Soulbringer

 PC
Metascore
70

Mixed or average reviews - based on 19 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 19
  2. Mixed: 13 out of 19
  3. Negative: 1 out of 19
  1. Adrenaline Vault
    70
    If you can look past the control problems and remember that few modern fantasy stories are truly original, "Soulbringer" is an amusing detour into a rich and vibrant world, worthy of a spot on the shelf of any RPG aficionado.
  2. All Game Guide
    70
    The deep 1000-year history of the fantasy world adds a fullness to the game and offers a basis for many sequels. If evil mysteries intrigue you, be assured that Soulbringer delivers!
  3. CheckOut
    80
    I think with a little more RPG and a little less aimless wandering (read: adventure), this could have been one of the best games of the year.
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  5. CNET Gamecenter
    70
    If you have the patience to endure the somewhat slow opening and outdated graphics, you will be rewarded with an intriguing gaming experience.
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  6. Computer Games Magazine
    70
    RPG fans who are weary of the frenzied pace of recent games will enjoy a good chunk of Soulbringer, but it certainly won't win over any non-RPG gamers, as the quirks and frustrations are numerous indeed.
  7. Da Gameboyz
    41
    "Soulbringer" fails to even come close to the game that it promises. So much so that it falls well below average, well below even poor, into the pitiful category with these reviewers.
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  8. Daily Radar
    75
    In its own way, "Soulbringer" gets things right where it counts: the transformation of your character from a powerless nebbish to a spiky-helmed ass-kicker of world-changing proportions.
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  9. Electric Playground
    60
    While other games have had interesting twists, excellent characters, or some other well designed facet to help bring a fresh twist to the story, this game is very standard in its approach. It gets tiresome quickly, and will be an all too familiar romp for RPG fans.
  10. Game Over Online
    90
    It's unique approach to combat and magic, the interesting storyline, and the usual RPG joy of gaining some newer, tougher weapon or level up, make this a very enjoyable title indeed.
  11. Game Revolution
    67
    It's got decent graphics, lots of depth, a cool combat system and it's really long.
  12. GamePro
    70
    Despite a host of flaws, "Soulbringer" is an addictive game that patient gamers are sure to enjoy.
  13. Gamer's Pulse
    84
    A BIG game. After several weeks of playing I'm still only in the second chapter of a total of five.
  14. GameSpot
    66
    It's unfortunate that "Soulbringer"'s lackluster graphics and poor interface compromise what's otherwise a fairly standard action/role-playing game with an interesting combat system.
  15. GameSpy
    55
    If you can get past the horrors of the interface and the terrible voice acting, you may find a pretty good, original story buried within.
  16. GameZone
    70
    The storyline may be old hat, but that does not diminish the adventure. And this program does present an adventure that requires both cerebral and reflexive skills.
  17. Happy Puppy
    70
    You get the feeling that the voice work was done by people that roll their R's when ordering the "Burrito Supreme" at Taco Bell.
  18. IGN
    70
    It starts out slow and quickly becomes confusing to the point of senselessness.
  19. PC Gamer
    72
    Diablo fans will love the combat options, sophisticated magic, and quality graphics. [Nov 2000, p.159]
    All this publication's reviews
  20. PC Gameworld
    80
    A great role-playing, adventure game that incorporates unique magic abilities and customizable combat techniques on top of a very well told story.

Awards & Rankings

87
#87 Best PC Game of 2000
59
#59 Most Discussed PC Game of 2000
40
#40 Most Shared PC Game of 2000

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
7.8

Generally favorable reviews- based on 33 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 23 out of 33
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 33
  3. Negative: 4 out of 33
  1. AlexF.
    Mar 15, 2003
    9
    Don't be fooled from the negative Reviews here. I would call myself an expert in RPGs and CRPGs. I've played all AD&Ds of the old Don't be fooled from the negative Reviews here. I would call myself an expert in RPGs and CRPGs. I've played all AD&Ds of the old Style(EGA and MCGA),Dungeon Master and other classics. Soulbringer has a very good and tense Story, the Quests are good and lots of them. Graphics could have been better but are still good. Powerfull spells, a good feeling when your char gets better. This is one of the BEST RPGs i ever played. The only CRPG which is slightly better is Planescape:Torment. If you can get Soulbringer over Ebay or Budget-pack..do it..take 4-5 Weeks off and you won't get any sleep! This game is one of the most underrated games in game history. Have fun playing it!.:)… Full Review »
  2. rambooze
    Nov 27, 2013
    9
    Agreed with AlexF. The game is awesome. An atmosphere and a story are not typical for this type of games. Collecting new books and runes andAgreed with AlexF. The game is awesome. An atmosphere and a story are not typical for this type of games. Collecting new books and runes and becoming more powerful was really exciting. I found also combining magic and cold weapons is very interesting and new way of building your character instead of typical choosing a mage, a warrior etc. in the beginning of a game. For all RPG lovers this old school game deserves to be played! Don't miss it.… Full Review »
  3. Quantomas
    Mar 16, 2014
    9
    This is hands-down one of the best games I ever played, and I did play a lot of games including greats like Deus Ex and Planescape Torment.This is hands-down one of the best games I ever played, and I did play a lot of games including greats like Deus Ex and Planescape Torment.

    When Soulbringer came out, it was one of the first games that let you use the environment intelligently. It's not only that you can take advantage of height differences, but you can also use furniture and other environment objects to minimize your vulnerability to multiple opponents. Being swarmed by a group of skeletons? Retreat behind a table with your back to a wall and they can attack you only from two sides.

    Using different weapons and targeting different parts of your opponents isn't all that daunting once you master the combo system. It's intelligently implemented and it's easy to record a sequence of moves, then available by the press of a key.

    The magic system that lets you cast spells is ingenious. It's based on elemental spheres, and while specializing in one sphere can greatly boost your power, you need to be aware that it makes you very vulnerable to its opposite element. You need to balance this.

    Artifacts are more than simple items in your inventory. To my shame I have to admit that I never figured out how to use the Tarot cards properly. Later I learned that these can be invaluable.

    The game features a brilliant magic trap system. These are rare but it's enormous fun to learn how to deal with it and what triggers or disables them.

    As a game it brings all these elements together to form more than the sum of its parts, and essentially mastering all the disciplines is very rewarding because the plot is superb. It's well written, with professional voice actors, and greatly adds to the atmosphere. I am still tempted to play the game again because I suspect I haven't unraveled the best ending yet. It's still a mystery.

    All things considered, the gameplay, the story and the atmosphere the game builds is incredible and there are many times I wished for a HD remake. So this has yet to do.

    PS
    If you run the game, make sure not to have your graphics driver scale to the display resolution, because this creates washed-out textures. The best quality is achieved by the driver displaying the game in its native resolution (with a black frame surrounding it) or a full multiple of it, e.g. 1600x1200 for a native resolution of 800x600. This is also true for a lot of older games.    … Full Review »
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