Phantasie 3: The Wrath of Nikademus vs The Black Onyx
Side-by-side comparison of features, pricing, ratings, and alternatives.
Phantasie 3: The Wrath of Nikademus is a 1987 fantasy role‑playing game that continues the beloved Phantasie series. Players lead a party of up to six heroes through a sprawling world filled with quests, monsters, and strategic turn‑based battles. Developed by Westwood Associates and published by SSI, the game offers retro pixel graphics, a rich storyline, and extensive character creation options that let you tailor each hero's class, abilities, and equipment for a personalized adventure.
The Black Onyx is a retro role‑playing game originally developed by Bullet‑Proof Software in the early 1980s. It brings turn‑based combat and pixel‑art exploration to modern PC players, preserving the charm of its original SG‑1000 and MSX releases. Despite its age, the game offers a deep fantasy narrative and strategic gameplay that still appeals to fans of classic RPGs. Its single‑player focus lets you immerse yourself in a quest to uncover the secrets of the titular black onyx.
- Deep character creation and customization.
- Strategic turn‑based combat system.
- Large, explorable world with diverse quests.
- Authentic retro graphics and sound.
- Authentic 1980s graphics and sound
- Deep turn‑based combat system
- Rich fantasy storyline
- Single‑player focus ensures immersive experience
- Dated user interface can feel clunky.
- Limited save system requires frequent manual saves.
- Sparse documentation for advanced mechanics.
- Limited color palette compared to modern games
- No save‑anywhere feature; relies on old‑style checkpoints
- Sparse documentation for modern players
More alternatives & similar tools
Alternatives to Phantasie 3: The Wrath of Nikademus
View all →
Venture through endless wilderness and wield the Archmage's legendary spells
The epic conclusion to the classic Wizardry saga, blending deep role‑playing with a rich fantasy world.
Alternatives to The Black Onyx
View all →Classic turn‑based RPG adventure with deep party customization.
The Verdict
AI-generated from listing dataBoth are classic single‑player turn‑based RPGs, but Phantasie 3 offers deeper character customization and a larger world, while The Black Onyx is slightly older with a simpler scope.
Key differences
- •Phantasie 3 lets you create up to six characters with distinct classes, spells, and skill trees; The Black Onyx has a single hero focus.
- •Phantasie 3’s world includes towns, dungeons, and hidden locations; The Black Onyx is a top‑down pixel map with fewer described locales.
- •Phantasie 3 was released in 1987 and lists a price of $29.99; The Black Onyx’s price is not specified.
- •Phantasie 3’s save system requires manual saves and is limited; The Black Onyx uses checkpoint‑style saves compatible with modern OS via emulation.
- •Phantasie 3’s graphics are 8‑bit pixel art; The Black Onyx uses an even more limited 1980s color palette.
Gameplay & fun factor
Phantasie 3 offers deeper party customization and multiple spell schools, increasing tactical variety.
Platform availability
The Black Onyx mentions a save system compatible with modern OS via emulation; Phantasie 3 platform not specified.
Price & value
Phantasie 3 price is $29.99; The Black Onyx price not listed, making its cost unclear.
Multiplayer / co‑op
Both are single‑player only.
Content & replayability
Phantasie 3 features a large overworld, branching storyline, random encounters, and inventory limits for strategic replay.
Difficulty & accessibility
The Black Onyx uses checkpoint saves and simpler UI, likely easier for newcomers than Phantasie 3’s manual save system.
Graphics & performance
Phantasie 3’s 8‑bit pixel graphics are described as nostalgic; The Black Onyx’s limited color palette is noted as a drawback.
Choose Phantasie 3: The Wrath of Nikademus if…
Players who want deep character building and a larger, explorable world.
Choose The Black Onyx if…
Players who prefer a simpler, older‑style RPG with modern OS compatibility.
Common questions
What is the price of each game?
Phantasie 3 costs $29.99; The Black Onyx price is not specified in the provided data.
Can I play The Black Onyx on current operating systems?
Yes, it uses a save system compatible with modern OS via emulation.
Which game offers more character customization?
Phantasie 3 allows up to six characters with distinct classes, spells, and skill trees.