Sword Quest 2: Tale of the Talisman

Sword Quest II: Tale of the Talisman (1993) is a classic example of the "shareware RPG" era, developed by NGS Software (specifically by Neil G. Sorensen). It is a direct sequel to the original Sword Quest, and it carries that very distinct, early-90s indie DOS charm.
The objective is to embark on a quest to retrieve a powerful ancient artifact: The Talisman.
As a hero in the kingdom of Aris, you must explore a vast, tile-based world, venture into dangerous dungeons, and grow strong enough to face the final threats. Like many RPGs of its time, the ultimate goal is to balance exploration with survival, upgrading your gear and stats until you are capable of securing the Talisman and saving the realm.
The game uses a top-down, tile-based view for exploration and a separate interface for combat and statistics. You earn experience points (XP) and gold by defeating monsters.
This allows you to buy better weapons (like the titular swords) and armor at various shops found in towns. Combat is simple and strategic. You encounter monsters (ranging from slimes to more formidable foes) and must manage your hit points carefully.
Like many NGS games, it was often distributed on "100 Games" or "RPG Collection" discs. The shareware version usually allowed you to play through the first portion of the world, while the "Registered" version unlocked the full map and the final dungeon.

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