Gemstone Warrior

Gemstone Warrior is a computer action adventure game created by Paradigm Creators, Inc. in 1984 and distributed by SSI. It was developed by Robert Calfee, Trouba Gossen (who was also responsible for the graphics), Peter Lount (design and programming), and Kevin Pickell (design and programming). It was followed by a sequel , Gemstone Healer.

It is an action adventure title set against a 2D screen with the player controlling an armored figure that they would move from area to area in search of treasure and the way to heal the Gemstone. In several ways, it may be considered one of the precursors to Diablo and similar titles in terms of its general gameplay and setting.

The player has to recover the Gemstone, a relic of incredible power forged by the gods and focusing the natural magic of the world. This, they entrusted to Man alone and for a time, there was great prosperity and peace. But the Demons, led by Nicodemius, had managed to boil to the surface and take the Gemstone. Unable to destroy it, Nicodemius fragments it into five pieces and hide them in the Labyrinth, buried deep within the Netherworld. Going into the Netherworld, the protagonist mustfind and return with the Gemstone.

There are three difficulty levels, determining various factors such as the rate at which magic items change their effects and the rate at which more dangerous monsters start appearing.

The game is viewed in a 2D screen displaying the playing area, health, and inventory. The player controls an armored figure that wields a crossbow with a limited supply of bolts that can be replenished by finding more within the dungeon areas. Special "fireballs" can also be launched against foes, although these are limited and are not as common. There are also magical tools and other items that can be collected to provide a variety of benefits such as goblets that can restore health to crystal balls that can annihilate everything on the screen.

The dungeons are filled with a variety of dangers and secret doors. Many brutal monsters fill the caverns ranging from skeletal warriors, exploding gas plants, to nearly invulnerable demons. The player is also able to search the corpses of monsters that remain behind, chests, and coffins for supplies. Monsters do not always respawn in zones, leaving behind only their corpse as a reminder that the player had been there, although some do return to life, such as the skeletons and ghosts.

The goal is to traverse the maze to locate the Labyrinth, find the five pieces of Gemstone within its randomly generated layout, and return to the entrance cavern to escape.