Rings of Zilfin

_Rings of Zilfin_ is an unusual, but relatively unknown early fantasy solo
RPG by Ali N. Atabek, who went on to create the _Magic Candle_ series. It was
meant for beginners to computer RPGs, featuring no character creation, simple
game play and movie-like cut scenes, concentrating more on atmosphere than on
character stats.

The background: Long ago, the Zilfins (mighty wizards) established an
enchanted realm of peace and property in Batiniq. They created two rings of
power which, worn together, made the wearer invincible. Unfortunately, the
evil necromancer Lord Dragos has found one of these rings and has come to
great power. The only hope to prevent him finding the second one is Reis, a
young boy possessing some innate magical ability. In the introduction, Reis
barely escapes Dragos’ minions, and leaves his home village.

After “character creation” (giving Reis an optional other name and selecting
one of 10 difficulty levels, which affect your starting resources), you start
your quest to find the Zilfins and their second ring and to develop your
magical abilities on the way.

The game features a huge world with over 100 villages and towns in four
kingdoms. Each town has up to three buildings you can enter — shops with
items to buy and sell, inns to eat and drink and rest, amongst others –, and
also people you can talk to (careful, some are shape shifters!), sometimes
offering valuable information. There are also a few dungeons and some caves to
explore, but most of the game is played in towns or travelling between them.

When leaving a location, the game shows a map where you can select the
direction off your next target. While travelling between locations, the game
shows an interesting side scrolling view. You can set your walking speed,
which influences your fatigue, and stop when you encounter pools or plants.
Pools can be drunk from (may have positive or negative effects), and the
plants can be gathered and eaten later. Some plants have special effects,
there are “magic mushrooms” and some other healing and boosting plants. This
plant system is one of the things that distinguishes this game.

While travelling, you may also encounter Lord Dragos’ minions, which results
in some pseudo-real time combat. The monsters are often quite unusual, like
Barvils (mutated bats), Basurs (flying skulls) or Zumagin (the death ray
demon). Protected by different armors, you can attack with arrows or swords or
by casting spells. The game makes a difference between ground-based and air-
bourne monsters — the latter cannot be attacked with swords, of course.

The spell system is quite simple. There are three spell levels: Apprentice,
Master and Grand Master, each one lets you know more and more powerful spells.
Casting a spell always costs some fatigue, and you have to prepare the spell
first. The game is highly non-linear and there are several approaches
possible. For example, it is possible to make money by trading, buying cheap
items in one town and selling them in another town — which, in fact, is the
only way to make money in the beginning. All commands are given by pressing
keys, like “G” for getting things or “C” for casting spells. The game may be
saved when exiting towns and loaded at the main menu.