Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

Champions of Krynn places you at the heart of post–War of the Lance Ansalon as the leader of a fresh band of adventurers. Character creation is deep: you can assemble a party from an array of races—Kender, Silvanesti and Qualinesti elves, hill or mountain dwarves, humans and half-elves—and choose specialized classes such as Solamnic Knights, clerics of Krynn’s deities or Red and White Robes mages. Each choice affects your dialogue options, your access to spells and special abilities, and even your standing with various NPC factions, making party customization feel truly meaningful.

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Exploration unfolds on two fronts: a first-person view for dungeons and towns, and a strategic overhead map for overland travel. In dungeons you navigate dim corridors, solve simple puzzles and hunt traps, while the world map takes you from stone outposts to frontier villages. This dual approach lends a satisfying sense of scale as you travel from the Solamnic guard posts to hidden Draconian encampments, keeping each expedition fresh and engaging.

Combat uses turn-based, grid-style tactics. Positioning, formation and spell timing are critical—clerics can call divine powers granted by their chosen deity, knights guard the front line, and mages’ spells are influenced by the phases of Krynn’s moons. Battles range from quick skirmishes with wandering draconians to lengthy sieges on fortified lairs. While veterans of SSI’s gold-box engine will appreciate the familiar mechanics, newcomers will find a rewarding challenge that demands both foresight and adaptability.

Graphics

By today’s standards Champions of Krynn is undeniably dated, but for its era it captured the spirit of Dragonlance beautifully. The first-person dungeon corridors are rendered with simple but atmospheric EGA graphics, using muted stone textures and shadowy doorways to evoke tension. Town screens offer colorful vistas of wooden palisades, cobblestone streets and the occasional well-dressed NPC, giving each settlement a distinct look and feel.

When you switch to the tactical combat view, the game unfolds on a tile-based grid with clear icons for characters, traps and obstacles. While each sprite is only a few pixels in size, the designers used contrasting colors to differentiate friend from foe and terrain features—from dense forests to rocky outcrops. This clarity makes it easy to plan a flanking maneuver or identify a safe spellcasting zone, even in larger battles.

Beyond the visuals, the soundtrack and sound effects reinforce immersion. Sparse mood music underscores dungeon crawls, and the clang of steel or the hiss of a draconian adds a surprising punch to encounters. Though the audio is modest, it complements the graphics and keeps the atmosphere richly grounded in Krynn’s war-scarred frontier.

Story

Set immediately after the War of the Lance, Champions of Krynn grounds you in a world still reeling from conflict. Solamnic Knights maintain fragile peace in northeastern Ansalon, and your party is quickly thrust into intrigue when long-thought-gone Draconians reemerge. Unraveling their schemes drives the main quest, yet the game is careful to pepper side missions that reveal local politics, refugee struggles and casual heroism.

Narrative progression comes largely through NPC dialogue, mission briefings and scrolls hidden in ruins. You might learn of a clandestine worship cult dedicated to Takhisis, or overhear rumors that a legendary Hero of the Lance walks among common folk. These touches of Dragonlance lore create a living world—every innkeeper, militia captain or wandering minstrel has a tale to tell, and those tales weave into the broader tapestry of Krynn’s revival.

Interactions with Heroes of the Lance add a special thrill. You’ll recognize names like Sturm Brightblade, though meeting them in person depends on your progress and choices. Their cameo appearances serve both as fan service and as tangible reminders of the epic legacy you’re now part of. As you peel back layers of Draconian plots, the stakes feel appropriately high for a world still rebuilding from devastation.

Overall Experience

Champions of Krynn remains a landmark for fans of AD&D and Dragonlance alike. It blends deep party customization, thoughtful tactical combat and a richly imagined post-war setting into one coherent adventure. The gold-box engine might feel clunky to modern gamers, but it delivers a rewarding sense of progress: every dungeon cleared, every spell learned and every draconian warlord felled marks real achievement.

Your mileage will vary based on patience and nostalgia. The interface relies heavily on keyboard commands and menu navigation, and the pacing can slow during lengthy mapping sessions. Yet these same elements foster a methodical playstyle that emphasizes strategic planning and world exploration over frantic button-mashing.

Ultimately, Champions of Krynn is more than a relic—it’s a testament to storytelling and design in early CRPGs. For those seeking a deep, lore-steeped journey through Dragonlance’s frontier, it remains an engaging challenge. Even newcomers intrigued by classic D&D mechanics will find hours of strategic fun and the chance to shape Krynn’s fragile peace.

Retro Replay Score

7.5/10