LEMON BLOG

Ishar III: The Seven Gates of Infinity stands as the most ambitious and fully realized entry in the Ishar series. Released in 1994, it brings together everything the previous games established and pushes it further, offering a broader world, deeper systems, and a more structured progression built around the mysterious Seven Gates.

Ishar II: Messengers of Doom pushes the Ishar series further into uncompromising territory, expanding nearly every system introduced in the first game while raising the difficulty and complexity across the board. Released in 1993, it represents a peak example of European DOS RPG design, where patience, preparation, and system mastery matter far more than convenience.

Ishar: Legend of the Fortress is the first full entry in the Ishar series and a defining example of early 1990s European RPG design. Where Ishar 0 laid the groundwork with a lone adventurer and survival-focused mechanics, Ishar: Legend of the Fortress expands the formula into a complete party-based role-playing experience built around exploration, preparation, and hard-earned progress.

Ishar 0: Crystal of Arborea is a foundational title in the Ishar franchise and a strong representation of early 1990s European RPG design. Serving as a prequel to the main Ishar trilogy, the game establishes the world, tone, and mechanics that would later define the series, offering a demanding but deeply atmospheric role-playing experience.

When you think of classic RPGs from the '90s, titles like Baldur's Gate, Ultima, or Might and Magic might come to mind. But tucked away in the annals of gaming history is a dungeon crawler that dared to be different: Stonekeep. Released in 1995 by Interplay Productions, this game combined ambitious storytelling, innovative gameplay, and cinematic flair—making it one of the most memorable RPGs of its time, even if it doesn't always get the recognition it deserves today.