Rise of the Triad: Dark War

About

Rise of the Triad: Dark War is a single player action game. It was developed by Apogee Software and was released on May 5, 2014. It received positive reviews from players.

In "Rise of the Triad: Dark War," players join the elite "Holy Order of the Knights Templar" and must stop a cult's evil plans for world domination. The game features fast-paced, run-and-gun shooting mechanics with a variety of weapons and power-ups. With multiple difficulty levels and multiplayer options, players can test their skills both in single-player mode and against others online.

Genres & Tags

Action

Play Modes

Single-Player

Skip User Reviews

85%

Audience ScoreBased on 72 reviews

music10 positive mentions

grinding5 negative mentions

Rise of the Triad is a nostalgic classic that brings back fond memories for many players, reminiscent of the early FPS era with its fun gameplay and unique power-ups.
The game features a vibrant personality with a variety of weapons, interesting level designs, and a fantastic soundtrack that enhances the overall experience.
Despite its age, the game still offers enjoyable gameplay with customizable controls and a good level of challenge, making it a worthwhile experience for fans of retro shooters.

The controls can be frustrating and unresponsive, with issues like vertical mouse movement that can hinder gameplay, making it difficult for new players to adapt.
The graphics and level design feel dated, with some levels being overly long and maze-like, which can lead to confusion and frustration during play.
Many players have noted that the game suffers from technical issues, including bugs and glitches that can disrupt the experience, especially in the final boss encounters.

music
19 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
53%
31%
16%
The music in the game is widely praised, with many reviewers highlighting its energetic and memorable soundtrack as a standout feature. Fans describe it as one of their favorite game soundtracks, noting its ability to enhance the overall experience and even inspire custom content in other games. Despite some technical limitations, the soundtrack is consistently regarded as a major redeeming quality, contributing significantly to the game's enjoyment.
- “A good game, a good port, and a rocking soundtrack!”
- “Rise of the Triad has one of my favorite game soundtracks of all time.”
- “Awesome gameplay, awesome music, awesome challenges, awesome throwback to my childhood!”
- “Unfortunately, this game doesn't provide OST DLC, which I would really like to buy; it will be worth every ruble (or cent).”
- “It adds no new elements like music or gameplay; instead, it's more like a hack that replaces levels with its own.”
- “There is even piano music that sounds Castlevania-worthy.”
gameplay
9 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
34%
33%
Gameplay experiences vary significantly among users, with some praising its engaging mechanics, verticality, and nostalgic elements, while others criticize issues like erratic character controls and a lack of innovation. The inclusion of trampolines and cheat codes adds variety, but some feel the gameplay is hindered by repetitive elements and a reliance on hacks. Overall, it offers a mix of challenges and classic gameplay, appealing to both newcomers and those seeking a throwback experience.
- “Levels have at least 2 tiers of verticality -- and include trampolines in the environment to 'jump', with an aim up/down mechanic.”
- “Good for introducing to game mechanics, enemies, etc.”
- “Awesome gameplay, awesome music, awesome challenges, awesome throwback to my childhood!”
- “For me, the presentation, controls, and gameplay are a turn-off.”
- “The character turns randomly within the first few seconds of gameplay and doesn't stop.”
- “It adds no new elements like music or gameplay; instead, it's more like a hack that replaces levels with its own.”
grinding
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Reviews highlight that the grinding aspect of the game is overwhelmingly tedious and confusing, with players finding the repetitive tasks and mechanics, such as managing rocket launchers, to be a significant drawback. Despite some innovative ideas, the overall experience is marred by a sense of monotony and frustration.
- “It is easily the most tedious, confusing headache of an FPS that I've played in recent memory.”
- “Shooting him down when out of rockets gets tedious.”
- “They are also boring and tedious.”
story
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
The story of "Rise of the Triad" is intriguing, particularly due to its connection to id Software and the commentary on video game narratives, likening them to adult film plots. The narrative suggests a humorous take on the importance of story in games, ultimately advising against choosing a character named Lorelei.
- “There's a very interesting story behind Rise of the Triad.”
- “Because that's what this story is all about – ID Software.”
- “The moral of the story: don't pick Lorelei.”
- “Because that's what this story is all about – id Software.”
replayability
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
100%
The "Rise of the Triad" series offers a solid replayability factor, with multiple episodes and a variety of areas to explore across its titles. The shareware version features 11 playable areas, while the full version and its addon pack expand this to 34 and 40 playable areas, respectively, providing players with diverse gameplay experiences and approaches to stages.
- “The variety of levels in 'Rise of the Triad: Dark War' keeps me coming back for more; with 37 areas to explore, there's always something new to discover.”
- “'Extreme Rise of the Triad' adds so much depth with its unique approaches to stages, making each playthrough feel fresh and exciting.”
- “Even in the shareware version of 'Rise of the Triad: The Hunt Begins', the 11 playable areas offer enough replayability to keep me entertained for hours.”
- “The game has limited replayability due to its small number of areas and episodes, making it feel repetitive after a few playthroughs.”
- “While the addon pack introduces some unique elements, it doesn't significantly enhance the overall replay value of the game.”
- “With only a handful of playable areas, once you've completed the game, there's little incentive to return for another run.”
graphics
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
The graphics are considered dated by some players, yet they do not detract from the overall enjoyment of the gameplay, which remains highly praised. Additionally, the music complements the game's experience effectively.
- “The graphics and even the music of this totally awesome game!”
- “Graphics are dated but gameplay is just as great.”
humor
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
Users find the humor in the game to be particularly effective, often highlighting moments of irony and repetition, such as a character experiencing the same comedic situation as another.
- “What's even funnier, though, is that the same exact thing happened with Tom.”
- “The humor in this game is absolutely top-notch, with clever jokes and hilarious situations that keep you laughing.”
- “I love how the game uses witty dialogue and absurd scenarios to create a lighthearted atmosphere.”
optimization
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game performs well even on the included DOSBox emulator, though players note that alternative emulators can provide improved performance.
- “This game is fun, even on DOSBox that it comes with, although there are emulators for even better performance.”