Everything old is new again. After over 20 years in the vault, the acclaimed and influential 1992 adventure game Underworld is once again returning to the surface as Underworld Ascendant, a new Kickstarter project from the creators of the original Ultima Underworld.
The Campaign Is Still Going, So Why Haven't You Backed Strafe On Kickstarter Yet?!
Joining the ranks of fellow vintage games resurrected via crowdfunding such as Wasteland, Tex Murphy and Shadowrun, Otherside Entertainment (founded by original creator Charles Neurath) needs your help in restoring the franchise to its former glory.
Why should I care, you might ask? This is a lesson in history, my young friend. Without Ultima Underworld, there would be no System Shock, and as such, no Bioshock. In fact, many of the game's great producers to this day claim that the original Ultima Underworld was a strong influence on their work.
A Look Into The Kickstarter Darling, Broken Age
Underworld Ascendant once again plunges you, a human from Earth, into a strange underground realm where three factions - Dark Elves, Dwarves and the mushroom-esque Shamblers vie for power. The caverns are on the cusp of war, and you will tip the balance in one's favor.
The original game was lauded for its freedom, allowing players to create their own solutions to various problems. Neurath and the design team - many of whom worked on the original - are keeping that spirit alive with the updated Improvisation Engine, which empowers you to "be the MacGuyver of a fantasy world."
The campaign has only just begun and has already netted a tidy amount. OtherSide is asking for a lot, but there is plenty of time left and the game is in good hands. Backers who donate above a certain amount will also gain access to the development stages and have a hand in crafting the game. Don't worry, there's a prototype already, the crowdfunding is a way to maintain creative control and push the thing out to PC.
Head over to the Kickstarter page and pledge your support today. We owe the game so much, the least we can do is give a little back.
