I picked up darklands when it was abandonware in the mid 2000s. It's a complex game but very logical and easy to play once you get used to the interface and know a bit about the world it's set in.
The best thing to do is to read the manual. I can't stress that enough. Even more so than most other games of its time, the manual makes for vital reading, and I'd recommend having it open while playing, too, particularly for the weapons section - each weapon requires a certain skill and strength level to be really effective, and most can't penetrate stronger armours (unless you get very lucky). One man in plate armour will easily shrug off dozens of short sword blows, but a strongman with a giant hammer will really ruin his day.
Also, keep some paper and a pen handy. When you're out shopping you'll sometimes be offered very profitable work, typically retrieving some artifact for a large sum of money. You'll need to write down where to go, what to do, and where you were when you were offered the job (which town and what building/street you were in) to collect, because the game doesn't have a quest screen. On the plus side, you can sometimes collect payment from multiple employers for taking care of particular quests (eg: killing a troublesome bandit can get you a reward from all the guilds).
The most important things to remember are that your skills improve through use - each time a skill is used there is a chance it will improve. That goes for both weapons and any other skill. Weapon skills are actually very easy to raise (the best way to do this is to stay in town and move around the side streets and docks at night - you may run into the city watch this way, but it's not likely, and the worst they'll do is ask for a fine). Some skills are really hard to raise (eg: streetwise) or will cost a lot of money (alchemy, latin). Skills go up to 100 (though it's increasingly hard to raise them the higher they are), however a weapon skill above 30 or so is enough to look after yourself quite well. You'll want it higher if you're fighting anything scarier than bandits though.
To heal up, take up residence at an inn. You can also earn a little money this way (the amount depends on what skills your team has. You can make a comfortable profit sometimes), though it takes time.
Aim to raise your virtue wherever possible. It takes time, but makes life a lot easier, and makes it more likely that saints will help you when you pray (read the manual). Remember that what we consider virtuous today might not fit what medieval Europe would consider virtuous - never attack clergy or consort with witches, devils, etc. Obey the law. Be very sure that you're not mistaken before you accuse anyone of bad behaviour - false accusations can get you intro trouble, harm your reputation, and even cost you virtue. And be aware that accurate accusations might be virtuous, but they might also result in a fight.
Have at least one character with high charisma and Speak common, and make them your leader (open their character screen and click on the section at the top where it says "not leader" - you can change leaders at will). Have another with Speak Latin and some charisma - this will help you when dealing with clergy and scholars, who are a useful source of religious and alchemical instruction.
Alchemy is incredibly powerful, but takes time to develop. A team without a decent alchemist has a major disadvantage, though you can buy potions if you really want to do it the expensive and unreliable way. It can heal you, make you stronger, improve your weapons, slow down, weaken and kill enemies, melt through armours and locks, distract attacker, blow open doors - just about anything. Some potions are best used in combat; others can be used to escape certain situations.
Religion is powerful and takes time to develop, though it's less useful in combat, many encounters can be 'won' or avoided by praying to the right saint. You need to study saints in cahedrals, universities, or monasteries, which requires religion skill. Praying to them requires virtue and divine favour (think of DF as magicka and virtue as a required skill).
Towns are generally safer than the outdoors, but there's less money to be made in them, and less fame.
There's more, but the most important thing is to read the manual. I'm not even a big RPG fan, and rarely enjoy the fiddly, tedious 90s RPGs, but Darklands is wonderful once you get into it. Don't be put off by its strange presentation. It's worth getting to know.
Post edited February 01, 2012 by sinisteragent
