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Gateway to the Savage Frontier

From Alfawiki
Gateway to the Savage Frontier
Company typeVideo game
IndustryVideo games
PredecessorSecret of the Silver Blades
Founded1991
FounderBeyond Software
Headquarters
United States
ProductsRole-playing video game
ParentStrategic Simulations, Inc. (SSI)

Gateway to the Savage Frontier (1991) is a Gold Box style Dungeons & Dragons computer game created by Beyond Software and released by SSI for the Commodore 64, PC, and Amiga systems.

Development

Following the completion of Secret of the Silver Blades and the initiation of the Dark Sun engine project in 1989, SSI entrusted Beyond Software with continuing the Forgotten Realms Gold Box series. The design team—comprising Don Daglow, Mark Buchignani, David Bunnett, Arturo Sinclair, and Mark Manyen—set the narrative within TSR's The Savage Frontier, a locale situated north of Waterdeep and south of Luskan, along the Sword Coast. This territory lies westward from the settings featured in Pool of Radiance and its follow-ups.

The city of Neverwinter served as a major inspiration, prompting Beyond Software to partner with AOL executive Steve Case to develop Neverwinter Nights, recognized as the first graphical MMORPG. This game utilized the Gold Box engine and provided mutual promotional benefits for both titles.

From a technical standpoint, this installment improved upon the Gold Box engine by integrating wilderness play, which enabled extended travel across the map accompanied by D&D-compliant combat encounters with roaming adversaries. Additionally, it incorporated character-specific side missions unlocked through interaction with two NPCs, influencing multiple possible conclusions.

The game was followed by a single sequel, Treasures of the Savage Frontier (1992).

Plot overview

Players control a group of six adventurers entangled in a plot orchestrated by the Zhentarim aiming to dominate the Frontier region.

Significant story elements include:

  • The adventure begins in Yartar after escorting a caravan from Citadel Adbar; however, the party is drugged and stripped of all belongings, including a magical longsword. Each member retains a small sum of coins to acquire new gear.
  • After freeing the NPC Krevish, the group is contracted by the Kraken in Yartar to eliminate a cleric devoted to Bane at Nesme, only to discover he represents the chief hindrance to their conquest.
  • The party rescues wizard Amelior Amanitas in Everlund, who discloses how to thwart the Zhentarim. Upon returning to Yartar, they are captured and imprisoned at a Kraken stronghold but manage to retrieve their stolen longsword and escape following a battle with giant squids.
  • They embark on a quest to locate four enchanted statues scattered across the frontier before Zhentarim forces under General Vaalgamon can seize them.
  • The journey culminates in the ruined city of Ascore where they aim to disrupt Zhentarim’s scheme.

The Zhentil Keep faction intends to use these statues to open a desert passageway for their military forces. Successfully completing this mission grants players the distinction "Heroes of Ascore," which carries over into the sequel.

Reception

Gateway to the Savage Frontier sold 62,581 units, becoming August 1991’s top-selling MS-DOS title in North America.

Jim Trunzo awarded it 4 out of 5 stars in White Wolf, commending its visual presentation, narrative depth, textual content, and innovative wilderness gameplay. Similarly, Dragon magazine gave it 4 out of 5 stars.

While Scorpia from Computer Gaming World described it as typical Gold Box material, GameSpy regarded it as a refined return to early series traditions, appreciated by fans weary of recent releases.

Reviews

References


External links

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