Wilderness Campaign is a role-playing video game written by Robert Clardy and released in 1979 by Clardy’s company Synergistic Software. It was created for the Apple II platform and is considered one of the first microcomputer-based role-playing video games.
Clardy incorporated themes from Dungeons & Dragons into the game, which later was modified and included as the opening quest of Odyssey: The Compleat Apventure (1980), a multi-part video game also written by Clardy.
Game overview
In the game, the player explores the Kingdom of Draconia with a party of unnamed adventurers, seeking a magical weapon from the Sanctuary of the White Mage to overthrow the Great Necromancer. During their exploration, players will enter abandoned ruins, battling monsters and hostile citizens and collecting gold to pay their mercenaries and purchase additional resources from villages, including food and upgraded weapons and armor. They also may seek shelter in friendly castles, whose rulers may bestow additional gold and adventurers. Other items the player can purchase may help the party cross difficult terrain.
Development and release
Robert Clardy began work on Wilderness Campaign in December 1978. After it was finished, it was packaged with Clardy’s earlier game, Dungeon Campaign, for commercial release by Synergistic Software.
Legacy
Vince Erato incorporated the adventuring and resource management mechanics of Wilderness Campaign into the electronic board game Dark Tower.
References
External links
- [game manual] Synergistic Software presents Wilderness Campaign. Synergistic Software. 1979.
- [playable emulation] “Dungeon Campaign & Wilderness Campaign”. Synergistic Software. 1980 – via Internet Archive.
- Bolingbroke, Chester (February 10, 2013). “Game 87: Wilderness Campaign (1979)”. CRPG Addict (blog).
- Wiser, Brian; Martens, Bill (2017). Synergistic Software: The Early Games. Apple PugetSound Program Library Exchange. ISBN 978-1-365-96063-5.
- Mahney, Nathan P. (January 11, 2020). “Game 35: Wilderness Campaign (1979)”. CRPG Adventures (blog).
Gamer24h Editor's Take
Wilderness Campaign caught our attention with its unique design and has shaped up to be a must-play masterpiece candidate thanks to the depth of its experience. The visionary approach of developer Synergistic Software, combined with the expertise of publisher Synergistic Software, has resulted in an exceptionally refined product. Its innovative take on the CRPG genre offers a breath of fresh air for fans of the category. All in all, the Gamer24h team stands firmly behind our rating. This is a unique journey you won't want to miss.