Sword of Fargoal - GameClub Reviews

I'm playing through Sword Of Fargoal for the sixth time now, eagerly anticipating Fargoal 2! I read on here that they're preparing to release Fargoal 2, and I couldn't be more ecstatic. Character classes? New monsters and items and tile sets? And it's free?! Count me in!

Fargoal is a wonderfully ported and semi-updated version of the Commodore 64 classic. Most of the graphics received an overhaul, while things like the sound effects remain true to their C64 roots. People who are saying that this game is just a non-stop grind are completely wrong and are missing the point. Fargoal is more about the experience, the exploration. It's about the thrill of walking through a tunnel in the wall and exploring the crypt on level 7. It's about finding items to help you in your quest for the Sword Of Fargoal. If you can overlook the grind, you'll find a rich and rewarding experience that easily trumps every crappy western and JRPG in the AppStore. If you don't give this one a chance because you don't understand or get the wrong idea, then it's your loss. Fargoal is fantastic, and I can't even imagine how they could make it better with Fargoal 2. Get it now!

I can't believe I've never written a review for Sword of Fargoal! This is my favorite iOS game out there! Who knows how many dozens of hours I've poured into it. I used to play it during my breaks at work to escape from everything around me into an adventure, haha. Most of the people who have written some of the more negative reviews simply don't understand the type of game that Fargoal is and don't care to find out.

Sword of Fargoal is what you would call a "roguelike". It is a game about delving deeper and deeper into a deadly dungeon, in search of a mythical sword. You fight monsters, discover items, learn spells, and gain levels. However, the gameplay isn't as much about action as it is about strategy. When your character dies, that's it. You have to make a new character and start from the beginning. It gives the game a very satisfying risk/reward system and obviously a challenging difficulty. The dungeon is randomly generated though, which means TONS of replay value. Each character you make will have a unique experience.

The graphics are very nice and I love the moody music probably above anything else in the game. Also, the controls are another high point. The greatest thing about Fargoal is the sheer level of polish. Sword of Fargoal is a labor of love and it shows. I didn't really like roguelikes before I played Fargoal, now I love them!

Whatever the price is, buy this game.

Can't wait for the sequel!

WARNING: be careful to buy the correct version for your device. Check the requirements info before you pull the trigger. Buh-bye .99 cents!

I have been a roguelike enthusiast since Bridget Spitznagel was porting "Moria" to the Palm... Kyle Poole is working on a CCTG by the way ;) ... looking forward to "Shadow Era"!

SwordofFargoal is VERY well done. I don't even crave an ASCII tile set or any other tileset for that matter. As soon as you play a game or two, you will learn the depth in programming is there. From secret treasure rooms (use a light spell) to the little nuances the developer introduced. The design/interface/and artistic direction are spot-on without taking away the roguelike gameplay or feel.

I hope the programmer continues to evolve SwordofFargoal with the same artistic direction and carefully considered user suggestions! I really can't wait for 2.0!

The price of SwordofFargoal will only be "too high" when the developer abandons updating it. THEN I would say $1.99 would be a proper price. Otherwise, Sword of Fargoal is a much better purchase than "Dungeon Hunters" from this former Angband/Diablo junky.

PS. The Temple icon is the only graphic image that just doesn't match the rest of the game... Looks like a + gamepad madgarden! Great work and keep on evolving SwordofFargoal to its fullest potential!

I was a big fan of the original on the C64. This is a fantastic remake, and has added a lot of new things that really do add a bit more depth to it than the original had, while maintaining the feel and atmosphere of the original.

My favorite thing about this game is the controls. Too many games on the iphone end up being less fun than thry should be simply because of frustrating controls via the touchscreen, but the style of this game and the way the author has set up the controls translate perfectly. If you enjoy "rogue"-like dungeon crawlers you will most likely really enjoy this! Highly recommended.

I have little to complain about this game. It is addicting, different each time you play it, and I enjoy how you learn as you go. The only thing that keeps me from giving it five stars is that I have found some continuety errors. Sometimes when you take damage that would kill you the game automatically takes one of your restoration potions, but sometimes it doesn't. So I have found myself dead even when I have numerous restoration potions...odd.

I have always loved this game and was excited to find it available in SwordofFargoal store! Beautifully made and crisp, this game never gets old!

First of all, the wall tunnels keep the exploration factor high and wasn't existent in the original C64 version. Shields are also an improvement over the original as is the addition of wands, vaults, traps and enemy projectiles like skulls and arrows. And as much as I love the nostalgia the C64 version brings, this version is optimized for iOS and doesn't take anything away but adds so much more.

Regardless of your background with roguelike games, PICK THIS UP IMMEDIATELY!

I enjoyed this game enough to annoy myself for 5mins to write a review.
A great port for a handheld, as well as a good time killer (lets face it, thats all an igame can be). The updated graphics look nice, audio has held its nostalgic ambiance. The entire team did a good job on this one [handshake] and I hope they make lots of money. If you have any type of history with pc games youll appreciate this. Noobs/youths, if youve never heard of a dungeon crawler this is your warning, dont waste your 3 bucks. Or do, just because you dont wanna be a noob. I dont care.
+5cynicism
Now if someone* will port DiiLOD we will be bidness.

Love this game!! I have it on my lap top as well. Sometimes you can't see some of the items as well on the iPhone version. The vision is good if you keep it pulled in close, bit then you can't see what evil creature lies in wait for you. Still love the game. Worth the money.

At first I was thrilled to see again the Sword of Fargoal. I loved the old app and was heartbroken when it was no longer updated to work with later versions of iOS. Too bad this version introduced glitches — screens that freeze, inability to stop the player from walking in a particular direction, and action that can some stall when picking up objects are trying to access one’s sack of belongings. After a call to Apple to preclude the problem was not systemic, I decided to cancel my free month. It’s just not worth it playing a game that does not work properly. Sorry. Rogue, RIP. SwordofFargoal is a dud.

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Great game for a person like me who had to cheat to finally see the end of spelunky. The lowest difficulty is a bit too easy at first but gets better round level 6. I haven't tried the other settings yet.

Anyway this is a good, fun and accessible roguelike game. Works good for short sessions but it makes me wish my train ride lasted longer!

One of the few retro games I think back to often is the Sword of Fargoal.
This updated game brings back all the elements of the game I grew up on. The slightly different play modified or best use on the iPhone does not take away from the original game. ie not a true port but due to this SoF has become even better.

I really like this game it has a bit of a learning curve for people new to the game or the genre but it's nothing crazy just stick with it and take the levels slowly and the game can be hugely rewarding. Just don't get too attached because you will die often.

I am an original owner of Fargoal on IOS and MacOS. Love the game and the original developers. However, since the game was sold, ALL previous versions broke with iOS updates. This version has no restore option for previous purchase. I am a big believer that if you buy something, you own it. Don't waste you money on a subscription. Before you know it, you will be spending hundreds of dollars on subscriptions a month with nothing to own at the end.

Over the past few years I continually try finding the latest and greatest RPGs for the iPhone and when my search ends up short I am drawn to this little gem over and over. There's just something charming and beautiful about it. It's an easy choice if you haven't tried it yet.

Update: WTH?? I'm now seeing ads in the game even though I pay for the service! That better be a bug and not a change in the platform, because I'm not paying a monthly service fee to see ads!

A great game just got even better with this latest update - lots of cool new additions that have added great depth to a fun dungeon crawler.

Lots of potential but I'm not too impressed.. Should really throw in a lot of the same features as inethack, powder, etc. the game is a lot of the same, I think it should be switched up a bit... I walk into enemies to fight them? I do practically nothing but wander aimlessly until I find stairs down and useful items while destroying anything I encounter. It's definitely got potential, lets see you take it somewheres

Great old school game. The dungeons are all random and complex. Darkness monsters and treasure around every corner. The game is simple but charming and I would easily pay a few bucks for it. Being that its free it makes it all the better.

If you like classic dungeon exploring games, It's a must download

Satisfying to play, easy to pick up and put down, challenging enough that your advancing means something and addictive enough that you'll look forward to your next 20 minutes of free time to dig in.

I first played this on my Commodore 64. I miss the text version.

Here, too few opportunities for upgrade to character, and too many restarts from getting killed, even when a level. Retreat and regeneration takes too long. May as well get killed, regenerate fast, and stick to getting experience points by killing vermin and hope the next level provides enough of a buffer to survive something bigger.

Gets boring.