Dungeons & Dragons: Dark Sun Series

About

Dungeons & Dragons: Dark Sun Series is a collection of strategy games set in the brutal Dark Sun campaign setting. The games offer turn-based combat and grid-based movement, with a focus on party-based exploration and character development. Players can import characters between games, providing a sense of continuity and progression throughout the series.

Genres & Tags

Role Playing

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

Dungeons & Dragons: Dark Sun Series screenshot

88%

Audience ScoreBased on 66 reviews

story6 positive mentions

gameplay3 negative mentions

The game features an outstanding and unique setting that still holds up today, reminiscent of early classics like Baldur's Gate.
It offers hours of fun with a variety of races and classes, excellent combat, and engaging storytelling.
Despite its flaws, many players find it nostalgic and enjoyable, often returning to it for the unique experience it provides.

The game has aged poorly, with clunky controls, awkward menus, and frequent slowdowns that can disrupt gameplay.
Many players find the mechanics outdated and cumbersome, making it difficult to enjoy without prior knowledge of the original systems.
There are significant bugs and issues, particularly in 'Wake of the Ravager', which detract from the overall experience.

story
16 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
38%
44%
19%
The story of Dark Sun is praised for its engaging simplicity and variety, allowing players to navigate quests as either a hero or an anti-hero. While the game is considered dated and clunky, it offers a satisfying narrative experience without the repetitive missions often found in modern RPGs. Players appreciate the opportunity to create diverse parties and see the story unfold in a concise format.
- “I loved the story, and the system.”
- “I had a good time creating a pretty formidable party and seeing the story unfold.”
- “The story is still fantastic - and simple enough that I remembered everything.”
- “The game is definitely set up for you to be the 'good guy savior of the wastes' type of character, but there are plenty of evil ways to finish the quests as well.”
- “Some of the armor pieces and various books and quest items turned into one ceramic piece, and one belt turned into a leather body armor.”
- “First, you need to beat Shattered Lands, then when it drops you back into the game, do any remaining side quests you want to and then save it.”
graphics
12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
50%
25%
The graphics of the game are generally considered outdated, yet the unique settings help them remain somewhat appealing. Many users express disappointment over the lack of a graphical upgrade and clunky controls, with some feeling that despite the graphics shortcomings, the overall experience is still enjoyable due to quality of life improvements. Overall, while the visuals may not impress, the nostalgic value and gameplay can compensate for their age.
- “Even though the graphics are a bit aged, through the really outstanding unique setting, the games can still hold up today.”
- “I would have loved to get a graphic upgrade and achievements, but the games are good enough with the quality of life improvements they added that I am still happy with my purchase, especially the original Pool of Radiance, Curse of the Azure Bonds, and Eye of the Beholder series.”
- “I was hoping it would have a bit of a graphics update, but if you already have the game somewhere, don't bother and install DOSBox on your own and tweak the settings.”
- “The controls are intensely clunky and despite many graphics settings, there is not one that makes the game look good.”
- “I was hoping it would have a bit of a graphics update; if you already have the game somewhere, don't bother and install DOSBox on your own and tweak the settings.”
- “Unsure what the graphics represent.”
gameplay
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
17%
33%
50%
The gameplay is reminiscent of early Baldur's Gate, featuring similar mechanics that some players find outdated and a potential deal breaker. While the graphics may be overlooked, the ancient gameplay mechanics can hinder the experience, though players can speed up gameplay by turning off animations with a hotkey.
- “You can overlook the graphics, but the ancient mechanics are a deal breaker.”
- “You can get over with the graphics, this is obvious, but the ancient mechanics are a deal breaker.”
- “If you want to speed up the gameplay, turn off animations (hotkey: 'a').”
- “It feels gameplay-wise like an early Baldur's Gate, and the devs of it surely must have seen it as there are a lot of similarities.”
stability
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game suffers from significant stability issues, with frequent crashes and persistent bugs reported by users.
- “It is as buggy as ever and crashes often.”
atmosphere
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Users consistently praise the atmosphere, describing it as "cool," indicating a strong positive reception and an engaging environment within the game.
music
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The music in the game is highly praised, with players noting its quality and its contribution to the overall enjoyment of the gameplay experience.
- “I forgot how great the music was, and how much fun the game actually is.”