Ragnarok is a freeware roguelike computer game for DOS, created by Norsehelm Productions from 1992 to 1995, also going by the name Valhalla. It is distinct from many other roguelikes in having a graphical interface, a historical/mythological setting, set quests, the ability to change classes, and the ability to permanently change one's race by polymorphing.
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Mythology
Ragnarok is firmly set within the bounds of Norse mythology, with many of the gods, realms, items, and quests drawing directly from it. A few of these present in the game are:
- Thor, god of thunder
- Jormundgand, god, the world serpent
- Loki, god, mischievous troublemaker
- Balder, fair god murdered by Loki
- Hela, god, queen of Niflheim
- Mjollnir, Thor's hammer
- Gungnir, Odin's spear
- Mimming, Freyr's sword
- Gjall, Heimdall's Horn
- Skidbladnir, a boat belonging to the gods
- Ravens, benevolent monsters, messengers of Odin
- Nidhogg, monster, a dragon-like being who chews on the roots of Yggdrasil
- Dwarves, monsters, mythological smiths
- Giants, monsters, Ymir's kin
- Midgard, location, realm of men
- Niflheim, location, realm of the dead
However, other items and monsters are of a more "generic fantasy," Japanese-inspired or Tolkienesque nature, such as orcs and katana.
Character development
Character development is one of the chief draws of Ragnarok. Throughout the game, the player may change forms, to obtain the powers and abilities of almost any monster in the game. The player can also modify his own body, changing the number of fingers and eyes, and the gender of the character. The player also has the option of changing his class every ten levels, and can gain powers, skills, abilities and permanent status effects. Therefore, it is quite possible to begin the game as a male sage, and end the game as a lycanthropic female Fire Giant conjurer with 14 fingers, 3 eyes, and the ability to shoot laser beams from her eyes.
Class system
In the beginning of the game, the player must choose a character class. These classes all have intrinsic statistics. At level ten, the player "masters" a class, and gains all the skills that the class can use. The player can then choose a new class, or continue as the old class for another ten levels. There are six classes:
- Viking - a physically strong character who gains the weaponmaster ability.
- Blacksmith - a physically powerful character who gains the ability to work metals into weapons and armor.
- Woodsman - a moderately powerful character, who learns to make arrows from trees, and to tame lesser monsters.
- Conjurer - a physically weak character who learns to cast spells.
- Alchemist - a physically weak character who learns to mix potions.
- Sage - a physically weak character who learns to write scrolls.
After the player has mastered every class, their class matters much less. Initially, it is more important, since being a stronger fighter makes the beginning of the game easier, and some classes become powerful once mastered.
Quests
The game consists of six quests based on Norse mythology. They are:
- Free Balder's soul
- Locate and return Mjollnir to Thor
- Locate and return Gjall to Heimdall
- Locate and return Mimming to Freyr
- Locate and return Gungnir to Odin
- Find a manner for Tyr to fight with one arm
External links
- Ragnarok (Valhalla) article by Theodor Lauppert
