dtgreene: Unfortunately, the GOG version doesn't allow you to play MM4 alone. On the other hand, you can at least get a similar experience by simply not using any of the pyramids, and if you reach a certain underground city (or use a mirror to warp there), don't take the stairs down from there. Also, the floppy version is going to be more authentic than the CD version if you're going for this. You start in Vertigo at level 1 either way, so you don't have to touch MM5 if you just want to play MM4.
The way it works is that the floppy version's executable is the one that originally shipped with MM5 (or at least something similar). When you start the game, it checks for a certain file (forgot the name, but it may have been "XEEN" or "WORLD" with some extension (I know there's a file with that extension named "DARKSIDE")). If the file is present, it loads as World of Xeen, and if not, it loads MM5 alone. No way to get it to load MM4 alone, unfortunately.
For MM5 alone, if you can identify the file I mentioned and make sure it's not there (for example, by renaming it, which is my preferred method, since it's easily reversible), you *can* play MM5 alone. This has the following effects:
* The title screen will be different, showing Darkside of Xeen (with a sound effect) rather than the split World of Xeen title screen.
* If you start a new game, you'll be in Castleview (not Vertigo) with a level 5 party. I believe you'll be at the same coordinates, curiously enough.
* The one intact pyramid will not work, and that other way into that underground city won't work either.
* If you load a save that was made in MM4, you'll load into the map with the same index in MM5, at the same coordinates. This can lead to some unusual effects; you might be stuck, you might load into the sky and immediately fall, and it's possible to load into the sky town earlier in the game (don't remember where you have to save for this).
Thank you for all the info!! Much appreciated.
GeistSR: If you avoid the World of Xeen bonus content and just never use a pyramid until MM4 is complete, the experience is the same.
Thanks, will do.
ziomarco: I am finally going to start to re-live one of my favorite gaming memories Might and Magic 4 and 5. Is there a way to play the original vanilla MM4 and MM5 pre World of Zeen merge?
CedricBusch: Yes. It requires downloading and/or renaming some files.
https://www.gog.com/forum/might_and_magic_series/world_of_xeen_only_no_separate_installs_for_ivv/post3 Thanks, will have to do this.
