborea, a land steeped in myth and magic. The narrative spans multiple games, with each entry building on the events of the previous installments.

• Ishar: Legend of the Fortress: The game begins with the player controlling Aramir, a warrior who washes ashore on the island of Kendoria. The island is under the control of Krogh, an evil sorcerer and the offspring of the dark god Morgoth. The player’s goal is to gather a party of adventurers, explore the island, and ultimately defeat Krogh to reclaim the fortress of Ishar.

• Ishar 2: Messengers of Doom: The sequel shifts the setting to an archipelago of seven islands, each named after one of Jarel’s companions from the prequel Crystals of Arborea. The player takes on the role of Zubaran, the new lord of Ishar, who must defeat the sorcerer Shandar. Shandar has poisoned the people of Arborea with a hallucinogenic drug, making them accept him as their ruler. The player’s party must travel across the islands, uncovering the truth behind Shandar’s schemes and putting an end to his reign.

Themes and Motifs

The Ishar series explores several recurring themes that give it a distinct identity within the RPG genre:

1. The Struggle Against Tyranny: Both games revolve around the fight against oppressive rulers—Krogh in the first game and Shandar in the second. This theme is central to the narrative, driving the player’s actions and providing a clear moral compass.

2. The Power of Unity: The games emphasize the importance of assembling a diverse party of adventurers, each with their own strengths and weaknesses. The party dynamics, including clan rivalries and personality conflicts, add depth to the gameplay and narrative.

3. Exploration and Discovery: The Ishar games are designed to reward exploration, with hidden secrets, side quests, and branching paths encouraging players to delve deeper into the world. The sense of discovery is a key part of the experience, with each island or dungeon offering unique challenges and rewards.

4. The Corrupting Influence of Power: The villains of the Ishar series are not merely evil for the sake of it; they are driven by a desire for power and control. Krogh and Shandar both seek to dominate Arborea, using dark magic and manipulation to achieve their goals. This theme adds a layer of complexity to the narrative, making the villains more than just one-dimensional antagonists.

Characters and Dialogue

The Ishar games feature a cast of pre-generated characters, each with their own backstory, skills, and personality traits. The player can recruit these characters to form a party of up to five adventurers, with each member bringing unique abilities to the table.

However, the character interactions in the Ishar games are somewhat limited. While the games attempt to simulate party dynamics through clan rivalries and personality conflicts, these elements are often underdeveloped. Dialogue is minimal, and the characters rarely engage in meaningful conversations with each other or the player. This lack of depth can make the party members feel more like tools than fully realized individuals.

The World of Arborea

The world of Arborea is one of the strongest aspects of the Ishar series. The games are set in a richly detailed fantasy realm, with each island or region offering a distinct environment and culture. From the swamps of Irvan’s Island to the treetop gangways of Thorm’s Island, the world is filled with diverse landscapes and hidden secrets.

The lore of Arborea is deep and expansive, with references to ancient gods, forgotten civilizations, and legendary artifacts. However, much of this lore is conveyed through text-heavy exposition, which can be overwhelming for players who prefer a more streamlined narrative. Despite this, the world-building in the Ishar games is impressive, creating a sense of a living, breathing world that extends beyond the player’s immediate surroundings.

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Gameplay Mechanics & Systems

Core Gameplay Loop

The Ishar games follow a classic CRPG structure, with a focus on exploration, combat, and character progression. The core gameplay loop involves:
1. Exploration: The player navigates a first-person dungeon or overland map, uncovering new areas, solving puzzles, and interacting with the environment.
2. Combat: Encounters with enemies are handled in real-time, with the player controlling their party’s actions through a simple yet effective interface.
3. Character Progression: As the player’s party gains experience, they level up, gaining new abilities and becoming more powerful.

Combat System

The combat system in the Ishar games is one of their most innovative features. Unlike many CRPGs of the era, which used turn-based combat, the Ishar games feature real-time combat, adding a layer of urgency and strategy to encounters.

• Real-Time Combat: Battles unfold in real-time, with the player clicking on weapons or spells to attack enemies. The positioning of party members is crucial, as frontline warriors must absorb damage while mages and archers provide support from the rear.
• Weapon and Spell Variety: The games offer a range of weapons and spells, each with its own strengths and weaknesses. Heavier weapons deal more damage but are slower, while spells can be used for direct attacks, healing, or buffing the party.
• Enemy AI: Enemies in the Ishar games are aggressive and will often pursue the player, making combat a constant challenge. Some enemies, such as mages, can cast spells that debilitate the party, adding an extra layer of complexity to battles.

Character Progression

Character progression in the Ishar games is straightforward but effective. The player’s party gains experience points (XP) by defeating enemies, and once they reach a certain threshold, they level up. Leveling up increases the party’s vitality (health) and, in the case of spellcasters, grants access to new spells.

However, the character progression system is somewhat limited. The player has no control over how their characters develop, as attributes and skills are fixed from the start. This lack of customization can make the party feel less personal, as the player is unable to tailor their characters to their preferred playstyle.

Party Dynamics

One of the most unique aspects of the Ishar games is the party dynamics system. Each character has a personality and clan affiliation, which can affect how they interact with other party members. For example, characters from rival clans may refuse to join the party or may leave if certain conditions are met.

This system adds a layer of depth to the gameplay, as the player must carefully manage their party’s composition to avoid conflicts. However, the system is also somewhat opaque, with the game providing little feedback on how party dynamics are affecting the player’s progress.

Puzzles and Exploration

The Ishar games are filled with puzzles and hidden secrets, encouraging the player to explore every corner of the world. These puzzles range from simple lock-picking challenges to complex environmental interactions, such as using specific items to open hidden doors.

However, the puzzles in the Ishar games can be frustratingly cryptic. Many solutions require the player to use items in ways that are not immediately obvious, and the game provides little guidance on how to proceed. This lack of direction can lead to moments of frustration, especially for players who prefer a more structured approach to puzzle-solving.

Inventory and Equipment

The inventory system in the Ishar games is functional but somewhat cumbersome. The player has a limited number of inventory slots, and managing items can be a chore, especially when dealing with stacked items. The interface for transferring items between party members is also clunky, requiring the player to manually move each item one at a time.

Despite these issues, the inventory system is an important part of the gameplay, as the player must carefully manage their resources to survive. Equipment choices are crucial, as different weapons and armor can significantly impact the party’s effectiveness in combat.

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World-Building, Art & Sound

Setting and Atmosphere

The Ishar games excel in creating a rich and immersive world. The setting of Arborea is filled with diverse environments, from dark dungeons to lush forests, each with its own unique atmosphere. The games use a first-person perspective for dungeon crawling, which enhances the sense of immersion and makes the world feel more tangible.

The overland maps, while less detailed, are still impressive, with each island offering a distinct visual style. The day-night cycle in Ishar 2 adds an extra layer of realism, as shops and other locations open and close based on the time of day.

Visual Direction

The visual design of the Ishar games is one of their strongest aspects. The games use a 256-color VGA palette to create detailed and atmospheric environments. The dungeons are particularly well-designed, with intricate layouts and atmospheric lighting that enhance the sense of exploration.

The character portraits and spell icons, while pixelated, are expressive and convey a sense of personality. The battle interface is also well-designed, with clear icons and status indicators that make it easy to manage the party during combat.

Sound Design

The sound design in the Ishar games is functional but somewhat limited by the hardware of the era. The Amiga and Atari ST versions feature simple sound effects and music, while the DOS versions, which could leverage Ad Lib sound cards, offer a more immersive audio experience.

The music in the Ishar games is atmospheric and fitting, with each location featuring its own unique theme. The sound effects, while minimal, are effective, with the clashing of weapons and the casting of spells adding to the intensity of combat.

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Reception & Legacy

Critical Reception

The Ishar games were generally well-received by critics upon their release. Ishar 2: Messengers of Doom, in particular, was praised for its improved combat system, expanded world, and atmospheric visuals. However, the games were also criticized for their cryptic puzzles and lack of narrative clarity.

• Amiga Action called Ishar 2 “a good solid RPG” but noted that it lacked originality.
• CU Amiga praised the game as “an astounding sequel” and later declared it the best in the trilogy.
• ST Format described the game as “an absorbing and atmospheric challenge.”
• Computer and Video Games named it one of the best Amiga games of the year.

Despite these accolades, the Ishar games were not without their detractors. Some critics found the puzzles overly cryptic and the narrative underdeveloped, which limited their appeal to a broader audience.

Commercial Performance

The Ishar games were commercially successful, particularly in Europe, where they found a dedicated fanbase. The series’ success led to the development of Ishar 3: The Seven Gates of Infinity (1994) and the planned but ultimately canceled Ishar 4: Ishar Genesis.

Influence and Legacy

The Ishar series had a significant impact on the CRPG genre, influencing later titles with its real-time combat system, party dynamics, and atmospheric world-building. The games are often cited as precursors to modern RPGs like The Elder Scrolls series, which also emphasize exploration and player freedom.

Despite their influence, the Ishar games remain relatively obscure compared to other CRPGs of the era. This is partly due to their cryptic design choices and lack of narrative clarity, which can make them difficult for modern players to appreciate. However, for those willing to invest the time and effort, the Ishar games offer a rewarding and immersive experience that stands the test of time.

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Conclusion

The Ishar series, and particularly the first two entries, represents a fascinating and often overlooked chapter in the history of CRPGs. The games’ innovative mechanics, atmospheric world-building, and challenging gameplay make them a cult favorite among retro gaming enthusiasts. However, their cryptic puzzles and lack of narrative clarity can be frustrating for modern players.

Despite these flaws, the Ishar games are a testament to the creativity and ambition of early 1990s CRPG designers. They offer a unique blend of exploration, combat, and character progression that rewards patience and perseverance. For those willing to embrace their retro conventions, the Ishar games provide a deeply immersive and rewarding experience that stands as a testament to the enduring appeal of classic CRPGs.

Final Verdict: The Ishar series is a must-play for fans of classic CRPGs, offering a challenging and atmospheric experience that rewards exploration and strategic thinking. While the games’ cryptic puzzles and lack of narrative clarity may frustrate some players, those who persevere will find a rich and immersive world that stands the test of time.