The enhanced Apple IIgs GS/OS ver. of BT 1 is really fine - at least the most convenient & user friendly!
(Program played - "tested" - from the Cellars to all Catacombs levels and Harkyn lev 2, seems quite fine, although I played the original 8 bit versions about a decade ago).
---- Features for BT1 (& 2) -----
- - improved sounds: muzak is dependent on instrument and nicer & extra combat sfx
- Start / Stop Recording macros: "left Alt + 0-9 (numeric keypad)" :
command full battles, buff spells, etc for one keypress!
- Use upper menu for several save slots with save anywhere option. It saves games on the playdisk itself, so back it up regularly. Leave the game by selecting Quit in menu. Save occurs on the disk physically when ejecting floppy (or closing emulator in installed ActiveGS) - or so.
- Quick Menu function keys with "left Alt" (+ 'S' = quicksave)
- Transfer Savegame (rather a Save State) from a Non GS/OS IIgs version: Copy 2 files: character, inventory
- For a functional automap, which never forgets, never select Leave the Game in Adventurers Guild
------- Getting the GS/OS version ------
- The real goodies- & value added GS/OS version of BT 1 (& 2) is here, find it in the RPG collection (then unpack the archive):
http://www.whatisthe2gs.apple2.org.za/r ... ying-games
This divine version needs an O.S. disk to boot first.
(As at least 2 versions of BT 1 & 2 exist for Apple IIgs.)
Seems much easier to manage than the emulator, Kegs (it is a front-end of it).
A) Online Browser play
- (least hassle, but no window resize, though Zoom in / out is ok.)
For playing in thy browser, try virtual ActiveGS:
http://portune.net/cgi-bin/gs/main?spee ... &x=26&y=17
It possibly offers a plug-in to be installed into your browser, if not, get it from the ActiveGS site.
- 1- Get and install ActiveGS from:
http://activegs.freetoolsassociation.com/
(at Stand-alone Applications...; The app. seems to be portable, no install needed)
2- Get an OS
A working method:
http://www.whatisthe2gs.apple2.org.za/system-5-0-4
(An Unknown method:
http://www.whatisthe2gs.apple2.org.za/system-6-0-1 )
3- System disk 5.0.4 needs to be modified.
Copy the necessary Bards Tale’s tool035 file to the appropriate place (system / tools).
For this remove (move to trash) some drivers (modem, printer, etc) for granting sufficient room.
- - Some usage know-how after starting ActiveGS, and having booted an OS: Picture
- the kewlest automap option:Picture
- To cast spell APAR: after specifying coordinates click on the appeared text "Teleport" or press "T" (pressing the Space key again would cancel the spell)
- The dreaded Amiga version bugs haven't been encountered yet, as seen here
- This version seems much easier at early game, if memory serves well, compared to old 8 bit versions. And overall, at least till Harkyn's castle, enemy spellcasters do not seem to be too formidable.
- THANX DEVELOPERS !!!
- HAPPY DRAGONS' EASTER EGGS hunting!!!
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(There are threads about this topic, but they seem to miss a few things - as perhaps this one, too)