(1) Tomb of Horrors. Horrors. 5+ stars. Gary Gygax, 1978. Levels 10-1. T!e mot!er of all "#ller $%&geo&s #s revere revere$$ by every everyo&e o&e,, eve& eve& v#'t# v#'t#ms ms !o !o #&s#s #&s#stt ot!er#se. t gave *s a l#'e&se to be %&#s!#&g off off t!e t!e s'al s'ales es,, a&$ a&$ lay layer erss t!e t!e o"ay o"ay to be maso'!#st#'ally maso'!#st#'ally t!r#lle$ by #moss#ble #moss#ble '!alle&ges. To$ays o$ays gamers gamers a''%se a''%se #t of be#&g be#&g r#$#'%lo r#$#'%lo%sly %sly %&fa#r, a&$ t!eyre r#g!t, b%t t!ey $o&t real#e t!ats a& a''ol a''ola$e a$e.. %lt#%lt#-lay layere ere$$ tras tras a&$ $emo&# $emo&#'' s&ares are #& lay every!ere, a&$ some of t!e rooms !ave a'/%#re$ myt!#' stat%s T!e orsa"e& 2r#so&, T!e 3!ael of 4v#l, T!e alse 3ryt, T!e 3!amber of Hoeless&ess. get '!#lls t!#&"#&g of t!em a&$ t!e $#st%rb#&g #ll%strat#o&s rov#$e$ #& t!e se'#al boo"let. o ot!er $%&geo& !as 'alle$ fort! t!e level of 'omme&tary t!at 'o&t#&%es to t!#s $ay, ra&g#&g from t!e o%trage$ to t!e ve&omo%s to t!e !ea#&gly sar'ast#' sar'ast#' (my favor#te #s t!e 'over aro$y 'arr 'arry# y#&g &g t!e t!e labe labell 6or 6or $va $va&' &'e$ e$ a$# a$#st stss aso'!#sts6), b%t !ats #&terest#&g #s t!at t!e o&ly reas reaso& o& Tomb of Horrors Horrors eve& ex#sts #s be'a%se laye layers rs ere ere 'omla 'omla#&# #&#&g &g t!at t!at t!e game game as gett#&g too easy. ts !ar$ to #mag#&e !o ** o%l$ !ave evolve$ #f &ot for t!ose 'omla#&ts, b%t t!eres &o /%est#o& t!at Gygax #s remembere$ for !#s reso&se to t!em, t!#s mo$%le, more t!a& a&y ot!e ot!err. :!e& !e& !e $#e$ $#e$ #& ;008 ;008,, #t as as eve& eve& s%gg s%gges este te$$ as a tr#b tr#b%t %tee to star startt a f%&$ f%&$ for for a ma%sole%m base$ o& t!e tombs layo%t, a&$ 'a&t #mag# #mag#&e &e a more more aro aror#a r#ate te !o&or !o&or.. T!e 90s 90s se/%el, se/%el, Return to the Tomb of Horrors, Horrors, #s fra&"ly <%st as goo$ (a&$ t#'e as $ea$ly), a&$ may be 'o&s#$ere$ a& !o&orary t#e at f#rst la'e.
(;) T!e Lost 3#ty. 3#ty. 5+ stars. Tom ol$vay, 198;. Levels 1-=. 'lose se'o&$ o& my l#st, a&$ 'o%l$ almost aar$ #t t!e to slot for be#&g a beg#&&ers mo$%le. ts !ar$ to 'ome % #t! to-&ot'! lolevel a$ve&t%res a$ve&t%res,, b%t The Lost City #s #s so #&s#re$ t!at &ever rese&te$ t!e fa't t!at t!e '#ty #tself leaves m%'! for t!e * to $evelo> bo%g!t #&to t!e yram#$ so m%'! t!at t!e rest floe$ #t!o%t t!#&"#&g. t!#&"#&g. T!e mo$%le mo$%le #& ma&y ays e#tom# e#tom#es es !at t!e Gol$e& ge of ** !a$ to offer %l fa&t fa&tas asyy at #ts #ts %re %rest st,, $e# $e#'t 't#& #&gg a& a&'# a&'#e& e&tt %&$ergro%&$ '#v#l#at#o& t!ats bee& 'orr%te$ by a 3t!%l!%-l# 3t!%l!%-l#"e "e $e#ty mo&ster. mo&ster. T!e t!ree re&ega$e re&ega$e fa't#o&s a$!ere to t!e ol$ go$s, b%t t!ey $o&t l#"e ea'! ot!er, a&$ #ll %se t!e 23s as a&s #& t!e#r 'overt age&$as. T!e revolv#&g assage o& t!e t!#r$ t#er of t!e yram#$ #s a terr#f#' $%&geo& feat%re, a&$ t!e erso&al#t#es of t!e '%lt lea$ers, t!e#r 'ost%me att#re a&$ mas"s, are sot o&, mes!#&g erfe'tly #t! t!e $e'a$e&t '%lt%re of t!e 3y&#$#'ea&s. T!e #&fl%e #&fl%e&'e &'e of Hoar Hoar$s $s Red Nails Nails #s ofte& tal"e$ abo%t, abo%t, a&$ t!e !all%' !all%'#& #&oge oge&#' &#' $r%g-a $r%g-a$$# $$#'te 'te$$ $evotees of ?argo& are exa'tly t!e sorts 3o&a& o%l$ f#&$ !#mself go#&g aga#&st. ll &ever forget my fr#e&$s rea't#o& !e& !#s '!ara'ters 'o&fro&te$ t!e !#g! r#est bes#$e t!e %&$ergro%&$ la"e, a&$ !a$ t!e fa&at#' 'ast a& earthquake sell. earthquake sell. ( t!#&" !e t!o%g!t as as sy'!ot#' as t!e r#est.) T!ere #s e&$les e&$lesss ote&t ote&t#al #al #& The Lost City City for follo-% follo-% a$ve&t%res, a&$ at o&e o#&t !arbore$ amb#t#o&s to $evelo a& e&t#re ser#es o%t of #t.
=) 3astl 3astlee mbe mber r . 5+ stars. stars. Tom ol$vay ol$vay,, 1981. 1981. Levels =-B. &ot!er ol$vay treas%re, b%t #& t!#s o&e as t!e layer. T!e mber fam#ly are a lot l#"e l#"e a are are$$ vers# vers#o& o& of Tol"#e& ol"#e&s s elves elves 6T!e 6T!e mbers l#ve mag#'ally le>!e&e$ l#ves, b%t t!ey !ave see& too m%'! a&$ are bore$. T!ey see" a&yt!#&g to rel#eve t!#s bore$om.6 4/%ally am%se$ by t!e s%''e s%''ess ss or $eat!s $eat!s of a&yo&e a&yo&e or"#& or"#&gg aga#&s aga#&stt t!em t!em (for (for 6a goo$ goo$ se't se'ta'l a'le6 e6 #s more more #mor #morta& ta&tt t!a& t!a& v#'to v#'tory ry or $efeat $efeat), ), t!e#r t!e#r '!aot# '!aot#'' #&$# #&$#ff ffer ere& e&'e 'e $#st $#st%r %rbs bs more more t!a& t!a& t!e t!e ev#l ev#l of tra$#t#o&al foes. o ot!er mo$%le o& t!#s l#st boasts so ma&y 'olorf%l 'olorf%l a&$ sy'!ot sy'!ot#' #' '!ara'ters '!ara'ters t!e l#brar#a& 3!arles !o b%r#e$ !#s s#ster a$el#&e al#ve> t!e so%l of 2r#&'ess 3at!er#&e a#t#&g to ossess someo&e> t!e ev#l r#est #mo&> a$am 3am#ll 3am#llaa !o !o #s #t'!#& #t'!#&gg to tell tell fort%& fort%&es. es. lso, lso, &o ot!er mo$%le offers so m%'! #t! s%'! effortless e'o&omy. #rst, t!eres t!e 'astle #tself, #t! to large #&gs, a& #&$oor forest, a&$ a '!ael, a&$ &ot a room #s aste$> se'o&$ 'omes a '!alle&g#&g $%&geo& #t! ell la&&e$ s%rr#ses, e&$#&g at a mag#'al gateay to -> t!#r$, t!e ol$ !ome of t!e mbers o& a& alter&ate r#me mater#al la&e resembl#& resembl#&gg me$#eval me$#eval ra&'e, !ere t!e layers layers m%st a'/%#re fo%r art#fa'ts to ret%r& to - > fo%rt!, t!e tomb of te!e& mber !#mself, !ere l#es t!e mea&s to brea" t!e '%rse of t!e 'astle. ol$vay !#t a !ome r%& l#"e l#"e !e $#$ #t! #t! The Lost City , a&$ o%l o%l$$ rob robab ably ly 'all all Castle Castle Amber Amber t!e t!e most most rear$#&g ** a$ve&t%re ever exer#e&'e$ as a layer.
T!e Lost 3#ty, 198; (@) T!e t!#r$ t!#r$ mo$%l mo$%lee of ol$v ol$vay ays 62%l 62%l a&tas a&tasyy Tomb of Horrors, 1978 (1) Tr#logy,6 t!#s o&e #s o&e #s somet#mes 3astle mber, 1981 (C;) overs!a$oe$ by #ts b#gger brot!ers, !#'! #s a 2art of Tom ol$vay ol$vays 62%l 62%l a&tasy a&tasy Tr#logy Tr#logy,6 ,6 s!ame, be'a%se #ts a terr#f#' evo'at#o& of 6Ae$ rote rote at le> le>!! abo%t abo%t t!#s t!#s yester yester$ay $ay,, so yo% yo% 3astle mber mber #s a favor#te of m#&e. alrea$ alrea$yy "&o "&o my o#&#o o#&#o&& of t!#s t!#s mo$%le mo$%le.. ts a#ls6 a&$ ot!er s#m#lar stor#es. $ef#&#tely o&e of t!e to 5 a$ve&t%re mo$%les of all t#me a&$ $ be s%s#'#o%s of a&y l#st t!at $#$&t #&'l%$e #t as s%'!.
() Da%lt of t!e *ro. 5+ stars. Gary Gygax, 1978. Levels 10-1. ome mo$%les $o&t age ell as yo% get ol$er, a&$ Queen of the Demonweb Pits #s t!e best examle of t!#s. Et!ers $o t!e oos#te, a&$ for me Vault of the Drow !as are'#ate$ #& val%e more t!a& a&y mo$%le #& t!e !#story of **. &ever got roer %se o%t of #t for to reaso&s. #rst be'a%se #t falls #& t!e orst la'e oss#ble #& a lo&g ser#es, e&%lt#mately tra#l#&g f#ve $%&geo& 'rals, a&$ by t!#s o#&t '!ara'ters are b%r&#&g to get to t!e byss to !#'! Vault of the Drow serves as a mere $oorsto. T!e se'o&$ reaso& fee$s #&to t!e f#rst. T!#s #s a& %&$ergro%&$ '#ty, &ot a $%&geo&, a&$ #t! e&o%g! 'are 'a& be mostly s#$estee$ by t!ose &ot #&tereste$ #& l#&ger#&g. &$ t!ats a s!ame, be'a%se t!#s #s a realm to be m#l"e$ a&$ savore$ for all #ts ort!. T!e $es'r#t#ve r#t#&g o& $#slay #s &ot!#&g less t!a& br#ll#a&t, a&$ *s !o "&o !at t!eyre $o#&g 'a& serve % a& #&'re$#bly !a%&t#&g orl$ !ere fa't#o&s of $ar" elves lot aga#&st ea'! ot!er, $emo&s a&$ %&$ea$ al" t!e streets, a&$ obs'e&e sa'r#f#'es are offere$ to t!e go$$ess Lolt! -- all %&$er t!e %rle glo of !os!ores'e&t f%&g# a&$ a b#arre 6moo&6 of s!#mmer#&g amet!yst. T!ere are tort%re arlors, bor$ellos, a&$ $r%g saloo&s, b%t everyt!#&g #s #ro&#'ally '#v#l#e$ a&$ $#st%rb#&gly bea%t#f%l. f ere r%&&#&g t!#s to$ay $ %se #t as a sta&$-alo&e, #t! t!e a#$ of t!e ama#&g ba'"gro%&$ rov#$e$ #& *rago& #ss%e F;98. ts a mo$%le #s! $ "&o& !o to ma&age better, a&$ are'#ate better, #& my gam#&g years. ts br#ll#a&t, a&$ get '!#lls <%st rea$#&g #t. %ee& of #$ers, 198B (G1-=, *1-=, 1) T!#s #s a b#t of a 'o-o%t e&try. Ta"e& as a !ole, $o&t t!#&" t!eres m%'! $o%bt t!at t!e G#a&ts*ro ser#es of mo$%les #s robably t!e most #'o&#' 'olle't#o& of ** a$ve&t%res ever %bl#s!e$ a&$ f#rmly establ#s!e$ a &%mber of Gygax#a& eleme&tsmot#fs#$#osy&'ras#es as &ormat#ve for t!e game as a !ole. Hoever, t!#&" #ts '!eat#&g to l%m all t!e mo$%les toget!er, art#'%larly #& t!e rat!er !amf#ste$ 6s%ermo$%le6 format, a&$ $e'lare #t t!e greatest ** a$ve&t%re of all t#me. & my o#&#o&, 1 #s very ea", bot! 'o&'et%ally a&$ #& #ts rese&tat#o&, a&$ t!e G ser#es 'o&s#sts r#mar#ly of or"ma&l#"e $%&geo& 'rals, albe#t #t! a sol#$ t!eme a&$ e&o%g! ba'"story to g#ve t!em greater s#g&#f#'a&'e. T!e * ser#es, o& t!e ot!er !a&$, are %&#versally ex'elle&t a&$ #&$ee$ gro%&$brea"#&g o& ma&y levels. $ !ave feer /%#bbles abo%t &am#&g, say, Da%lt of t!e *ro t!e greatest a$ve&t%re of all t#me, eve& #f #ts &ot &e'essar#ly !at $ !ave '!ose&.
(8) 4xe$#t#o& to t!e @arr#er 2ea"s. 5 stars. Gary Gygax, 1980. Levels 8-1;. Aobots a&$ laser g%&s 'ome to **. T!ere are some !o $e'ry a&y #& !e& $o&e r#g!t, t!e res%lt "#'"s ass. 4xe$#t#o& to t!e @arr#er 2ea"s, 1980 (=) $o&t !ave a&y /%#bbles abo%t t!#s mo$%le, !#'! bot! t!oro%g!ly e&
(9) Aave&loft. 5 stars. Tra'y a&$ La%ra H#'"ma&, 198=. Levels 5-7. T!e m#$$le of 8= #s !e& everyt!#&g '!a&ge$ #&fer#or 'over $es#g&s, ra#lroa$y a$ve&t%res, t!e #&'et#o& of t!e $rea$e$ #lver ge. @%t before r%#&#&g everyt!#&g #t! Dra$onlan%e, t!e H#'"ma&s 'ame % #t! t!#s l#ttle terror, a&$ as m%'! as !ate to #&'l%$e t!em o& a l#st of favor#tes, t!eres <%st &o $e&y#&g t!at Ra&enloft #s la#& aesome. & t!e o#&#o& of ma&y, #& fa't, #ts t!e F1 mo$%le of all t#me. ts *ra'%la #& a ** sett#&g a&$ sat%rate$ #t! got!#' me&a'e. T!e rem#se #&volves a& #solate$ 'omm%&#ty %&$er terror, a&$ a&yo&e !o e&ters t!e vale 'a&&ot leave o&'e yo% breat!e @arov#as e&'!a&te$ atmos!ere, yo%r l#fe $ee&$s o& #t, a&$ "#ll#&g t!e vam#re tra!$ #s t!e o&ly ay to $#sel t!e fog. T!e 'astle of Aave&loft #tself #s s%erb, #&feste$ #t! bats, olves, a&$ var#o%s %&$ea$ #& t!rall to t!e vam#re, a&$ t!e teleort tra rote't#&g tra!$s 'off#& #s ge&#%s (ex'!a&g#&g someo&e !o asses t!ro%g! t!e 'ryts for t!e %&$ea$ bo$y of a #g!t !o t!e& ass%mes t!e '!ara'ters att#re a&$ ossess#o&s, !#le t!e oor fool goes #&s#$e t!e #g!ts 'off#&> to t!e ot!er layers, #t s#mly loo"s l#"e t!e '!ara'ter !as t%r&e$ #&to a #g!t). s #t! to"ers 'lass#', t!eres a trag#' ba'"$ro to t!e vam#res story, a&$ #f t!e layers s%''ee$ #& "#ll#&g !#m, #ts a tr%e mer'y. T!e mo$%le ma"es goo$ %se of 6fort%&e6 t!ro%g! t!e gys#es of @arov#a, !ose 'ar$ rea$#&gs res%lt #& $#ffere&t s'e&ar#os ea'! t#me t!e mo$%le #s %se$. T!e bla'"-a&$-!#te v#s%als evo"e t!e moo$ erfe'tly. @eyo&$ $o%bt, Ra&enloft #s t!e best %&$ea$ a$ve&t%re ever ma$e. Aave&loft, 198= (B) %'! as love t!e Got!#' !orrormelo$rama atmos!ere of t!#s mo$%le, t!#&" #ts fa#r to say t!at Aave&loft !as robably exer'#se$ t!e most balef%l #&fl%e&'e over t!e $evelome&t of ** of a&y mo$%le ot!er t!a& t!e *rago&la&'e ser#es, !#'! #s&t s%rr#s#&g s#&'e Tra'y H#'"ma& as #&volve$ #& bot!. love$ *av#$ %t!erla&$s t!ree$#me&s#o&al mas at t!e t#me, b%t t!ey rove$ less t!a& #$eal to %se #& lay. L#"e#se, t!e lot #s !eavy-!a&$e$ a&$ ra#lroa$-y. &$ $o&t get me starte$ o& t!e fet#s!#at#o& of tra!$ vo& ?arov#'!.
(11) T!e D#llage of Hommlet. 5 stars. Gary Gygax, 1979. Levels 1-=. t f#rst bl%s! t!#s #s <%st a v#llage serv#&g as a base for a& exe$#t#o& to a& ev#l temle $es'r#be$ #& a&ot!er mo$%le. @%t t!eres &ot!#&g 6<%st6 abo%t a&yt!#&g by Gary Gygax, a&$ 'a& %&$ersta&$ !y eole l#"e Iames al#ses"# a&$ Ioe @lo'! r!aso$#e abo%t Hommlet to &o e&$. ays al#ses"# 6T!eres somet!#&g oerf%l abo%t t!#s erfe't set-% for a &e 'ama#g&. s!are #t! Tol"#e& t!e 'o&'et#o& of !#story as a lo&g $efeat a&$ The Villa$e of Hommlet to%'!es o& t!at t!eme obl#/%ely -- t!e &ot#o& t!at ea'! ge&erat#o& m%st stare 4v#l #& t!e fa'e a&$ bar t!e ay of #ts a$va&'e, eve& #f #ts %lt#mately <%st a !ol$#&g a't#o&, for 4v#l 'a& &ever tr%ly be $efeate$ #& t!#s l#fe.6 &$ @lo'! t!#&"s #ts l#terally t!e best ** mo$%le of all t#me. love #t too, a&$ $es#g&e$ a terr#fy#&g mo$%le t!at beg#&s #& Hommlet. T!eres somet!#&g abo%t a Gary Gygax mo$%le t!ats so r#'!ly s%bterra&ea& eve& !e& fo'%se$ o& t!e m%&$a&e> t!#s v#llage o%l$&t 'arry a f#ft! of #ts effe't !a$ #t bee& e&&e$ by a&yo&e else. ts 'erta#&ly s%er#or to !at as s%ose$ to be a smas! se/%el, The Tem"le of lemental &il , !#'! fra&"ly left me 'ol$. &$ eve& la'e #t over 'ee" on the #orderlands, t!o%g! !ave a $#ff#'%lt t#me '!oos#&g betee& t!em.
(1;) T!e Jee o& t!e @or$erla&$s. 5 stars. Gary Gygax, 1979. Levels 1-=. 2%re 'lass#', t!#s #s t!e mo$%le *s a&$ layers '%t t!e#r teet! o& ba'" #& t!e Gol$e& ge, !e& #t 'ame a'"age$ #& t!e #&tro$%'tory boxe$ set. 4veryo&e laye$ t!e 3aves of 3!aos, a&$ t!eres somet!#&g f%&$ame&tally 6**#s!6 abo%t a 'astle o& t!e e$ge of '#v#l#at#o& rov#$#&g a base to la%&'! forays #&to a &etor" of la#rs o%late$ by var#o%s !%ma&o#$s -- or's, gobl#&s, !obgobl#&s, g&olls, b%gbears, eve& a& ol bear a&$ ogre, a&$ a& ev#l r#est #t! a et me$%sa to boot. @y later sta&$ar$s (t!e m#$-80s a&$ beyo&$), t!e 3aves of 3!aos seem almost l#"e a v#$eogame, #& t!at t!ere #s &o story be!#&$ t!e 'aves #&!ab#ta&ts, &o over-ar'!#&g mot#vat#o&s be!#&$ t!e r#est #& t!e ev#l s!r#&e... t!eyre all <%st t!ere, s#tt#&g #& t!e#r rooms, as #f obl#g#&gly aa#t#&g ** a$ve&t%rers !o a&t to f#g!t t!em, ta"e t!e#r treas%re, a&$ ga#& exer#e&'e o#&ts. @%t t!ese ere t!e $ays !e& *s too" t!e #&#t#at#ve to $evelo t!e#r o& ba'"stor#es a&$ let t!em $evelo orga&#'ally, by a''ommo$at#&g %&re$#'table layers !o 'o%l$ a't%ally $e'#$e !at t!ey a&te$ to $o #t!o%t lay#&g #&to some re$eterm#&e$ ar'. 'ee" on the #orderlands s#ts r#g!t belo Villa$e of Hommlet , b%t #ts really a t#e> t!ese lo-level Gygax gems s!#&e #& $#ffere&t ays. T!e Jee o& t!e @or$erla&$s, 1979 (@1) L#"e T!e D#llage of Hommlet, @; #s &early erfe't. $ rate #t !#g!er t!a& 7, b%t t!ats a /%#bble.
(1=) @eyo&$ t!e 3rystal 3ave. K stars. *ave @ro&e, Tom J#rby Graeme orr#s, 198=. Levels -7. #&f%lly %&$errate$, eve& %&!ear$ of #& some '#r'les. 'a&t bel#eve #ts &ot o& more favor#tes l#sts. 2or!er#os Gar$e& #s t!e 'losest t!#&g TA ever 'ame to Tol"#e& a Lot!lor#e&-l#"e $oma#& t!at &ever sees #&ter, !ere t#me asses 700 t#mes more sloly o& t!e #&s#$e, a&$ !ere a& att#t%$e of !a'"#&g a&$ slay#&g #ll get yo% s#ftly "#lle$. T!#s mo$%le as a m#lesto&e for me #& s!o#&g t!e f%ll ote&t#als of role-lay#&g t!at lea&s o& verbal s"#lls a&$ 'rafty #&tell#ge&'e. T!e lot 'e&ters aro%&$ a a#r of ar#sto'rat#' lovers !o aare&tly got lost #& t!e gar$e&, !ave&t bee& see& #& years, a&$ t!e layers are !#re$ to f#&$ t!em a&$ get t!em o%t. T!e roblem #s t!at t!e lovers !ave $r%&" from a fo%&ta#& t!at ma"es t!em a&t to stay forever, a&$ &ot!#&g, s!ort of %s#&g for'e or a wish, #ll ers%a$e t!em to leave, for'#&g /%est#o&s abo%t t!e et!#'s of try#&g to f#&#s! t!e
(1) *es'e&t #&to t!e *et!s of t!e 4art!. K stars. Gary Gygax, 1978. Levels 9-1. Aeso&at#&g #t! 3t!%l!%-l#"e myt!s a&$ esoamer#'a& ar'!#te't%re, t!e J%o-Toa& s!r#&e #s t!e real feat%re !ere. T!e f#rst #&stallme&t #& t!e *-ser#es #s rat!er bla&$, !#'! #s &o $o%bt !y #t as eve&t%ally release$ as a a'"age $eal #t! t!e J%o-Toa mo$%le, %&$er t!e t#tle of t!e f#rst a&$ g#ve& 'over art for t!e se'o&$. T!at 'over ('l#'" o& t!e #mage to exa&$) rema#&s o&e of my favor#te of all t#me> love t!e ay t!e bl%es a&$ gree&s a&$ yellos m#x, a&$ bat!e t!e lobster-go$$ess stat%e #& a e#r$ s#r#t%al 'a&$or. T!e "%o-toa ma$e &early as m%'! #mress#o& o& me as t!e $ro of t!e &ext mo$%le, #t! t!e#r !#g!ly reg#me&te$ so'#ety of r#ests a&$ assass#&s a&$ br%tally exot#' '%lt%re> as am!#b#a&s t!#s ma"es t!em eve& more #&tr#g%#&g. or all t!e#r ra't#'es of slavery a&$ sa'r#f#'e, #ts oss#ble to &egot#ate #t! t!em #f '!ara'ters are s!re$. &$ t!eres a at!os to t!#s ra'e of f#s!me& 'l#&g#&g to t!e#r obs'e&e sa&'t%ary, ay belo t!e eart!, ra#s#&g t!e#r 6f#&gerl#&gs6 (baby "%o-toa&s !o 'a&t s%rv#ve o%ts#$e ater), 'arry#&g o& ors!# of t!e ea ot!er. Gygax $#$ a goo$
(15) T!e H#$$e& !r#&e of Tamoa'!a&. K stars. Harol$ Io!&so& Ieff Leaso&, 1980. Levels 5-7. T!e format 'o#es Tomb of Horrors to a tee, as #f t!e a%t!ors a&te$ to 'ome % #t! t!e same "#&$ of t!#&g for loer level '!ara'ters !o at least sta&$ a '!a&'e. 2layers st%mble o& a& aba&$o&e$ s!r#&e #& t!e m#$$le of &o!ere, loa$e$ #t! tras, l#g!t o& treas%re, a&$ #t! fe b%t form#$able mo&sters (#&'l%$#&g a vam#re). ts a great $%&geo& t!at tests t!e layers mettle aro%&$ every 'or&er, #& memorable rooms l#"e T!e 3!ael of t!e eat!ere$ erva&t (o&e layer f#g!ts a& #mag#&ary foe !#le t!e ot!ers are for'e$ by a #&ge$ sere&t to solve a %le), t!e Hall of t!e mo"#&g #rrors (loo" #&to t!em #f yo% $are), a&$ t!e H#$$e& Aoom of t!e lter-4go (a stat%e $%l#'ates t!e loo"s of o&e of t!e layers a&$ 'omes to l#fe !#le t!at layer t%r&s to sto&e). T!e v#s%al a#$s are sle&$#$, a&$ aga#& #& t!e same $es#g& as t!ose #& Tomb of Horrors, t!o%g! #t! 'lear 3e&tral o%t!er& mer#'a& feat%res t!at g#ve a $#st#&'tly exot#' v#be -- #t eve& %ts o&e #& m#&$ of a& &$#a&a Io&es a$ve&t%re. /%#&tesse&t#al examle of a mo$%le from t!e Gol$e& ge t!eres &o re-a'"age$ story> t!e $%&geo& #tself #s t!e ex'l%s#ve latform o& !#'! t!e layers (a&$ *) 'a& b%#l$ t!e#r o& story, a&$ as s%'! #t 'a& be #&serte$ #&to almost a&y #l$er&ess 'ama#g&> most #morta&tly, every room 'o%&ts a&$ 'o&ta#&s t!e %&exe'te$. T!e H#$$e& !r#&e of Tamo'!a&, 1980 (31) T!#s #s a& ex'elle&t ol$ s'!ool mo$%le t!at rem#&$s me a b#t of Tomb of Horrors #& t!at #t !as very fe mo&sters b%t le&ty of tr#'"s a&$ tras. L#"e#se, t!e esoamer#'a& amb#e&'e of t!e la'e -- g#ve& glor#o%s l#fe by ma&y 4rol Et%s #ll%strat#o&s -- a$$s to #ts '!arm.
(1B) ga#&st t!e 3%lt of t!e Aet#le Go$. K stars. *o%glas #les, 198;. Levels 1-=. T!#s bo$ys&at'!#&g a$ve&t%re !as s!ar #&tr#g%e, a&$ #s eve& better t!a& remember. T!e v#llage of Erla&e !as Hommlet v#bes, b%t #t!o%t feel#&g l#"e a 'oy'at, a&$ fles!e$ o%t #t! remar"able $eta#l. T!e lot #&volves a sere&t '%lt (#t seems t!at s&a"e ors!#ers are alays a !#t #& **) ta"#&g over t!e v#llage by a& %&leasa&t bra#&as!#&g ro'ess t!ats bee& go#&g o& for abo%t a year. 23s m%st $eterm#&e !#'! v#llagers !ave bee& 'o&verte$, a&$ t!ey 'a& be g#ve& /%#te a b%m steer $ee&$#&g o& !ose s%s#'#o&s t!ey ta"e to !eart t!e mayor #s 'o&v#&'e$ t!e !erm#t #s t!e 'a%se of t!e v#llages $#stress, a&$ ot!ers s%se't t!e &ely arr#ve$ elves> t!ere are le&ty of ro&g g%esses to "ee layers o& t!e#r toes. T!e v#llage $rama #s &ot!#&g less t!a& a !orror-mystery t!r#ller, a&$ a s%erb rel%$e to t!e sam $%&geo& f%ll of l#ar$ me& a&$ 'ro'o$#les (a&$ t!e #&s#$#o%s &aga #t! !y&ot#' oers). & fa't, t!e v#llagers are so ell fles!e$ o%t t!at bra&$#s! t!#s mo$%le as a f#rstrate examle of !o to 'reate 23s #t! 'omell#&g !#$$e& mot#ves. A$ainst the Cult of the Re"tile (od re/%#res a lot o%t of beg#&&#&g layers, bra#&s as m%'! as bra&, a&$ t!e bea%ty #s t!at a&y or all of t!e 23s are fa#r game for "#$&a#&g a&$ bra#&as!#&g -- t!ey 'o%l$ ell be % aga#&st t!emselves. ga#&st t!e 3%lt of t!e Aet#le Go$, 198; (1) & %&$er-are'#ate$ mo$%le t!at roves *o%glas #les o&'e !a$ ser#o%s $es#g& '!os.
(17) T!e #&#ster e'ret of altmars!. K stars. *ave @ro&e *o& T%r&b%ll, 1981. Levels 1-=. T!e follo#&g tr#logy #s a 'lass- examle of a ser#es t!at $oes&t !ave ra#lroa$#&g baggage. T!#s #s !ar$ to $o #& a ser#es aroa'!, !#'! #s !y t!ere ere&t ma&y ser#es mo$%les #& t!e ol$ $ays (o&ly be'om#&g t!e &orm after Dra$onlan%e). T!e tr#logy also s'ores b#g-t#me as t!#&"#&g-layers mo$%les, ese'#ally t!e f#rst to !ere t!#&gs are&t at all !at t!ey seem. T!#s f#rst o&e #s t!e fa& favor#te a !a%&te$ !o%se t!ats &ot really !a%&te$, a&$ 23s %lt#mately be'ome ol#'eme& !e& t!ey f#&$ o%t t!at sm%gglers, &ot g!osts, res#$e o& t!e 'l#ff. ts t!e b%#l$ % to t!at real#at#o& t!at ma"es )inister )e%ret of )altmarsh so ex'#t#&g. *s 'a& #&st#ll a lot of fear #f t!ey "&o !at t!eyre $o#&g, a&$ "ee layers bel#ev#&g t!e s%er&at%ral #s at large #t! t!e bl#&"#&g l#g!ts, g!astly s!r#e"s, a&$ &a%seat#&g 'arr#o&. E& to of t!#s, t!e assass#& la&t #& t!e %sta#rs be$room !as loa$s of ote&t#al, a&$ #f %se$ s%btly, 'a& really so 'o&f%s#o& or eve& $#s'or$ amo&g t!e layers. T!e se'o&$ !alf of t!e a$ve&t%re #s more stra#g!tforar$ t!e <#g #s %, t!e layers boar$ t!e sm%gglers s!# a&$ $#s'over l#ar$ me& #&volve$ #t! t!e lot, !#'! seg%es #&to t!e &ext mo$%le.
(18) *a&ger at *%&ater. K stars. *av#$ @ro&e *o& T%r&b%ll, 198;. Levels 1-. T!#s o&e may be less s'ary t!a& t!e !o%se o& t!e 'l#ff, b%t #ts eve& more $a&gero%s, as #t eas#ly #&v#tes bloo$s!e$ !e& $#loma'y #s &ee$e$. t t%r&s o%t t!e l#ar$ me& !ave bee& arm#&g t!emselves &ot to atta'" altmars!, or a&y !%ma& settleme&t, b%t to ta"e ba'" t!e#r o& fortress from #&va$#&g sa!%ag#& -!o are t!e tr%e t!reat to !%ma&#ty (t!e e&emy of t!e t!#r$ mo$%le). ts a tr#'"y b%s#&ess eve& 23s !o rea'! a &egot#at#&g stage #ll more t!a& l#"ely !ave "#lle$ at least some l#ar$ me& before #e'#&g 'l%es toget!er a&$ #ll fa'e &e roblems. &y treas%re t!eyve a'/%#re$ #ll !ave to be ret%r&e$, a&$ t!e l#ar$-ma& "#&g #ll #mose ereg#l$ fees for a&y 'as%alt#es amo&g !#s ra'e. ome 'la#m t!at Dan$er at Dunwater $oes&t meas%re % to t!e rev#o%s mo$%le, or t!at #ts a $%&geo& aste$ o& a'#f#st strateg#es, b%t &e#t!er #s tr%e a&$ #g&ores t!at all b%t t!e most s!re$ 23s #ll bel#eve t!e l#ar$ me& to be t!e ev#l t!reat %&t#l t!ey ro'ee$ far e&o%g! t!ro%g! t!e $%&geo& to #e'e 'l%es toget!er. ome 23s o&t eve& 'at'! o& at all. (f t!ey f#g%re o%t t!#&gs too /%#'"ly, t!e& t!e * #s $o#&g a lo%sy #& t!e game referee$, t!e 23s fe$ t!em treats a&$ 'o%l$&t get r#$ of t!e l#ttle ests.
(19) T!e #&al 4&emy. K stars. *av#$ @ro&e *o& T%r&b%ll, 198=. Levels =-5. T!e last art of t!e tr#logy #s t!e stra#g!tforar$ o&e, b%t a& #&'re$#bly $ea$ly o&e for lo-level 23s. &$erater breat!#&g #s re/%#re$ #& to-t!#r$s of t!#s $%&geo&, a&$ oe to t!e fools !o $o&t s#ftly "#ll a&y sa!%ag#& before t!ey 'a& ra#se a& alarm> %&$erater 'ombat be'omes <%st as 'r#t#'al. @%t 23s are&t s%ose$ to see" o%t a&y 'ombat, far less 'lear t!e $%&geo& (!#'! o%l$ be a s%#'#$e m#ss#o&), o&ly to re'o& t!e t!ree levels a&$ reort ba'" to altmars! off#'#als !o #ll la%&'! ar t!emselves. T!ats far eas#er sa#$ t!a& $o&e, a&$ t!ere are ma&y e&'o%&ter areas !#'! #ll %t rolelay#&g to a test. or #&sta&'e, t!e temle o& t!e m#$$le level #s a &asty b%s#&ess, !ere sa!%ag#& r#estesses sa'r#f#'e yo%&g #&fa&ts to a s!ar" s#mm#&g t!ro%g!o%t t!e room. T!ese are t!e !at'!l#&gs !o $o&t meas%re % to t!e r#goro%s !ys#'al sta&$ar$s of t!e sa!%ag#& ra'e, a&$ t!e r#t%al o& $#slay #s e&o%g! to s#'"e& all goo$al#g&e$ '!ara'ters !o #& most 'ases o&t be able to sto t!emselves from #&terve&#&g. Ta"e& toget!er, t!e altmars! tr#logy #s a s!#&#&g examle of a& exte&$e$ a$ve&t%re t!at $ras o& layers reso%r'es #& %&exe'te$ ays. *av#$ @ro&e (see also #eyond the Crystal Ca&e at F1=) as a rare $es#g&er !o 'o%l$ t!#&" o%ts#$e t!e box #t!o%t s%''%mb#&g to t!e ev#ls of t!e &e s'!ool.
(;1) T!e orgotte& Temle of T!ar#$%&. K stars. Gary Gygax, 198;. Levels 5-10. T!#s o&e may &ot ex'el #t! 'o&te&t, b%t #ts o&e !ell of a moo$ #e'e a&$ #&s#re$ o&e of my o& $%&geo&s s#m#larly rem#se$ o& a $orma&t ev#l t!at !as t!e oer to ossess a&$ $r#ve eole #&sa&e. T!e temle #tself #s a to-t#ere$ yram#$ #t! $%&geo&s be&eat!, a&$ a se'ret m#&#-level !arbor#&g ote&t treas%res a&$ &asty tras. T!e #$ea t!at '!ara'ters m%st e&a't t#ste$ r#t%als to rogress t!ro%g! t!e temle #s 'reey as !ell> t!e temle #tself #s t!e '!#ef a&tago&#st, $efe&$#&g #tself aga#&st assa%lt a&$ e&etrat#o& #& #&s#$#o%s ays. &$ !#le some 'o&s#$er t!e f#&al room of t!e @la'" 3yst to be a&t#'l#ma't#', love #t for t!e &o&-tra$#t#o&al e&$game #&volv#&g a s%btle e&ergy for'e -- !#'! of 'o%rse #s T!ar#$%& !#mself, try#&g to ma&#fest a&$ be set free. & eff#'#e&t * 'a& really or" o& layers emot#o&s t!ro%g!o%t t!e temle, as T!ar#$%&s esse&'e see"s to el#'#t symat!y, b%t also l%st a&$ gree$, before "#ll#&g eole or $r#v#&g t!em #&sa&e. T!e oss#b#l#ty of be#&g trae$ forever %&$ergro%&$ #s very real. s a moo$ #e'e, #ts t!e "#&$ of mo$%le t!at re/%#res some t!o%g!tf%l la&&#&g before r%&&#&g #t. ts f%ll of $ar" se'rets a&$ a& overloo"e$ gem.
(;;) aster of t!e *esert oma$s. K stars. *av#$ 3oo", 198=. Levels B-9. T!e 'over $es#g& a&$ tra$e $ress s!o%l$ s#g&al alarm, a&$ te'!&#'ally t!e &ext to mo$%les fall o%ts#$e my s'oe !#'! 'overs % to t!e m#$$le of 198=. @%t for all t!e s#&s 'ree#&g #&to ** at t!#s t#me, t!e oma$s ser#es #s asto%&$#&gly s%erb, a&$ er!as t!ats &o s%rr#se g#ve& *av#$ 3oo"s %lfa&tasy ge&#%s. T!#s #s a $esert #l$er&ess of !orrors, at t!e e&$ of !#'! a#ts a& abbey r%& by (!at aear to be) a be&#g& gro% of mo&"s !o (#& a't%al#ty) are stra&ge %&$ea$-l#"e 'reat%res !o s!o t!e#r tr%e !#$eo%s forms !e& t!e s%& goes $o&. T!e abbey #s fra&"ly o&e of my favor#te s'e&ar#os ever $es#g&e$ a&$ #t lays extremely ell, #t! a lot of &a#l-b#t#&g te&s#o&. :!at sl#g!tly ra&"les are t!e 23 e&'o%&ters t!at !ae& o%t of &o!ere #& or$er to steer 23s #& t!e r#g!t $#re't#o& a&$ ma"e s%re t!at eve&ts go as la&&e$. ga#&, t!#s fores!a$os Dra$onlan%e-l#"e $es#g&s !#'! or'!estrate$ eve&ts #t! less a''ommo$at#o& for so&ta&e#ty. :#t! a l#ttle tea"#&g, of 'o%rse, yo% 'a& #g&ore some of t!e s'r#t-slavery, a&$ to be fa#r, #ts &ot t!at !eavy-!a&$e$. & fa't, *aster of the Desert Nomads a&$ Tem"le of Death are t!e least offe&s#ve examles of t!e &e s'!ool "&o of, a&$ t!e#r sett#&gs so stro&g t!at !ave to #&'l%$e t!em !#g! o& t!#s l#st.
(;=) Temle of *eat!. K stars. *av#$ 3oo", 198=. Levels B-10. T!e se/%el to *aster of the Desert Nomads #s a 'lose t#e, t!o%g! aga#&st 'o&se&s%s sl#g!tly favor t!e abbey over t!e temle. T!e $e'et#o& be!#&$ t!e former a$$s a&ot!er level of te&s#o&, aear#&g to be a be&#g& sa&'t%ary b%t #& fa't a $eat! o&e. T!e temle !arbors &o s%'! #ll%s#o&s, a&$ layers "&o exa'tly !at t!eyre gett#&g #&to -- t!e 'a#tal of a mo$er&-ra& e/%#vale&t le$ by a& 6yatolla!6 reso&s#ble for $esert ra#$s a&$ !oly ars. E&'e aga#&, t!ere #s some tro%blesome ra#lroa$#&g, &ot least t!e to& of ag$e& !#'! #&stea$ of be#&g a lo'at#o& o& t!e ma o&ly be'omes a lo'at#o& after t!e 23s v#s#t o&e of t!e t!ree &ameless to&s> #.e. to e&s%re t!at t!ey rea'! 6t!#s6 art#'%lar to&. @%t as before, t!e ra#lroa$#&g #s m#&#mal a&$ forg#vable #& l#g!t of t!e ex'elle&t e&'o%&ter areas a&$ $%&geo& $es#g&s. T!e mo%&ta#& ass #&to H%le #s #l$ % fa&tasy 'ome to l#fe, #t! all%r#&g 'aver&s of !all%'#&at#o&s, a&$ eve& a la$$er t!at as'e&$s #&to a J#&g$om of t!e oo&. s for t!e temle of $eat! #tself, #t 'a& be 'o%&te$ o& to "#ll all b%t t!e most s!re$ 23s. &$ t!e $e'oy of t!e asters avatar #s br#ll#a&t. T!e real asters #&a&#mate bo$y res#$es #& o&e of t!e 'off#&s of t!e !%ge 'ryt, a&$ #s a't%ally fa#rly a''ess#ble> fe 23s ever real#e t!#s.
(;) *%&geo&la&$ T!e La&$ @eyo&$ t!e ag#' #rror. stars. Gary Gygax, 198=. Levels 9-1;. T!ese are t!e ell-love$ s#&-offs of Ali%e in +onderland a&$ Throu$h the Lookin$ (lass, a&$ t!e#r f%&'t#o& $ee&$s o& a goo$ amo%&t of metagam#&g. eta-gam#&g #s esse&t#ally t!e %se of o%tof-game #&format#o& or reso%r'es to affe't o&es #&game $e'#s#o&s, a&$ t!eres le&ty of t!at !ere, t!o%g! !ats am%s#&g #s t!at s%'! strateg#es #ll or" aga#&st layers as ofte& as for t!em. or #&sta&'e, !e& t!e !eral$ beg#&s '!arg#&g 23s by tal"#&g abo%t 6t!e %ee& of Hearts6, layers m#g!t be temte$ to reso&$ 'leverly #t! r!ymes abo%t tarts or t!e "&ave steal#&g t!em. T!#s #ll seal t!e#r fate, as t!e J#&g a&$ %ee& #ll $ema&$ to "&o !o t!ey eve& "&e of t!e 'r#me. eta-gam#&g #s %s%ally $eeme$ t!e orst s#& #& A2Gs, b%t #t seems a''etable #& a bats!#t 'o&text l#"e *%&geo&la&$. &$ ma"e &o m#sta"e, for all t!e 'ra#&ess, Dun$eonland a&$ *a$i% *irror or" o&$ers as !#g!-level '!alle&ges t!ey are $ea$ly a&$ %&forg#v#&g. L#"e t!e @rot!ers Gr#mm, fa#ry tales are s%ose$ to be s'ary, as most of t!em ere %&t#l t!e #&fl%e&'e of *#s&ey. Gygax %&$ersta&$s t!#s a&$ e/%#s !#s sy'!ot#' 23s a''or$#&gly. or #&sta&'e, t!e a$ Hatter #s a& 8t!level mo&" !o !as a& e&$less s%ly of '%rse$ !ats t!at !e #ll attemt to t!ro o& eoles !ea$s -- !at of o''%at#o& (23 bel#eves !#mself to be a $#ffere&t 'lass), !at of #mr#so&me&t (e&larges to 'over t!e 23 a&$ ma"e !#m #mmob#le), !at of fools (ma"es t!e 23 $a&'e %&'o&trollably), et'. T!e ar'! Hare #s eve& more #&sa&e> t!e 3!es!#re 3at a& om&#rese&t &#g!tmare. Ha$ :o&$erla&$ bee& tra&slate$ #&to a beg#&&ers level a$ve&t%re #t o%l$ !ave bee& a
(;5) T!e G!ost Toer of &ver&ess. stars. lle& Hamma'", 1980. Levels 5-7. $o&t revere t!#s o&e as m%'! as %se$ to, t!o%g! #ll say t!at #f t!eres a& aar$ to be g#ve& for 6most $#ff#'%lt a&$ fr%strat#&g mo$%le t!at e&
(;B) :!#te 2l%me o%&ta#&. stars. Lare&'e '!#'", 1979. Levels 5-10. Heres a&ot!er t!at !as&t age$ ell> #& my tee& years o%l$ !ave eas#ly %t #t some!ere #& t!e to f#ve (my extreme examle of a mo$%le t!at !as age$ ba$ly #s Queen of the Demonweb Pits, !#'! e&t all t!e ay from F1 to F0). *o&t get me ro&g, st#ll !ave le&ty of affe't#o& for +hite Plume *ountain, b%t t!eres somet!#&g art#f#'#al abo%t #t t!at r%bs me t!e ro&g ay. lso, #t lays l#"e Tomb of Horrors l#te. lmost every room #&volves a tra, %le, r#$$le, or $ea$ly 'reat%re -- b%t #t! a& o$$ feel of lev#ty, so yo% !ave 23s $o#&g t!#&gs l#"e "aya"#&g o& a r#ver s%se&$e$ #& m#$-a#r. T!e rem#se #&volves re'over#&g t!ree mag#'al eao&s -- a ar!ammer, tr#$e&t, a&$ sor$ -- art#fa'ts #t! memorable erso&al#t#es, a&$ oerf%l o&es at t!at. ts #&terest#&g !o t!e mo$%le 'ame #&to be#&g Lare&'e '!#'" rote #t !#le aly#&g to or" for TA, a&$ !e s#mly 'obble$ toget!er t!e best arts of !#s rev#o%s $%&geo&s. t $ef#&#tely !as a at'!or" feel to #t, a&$ obv#o%sly t!e sor$ @la'"raor #s a r#-off of 4lr#'s tormbr#&ger (!#'! fra&"ly love). E&e of my layers ra& #l$ #t! t!e ar!ammers ab#l#ty to #&fl#'t mass#ve st%& !e& t!ro& $o&> #t be'ame a r%&&#&g gag #& my gam#&g gro% to t!reate&, 6Mo% better loo" o%t, m go#&g to t!ro :!elm o& t!e gro%&$N6
(;7) *ellers of t!e orb#$$e& 3#ty. stars. *av#$ (;8) 3oo", 1981. Levels -7. L#"e The Lost City , a o&$erf%l !omage to Red Nails, t!#s t#me set #& a <%&gle #&stea$ of a $esert, #t! fa't#o&s sl#t by ra'e rat!er t!a& rel#g#o&. T!e mo$%le te&$s to $#v#$e fa&$om, #ts $etra'tors em!as##&g t!e la'" of 'o!es#o& a&$ se't#o&s t!at seem ta'"e$ o& #t!o%t m%'! t!o%g!t. ts tr%e t!#s #s&t t!e master#e'e Lost City #s, a&$ t!e mo%&ta#& assages #&to t!e '#ty are&t !alf as #mress#ve as t!e 3y&#$#'ea& ste yram#$. :orst of all, t!ere are &o layo%ts for y%a&-t# stro&g!ol$s, a&$ t!eyre t!e star 'reat%res of t!e mo$%le. @%t #ts #&s#r#&g for all t!e $ef#'#e&'#es, a&$ e at least get t!e s&a"e-me& #& t!e mo%&ta#& asses. T!eyre as #'o&#' as $ro, a&$ t!e#r all#es (t!e taslo# a&$ b%gbears) or" ell #& ta&$em, lor$#&g t!emselves over t!e mo&grelme& a&$ b%lly%gs. Ef 'o%rse, m a s%'"er for !#$$e& exot#' '#t#es o%late$ by let!al gro%s at ea'! ot!ers t!roats, !#'! so 'learly em%late t!e 3o&a& 'lass#'. ro&#'ally, &ever got a '!a&'e to * t!#s ro$%'t (stay#&g obsesse$ #t! ol$vays lost '#ty), b%t !a$ rear$s as a layer> my fr#e&$ seeme$ to !ave a t!#&g for s&a"e-r#ests a&$ as a Hoar$ fa&, &o $o%bt, tae$ #&to t!e %l-fa&tasy esse&'e #t! ease. T!e more t!#&" abo%t t!e 3y&#$#'ea&s a&$ y%a&-t#, t!e more a&t to $es#g& my o& lost '#ty, 'omletely o& my o& terms -- er!as a& ar't#' o&e, s#&'e $esert a&$ <%&gle !ave !a$ t!e#r say.
T!e sle of *rea$. stars. *av#$ 3oo" Tom ol$vay, 1980. Levels =-7. Ef all e&tr#es o& t!#s l#st, t!#s o&e #s a& a&omaly #& t!e se&se !ar$ly remember se'#f#'s abo%t #t as a * or layer, o&ly t!at #t as a lot of f%& o& bot! 'o%&ts. Aerea$#&g #t to$ay 'a& see !y. 2layers bas#'ally sa#l off to a tro#'al #sla&$ to go treas%re !%&t#&g, a&$ !o t!#&gs %&fol$ $ee&$s e&t#rely o& !ere t!ey '!oose to go exlor#&g. T!ere are J#&g Jo&g !omages, &otably t!e v#llage of Ta&aroa, a&$ le&ty of re!#stor#' 'reat%res, &ot to me&t#o& #rates a#t#&g to o%&'e &ear t!e 'oast. T!e !#g! o#&t #s a r%#&e$ temle 'o&trolle$ by am!#b#o%s m#&$-'o&troll#&g 'reat%res, m%'! of #t s%bmerge$ -a&$ t!#s #s t!e art remember most, ese'#ally t!e %&$erater 'orr#$or #t! t!e bla'" earl. The -sle of Dread #s o&e of t!e least lot-$r#ve& mo$%les 'a& t!#&" of, a ro$%'t t!at almost e#tom#es t!e Gol$e& ge, a&$ t!e #l$er&ess a$ve&t%re e '%t o%r teet! o& after The 'ee" on the #orderlands serve$ as o%r t%tor#al $%&geo&. $o&t re'all ever r%&&#&g #&to t!e $rago& t%rtle $#slaye$ o& t!e fro&t 'over, a&$ t!ats a goo$ t!#&g t!eyre a b#t beyo&$ t!e 'ombat rea'! of =r$-7t! level '!ara'ters. 2er Iames al#ses"#, t!#s #sla&$ #s a erfe't sett#&g for Dwellers of the .orbidden City , a&$ &o s%rr#se, s#&'e *av#$ 3oo" #s t!e a%t!or of ea'!.
see !o m%'! better #t #s t!a& t!e mater#al t!at a$ve&t%r#&g lo'ale rat!er t!a& as a lo'at#o& #t! #ts folloe$, !#'! rerese&ts a val#a&t effort by ra&" o& #&ter&al log#' #&$ee&$e&t of t!e a$ve&t%rers e&ter to %t #&to r#&t bot! a& #morta&t art of !av#&g to go t!ere. t!e Grey!a" 'ama#g&s !#story a&$ a mo$%le rom#se$ for ma&y years before!a&$. t!#&" T1- 1. %ee& of #$ers, 198B (G1-=, *1-=, 1) #s sol#$, b%t #ts &ot to 10 mater#al as #ts ra&" !ere o%l$ #mly. 10. Aet%r& to t!e Tomb of Horrors, 1998 T!#s #s a b#t of a 'o-o%t e&try. Ta"e& as a !ole, $o&t t!#&" t!eres m%'! $o%bt t!at t!e G#a&ts*ro ser#es of mo$%les #s robably t!e most #'o&#' &ever o&e$ or rea$ t!#s boxe$ set, so 'a&t 'olle't#o& of ** a$ve&t%res ever %bl#s!e$ a&$ really 'omme&t o& #ts mer#ts. f#rmly establ#s!e$ a &%mber of Gygax#a& 5. 4xe$#t#o& to t!e @arr#er 2ea"s, 1980 (=) eleme&tsmot#fs#$#osy&'ras#es as &ormat#ve for t!e game as a !ole. Hoever, t!#&" #ts '!eat#&g to $o&t !ave a&y /%#bbles abo%t t!#s mo$%le, !#'! l%m all t!e mo$%les toget!er, art#'%larly #& t!e bot! t!oro%g!ly e&
8. Aet%r& to t!e Temle of 4leme&tal 4v#l, ;001
1. *ea$ Go$s, 1997
'o%l$ go o& at some le>! abo%t !y t!#s #s a terr#ble, terr#ble mo$%le t!at m#s%&$ersta&$s a&$ b%t'!ers Grey!a" lore a&$ $emo&strates !y t!e =e 3!alle&ge Aat#&g system #s a& abom#&at#o&, b%t !y bot!erO T!eres s#mly &o <%st#f#'at#o& for #&'l%$#&g t!#s #& a to =0 l#st, let alo&e ra&"#&g #t at &%mber 8.
m a fa& of 2la&es'ae, b%t 'a&t say m%'! goo$ abo%t most of t!e mo$%les ro$%'e$ for t!e l#&e, art#'%larly t!e later o&es, of !#'! *ea$ Go$s #s art. T!ey rerese&t TAs rat!er %&fort%&ate fl#rtat#o& #t! :!#te :olf-style metalot, #& t!e ro'ess rea"#&g !avo' o& a& ot!er#se ell$o&e, #f off-"#lter, ta"e o& fa&tasy.
9. :!#te 2l%me o%&ta#&, 1979 (;)
15. 3astle mber, 1981 (C;)
=. Tomb of Horrors, 1978 (1) rote at le>! abo%t t!#s yester$ay, so yo% alrea$y "&o my o#&#o& of t!#s mo$%le. ts $ef#&#tely o&e of t!e to 5 a$ve&t%re mo$%les of all t#me a&$ $ be s%s#'#o%s of a&y l#st t!at $#$&t #&'l%$e #t as s%'!.
. T!e Temle of 4leme&tal 4v#l, 1985 (T1-) &ot!er 'o-o%t, b%t a more <%st#f#able o&e. m erso&ally of t!e o#&#o& t!at T1 T!e D#llage of Hommlet alo&e $eserves to be #& a&y to 10 l#st of greatest a$ve&t%res of all t#me. 3o%le$ #t! t!e rest of t!e mater#al from t!#s s%ermo$%le, yo% 'a&
!ave great fo&$&ess for t!#s mo$%le a&$ &o 2art of Tom ol$vays 62%l a&tasy Tr#logy,6 /%alms abo%t #ts #&'l%s#o& #& t!e to =0. t!#&" #ts 3astle mber #s a favor#te of m#&e. too 6game-y6 a& a$ve&t%re to ma"e t!e to 10, t!o%g!. @y t!at mea& t!at t!e !ole set-% feels too art#f#'#al, as #f #t ex#sts solely to rov#$e a&
1B. sle of *rea$, 1980 (C1) *#tto sle of *rea$.
ser#es #s <%st as goo$ #& my o#&#o& a&$ /%#te oss#bly $eserve a la'e o& t!#s l#st. ;;. T!e Lost 3aver&s of Tso<'a&t!, 198; ()
!ave a fo&$&ess for mo$%le , b%t t!ats mostly be'a%se of #ts exte&s#ve boo"let of mo&sters, ;8. T!e Lost 3#ty, 198; (@) mag#' #tems, a&$ sells, !#'! ma$e far more of a& 17. A%#&s of &$ermo%&ta#&, 1991 #ma't o& my 'ama#g& t!a& t!e a$ve&t%re roer, T!e t!#r$ mo$%le of ol$vays 62%l a&tasy !#'! #s #s rat!er bla&$. Tr#logy,6 t!#s o&e #s o&e #s somet#mes &ever o&e$ t!#s, so 'a&t 'omme&t o& #ts overs!a$oe$ by #ts b#gger brot!ers, !#'! #s a la'eme&t !ere. s!ame, be'a%se #ts a terr#f#' evo'at#o& of 6Ae$ a#ls6 a&$ ot!er s#m#lar stor#es. ;=. T!e orgotte& Temle of T!ar#$%&, 198; (:G) 18. T!e H#$$e& !r#&e of Tamo'!a&, 1980 (31) T!#s #s a& ex'elle&t ol$ s'!ool mo$%le t!at rem#&$s me a b#t of Tomb of Horrors #& t!at #t !as very fe mo&sters b%t le&ty of tr#'"s a&$ tras. L#"e#se, t!e esoamer#'a& amb#e&'e of t!e la'e -- g#ve& glor#o%s l#fe by ma&y 4rol Et%s #ll%strat#o&s -- a$$s to #ts '!arm.
19. ga#&st t!e 3%lt of t!e Aet#le Go$, 198; (1)
T!e 6se/%el6 to T!e Lost 3aver&s of Tso<'a&t!, t!o%g!, #s o&e for !#'! !ave a greater are'#at#o&. T!e a$ve&t%re !as a 'reey, 6el$r#t'!6 amb#e&'e to #t t!at love a&$ t!e eo&ymo%s lo'ale #s s%#tably b#arre a&$ Love'raft#a&.
;. 3#ty of t!e #$er %ee&, ;00;
;9. T!e ssass#&Ps J&ot, 198= (L;) :!y t!#s #s !ere a&$ &ot L1 T!e e'ret of @o&e H#ll #s a mystery to me. E! a#t, #ts be'a%se L; feat%res a mystery t!at #t got t!e &o$ !#le t!e ofte&-overloo"e$ L1 $#$ &ot. t!#&" L; #s a sol#$ mo$%le -- ra't#'ally a m#&#-'ama#g&, <%st l#"e L1 -b%t also t!#&" t!at #t gets more "%$os t!a& #t $eserves s#mly be'a%se of #ts m%r$er mystery lot.
o. T!#s a$ve&t%re ex#sts solely to sell more A.. & %&$er-are'#ate$ mo$%le t!at roves *o%glas alvatore &ovels a&$ #ts !eavy-!a&$e$ lot #les o&'e !a$ ser#o%s $es#g& '!os. $ee&$s o& eve&ts #& t!e &ovels to ma"e a&y =0. T!e G!ost Toer of &ver&ess, 1980 (3;) se&se. :!#le !ave fo&$ memor#es of t!#s mo$%le, l#"e :!#te 2l%me o%&ta#& #t !as t!e feel of be#&g a ;0. 'o%rge of t!e lave Lor$s, 198B (1-) game mo$%le rat!er t!a& a& #&ter&ally 'o&s#ste&t a&$ log#'al lo'at#o& #& #ts o& r#g!t. ;5. *rago&s of *esa#r, 198 (*L1) Met a&ot!er 'o-o%t, b%t, aga#&, a& %&$ersta&$able o&e, g#ve& t!at mo$%les 1- are a t#g!ter ser#es T!o%g! my $#sl#"e for *rago&la&'e #s ell-"&o&, t!a& t!e G* mo$%les. !ave a 'erta#& fo&$&ess $o t!#&" t!e f#rst mo$%le #& t!e ser#es #s ell-$o&e for t!ese a$ve&t%res, b%t $o&t ors!# t!em t!e a&$ #&tr#g%#&g. Ha$ t!e ser#es as a !ole &ot bee& ay some ol$ s'!oolers $o. 2art of my roblem so !eav#ly t#e$ #&to eve&ts #& t!e &ovels a&$ !a$ #t! t!em #s t!at $o&t f#&$ t!e 'e&tral rem#se t!ere bee& more s%ort for $ev#at#&g from t!e very 'omell#&g a&$ t!e mo$%les, be#&g r#tte& by 6'orre't6 storyl#&e, t!#&" t!e *L 'o%l$ !ave a var#ety of a%t!ors, are some!at %&eve& #& be'ome tr%e 'lass#'s. s #t #s, *L1 rerese&ts a /%al#ty. & a$$#t#o&, t!ere are mome&ts of !eavyat! &ot ta"e&, as ell as o&e of t!e "ey mome&ts !a&$e$&ess, s%'! as t!e &e'ess#ty of t!e 23s to !e& ** lost #ts so%l. be 'at%re$, t!at t!#&" m#l#tate aga#&st t!e ser#es real v#rt%es. $o&t ob
&ever o&e$ a&y of t!e 3arl arge&t era Grey!a" mo$%les, so 'a&t 'omme&t o& t!#s o&e, !#'! bel#eve #s abo%t t!e em#re of %.
;7. T!e #&#ster e'ret of altmars!, 1981 (1) L#"e most of t!e TA J mo$%les, t!#s o&e as ex'elle&t, be#&g a&ot!er great start#&g mo$%le t!at 'omb#&es a fas'#&at#&g l#ttle to& #t! a$ve&t%r#&g lo'ales a&$ a$ve&t%re !oo"s. T!e rest of t!e
%r$er at @a%l$ers Gate
Q series B series
1 %ee& of t!e *emo&eb 2#ts (10-1)
@1 & sear'! of t!e &"&o& (1-=) @; T!e Jee o& t!e @or$erla&$s (1-=) @ Lost 3#ty (1-=)
** Aeve&ge of t!e G#a&ts
T series T1 T!e D#llage of Hommlet (1) T;- Tomb of 4leme&tal 4v#l (1-8)
S series 1 ; =
Tomb of Horrors (10-1) :!#te 2l%me o%&ta#& (5-10) 4xe$#t#o& to t!e @arr#er 2ea"s (8-1;) T!e Lost 3aver&s of Tso<'a&t! (B-10)
H1 H; H= H
@loo$sto&e 2ass (1=-17) T!e #&es of @loo$sto&e (1B-18) T!e @loo$sto&e :ars (17-;0) T!e Tro&e of @loo$sto&e (18-100)
1 *ellers of t!e orb#$$e& 3#ty
! series
1- 'o%rge of t!e lavelor$s
A series: Scourge of the Slavelords
C1 sle of *rea$ (=-7) C; 3astle mber (=-B)
T!e Lost 3aver&s of Tso<'a&t!
1 ; =
1 ga#&st t!e 3%lt of t!e Aet#le Go$ (1-=)
lave 2#ts of t!e &$er'#ty (-7) e'ret of t!e lavers to'"a$e (-7) ssa%lt o& t!e e#r#e of t!e lave Lor$s (-7) & t!e *%&geo&s of t!e lave Lor$s (-7)
GDQ1-7 Queen of the Spiders (s%ermo$%le G1-= + *1-= + 1)
G series: Against the Giants, The Lieration of Geoff G1 tea$#&g of t!e H#ll G#a&t 3!#ef (8+) G; Gla'#al A#ft of t!e rost G#a&t Iarl (8+) G= Hall of t!e #re G#a&t J#&g (8+)
D series *1 *es'e&t #&to t!e *et!s of t!e 4art! (9-1) *; !r#&e of t!e J%o-Toa (9-1) *= Da%lt of t!e *ro (10-1)
:G T!e orgotte& Temle of T!ar#$%& 1 T!e #&#ster e'ret of altmars! 1 T!e #&#ster e'ret of altmars! (1-=) ; *a&ger at *%&ater (1-) = T!e #&al 4&emy (=-5)
1 %ee& of t!e *emo&eb 2#ts
1 *ellers of t!e orb#$$e& 3#ty (-7)
L#'!-%ee&Ps @elove$
=-5 *esert of *esolat#o& (5-10)
*ea$ Go$s
B Aave&loft (5-7) 10 Aave&loft T!e Ho%se o& Gry!o& H#ll (810)
T!e Gates of #restorm 2ea"
:G T!e orgotte& Temle of T!ar#$%& (5-10) *#e De'&a *#eN (10-1=) :G De'&a L#vesN (1;-15)
T!e orge of %ry
