Witchaven is a dark fantasy first-person action game released for DOS in 1995 by Capstone Software. Running on the same Build engine that powered Duke Nukem 3D, it trades firearms for brutal medieval melee combat and spellcasting. You play as the hero Grondoval, sent to a volcanic island to defeat the evil witch Illwhyrin. As you fight through labyrinthine dungeons filled with goblins and skeletons, you gather weapons like swords, axes, and halberds, alongside powerful magical scrolls. It also features light RPG mechanics, allowing you to level up your health and damage by earning experience points in combat.
How to Play
The objective is to navigate through the multi-level dungeon, find keys to open locked doors, defeat enemies, and eventually kill the witch Illwhyrin. The controls use a standard keyboard setup from the MS-DOS era. Use the arrow keys to move and turn, Ctrl to attack or cast spells, and the Spacebar to open doors and interact with the environment. You can switch between your equipped weapons and spells using the number keys. Press Right Alt + Enter to play in full screen.
Tips
- Watch your weapon durability: Melee weapons degrade with use and will eventually break. Always keep a backup weapon in your inventory, and use your bare fists only as a last resort.
- Save your spells: Powerful magic scrolls like Fireball or Freeze are rare and best saved for crowded rooms or tough enemies.
- Explore carefully: The game features secret walls and hidden rooms. Checking unusual corners can yield valuable health potions and armor.
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