Raven Software was founded by the two brothers Brian and Steve Raffel in 1990 and the first game which they have produced was the outstanding RPG Black Crypt, which was released in 1992. It was the only game, which Raven Software has released on the Amiga, but nevertheless they have written history with this game. It's one of the best and heaviest role playing games which I have ever played and I will never forget the moment, when my party has slept behind a closed door and this two headed beast has opened this door and has attacked my party. I have never seen such intelligent monsters ever before. Black Crypt was never released on any other platform, but the programmer Rick Johnson is working on a Direct-X version of this game, which should soon be released as Donationware.
Their other products were all released for the PC, and of course they're all excellent games. Shadowcaster was the inoffical sequel to Black Crypt and was published by Origin. Raven Software was one of the first companies who have licensed the brilliant 3D engines from ID Software and for this all their games are always featuring up to date technology.
Hexen was a great fantasy 3D-action game with many role playing elements. Heretic was planned as a data disk for Hexen, but so many changes were made for this game that they have released it as a completely new game with this new name. And of course it was a correct decision, because it was very successful.
Well - of course they have released some more interesting titles like Necrodome, MageSlayer and Take no Prisoners which are all really worth a look and you will find meanwhile all for a special low budget price and you shouldn't hesitate to purchase them.
Hexen II was an excellent sequel to the first part and was created with the Quake II engine. You can choose between four different characters like a Paladin or a Necromancer to fight against the serpent rider Eidolon. Never before in a game I have seen such realistic animated spiders (have shocked me, because I don't like spiders :-)
Heretic II was another milestone and was released by Activision. Again a modified Quake II engine was used, but this time you have to controll Corvus, the hero, not from a first person perspective. You have to control him in a Tomb Raider like third-person-perspective. The magical effects in this game are still outstanding, the animations very smooth and the story is telling about an epic quest.
Soldier of Fortune is a title from Raven Software which is currently under development. It will be a hardcore first person shooter, based on a modified the Quake II engine and will feature a very atmospheric story, an excellent level design and some ideas, which where never seen before. The title looks very promising and I hope that it won't come on the index here in Germany.
Star Trek: Voyager - Elite Force is their current production and is the first 3D shooter which plays in the Star Trek universe. Using the Quake III Arena engine you can expect another technical masterpiece and of course all the well known people and enemies (like the Borg) will of course be part of this game. Also it will feature single and multiplayer scenarios.
If you're interested in more infos about this company and their current products, have a look at the Raven Software homepage. | 
Black Crypt
Heretic
Heretic II
Hexen II
Heretic II
Soldier of Fortune
Star Trek Voyager |