Swords of Xeen

Swords of Xeen
Might and Magic Trilogy box cover
Developer(s)	Catware
Publisher(s)	New World Computing
Series	Might and Magic
Platform(s)	MS-DOS
Release	1995
Genre(s)	Role-playing video game
Mode(s)	Single-player

Swords of Xeen is a role-playing video game developed by Catware and published by New World Computing. It was initially released in 1995 as a "bonus scenario" in the Might and Magic Trilogy compilation (the "trilogy" refers to Might and Magic III, IV, and V). Subsequently, it was also included in several series anthologies. The game was never published in standalone form.

The game began as a mod based on the Might and Magic V engine, which was released in 1993. Personalities from Catware were responsible for leading the modding effort, with story contributions from Ellen Beeman. As development progressed, collaboration with New World Computing was established, and the mod received publishing support.

Swords of Xeen exploits some quirks of the engine to great effect, such as morphing monsters by using the regular animation of one monster and the attack animation of another. The game also contains bugs in scripting, which allow the player to bypass many encounters by walking sideways.

Swords of Xeen takes place on an entirely new world that is under attack by 'The Source', which claims to be the genius behind Alamar, the main enemy of Might and Magic V.

The game's graphics and sound, which had not changed from Might and Magic V, were dated. However, the game was praised for its gameplay, receiving a 4/5 from one review.

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Wikipedia