Spear of Destiny (video game)

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Spear of Destiny
File:Spearofdestinycover.jpg
Cover art
Developer(s) id Software
Publisher(s) FormGen Corporation
Director(s) Tom Hall
Designer(s) Tom Hall
John Romero
Programmer(s) John Carmack
John Romero
Artist(s) Adrian Carmack
Composer(s) Bobby Prince
Series Wolfenstein
Engine Wolfenstein 3D engine
Platforms MS-DOS, Steam, IOS
Release date(s) September 18, 1992
August 3, 2007 (Steam)
October 2009 (IOS)
Genre(s) First-person shooter
Mode(s) Single player

Spear of Destiny is a 1992 first-person shooter video game developed by id Software and published by FormGen Corporation, and is the prequel to id Software's Wolfenstein 3D. As in Wolfenstein 3D, the player assumes the role of allied spy William "B.J." Blazkowicz, on a mission trying to recapture the Spear of Destiny from the Nazis after it was stolen from Versailles.

Gameplay

The game consists of a single story-line episode, divided into 21 levels, 19 of which must be completed to win the game. The remaining two are secret levels that can be accessed from within the first 18. The gameplay is comparable to that of Wolfenstein 3D, which uses the same game engine. The levels are divided into four blocks (focusing respectively on the castle's tunnels, dungeons, main keep, and ramparts), each ending with the player having to defeat a "boss".

Unlike Wolfenstein 3D, the game did not include a shareware version; however, a 2-level playable demo was distributed.[1]

The Lost Episodes

Two mission packs for Spear of Destiny, titled Return to Danger and Ultimate Challenge, were also created and published by FormGen Corporation in May 1994.[1] These are collectively known as the "Lost Episodes", because they were sold in low numbers and their existence is not widely known. Each of these, too, consists of 21 levels. The Lost Episodes contain new level textures, new enemies, and new appearances for old enemies.

Releases

A CD version containing all three episodes, titled the Spear of Destiny Super CD Package, was also released in late 1994.

A DVD version released in 2001, simply titled "Wolfenstein 3D" (made by XPLOSIV) contains Wolfenstein 3D, as well as all 3 Spear of Destiny episodes included as bonus.

The Steam release (August 3, 2007) includes the Lost Episodes.[2]

The source code of Spear of Destiny was released in 1995.

In October 2009, the iPhone Wolfenstein 3D app was updated to include Spear of Destiny.

Spear of Destiny has never been ported to home console. However, the bosses from the game appear in the 3DO version of Wolfenstein 3D.

Reception

Computer Gaming World criticized Spear of Destiny for not improving technically on Wolfenstein 3-D, but praised the gameplay and new enemies, and concluded that it was "a well-executed and enjoyable game".[3]

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 The Apogee FAQ: Wolfenstein 3D and Spear of Destiny
  2. http://store.steampowered.com/news/?appids=9010
  3. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.

External links