9th Dawn Classic - Clunky controls edition

[b]9th Dawn Classic — Clunky controls edition (PC, KB+M)[/b] [b]TL;DR[/b] Old-school dungeon crawler with that unmistakable late-80s vibe. The [i]atmosphere[/i] is the star; the [i]controls/hitboxes[/i] are the tax you pay. Starts janky (especially bows), but once you lean into a sturdy build it clicks. For a couple of euros (or less) it’s a no-brainer. [b]Recommended[/b] for retro RPG gremlins. [i]Playtime:[/i] 11h • [i]Progress:[/i] early mid-game (first undead bosses down) • [i]Input:[/i] Keyboard + Mouse [i]Price paid:[/i] Bundle (~€0.50) • [i]Full price at review:[/i] ~€2.40 [b]What I liked[/b] [list] [*][b]Pure old-school atmosphere[/b] — sucked me in like a CRT glow; exploration + dungeons feel authentically retro. [*][b]Hybrid builds work[/b] — Knight/Mage let me tailor survivability/damage without breaking the vibe. [*][b]Progress loop[/b] — gear upgrades matter; first big undead kills are legitimately satisfying. [/list] [b]What didn’t land[/b] [list] [*][b]Controls & hitboxes[/b] — especially rough early. Diagonals and spacing take practice; kiting beats trading blows at first. [*][b]Bows[/b] — “Urgh.” Feels off until you acclimate (if you ever do). [*][b]Glass-canno…

my save got corrupted in the after main game areas sad

very good fun game =)

Developed and published by Valorware, 9th Dawn Classic – Clunky Controls Edition is a retro-inspired open-world action RPG that embraces the spirit of old-school adventure games while proudly displaying both the strengths and weaknesses of its origins. As the first entry in the 9th Dawn franchise, the game establishes many of the ideas that would later define the series: vast exploration, character progression, dungeon crawling, enormous amounts of loot, and a strong emphasis on player freedom. Although it lacks the polish and sophistication of modern role-playing games, it compensates with ambition, charm, and an impressive amount of content packed into a deceptively simple package. The game takes place in the fantasy land of Montelorne, a large continent filled with monsters, hidden treasures, dangerous dungeons, and countless opportunities for exploration. Unlike many RPGs that rely heavily on cinematic storytelling and strict progression paths, 9th Dawn Classic focuses on giving players the freedom to forge their own adventure. Shortly after beginning the game, the world opens considerably, allowing players to travel across different regions, discover secret locations, and tac…

Feels like an old flash game. Fun for a little bit but then felt really grindy and not very rewarding. I'd skip this.

I played this after 9th Dawn III & Remake. Pretty cool to see where the later games came from and all the changes. Really recommend the whole series, with the latest being the most polished. Good stuff and thanks for making these dude!