Introduction

Let's Finish what we started: Let's Play Exile 2 - Crystal Souls

What is Exile 2: Crystal Souls?

Exile 2: Crystal Souls (or simply E2 if you're reading the thread) is an Ultima inspired RPG developed and published by Spiderweb Software under Jeff Vogel in 1996. It is the followup from their previous game, Exile 1, which was published the previous year. While the style is very simplistic, there is an amazing depth to the world building that appears in the game.

Story?

To avoid spoilers, this game takes place approximately five years after the end of the previous game. If you're interested in a detailed breakdown of the events that occurred in E1, then I suggest you read my LP of Exile here. It introduces many of the characters, PC and NPC as well as setting up most of the events that occur in this game.

After the influx of prisoners and malcontents was cut off, the Empire made plans to invade Exile in retribution for the actions taken by the party in the first game. By the start of the game, they have. However, the party is no where near the front lines yet. Instead, they have been mustered at Fort Ganrick for their own minor mission. But things will quickly spiral out of control as a new force makes an appearance.

So, how is this going to work?

This is an old-school RPG, so it'll be a screenshot RP with narrative. I freely admit that Nakar's Ultima LP's are a source of inspiration, and I intend to honour that great work. I don't have a firm update schedule in mind yet as it's an old game and not compatible with newer systems, so I have to do extra work on my end to make an update.

Not Compatible?

Yes. Exile is 20 years old at this point, and it can't run on any system higher than 32bits. That means pretty much any system past Windows XP can't run it, even in compatibility mode. I'm running the game using an emulated 32bit XP on a Virtual Machine available through Microsoft. Past that, you'll have to get those resources yourself. Hey, at least the Exile Trilogy itself is now free!

Exile is Freeware

Oh yes, it came to my attention that the entire Exile Trilogy has been made freeware by Spiderweb Software. You can download it from here! You may need to run a Virtual Windows 32bit XP Machine (or lower) to operate them correctly, as I am.

Also, there is a 'Wrapper' for certain Macintosh OS' to allow you to run these games on modern systems, to be found here.

Audience Participation

There's going to be a little bit of it. After the first post is done, and I explain the mechanics of the characters and give a little tour of the first town, I'll be asking for submissions for the other members of the party, as well as polling the thread for major decisions like what quests to go after. However, once we reach the end-game sections, there won't be much to vote on.