Please NOTE!!! This is a stripped-down demonstration version of the game with limited functionality. We want you to get a feel for the cool gameplay and graphics, but the REAL game has many features and locations unavailable in the demo version. So speak with the citizens, cross swords with the Imperial guards and back-country ruffians, scramble over hill and dale, and treat yourself to the sights and sounds of the island of Stros M'kai.
THIS DEMO WILL ONLY RUN 3Dfx VIDEO CARDS.
Items of note specific to the DEMO:
1. You are confined to the main island of Stros M'kai. You may not enter any buildings or leave the island. The full game includes many other locations. In particular, your friend Tobias, referred to in a letter in your inventory, is only found INSIDE the Draggin Tale Inn, and not accessible in the demo. Additionally, the boatman will not ferry you to the island of N'gasta in the demo; you may, however, pay him to return you to Stros M'kai.
2. Though Redguard features various challenging action and story puzzles, none of these puzzles are showcased in the demo.
3. (This only applies to the downloadable version of the Redguard demo. If you installed this from a magazine CD, the voices will be in the game.) To limit the size of the demo, most spoken dialog is presented as text. Some greetings and combat taunts can be heard in the demo, but to hear the fine voice performances for all characters featured in Redguard, you'll need the full version of the game.
4. The option to replay intro movies has been disabled in the demo.
5. You will need about 150 MB of free hard drive space to uncompress the demo.
You are Cyrus, a mercenary and adventurer, returning to the island of Stros M'kai to locate your missing sister, Iszara. In the aftermath of a bloody civil war, Stros M'kai is under Imperial occupation, and Governor Lord Richton and his jack-booted guards have brutally suppressed all resistance to their authority. In your search for your sister, you find common cause with the Redguard rebels against the Governor, his Dark Elf assassin, his hideous necromancer ally, his Imperial legions, and his ancient dragon. But force alone will not prevail. Through Dwarven ruins, catacombs, palace hallways, and hidden subterranean passages you'll measure your mental and physical agility against the challenges of beast and man, artifact and sorcery.
The full version of Redguard is an epic action-adventure with an elaborate story line, various main quests and side quests, and many adventure locations. The demo version permits you to fully explore the island of Stros M'kai, but does not give you access to the main story line or the various main quests. We know you'll be impressed by the splendid landscape and architecture. We know you'll like the flavor and performances of the character dialogs. We know you'll have fun fencing with the Imperial guards. But here are some suggestions for things to do during vacation on the fantasy island of Stros M'kai.
The soldiers of the occupying Imperial Army are your enemies, and enemies of the people of Stros M'kai. To free the Redguards of Stros M'kai of Imperial domination, you must eliminate these enemies.
In and near town, the guards will not attack unless provoked. Draw your sword in their presence, however, and they will pursue and fight you to the death. In remote areas of the island where the Imperials have secret operations, the guards will draw and attack on sight.
The three major classes of Imperial Guards are marked by the color of their helmets. Black Helms are easy marks, and most commonly encountered in town. Silver Helms are more difficult; they may be encountered along the roads and paths through the island backcountry. Gold Helms are the most skilled veterans; expect to learn many hard lessons when fighting them.
2. MANHUNT
In the island backcountry are six thieves in civilian clothes who prey upon innocent travelers. Explore the island, find these miscreants, and dispatch them.
One of the roads out of town leads to a rope bridge causeway. At the terminus of this causeway is a ferry to the island citadel of N'gasta. You can't travel to N'gasta's island in the demo, but along the difficult path to the ferry, to the south of the bridge-and-island causeway, a cache of potions and gold sits on an island. Since the waters beneath the bridges teem with sharks and tentacled horrors, getting to this cache of treasure is a nasty puzzle.
2. THE TALISMAN OF FRANDAR HUNDING
A monumental statue of the Redguard hero Frandar Hunding stands guarding the harbor of Stros M'kai. Rumor holds that the mystical Talisman of Frandar Hunding is hidden in this statue. If so, the secret of access to the Talisman is a puzzle worth unraveling. [Hint: In moral conflicts, Hunding always counseled taking the high road to virtue.]
May we recommend particularly the following landmarks:
1. ENTRANCE TO THE DWARVEN RUINS
In the rugged highlands far from town, Imperial Troops challenge all access to the fabled ruins, and attack prospective visitors. Of course, this only inflames the curiosity and determination of intrepid tourists like yourself. And even though you can't enter the ruins themselves in the demo, the view from top of the mountain is breathtaking.
2. THE OBSERVATORY
A grand and enigmatic example of Dwarven architecture is found along a coastal road to the southwest of town. Though access to the interior is prohibited in the demo, views of the exterior give silent testament to the lost arts and crafts of the Dwarves.
3. THE TALKING BULL
Some say a mighty Daedra Lord has taken upon himself the form of a bull so that he might observe the mortals of Stros M'kai without their knowledge. Sound like superstitious nonsense to me.
4. TIPS FOR PHOTOGRAPHERS
For a breathtaking panorama view of the landscape from a bird's eye perspective, press the ALT and FORWARD ARROW keys until the camera is looking down on Cyrus from above. Then, while holding down the ALT key and releasing the FORWARD ARROW, press the HOME key. The camera will begin to track up into the sky; giving you a glorious high-angle view of your surroundings.
Cyrus begins with only six healing potions in his inventory. Since the stores, temple, and magic guild are closed in the demo, travelers should know about opportunities for healing on the island.
1. HEALING WATERS
The well water on Stros M'kai is known for its restorative powers. Unfortunately, you'll need to find a container to drink from. Such a container is only to be found in the ruins of an alchemist's shop outside town.
2. YOKUDAN SHRINE
To receive the healing benediction of the ancient Yokudan gods, make an offering before the monumental statue of an obscure Yokudan deity to be found in the island backcountry. [In fact, with the stores closed in the demo, this is the only place to use the gold you find.]
3. TREASURE
Search the forms of defeated opponents for useful loot. Among the rewards you'll find gold coins [useful as offerings], healing potions, strength potions [which increase damage done with sword attacks], and ironskin potions [which decrease damage down by opponent sword attacks]. Caches of treasure can also be found scattered around the island, in small caves, in abandoned buildings, or just lying on the ground -- so keep your eyes peeled as you explore.
