Natuk

Natuk is an indie-developed traditional overhead party-based CRPG with a focus on detailed tactical combat and a fairly complex magic system involving spells formed from magical syllables. In Natuk, the player leads a group of eight orcs, ogres and/or trolls who have fallen into bad terms with the ruler of Natuk, and seek redemption, or at least revenge.

The sequel to Nahlakh (1994), Natuk based on percentile-and-skill-based game mechanics similar to those of the old I.C.E. role-playing system Rolemaster. Injuries are modeled in detail, with specific effects depending on the body part hit and other conditions, such as bleeding, inflicted.

The game campaign features both interior dungeon-type environments as well as an overworld area to explore, and features an auto-map. It allowed for custom-modded character sprites to be added to the game.

The game was released on a shareware distribution model, with the shareware version being approximately one-third of the game. Developed in the technically-awkward period of early MS-DOS/Windows games, it was difficult to get running properly on post-Windows-95 operating systems because of its use of a DOS-based VESA graphics display mode that has not since been well-emulated by Windows, and has consequently seen less attention by those interested in retro CRPGs.

It can now be run properly via DxWnd, a utility that allows full-screen programs to run in a window and that properly emulates less common display modes. The full game has since been released as freeware.