Witchaven

This page details one or more prototype versions of Witchaven.

Witchaven saw four demo releases before the retail release: The first appeared in a floppy disk released on July 18, 1995, followed by a demo CD on July 21 (which also included a demo for William Shatner's TekWar), the third on July 31, and the fourth released on September 25.

General Differences#

• Only three of the six in-game music tracks are available in the demo.
• No HUD, making it impossible to decipher your HP and armor values.
• Menu graphics differ slightly.

Gameplay Differences#

• Upon starting a new game in the first two demos, you always start unarmed. In the last two demos, you always start with at least a dagger (and additional weapons on the easiest difficulty in the final version).
• The short sword and magic sword do not exist, and the enemies don't randomly drop weapons upon dying. The most powerful obtainable weapon is the broad sword.
• The orange potion grants armor, rather than curing poison.
• The last demo released includes the short sword.

Level Differences#

Note that these only apply to the first three demos. The fourth demo's maps are identical to their final counterparts.

Level 1#

• At the map's starting point, there is an ocean view in place of a decorative door, and the lava cracks don't appear until you cross their sectors.
• The waterfall cave's door is a secret, and a dagger and "Hero Time" helmet occupy the spaces where the morning star and leather armor are found in the final.
• In the lava cave is a dragon(!) in place of a Lava Fiend in the final.

Level 2#

In place of any keys is a dagger, and the door which requires a key is opened remotely in the demo.