Play Aleshar: The World Of Ice Online

Aleshar: The World of Ice is a fantasy role-playing game released for MS-DOS in 1997. Developed and published by Hypothermia, the game presents a top-down perspective and incorporates both real-time exploration and turn-based combat systems. Players assume the role of a character born with innate elemental powers, a trait considered dangerous and illegal by the world's dominant religious authority, the Cult of Wisdom.

The player begins by creating a character, selecting from various classes such as hunter, healer, or bard, each with distinct starting statistics that can be adjusted. The narrative follows a protagonist sent into hiding to train with a reclusive elementalist, away from the Cult's reach. The primary objective involves navigating the world, which is divided into two major regions, and progressing through a story that explores the character's heritage and the conflict with the religious order. Progression is handled through the constant use of abilities, which gradually improve related statistics, rather than through a conventional experience point and leveling system found in many other role-playing games.

Gameplay involves exploring the world map in real time, where random encounters trigger turn-based combat sequences. In combat, players move their character into position or manually aim melee or ranged weapons at enemies, with outcomes described through text messages. A central gameplay system is the use of magic, referred to as Spark, which becomes available later. This system is based on five elemental runes for fire, water, earth, air, and spirit. Spells are cast by combining these runes, and their power can be adjusted; higher power increases the spell's effect but also adds to the character's fatigue. Spells cast on allies are always beneficial, while those directed at enemies are always harmful.