Foray in the Forest(DOS, 2023)

Commander Keen: The Fan-Made Adventure “Foray in the Forest”

Few DOS and early Windows platformers captured the imagination of PC gamers quite like Commander Keen. Created by id Software in the early 1990s, the series became legendary for its smooth side-scrolling gameplay, colorful graphics, and quirky humor. While the official series eventually came to an end, the fan community never stopped creating new adventures. One of the most interesting fan-made projects is Commander Keen: Foray in the Forest.

What Is “Foray in the Forest”?

Commander Keen: Foray in the Forest is a fan-developed game inspired by the classic Commander Keen formula. Built using the powerful fan modding tools created by the Keen community, the game keeps the spirit of the original titles alive while introducing its own unique setting, enemies, and level design.

The game stars the iconic child genius Billy Blaze — better known as Commander Keen — as he explores a strange forest environment filled with hazards, secrets, and unusual creatures. Unlike the sci-fi-heavy locations of many official Keen games, this adventure leans more into fantasy and nature themes.

The screenshot above immediately showcases the game’s playful tone. The colorful pixel-art forest, strange eyeball creatures, and cartoonish character portraits are very much in line with the offbeat humor the series became known for.

A Brief History of Commander Keen

The original Commander Keen games were first released between 1990 and 1991 for MS-DOS. Developed by a young team at id Software — including programming legend John Carmack — the games pushed PC gaming forward with technology that allowed smooth side-scrolling on standard IBM-compatible computers.

The earliest trilogy, Commander Keen in Invasion of the Vorticons, debuted in December 1990 using the shareware distribution model popular at the time. This was followed by the more advanced Goodbye, Galaxy! episodes in 1991.

Even decades later, the series maintains a loyal fan base. Dedicated modders have created entirely new episodes, engines, and level packs that continue the Keen legacy on modern systems.

Fan-Made Creativity

One of the reasons Commander Keen has survived for so long is its active modding community. Fans reverse-engineered the original games years ago, allowing hobby developers to create their own episodes using modified graphics, music, and gameplay systems.

Foray in the Forest appears to embrace that creative spirit fully. The visual style resembles the VGA-era Keen titles, complete with bright EGA-inspired palettes, exaggerated character designs, and expressive cartoon animation.

Games like this are a reminder of how influential DOS-era PC platformers still are. Long before indie retro revivals became mainstream, Keen fans were already preserving and expanding these classic gameplay ideas.

Gameplay and Style

At its core, the game sticks closely to traditional Commander Keen gameplay:

• Side-scrolling platforming
• Hidden areas and collectibles
• Puzzle-like exploration
• Enemy avoidance and timing
• Colorful pixel art environments

The forest theme gives the game a unique identity compared to official episodes. Giant trees, odd wildlife, and surreal scenery create a dreamlike atmosphere that fits surprisingly well within the Keen universe.

The title screen art also demonstrates the charm of amateur retro development. The exaggerated expressions and quirky humor feel authentic to the era when shareware PC games often had strange, memorable personalities.

Retro PC Gaming Preservation

Fan projects like Foray in the Forest are important pieces of gaming preservation. Many classic DOS franchises disappeared after the 1990s, but community-created content keeps them relevant for newer generations of players.

Today, classic Keen games and fan creations are often played through:

• DOSBox emulation
• Source ports
• Community launchers
• Modern Windows compatibility patches

For retro PC enthusiasts, discovering obscure fan-made episodes can feel like uncovering lost expansions to beloved classics.

Final Thoughts

Commander Keen: Foray in the Forest is a perfect example of how passionate retro gaming communities continue to celebrate classic PC platformers. While it may not be an official release, it captures much of the charm, creativity, and weird humor that made Commander Keen so memorable in the first place.

For fans of vintage Windows and DOS gaming, projects like this are worth exploring — not just as nostalgic curiosities, but as proof that classic game design still inspires creators decades later.

Ancients II (DOS, 1994)

Ancients II: Approaching Evil – A Classic DOS Dungeon Crawler from the Golden Age of RPGs

Released in 1994 for MS-DOS, Ancients II: Approaching Evil is a classic first-person dungeon crawler that delivered deep fantasy role-playing gameplay during the golden era of PC RPGs. Developed by Farr-Ware Software and published by Epic MegaGames, the game served as the sequel to Ancients 1: Death Watch and expanded the series with larger environments, more character options, and a broader adventure beyond underground dungeons. 

A Sequel That Expanded the Original Formula

Unlike many dungeon crawlers that stayed confined to underground labyrinths, Ancients II introduced a wider variety of locations including wilderness areas and wizard towers. The story centers around a new evil emerging from ancient catacombs, forcing players to search for four magical seals capable of containing the growing darkness.

The game kept the classic first-person perspective and turn-based combat system of its predecessor while adding more races and classes to create a richer party-building experience.

Players could create parties using classes such as:

• Warrior
• Rogue
• Priest
• Mage
• Paladin
• Ranger

The available fantasy races included humans, elves, dwarves, half-elves, and hobbits.

Classic DOS RPG Gameplay

Like many beloved RPGs of the early 1990s, Ancients II focused heavily on exploration, strategy, and character progression. Combat was entirely turn-based, rewarding careful planning rather than fast reflexes.

Some standout gameplay features included:

• Grid-based first-person dungeon exploration
• Party-based RPG mechanics
• Turn-based fantasy combat
• Character leveling and stat progression
• Equipment and spell management
• Town hubs for healing and supplies
• Mouse and keyboard support under DOS

The interface and gameplay style will feel instantly familiar to fans of classics like Wizardry, Might and Magic, and Eye of the Beholder.

Published During the Rise of PC RPGs

The mid-1990s were an exciting period for computer role-playing games. While major franchises were pushing technical boundaries, smaller studios like Farr-Ware were creating ambitious RPG experiences for dedicated genre fans.

Published by Epic MegaGames before the company eventually became the modern gaming giant Epic Games, Ancients II remains an interesting piece of early PC gaming history.

Retro Legacy

Today, Ancients II: Approaching Evil is remembered as a cult classic among retro DOS RPG enthusiasts. Its dark fantasy atmosphere, challenging gameplay, and old-school dungeon crawling mechanics continue to appeal to players who enjoy classic computer RPG design.

While it may not have reached the mainstream popularity of larger RPG franchises, the game still represents the creativity and experimentation that defined DOS gaming in the early 1990s.

For retro PC collectors and dungeon crawler fans, Ancients II is a fascinating reminder of a time when imagination, exploration, and difficult combat were at the heart of the RPG experience.

Ancients I: The Deathwatch (DOS, 1991)

The early 1990s were packed with first-person dungeon crawlers trying to capture the magic of classics like Dungeon Master and Eye of the Beholder. One lesser-known title that deserves more attention is Ancients I: The Deathwatch, a shareware fantasy RPG that blended exploration, puzzle-solving, and strategic combat into a memorable retro experience.

Released in 1991 for MS-DOS, Ancients I: The Deathwatch was developed by Farr-Ware Software, a small independent studio during the golden age of shareware PC gaming. The game immediately stands out thanks to its colorful VGA graphics and classic tile-based first-person movement system that defined many dungeon RPGs of the era.

A Classic Dungeon Crawling Adventure

In Ancients I, players guide a party of adventurers through dangerous corridors, ancient ruins, and monster-filled labyrinths. The gameplay follows the traditional grid-based movement system where players rotate and move one tile at a time while managing health, spells, equipment, and inventory.

The interface, shown in the screenshot above, displays party members at the bottom along with health and life statistics. Magic, combat, and exploration all play equally important roles, giving the game a strong tabletop RPG feel.

One thing retro RPG fans appreciate about The Deathwatch is its balance between accessibility and challenge. While it never became as famous as larger commercial RPGs from the same period, it earned a loyal cult following among DOS enthusiasts thanks to its atmosphere and addictive dungeon exploration.

Shareware Era Charm

Like many PC games of the early ‘90s, Ancients I was distributed as shareware. Players could freely share and try the game before purchasing the full version. This distribution model helped smaller developers reach audiences without needing major publishers.

The title screen itself proudly announces its shareware roots, something that instantly brings back memories for longtime DOS gamers downloading games from bulletin board systems (BBS), floppy disk collections, or early PC magazine demo disks.

Development Team

The game credits several contributors, including:

• Programming: Mark Lewis
• Graphic Art: Jason Struck
• Additional Work: Mathew McEwan

Small teams like this were common during the DOS era, where passionate developers could create surprisingly deep RPG experiences with limited resources.

Graphics and Sound

Although primitive by modern standards, Ancients I featured colorful VGA visuals and detailed fantasy artwork for its time. The game’s first-person perspective and hand-crafted environments helped create a sense of immersion that many retro fans still enjoy today.

Sound support varied depending on hardware, but even simple PC speaker audio added tension while navigating dangerous dungeon halls.

Legacy

While Ancients I: The Deathwatch never reached mainstream success, it remains an interesting piece of RPG history and a reminder of how creative the shareware scene once was. Retro PC collectors and DOS gaming enthusiasts often revisit titles like this to experience the experimental spirit of early computer RPG design.

For fans of vintage Windows and DOS gaming, Ancients I represents a fascinating era when ambitious indie developers could craft expansive fantasy adventures long before modern indie gaming became mainstream.

If you enjoy retro dungeon crawlers, this is definitely one worth revisiting.

Munch Man(DOS, 1996)

Munch Man: A Strange (and Slightly Sinister) Pac-Man Throwback for DOS

If you spent time digging through shareware CDs or obscure corners of DOS gaming in the mid-90s, you may have stumbled across something like the image above—a brightly colored, slightly unhinged maze game called Munch Man. Equal parts homage and oddity, it’s one of those titles that perfectly captures the anything-goes spirit of vintage Windows/DOS-era gaming.

What Is Munch Man?

Munch Man is an unofficial, shareware-style maze arcade game clearly inspired by Pac-Man, originally created by Namco. But instead of simply cloning the formula, it leans into exaggerated visuals and a slightly bizarre tone—something that was surprisingly common in mid-90s indie PC releases.

The version shown here was released in 1996 by Inter-Active Arts.

Key Facts

• Release year: 1996
• Platform: MS-DOS (often played on early Windows 95 systems)
• Developer/Publisher: Inter-Active Arts
• Version shown: Registered v1.0
• Genre: Maze arcade

A Familiar Formula—with a Twist

At its core, Munch Man follows the classic Pac-Man structure:

• Navigate maze-like levels
• Collect items (dots or equivalents)
• Avoid enemies while clearing the board

But the presentation is where things get… unusual.

Instead of clean arcade minimalism, you get:

• A bulging, cartoonish protagonist with oversized features
• A menacing red creature looming overhead
• Bright, almost surreal color choices that feel very “DOS VGA demo scene”

It’s less polished than its inspiration, but arguably more memorable because of it.

The Shareware Era Vibe

Games like Munch Man thrived in the shareware ecosystem of the 1990s:

• Distributed via floppy disks, BBS systems, and CD-ROM compilations
• Often created by small or unknown developers
• Encouraged registration for full versions or additional features

This model gave rise to countless experimental titles—some derivative, some innovative, many just plain weird.

Munch Man fits squarely into that tradition.

Playing It Today

Running Munch Man now typically requires:

• A DOS emulator like DOSBox
• Or a vintage Windows 95/98 setup

Because it’s a relatively simple game, it runs well even in emulation and makes for a quick nostalgia trip.

Why It’s Worth Remembering

While it never reached the heights of its arcade inspiration, Munch Man is a great example of:

• The creative freedom of 90s indie PC developers
• The loose interpretation of intellectual property common at the time
• The distinct visual style of VGA-era shareware games

It’s not just a Pac-Man clone—it’s a snapshot of a time when anyone with some coding skills and a weird idea could put a game out into the world.

Final Thoughts

Munch Man may not be a classic in the traditional sense, but it absolutely earns its place in the retro Windows/DOS conversation. It’s quirky, a little unsettling, and unmistakably 90s.

And honestly? That giant red creature alone makes it hard to forget.

The Lost Vikings(DOS, 1993)

The Lost Vikings (Windows) – A Brilliant Blend of Puzzle and Personality

When it comes to early ‘90s PC gaming, few titles manage to feel as fresh today as The Lost Vikings. Originally developed by Silicon & Synapse—the studio that would later become Blizzard Entertainment—this quirky puzzle-platformer carved out a unique place in gaming history.

📅 Release & Platforms

The Lost Vikings first launched in 1992 for systems like MS-DOS (PC), the Super Nintendo, and the Sega Genesis. The Windows-compatible versions came shortly after, making it a staple for early PC gamers navigating DOS and later Windows environments.

🧠 Gameplay That Still Stands Out

What makes The Lost Vikings so memorable is its clever design. Instead of controlling one hero, you guide three distinct Vikings:

• Erik the Swift – Fast runner and jumper
• Baleog the Fierce – Sword and bow combat specialist
• Olaf the Stout – Defensive shield user who can block and glide

Each level is essentially a puzzle requiring you to switch between characters and combine their abilities to progress. It’s a formula that feels ahead of its time—part platformer, part strategy game.

🕹️ A PC Classic Experience

On Windows (and DOS), The Lost Vikings delivered:

• Smooth side-scrolling gameplay for its era
• Mouse and keyboard support (a plus over console versions)
• Charming pixel art and expressive character animations
• A humorous tone filled with quirky dialogue and time-travel hijinks

The game’s villain, Tomator, kidnaps the Vikings and scatters them across different eras—from prehistoric times to futuristic sci-fi settings—adding variety to each stage.

🎵 Sound & Style

The audio, while limited by early PC hardware, still carries a nostalgic charm. On higher-end setups of the time (like Sound Blaster cards), the music and sound effects really brought the Viking trio’s adventure to life.

🏆 Legacy

The Lost Vikings helped establish the design philosophy that Blizzard Entertainment would later be known for: polished gameplay, memorable characters, and genre innovation. It also spawned a sequel, The Lost Vikings 2 (1997), further expanding the formula.

Even today, the game is remembered as a pioneer of cooperative-style puzzle design—long before “multitasking gameplay” became common.

---

💾 Final Thoughts

For vintage Windows enthusiasts, The Lost Vikings is more than just a nostalgic curiosity—it’s a reminder of a time when creativity and gameplay innovation were front and center. Whether you played it on a chunky CRT monitor or are discovering it through emulation today, this title remains a must-play piece of PC gaming history.

Have you revisited The Lost Vikings recently? Let me know your favorite level or Viking in the comments!