Ravenloft: Strahd's Possession

Lore & Background

The game's plot begins in the city-state of Elturel in Faerûn, where a thief assaults Lord Dhelt and steals the Holy Symbol of Helm. Player characters pursue the thief but are transported to Barovia, a land surrounded by impenetrable poison mist and ruled by the vampire Strahd von Zarovich. Strahd takes an interest in the stolen amulet and invites the party to his castle. The characters must survive the undead-filled land, unravel the mystery of the amulet, and find a way out of Barovia.

Gameplay uses 3D computer graphics with an engine identical to Menzoberranzan. Movement is controlled via keyboard or mouse-driven directional arrows, with an omnipresent map in the top corner. The combat system requires clicking on enemies, with party members taking turns attacking from left to right; this system was noted for logistical problems and a learning curve. Voice acting in some versions featured Eastern European accents, and the music, centered on the organ, was praised for its gothic horror atmosphere.

The game was later included in the 1996 AD&D Masterpiece Collection and re-released on GOG.com in October 2015 with DOSBox support for Windows, OS X, and Linux.

Reader's Guide

Ravenloft: Strahd's Possession is significant as one of Strategic Simulations' notable AD&D-based releases, praised for its atmosphere and plot. It was nominated for Computer Gaming World's Role-Playing Game of the Year award in May 1995, with editors noting its subject matter and 3-D look enhanced the AD&D universe. Reviews were mixed: PC Gamer US called it 'one of SSI's best AD&D-based releases,' while Computer Game Review criticized its interface as frustrating. Computer Gaming World approved of its 'insidiously credible atmosphere' but noted technical problems. White Wolf gave it a 'Very Good' evaluation, stating it was faithful to Gothic horror. According to GameSpy, the game was 'a welcome return to form for SSI.' Its legacy includes being bundled with its sequel in a 2015 digital re-release, ensuring continued accessibility.

Did You Know?

• The game uses a 3D engine identical to the later SSI title Menzoberranzan.
• Voice acting in some versions featured Eastern European accents, which improved believability.
• The music centered on the organ and was compared to gothic horror movie scores.
• The game was re-released on GOG.com in October 2015 with DOSBox support.