Games published by Red Orb Entertainment
Select a publisher to browse its games.
We provide a complete list of games published by this publisher.
Riven: The Sequel to Myst
After the Stranger has rescued Atrus, the master of the 'linking books', from the imprisonment caused by his children, a new task awaits the hero. Atrus' wife, Catherine, has been kidnapped by Gehn, her own father. Gehn has appointed himself as the ruler of the Age of Riven, and has brought his world to collapse. He now holds Catherine hostage in Riven, hoping that his son will restore the book's link to the Age and free him from there. Atrus asks the Outsider to travel to Riven and find a way to rescue Catherine.
Riven is a sequel to Myst, and is very similar to its predecessor in terms of gameplay style, controls and visual presentation. The game world is presented as a series of fixed computer-generated screens; the player explores it by pointing and clicking. Interaction with the environment is only possible when that environment is highlighted as a 'hot spot', and is also done by simple clicking. Like its predecessor, Riven is packed with puzzles, which rarely involve the use of inventory items, but usually involve understanding and manipulating the complex environments and machinery of the game world.
Take No Prisoners
Take No Prisoners arrived on Windows in 1997, positioning itself as a no nonsense vehicle combat experience. Players command armored machines through hostile battlefields, mixing gunnery with maneuvering under constant pressure. The premise stays lean: survive the mission, disable the enemy, and move forward before the front collapses. Even today the setup feels grounded in the arcade school of action, where results matter more than storytelling.
On the controls side, steering and turret aiming work together, so quick turns can cost precious seconds if your gun sight drifts. Main weapons fire direct shots, while secondary ordnance adds punch for clustered foes. Damage is not just cosmetic; broken tracks slow movement, bent armor changes how shots connect, and destroyed modules remove options. The camera favors situational awareness over spectacle, letting you judge slopes, cover, and firing lanes.
The single player campaign strings together short scenarios that resemble tactical skirmishes rather than sprawling epics. Objectives range from holding checkpoints to pushing assault routes, often with timed waves that punish hesitation. Between levels, you can rethink your loadout and plan around enemy armor types, though the learning curve rewards experimentation. Difficulty ramps steadily; early missions teach fundamentals, whereas later bouts introduce smarter pursuit and more stubborn defensive positions.
Graphically, it captures late nineties 3D grit: textured terrain, sharp muzzle flashes, and shadows that convey scale without drowning the screen in effects. Sound design leans into weight, with engine growls, heavy impacts, and reload rhythms that help you read danger before you see it. Artificial intelligence behaves like a stubborn opponent, circling for angles and retreating when it senses a lost fight. Performance depends on the era hardware, so frame rate drops can make aiming feel syrupy.
Multiplayer rounds, typically through local networking, let crews trade shells in competitive skirmishes with fewer interruptions than campaign play. Matches reward map control: the best routes are the ones that keep your hull hidden while your turret stays free to lash out. Despite its age, the title holds appeal for fans of hard-edged combat and straightforward mechanics. If you approach it expecting modern systems, you may feel the edges, yet its ruthless momentum still delivers satisfying victories.
For newcomers, patience wins. Use cover aggressively, tap-fire to conserve ammunition, and back off before armor gives up. Listen for track noise, watch for flanking silhouettes. This discipline turns chaos into a plan, explaining why it stayed remembered by players.
WarBreeds
WarBreeds bursts onto the Windows scene in 1998 as a daring hybrid of strategy and action, set in a biotech nightmare of future warfare. Players command rival factions of engineered monstrosities on contested battlegrounds that range from ruined cities to pulseing alien sanctuaries. The game wears its influences with pride yet carves a distinct personality through grotesque design and a brisk, merciless tempo. Its mood blends dark wit with brutal elegance, where armor gleams beside bioluminescent tendrils and skittering horrors stalk the margins of every map. Narrative threads stay lean, inviting players to sculpt conflict rather than listen to lectures.
At the core WarBreeds blends base management with rapid battlefield skirmishing. Each faction fields a menagerie of composite units forged from organic tissue and machine parts, challenging players to adapt tactics rather than lean on brute force. Resource flow pushes operators toward aggressive expansion or ruthless denial, with harvesting and salvage offering just enough leverage to pivot mid campaign. The interface rewards decisive micro control, intuitive hot keys, and a clean command grid that keeps pace with the action. Strong emphasis on synergy across creatures, support drones, and armored chassis yields satisfying, emergent tactics.
Graphically the title leans into a chunky polygonal aesthetic tempered by vivid color schemes and grotesque silhouettes. Environments vary from dim corridors to arid wastelands, each texture and effect contributing to a sense of scale and danger. Sound design features pulsating synth lines, hard hitting impacts, and atmospheric ambience that heightens tension during dense engagements. The user interface presents unit portraits, a compact minimap, and a modular command panel that feels crafted for speed and clarity. On older machines the engine repurposes aging 3D tricks to sustain smooth frame rates during chaotic clashes.
Publishers greeted WarBreeds as a bold experiment amid a crowded market, praising its unusual roster and brisk tempo. Critics noticed occasional balance quirks, yet lauded the way strategic thinking could coexist with fast paced bursts. A small but loyal community formed, trading custom scenarios and sharing countermeasures for stubborn boss encounters. In hindsight the game stands as a snapshot of late 90s experimentation, when designers mixed genres and pushed visual oddities alongside a stubborn belief in player agency. Though sequels never materialized, WarBreeds lingered in memory for players who crave strange, idiosyncratic battles. Its bold blend of horror aesthetics and tactical rhythm still sparks conversations among retro gamers seeking unexplored corners of RTS.
Warlords III: Darklords Rising
Warlords III: Darklords Rising, released in 1998 by SSG and published by Strategic Simulations, Inc., is a masterful turn-based strategy game that awaited avid gamers in the late 90s. Building on its predecessors, this third installment in the Warlords series expands the captivating realms of fantasy and strategic warfare. With its blend of resource management, tactical combat, and immersive storytelling, Warlords III has carved a niche in the hearts of players who admire a thoughtful yet dynamic gaming experience.
Set in a richly detailed world, Darklords Rising invites players to take control of powerful factions vying for dominance. Each faction possesses unique units, abilities, and heroes, allowing for diverse strategies and myriad gameplay styles. The game’s overarching narrative revolves around the rise of dark forces threatening the land. Players must maneuver their armies, secure resources, and forge alliances while battling colossal foes and rival factions in a quest to restore peace or plunge the world into chaos.
One of the most compelling features of this title is its expansive campaign. The single-player modes include several scenarios where choices significantly impact the outcome. The game deftly balances challenge and accessibility, offering players various difficulty settings and strategies. Moreover, the graphics, though dated by modern standards, manage to evoke an air of nostalgia, with beautifully drawn 2D sprites and environments that transport gamers to an enchanting battle-scarred world. This vibrant aesthetic complements the engaging narrative, making Warlords III a treat for both strategy enthusiasts and storytelling aficionados.
Multiplayer modes enhance the excitement of gameplay, inviting friends to engage in epic confrontations. Players can pit their tactical prowess against one another, testing their mettle in ever-evolving battles. The deep mechanics allow for unforgettable moments, where a single misstep can lead to a crushing defeat or a stunning comeback. This social aspect enriches the experience, fostering camaraderie and rivalry that resonates long after the game session ends.
Warlords III: Darklords Rising remains a beloved title from the golden age of real-time strategy games. Its intricate mechanics, enthralling narrative, and engaging gameplay ensure that it occupies a revered place in the annals of gaming history. As new generations of players discover this gem, the legacy of Warlords III continues to thrive, reminding everyone of an era when strategy and storytelling reigned supreme in the realm of video games.
Warlords III: Reign of Heroes
Warlords III: Reign of Heroes arrived on Windows in 1997 with the kind of big-brained fantasy strategy that invites both calculation and roleplay. The game wraps turn-based battles around an overworld campaign, letting you steer armies, manage resources, and nurture legendary commanders. What stands out immediately is how the design balances consequence and pacing: you can’t treat every encounter like a throwaway skirmish, yet the flow never feels bogged down. It plays like a chess match wearing a cape, where positioning, unit roles, and hero traits matter as much as raw damage.
The campaign structure emphasizes exploration and risk management. As you push across the map, your decisions influence scouting, territory control, and the availability of valuable sites. Town building and faction development introduce long-term planning, since upgrades and recruitment options shape the kind of force you can assemble next. Heroes function as more than glamorous leaders; they grow through victory, learn specialties, and begin to define your preferred strategies. Whether you lean on brute force, ranged pressure, or battlefield disruption, their progression encourages a consistent playstyle rather than a one-off gimmick.
Combat is the centerpiece, presented with a tactical grid where each turn has weight. Units have clear strengths and weaknesses, and formations reward forethought. Terrain affects movement and line control, while spell effects and special attacks can swing an entire engagement when timed correctly. You often feel rewarded for learning enemy patterns, such as how certain creatures respond to forced engagements or how particular defenses shift your priorities. Even when luck chips in, the game still feels fair because your earlier selections typically create answers.
Visually, the title is classic late 90s: readable sprite work, clear UI panels, and animations that communicate attacks without drowning the player in effects. The interface supports quick decisions, and tooltips help translate complex stats into practical choices. Sound and music contribute atmosphere, giving battles a pulse and campaigns a steady sense of momentum. There is a comforting lack of clutter, letting you focus on planning rather than decoding.
The appeal endures because it captures the classic formula of tactical strategy: meaningful macro decisions, satisfying micro tactics, and character growth with visible impact. For fans of turn-based strategy, especially those who enjoy building an army around distinct hero identities, this entry remains a satisfying study in balance. It may not chase modern spectacle, yet its momentum, decision depth, and crunchy combat feel still earn respect among collectors and long-time players.
