Dark Sun: Shattered Lands

Dark Sun: Shattered Lands is an overhead, turn-based role-playing game based on TSR’s Dark Sun campaign setting. On the dying world of Athas, a group of slaves escapes the arenas of Draj and seeks to unite independent villages against the rule of the sorcerer-king Tectuktitlay.

Characters and progression

Players can command a pre-generated party of four or create new characters. The game includes eight races, including half-giants and the insect-like thri-kreen, along with eight classes: Fighter, Ranger, Gladiator, Cleric, Druid, Preserver, Psionicist, and Thief. Psionic powers form a distinct discipline with psychokinetic, psychometabolic, and telepathic varieties.

Exploration and combat

The world consists of interconnected outdoor areas, dungeons, and settlements. After the first two areas, locations can be approached in any order. Multiple-choice dialogue, optional sub-quests, and varied approaches to NPCs and objectives give the campaign considerable flexibility.

Turn-based battles take place directly on the exploration screen. Characters use melee and ranged weapons, spells, and tactical movement, while some confrontations can be resolved peacefully. Character development follows traditional AD&D rules, including armor class and selecting spells to memorize when leveling up.

Release: 1992
Platform: DOS / MS-DOS
Developer: Strategic Simulations Inc.