There’s a certain magic in revisiting a game you never had the chance to experience when it first released. For me, that game is Vanguard: Saga of Heroes, an MMORPG that captured the imagination of players with its vast world and immersive gameplay. Back then, my computer just wasn’t up to the task. But now, years later, I have the means to recreate that nostalgia by building a computer with era-accurate hardware that would have been typical during the game’s prime.
The goal is to capture the experience as authentically as possible. I’ll be focusing on hardware that was commonly used when Vanguard: Saga of Heroes was at its peak—avoiding components that only became available toward the end of the game’s lifecycle. This way, the system remains balanced and true to the era, providing that classic gaming experience just as it was meant to be.
As someone who’s been hooked on MMORPGs ever since I first picked up EverQuest Trilogy, this project is my way of chasing that feeling of wonder and discovery all over again. There’s something timeless about exploring virtual worlds and connecting with other players, and I can’t wait to experience Vanguard: Saga of Heroes in the way I always wanted to.
Join Me on This Retro Gaming Journey
If you know where I can find good deals on era-accurate hardware—either individual parts or complete systems—please drop a comment on this post or share your finds in the RetroTech Hardware channel on the RetroRayTV Discord. I appreciate all the tips and recommendations, and I look forward to sharing my progress with you as the build comes together.
Stay tuned for upcoming videos where I’ll document each step of the process, from sourcing the components to assembling the system and, of course, diving into Vanguard: Saga of Heroes itself. Let’s relive the golden age of MMORPGs together!