For some, the halcyon days of PC gaming involved D&D-based RPGs with unwieldy UI and gauntlet-shaped mouse cursors, and that is precisely what SKALD: Against the Black Priory (High North Studios, Raw Fury, 2024) is calling back to with its mix of sword-and-sorcery fantasy and cosmic/Lovecraftian horror. It's well-worth your time if you're nostalgic or even curious about that era of RPGs, while not being nearly as obtuse or and without relying on advance knowledge of early D&D systems. This episode's guest, Phil Morgan, has an extensive history with that bygone era of CRPGs, even appearing on this podcast to discuss the original Baldur's Gate, so we had a great conversation here. As always, no spoilers for a while- enjoy!
6:02 Our Histories with SKALD and Its Inspirations
10:11 Top-Level Thoughts about SKALD
18:15 Story Setup
22:13 Pixel Art and Writing
30:43 Subverting D&D Tropes
37:29 Role-Playing
48:38 Combat
56:54 Controller vs Mouse/Keyboard
1:04:54 Music and Sound
1:09:35 Closing Thoughts and Who Should Play?
1:13:48 Deleted Saves and Westland
1:18:37 Spoiler Wall and Patron Thank-Yous
1:23:08 Spoilers- Early Game Quests
1:38:27 Spoilers- Horryn
1:47:37 Spoilers- Firgol
1:57:06 Spoilers- The Story Expands
2:07:04 Spoilers- Ending Sequence and Thoughts
Music used in the episode is credited to Surt R. Tracks used: Against the Black Priory, The Curse of Knowledge, Sellsword's Honor, Horryn's Plight, Shores of Idra, Tomes Bound in Skin, Bane of the Starstrider
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