The Legacy. (horror/mystery game) (Software Review) (Evaluation)
by Wallace Poulter

THE LEGACY

You'ves inherited a vast New England mansion from long-lost relatives. As usually seems to be the case with old mansions, you realize you might have inherited more than you bargained for when the door slams shut behind you--by itself. Welcome to MicroProse's Legacy, where a dream has just turned into a nightmare and zombies, ghouls, and assorted nasties are out to prove that your best pitch is the dead man's curve.

The Legacy distinguishes itself from earler MicroProse adventure releases with crisp graphics and an intuitive interface. You can choose from a series of predefined characters or create one of your own. The characters are well designed and different enough to provide multiple game challenges. Unlike most RPGs and adventure games, this one doesn't allow your character to carry everything in the game, plus the kitchen sink. Four pockets for small objects plus the character's two hands are all you get until you find objects large enough to carry the others. A nice mapping feature is included, although you lose this later in the game.

Amusingly, the manual asks the question, "Can my character die?" A better question might be whether your character can live, as this is a positively lethal game. Pick one of the characters with some magic ability to give yourself a fighting chance. Spells are an intrinsic part of the game. Your first new games will be sent finding different spells and magic crystals that recharge magic power. Remember that it's often better to run away and live to fight another day.

The game continues hundreds of rooms to explore on multiple levels both above and below ground (what haunted mansion doesn't have a dungeon?). Each level becomes increasingly more difficult and challenging.

It's not an easy game, but the Legacy is an entertaining addition to the horror RPG genre. Passing this one by would be a grave mistake.