
Trial by Fire follows up on Hero's Quest: So You Want To Be A Hero. The story unfolds in the town of Shapeir and the desert that surrounds it, set in an environment reminiscent of the Middle East. Lately, the people of Shapeir have been plagued by the powerful elemental spirits. Behind these disturbances lies a mystery, and it is up to the hero to uncover the truth, interact with the many residents of Shapeir, and once again prove his worth as a true hero. Much like its predecessor, Trial by Fire blends elements from both adventure and role-playing games. It features a text-driven interface, puzzles to solve, inventory management, character interactions, and classic RPG components such as character progression and battles. The player can choose to be a fighter, a thief, or a wizard, and may even become a paladin by adhering to a strict moral path throughout the game. Combat takes place in real-time on dedicated screens and offers more depth than in the previous game. Players can choose from high, mid-level, and low attacks, as well as parry and dodge. The hero improves in combat and other skills by engaging in battles, training, and performing actions that affect the relevant attributes.