Castle of the Winds (Parts 1 & 2) for Windows 3.11, released in 1993, is a classic, tile-based, top-down, fantasy role-playing game (RPG) that blends exploration, dungeon crawling, and turn-based combat. The game was developed by Mike and Tom M. Saulter and is notable for being one of the first free RPGs for Windows.
The game is divided into two parts:
Part 1: The Descent of the Dwarves
The first part sets up the story where players take on the role of a young adventurer whose village is attacked by evil forces. You must explore the surrounding areas, seek out treasures, and fight various monsters while trying to uncover the secrets behind the villainy threatening your world. The game features a vast world with many towns, dungeons, and quests.
Part 2: The Return of the Dwarves
In the second part, the story continues with a deeper focus on your character's quest for revenge and the overall resolution of the threats to the land. The gameplay introduces more complex items, magic systems, and larger maps to explore.