Odyssey (play-by-mail game)
| Publishers | Gamer's Den |
|---|---|
| Genres | heroic fantasy, play-by-mail |
| Languages | English |
| Players | varies |
| Playing time | unlimited |
| Materials required | Instructions, order sheets, turn results, paper, pencil |
| Media type | Play-by-mail or email |
Odyssey is a heroic fantasy, play-by-mail (PBM) game.
History and development[edit]
Odyssey was a computer moderated, play-by-mail game published by Gamer's Den.[1] It was a heroic fantasy game.[2]
The game's first module was Heroes' Quest, available for 30–50 players.[2] In the July–August 1997 issue of Paper Mayhem, the publisher announced the release of its second module, Only the Strong, written by Mark Montero and available as a play-by-email (PBEM) game.[3] It had six factions: The Realm, The Kingdom of Melborne, The League of Chaos, The Children of Scourge, The Greenskins, and The Dark Council.[3] Novices could play the New Frontiers module.[3] A third module was Black Piper.[4]
Gameplay[edit]
Gameplay was extended, but with victory conditions, making it a closed-ended game.[4] Elements of gameplay included fantasy adventure, conquest, and exploration.[3] Factions did not appear in the first module, but Only the Strong featured six factions while Black Piper had two warring factions.[4]
Reception[edit]
Reviewer Douglas W. Bierbower, in the January–February 1996 issue of Paper Mayhem magazine placed the game's quality over others in the genre: Alamaze, Hyborian War, Legends, Middle Earth, Olympia, and Suzerainty.[2]
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ^ Barton 1996. p. 23.
- ^ a b c Bierbower 1996. p. 6.
- ^ a b c d Gamer's Den 1997. pp. 15–16.
- ^ a b c Smith 1997. p. 19.
Bibliography[edit]
- Barton, Andrew (March–April 1996). "The Best of Both Worlds [Magelords and Odyssey]". Flagship. No. 60 (US ed.). pp. 23–25.
- Bierbower, Douglas W. (January–February 1996). "Odyssey". Paper Mayhem. No. 76. pp. 6–9.
- Gamer's Den (July–August 1997). "Gameline: Gamer's Den". Paper Mayhem. No. 85. p. 15–16.
- Holm, Dana (July–August 1997). "Multi-Class Characters in Odyssey". Paper Mayhem. No. 85. p. 31.
- Smith, Richard L. (September–October 1997). "Odyssey: The Choices Are Many!". Paper Mayhem. No. 86. pp. 20–21.
- Cameron, George (March–April 1998). "Chaos Rules Baby! (Only The Strong Odyssey Module)". Paper Mayhem. No. 89. pp. 8–9.
- Smith, Richard L. (March–April 1998). "The Black Piper of the Crystal Plains". Paper Mayhem. No. 89. pp. 10–12.