Brány Skeldalu (in Czech pronounced roughly "branee skeldaloo") is a DOS dungeon crawler RPG created by the Czech studio Napoleon Games and published by JRC Interactive back in 1998.
Back then, it was pretty popular here in Czech Republic. It uses 2D graphics to simulate a 3D world made of tiles, features a real-time exploration mode that switches
automatically into turn-based combat whenever a hostile monster approaches. Explore Rovenland with a party of up to 6 heroes and fulfill the legend that was prophesized
ages ago! The game also features its own map editor (not translated sadly), enabling the creation of your own adventures.
There was a rumored full English version of the game, but the English game was never released (afaik). Luckily, one of the former programmers created a Windows version
with several improvements for the game. In 2007, the game was made freeware. In 2008, the source codes for the game were released. In 2014, an android clone of the original
game was created after a successful crowdfunding campaign.
Gates of Skeldal is the first installment in a series of three games, the second being the PC game "The Fifth Disciple" (Czech name "Brány Skeldalu 2: Pátý učedník")
and the third being an android game called 7 Mages (Czech name "Brány Skeldalu: 7 Mágů), which was later ported to PC. Sadly, the games only share small
parts of the game lore, and they feel more like three standalone games. I have played all of them, and I enjoyed Gates of Skeldal the most, which is what led me to this work.
1) Download the game setup (~190 MB), either from my Mega repository:
https://mega.nz/#F!AENX1CZa!2zDeRq1CjDQ-XEwiY6nU-A
or from one of the Czech sites hosting it:
https://plnehry.idnes.cz/brany-skeldalu-cesky-dungeon-nyni-zdarma-fpe-/Download.aspx?id=D071221_2306418
2) Run the setup and install the game.
3) Download the latest patch from http://skeldal.vyletnici.net/main.php?page=download&file=SkeldalW_12b20.zip and replace the file "Skeldal.exe" in your game directory.
4) Download the translated English adventure (English.zip) from my Mega repository:
https://mega.nz/#F!AENX1CZa!2zDeRq1CjDQ-XEwiY6nU-A
5) Extract the contents of the .zip file into the directory where you installed Gates of Skeldal.
6) Delete the files POPISY.ENC, ENDTEXT.ENC, TITULKY.ENC from the game folder (these would prevent the translation from functioning properly).
7) Run Gates of Skeldal launcher, either with the icon on your desktop or using Skeldal.exe.
8) I recommend doing a first time setup before running the game:
9) Select "Spustit", then select the English adventure.
You can control everything with your mouse.
In the character selection screen, use the yellow ball (dot?) in the middle of the chart to modify your character starting attributes.
You can also use these keybinds:
Arrow keys or numpad keys to move
CTRL + arrow keys to move sideways
ENTER to start combat with a nearby monster
TAB or M shows local map
I opens up the inventory
You can split your party by pressing 123456 above the letter keys (or with CTRL + Left click on portraits)
Currently selected heroes have white names, unselected heroes have colored names (green, red, yellow...)
Numpad 0 will rejoin split party members standing on the same spot back into one group
Use the icons on the top bar of your screen to sleep, cast magic, open your journal or map
Don't forget to save your game!
There's a game manual included with the translation, in case you would need it.
Enjoy the game!
Found a bug/wrong translation? Mail me!
Official Czech homepage of the Windows launcher and the Czech discussion for the game can be found at http://skeldal.vyletnici.net/