Play Alternate Reality - The Dungeon | Commodore 64 Online Game (1987)

Alternate Reality - The Dungeon is a 1987 role-playing game developed by Ken Jordan, Dan Pinal, Jim Katcliff, and Rick Mirsky, and published by Datasoft for the Commodore 64. It is the second installment in the Alternate Reality series, following The City. The game immerses players in a dark, mysterious dungeon filled with traps, monsters, and secrets. Players create a character, choosing from various races and classes, and must navigate the dungeon's procedurally generated levels, battling enemies, collecting loot, and solving puzzles. The game emphasizes survival, with hunger, thirst, and fatigue mechanics adding to the challenge.

The dungeon is vast, with multiple levels that grow increasingly difficult as players progress. Each level features unique environments, from dark corridors to lava-filled caverns, and is populated by a variety of creatures, from rats to dragons. Combat is turn-based, requiring strategic use of weapons, spells, and items. The game also includes a day-night cycle, with certain events and encounters tied to specific times, adding depth to the gameplay. Players must manage resources carefully, as supplies are limited and the dungeon is unforgiving.

One of the game's standout features is its atmospheric presentation. The Commodore 64's graphics and sound capabilities are used to great effect, creating a tense and immersive experience. The dungeon is rendered in detailed, colorful visuals, with dynamic lighting effects that enhance the sense of danger. The soundtrack, composed by Gary Gilbertson, complements the dark tone with eerie, ambient music. The game also includes a dynamic weather system, with rain and lightning effects that further immerse players in the world.

Alternate Reality - The Dungeon was ambitious for its time, offering a complex and challenging experience that pushed the limits of the Commodore 64. Its blend of survival mechanics, procedural generation, and atmospheric design set it apart from other RPGs of the era. While the game was intended to be part of a larger series, only The City and The Dungeon were completed, leaving the full vision of the Alternate Reality universe unrealized. Despite this, the game remains a notable entry in the history of computer RPGs, remembered for its depth and innovation.