While the developer has only been around for a few days, GameClub is already shaping up to provide the first legitimate solution to the persistent legacy issue within the iOS gaming community. Seeing Hook Champ, one of TouchArcade’s most treasured early classics, become playable again on modern devices is something that I’m sure none of us would have even considered a possibility a few weeks ago, and an absolute delight to revisit. Whilst acknowledging my rosiest of rose-tinted nostalgia glasses, playing these early iOS games gives me the same feeling as replaying the likes of Super Mario World, in that each title is just pure fun to complete with none of the complications of modern gaming conventions. Without wanting to sound too greedy, the big question raised from our community is ‘what next?’ – and thankfully we don’t have to wait too long to find out. Today, GameClub announced that the next retro revival will be the stone-cold roguelike classic Sword of Fargoal, and will be available for early access next week.
Of all the titles to fall at the hands of Apple’s 32-Bit Appocalypse, Sword of Fargoal is probably one of the oldest. Originally launching in 1982 on the Commodore 64, Jeff McCord’s cult hit was resurrected with the help of prolific mobile developer Madgarden in 2009. Through a complete overhaul of the graphics and a substantial amount of new content, Sword of Fargoal on iOS was a huge critical success, appealing to both old fans whilst being completely accessible for casual gamers or those with no exposure to the roguelike genre. I was firmly in the latter camp – before mobile gaming, it was basically $40 console releases or nothing, and as it was unlikely that a classic retro dungeon crawler would ever become available on the likes of the GameCube (or dislodge seven-year-old me from Kirby Air Ride), I had absolutely no idea what Sword of Fargoal would have in store for me. I’m so glad that I gave the game a chance though, and it’s awesome to see GameClub resurrect one of the more niche titles in iOS’s storied past. For those who can’t wait to sign up for the early access preview next week, I’d definitely recommend reading Shaun’s fantastic RPG Reload overview on Sword of Fargoal for a comprehensive understanding of what the game has in offer.
Sword of Fargoal by @fargoal was one of the first randomized dungeon games when it was released in 1982. 2009’s iOS remake, made with the help of @madgarden, is the best version yet.
We’re bringing it back. Sign up at https://t.co/xa26bCYO0b to be the first to play it next week. pic.twitter.com/IqC26ibbyl
— GameClub (@GameClub) March 13, 2019
The two biggest things I’m taking from this news is that GameClub are well aware of the mobile titles that are beloved amongst the iOS community, but also that no relic is too lost or dated to make a comeback. Sword of Fargoal was one that was particularly neglected in the last few years in terms of updates, but the developers have still managed to bring it back to life. Great job, lads – now just update Dungeon Raid for modern devices, and my spirit will finally be able to rest.
DISCLAIMER: As I’m sure readers will be well aware at this point, Eli Hodapp, the longstanding Editor-in-Chief of TouchArcade, recently stepped down from his role to join GameClub as their VP of Business Development. While he’s still around in a freelance capacity to help out with the podcast, his full-time job is fully with the new iOS development studio, and so I just want to be as transparent as possible and re-emphasise how our coverage of GameClub is entirely due to its importance to our iOS community in bringing back some of the platform’s most beloved titles. Also, while I’m here, a personal massive thank you to Eli for all the opportunities he gave me, and for making TouchArcade what it is today – we can be sure that GameClub will have a stellar line-up of titles in their arsenal with Eli at the helm. But seriously, Dungeon Raid when?
Eli rocks! Great to see this is coming back.
"Dungeon Raid when?"
#thisthisthisthisthis
That said, love Fargoal. Great pick and eager to see this available again.
:D
Not my cup of tea I hope that they are bringing BioShock back to live.That was the reason that I bought my first IPhone I hoped that this became a trend to release console games on IOS but we all know how that ended so I was very excited to hear Eli explaining that GameGlub is bringing “broken” IOS games back to life. S😄😄 cool.
I wouldn’t expect that one. The iOS app for Bioshock is dead, but the IP is alive and valuable. The owners of the franchise would make it pretty complicated and likely squeeze for more than GameClub wants to bother with at this point.
Your probably right but there must be a lot of people like me that bought the game and find out that the game was not playable anymore the same was happening with TitanQuest because of problems of ip ownership.When I approached Apple about it they told me that it was not their fault that those games are not playable anymore. I think that Apple is doing a very bad job with selling games in the AppStore it is quantity over quality.
I didn’t look at it that way you’re right the BioShock franchise is to valuable to go this way should be great anyway but looking back at the game on mobile it didn’t look that great but the way they handle it (refunds) was bad AppStore take no responsibility and pointed to the developer because in AppStore words they only sold the game.
update on part 2! this game is sooo good
GREAT NEWS! I loved Fargoal back in 82, and loved it even more when it hit iPad, then disappeared. I hope they're charging a premium price for it and not burdened by monetization crapola.
Couldn't agree more about DUNGEON RAID, it is still sorely missed!
and Eli is a great addition to the dev's team. sure does know his stuff!
Dungeon Raid... The title is why I am still running IOS 10.x
Glad to see this again! I wish the Fargoal sequel I backed on Kickstarter got some love, too.
No game deserves a revival other than "Dungeon Raid" - and for Android too.
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Just wanted to chime in as yet another mobile gamer who sorely misses Dungeon Raid. Please bring it back.. with iPhone X display dimensions! Same goes for Rolando 2: Quest for the Golden Orchid and Monkey Island 2: LeChuck’s Revenge!