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- For the items, see Dungeon Siege.
Dungeon Siege, often abbreviated as DS , A well-known (and fun) action RPG video game series by Chris Taylor and developed by Gas Powered Games.
| 2002 – | Dungeon Siege | |
| 2002 – | Dungeon Siege: Yesterhaven | |
| 2003 – | Dungeon Siege: Legends of Aranna | |
| 2003 – | Dungeon Siege: Return to Arhok | |
| 2004 | ||
| 2005 – | Dungeon Siege II | |
| 2006 – | Dungeon Siege II: Broken World | |
| 2007 – | Dungeon Siege: Throne of Agony | |
| 2008 | ||
| 2009 | ||
| 2010 | ||
| 2011 – | Dungeon Siege III | |
| 2011 – | Dungeon Siege III: Treasures of the Sun | |
First released in 2002 and officially ending in 2006, the game sets itself apart by allowing players to specialize in any class of their choosing, as opposed to preselected classes. The four available classes are: Fighter, Ranger (archer), Nature Mage (mostly defensive magic with some offensive spells), and Combat Mage (the opposite of Nature Mage). The Expansion Pack for Broken World introduces two more classes: Fist of Stone (a mix of Fighter and Nature Mage) and Blood Assassin (a mix of Ranger and Combat Mage). Players can also create a party of up to eight hireable NPCs (six in Dungeon Siege II), offering greater flexibility, plus a pack mule to carry extra items. Unusually, you do not control your characters directly in combat; instead, you issue commands ahead of time, set formations, and the characters act according to these instructions when enemies appear, autonomously casting spells, fighting close-range, healing allies, or whatever you've assigned them.
The game is set in the land of Aranna, specifically the Ehb region. You begin the game as a humble farmer. However, a normally peaceful race suddenly attacks your hometown. A dying friend urges you to head to the next town for help. The quest, however, doesn't end there. As you progress through Ehb, you discover that an ancient demonic race, the Seck (once servants of the tyrant Zaramoth the Unmaker—expanded on in the second game), has returned to Aranna seeking revenge. It is up to you and your allies to destroy them and end the threat.
In 2003, the expansion Legends of Aranna was released. It offered new gameplay options (transformation spells, armor and weapon sets, a more combative pet, and new enemies), but was met with mixed reception (PC Gamer notably asked, "Does it even have a story?").
Then, in August 2005, a sequel, Dungeon Siege II, was released. The game greatly improved upon its predecessor: the story was more developed, the world was visually impressive, the hireable NPCs were fleshed out (even receiving personal side quests, though the party size was reduced from eight to six), and the character classes were given unique powers that turned the tide of battle. Not only was the current story improved, but the backstory was as well. A thousand years ago, Azunai the Defender clashed with the aforementioned Zaramoth. Both armies fought valiantly, but when the two warriors' personal armaments—the Shield of Azunai and the Sword of Zaramoth—clashed, the Endtime occurred. The Age ended in a near-apocalyptic manner, and a new one began. Many years later, a power-hungry prince named Valdis, the game's Big Bad, fell ill and had prophetic visions. After recovering, he went to the ruins of Zaramoth's Horns, where he found the tyrant's sword (now a Sealed Evil in a Can) and became a powerful tyrant bent on world domination. He even created an army of evil creatures called the Morden (an appropriate name, as "mord" is the German word for "murder"). In a twist, you and your best friend Drevin start as mercenaries working for Valdis. Unfortunately, after you complete your first quest (where Valdis kills Drevin), you end up as a prisoner of the people you were fighting—the Dryads. After completing a few quests to prove your loyalty, you form a party and head back to your hometown of Aman'lu. However, Valdis beats you there, and the Archmage who serves him destroys it. Seeking revenge, you and your party seek out Valdis and destroy him. Unfortunately, the game ends on a Downer Ending. Let's just say, "Nice Job Breaking It, Hero."
In 2006, another expansion was released: Broken World, a darker continuation of DS II that wraps up the story. A much more dangerous evil force has taken over Aranna in the aftermath of your "Nice Job Breaking It, Hero" moment, radically altering the land and nearly wiping out its inhabitants. Fortunately, your friends have survived the Cataclysm and are ready to assist you again. Which is good, because this time, It's Personal.
Uwe Boll made a movie of the first game, starring Burt Reynolds as the king. And, it must be noted, Ray Liotta as an evil sorcerer.
A sequel to the first two games, Dungeon Siege III, developed by Obsidian Entertainment, was released in June 2011. It tells the story of four descendants of the 10th Legion: Lucas, Anjali, Katarina, and Reinhart, as they attempt to rebuild the Legion and defeat the woman who disbanded them in the first place.
The first downloadable content pack for Dungeon Siege III, named Treasures of The Sun, was released on October 25th, 2011.
Main series[]
Dungeon Siege[]
Dungeon Siege is a popular action role-playing video game developed by Gas Powered Games and published by Microsoft Game Studios. The game was released in 2002 and was a major hit among fans of the genre. However, the development of Dungeon Siege was not without its challenges. Originally, Dungeon Siege was conceived as a tactical strategy game, where the player would control groups of units in real-time battles. But as development progressed, the game evolved into a more action-oriented RPG, where the player controlled a single character and fought enemies in real-time combat. This change in direction required significant changes to the game mechanics and design, but ultimately resulted in a more engaging and immersive experience for players. Despite the change in direction, the development team faced other challenges, including a tight development schedule and limited resources. These challenges led to some compromises in the final game, such as the lack of a multiplayer mode and limited customization options. Nevertheless, Dungeon Siege was well-received by critics and fans alike for its immersive world, engaging storyline, and fast-paced gameplay.
Dungeon Siege: Legends of Aranna[]
Dungeon Siege: Legends of Aranna is an expansion pack for the original Dungeon Siege game, developed by Gas Powered Games and published by Microsoft Game Studios in 2003. The expansion was designed to add new content to the game, including areas, enemies, characters, and quests. The development team faced the challenge of ensuring the expansion pack would work seamlessly with the original game. They needed to make sure that the new content could be integrated into the existing game while also minimizing any bugs or glitches. Dungeon Siege: Legends of Aranna was also a commercial and critical success, and is still regarded as one of the best expansion packs ever made for an RPG.
Dungeon Siege II[]
Dungeon Siege II is the sequel to the popular action role-playing game, Dungeon Siege, developed by Gas Powered Games and published by Microsoft Game Studios in 2005. The development of Dungeon Siege II was an ambitious undertaking, as the team aimed to improve upon the already successful formula of the original game. One of the biggest changes in Dungeon Siege II was the introduction of a new graphics engine, which allowed for more detailed and dynamic environments and character models. This, coupled with the game's improved physics engine, made for a much more immersive and engaging experience for players. The game's story also received a major overhaul, with a new narrative that was more complex and nuanced than its predecessor. The team introduced new characters, enemies, and environments, while also expanding upon the lore of the Dungeon Siege universe. In addition to the story improvements, the team also made significant changes to the game's mechanics and gameplay. The player now had more control over their character's development, with a greater emphasis on customization and specialization. The team also introduced new abilities, spells, and combat mechanics that added to the depth and variety of the gameplay. Today, Dungeon Siege II is regarded as a classic in the action role-playing genre and a favorite among fans of the series.
Dungeon Siege II: Broken World[]
The expansion takes place shortly after the events of Dungeon Siege II, with the player's character tasked with investigating a mysterious plague that is sweeping across the land of Aranna. The player must journey to new areas of the world, including the ruined city of Ehb, and battle new enemies and bosses. One of the most significant additions in Dungeon Siege II: Broken World is the introduction of a new character class, the Fist of Stone. This class is focused on hand-to-hand combat, with the ability to imbue their fists with elemental powers. The expansion also introduces a range of new spells, abilities, and items, adding to the game's depth and variety. Dungeon Siege II: Broken World also features improvements to the game's mechanics and gameplay, including the ability to respec characters and a new crafting system that allows players to create their own items. The game's level cap is also raised, allowing players to continue developing their characters beyond the level cap of the original game.
Dungeon Siege III[]
Dungeon Siege III is the third installment in the popular action role-playing game series developed by Obsidian Entertainment and published by Square Enix. Released in 2011 for PC, Xbox 360, and PlayStation 3, Dungeon Siege III continues the series' tradition of fast-paced, hack-and-slash gameplay, while introducing new characters, storylines, and gameplay mechanics. The game takes place in the Kingdom of Ehb, where the player takes on the role of one of four heroes, each with their own unique abilities and play styles. As the story unfolds, the player must navigate a complex web of alliances and betrayals, battling powerful foes and unraveling the mysteries of the world. One of the most significant changes in Dungeon Siege III is the introduction of a new combat system, which features a combination of real-time combat and strategic positioning. Players must carefully choose their attacks and position themselves effectively to gain the upper hand in battle. The game also introduces a new cooperative multiplayer mode, allowing players to team up with friends to take on the game's challenges together. Dungeon Siege III also features stunning graphics and a richly detailed world, with diverse environments ranging from lush forests to desolate wastelands. The game's soundtrack was composed by Jason Graves and Tim Wynn, which adds to the immersive experience.
Dungeon Siege III: Treasures of the Sun[]
Treasures of The Sun is a downloadable content (DLC) expansion for the action role-playing game, Dungeon Siege III. Developed by Obsidian Entertainment and published by Square Enix, the expansion was released in 2011 for PC, Xbox 360, and PlayStation 3. One of the most significant additions in Treasures of The Sun is the level cap increase from 30 to 35, allowing players to further develop their characters and skills. The expansion also introduces new abilities, spells, and items, adding to the game's depth and variety.
Spin-offs[]
Dungeon Siege: Throne of Agony[]
Dungeon Siege: Throne of Agony is an action role-playing game developed by SuperVillain Studios and published by 2K Games in 2006. It was the first game in the Dungeon Siege Series to be released on a handheld console, the Sony PSP. The game takes place in the same world as the other Dungeon Siege games, but introduces a new storyline and characters. The player takes on the role of a mercenary who is hired by a mysterious benefactor to investigate a new evil that has arisen in the land of Aranna. One of the standout features of Dungeon Siege: Throne of Agony is its fast-paced, hack-and-slash gameplay. The game features a wide variety of enemies and bosses, each with their own unique abilities and weaknesses. The player can choose from a range of character classes, each with their own strengths and abilities, and can customize their character's skills and equipment as they progress through the game. In addition to the main storyline, Dungeon Siege: Throne of Agony also features a range of side quests and challenges, adding to the game's replay value.
Logos and box art[]
Game mechanics[]
The Dungeon Siege games are best categorized as action role-playing games, although they also incorporate elements from other genres, such as strategy and adventure games. Unlike many other RPGs, the Dungeon Siege Series emphasizes real-time combat and party-based gameplay. The player controls a party of characters with unique skills and abilities, and their success in combat is determined by the combination of these skills and the player's strategic decisions. The games feature a unique skill advancement system, where skills improve as they are used, and characters level up based on their overall effectiveness in combat rather than solely through experience points.
The series' overarching goal has been articulated by its designers. Gas Powered Games' founder and lead designer, Chris Taylor, described the original Dungeon Siege as "a new type of RPG" that would focus on accessibility and action, aiming to create "a more visceral, cinematic experience." Taylor also emphasized player choice and customization, stating that the game would allow players to "choose their own path, their own destiny."
This design philosophy continued in Dungeon Siege II, which introduced new playable classes and expanded on the series' skill and leveling systems. The game also featured a branching storyline with multiple paths and endings, further enhancing player choice and agency.
Dungeon Siege III, developed by Obsidian Entertainment, maintained the series' focus on action-based combat while introducing new elements, such as a morality system and a more narrative-driven campaign. The game was also praised for its streamlined interface and improved graphics.
Overall, the Dungeon Siege Series' focus on real-time combat, party-based gameplay, and skill-based advancement distinguishes it from other RPGs. Its commitment to player choice and customization has made it a favorite among genre fans.
Cosmology[]
A map of the continent of Aranna
Aranna is the continent where most of the Dungeon Siege Series takes place, and its cosmology has a rich history spanning several ages. The First Age begins with the founding of the Empire of Stars, while the Second Age starts with the First Great Cataclysm, which leads to the birth of the Dryads on Greylyn Isle. The Third Age begins with the Second Great Cataclysm, which sinks Greylyn Isle beneath the ocean during violent storms.
The southeastern portion of Aranna is dominated by the Plain of Tears, the great wasteland left over from the legendary clash between Azunai and Zaramoth. South of this lies the Goblin realm of Gonsiir, while the Northern Reaches extend from the desert’s northernmost border. The mountainous lands near the heart of the continent hide the Elven homeland of the Vai'lutra Forest, home to the town of Aman'lu. The former capital of the Empire of Stars, Iliyara, is located at the heart of a lake known as the Chalice of the Stars, near the center of the Northern Reaches. The Broken Lands archipelago sits just off the continent's northeastern coast.
To the west lie the lands of Lescanza, Mazal, and Rowan, of which little is known. Traveling further west along the northern edge of the Aranoi Desert is the mountainous region where the town of Arhok is located. Beyond the northwest coast of Aranna is the tropical Island of the Utraeans, once part of the Utraean Empire, along with the Utraean Peninsula on the continent's southwestern coast. The Kingdom of Ehb lies on the southern edge of the Aranoi Desert and Utraean Peninsula, with its capital at Stonebridge. Greilyn Isle, home of the Dryads, once sat between Ehb’s eastern border and the westernmost shores of the Plain of Tears, but was swallowed by the sea during the Second Cataclysm.
In terms of governance, the Empire of Stars ruled the Northern Range and Northern Reaches, with Iliyara as its capital, while the Utraean Empire controlled the Island of the Utraeans (with Jherkal's Crown as its capital) and the Utraean Peninsula (with Hiroth as its capital). The Kingdom of Ehb was an independent nation with Stonebridge as its capital.
The dominant religion in Aranna is the Church of Azunai, which plays a significant role in the series. Aranna's demographics are diverse, with various races and factions populating the continent.
Notable Areas[]
- Island of the Utraeans –
- Utraean Peninsula –
- Aran Ocean –
- The Aranoi Desert –
- The Iron Coast –
- Ehb –
- Green Ranges –
- Frostspire Mountain –
- Lescanza –
- Mazal –
- Rowan –
- Greilyn –
- Plain of Tears –
- Gonsiir –
- Agallan Peaks –
- The Northern Reaches –
- The Northern Range –
- Agallan Ocean –
- Yesterhaven –
- Arhok –
Mythology and religion[]
The Dungeon Siege Series is not particularly known for its complex lore. However, it is set in the fantasy world of Aranna, home to a variety of cultures and civilizations, each with unique customs and beliefs.
One of the key themes in the Dungeon Siege Series is the balance of power, which is not simply a matter of good versus evil but rather the interplay between different factions, each with their own agendas. At the heart of this balance is the struggle between order and chaos.
In Aranna, order represents established powers and institutions that seek to maintain the status quo, including various kingdoms and empires and powerful magical orders wielding immense influence. Chaos, on the other hand, represents forces of change and upheaval, from rampaging monsters and destructive magic to rebellious uprisings and political revolutions.
According to the lore, the balance of power between order and chaos is maintained through a delicate system of checks and balances. Despite this, Aranna's world is constantly in flux, with new powers rising and old ones falling. The factions continuously vie for power, making the balance of power ever-changing. This dynamic world creates opportunities for exploration and discovery.
Trivia[]
- Dungeon Siege was developed by Chris Taylor, who also created the popular real-time strategy game Total Annihilation.
- The Dungeon Siege Series received generally positive reviews from critics and is still considered a classic example of the action RPG genre.
- The series was also known for its multiplayer mode, which allowed up to eight players to play together over a LAN or the internet.
External links[]
- Wikipedia's article on Dungeon Siege.