The Wheel of Time

The Wheel of Time is a first-person action-adventure game developed by Legend Entertainment and published by GT Interactive in 1999. Set in the same universe as Robert Jordan's best-selling fantasy novels, it tells an original story that takes place before the events of the books. Players assume the role of Elayna, an Aes Sedai who wields magical artifacts called ter'angreal to battle the forces of the Dark One while pursuing the thief known as the Hound. The game combines fast-paced FPS combat with an emphasis on spellcasting, using a system where each ter'angreal has a limited number of charges for a specific spell. This encourages resource management and tactical switching between powers, from the modest Air Pulse to devastating area-of-effect attacks. Levels are large and labyrinthine, often set in dark, moody locations from the Wheel of Time world, such as Shadar Logoth and the Ways. The game is notable for its extensive use of in-engine cutscenes and high-quality voice acting, which advance a tightly plotted narrative that won praise for its fidelity to the tone of Jordan's writing. Released in the era of Quake II and Unreal Tournament, The Wheel of Time stood out as a story-driven shooter with a rich literary heritage.