Previous Next

Be sure to pick your partners well before setting out to face the forces of evil.

Shock! Horror! Yes, Bloodwych has reached the hallowed pages of ACU for the second time, but when we reviewed it last time, we did not think it would take so long for this epic to hit the streets. For those of you unfortunate enough not to have read our preview of last year, here are the goodies one more time.

Outside the gate of the castle of destiny you stand alone, the midnight wind, too lazy to find its way around you, blows straight through your heavy clothing to chill your very heart. Before you lies your quest to battle against the forces of evil to save the Earth.

Within the labyrinthian tunnels of the castle lies the power to cleanse the world of all evil, or send it into a spiralling nightmare of corruption and horror. The key to this great spell of power for good or evil are contained in four crystals hidden in awkward places around the castle.

In your attempts to locate the crystals, you will have to solve a number of tricky puzzles and work out the meanings of numerous artifacts. You will also, of course, come face to face with a whole host of evil cronies hell-bent on fitting you out with cement overshoes and throwing you in the moat.

You start off on your quest on your own, but what makes the game even more fun is the chance to add to your party. A little boasting and a little flattery will get you a long way on the recruiting side, and it sure beats hacking away at limbs the whole time.

In Bloodwych, talking is of the utmost importance, not only for recruitment, but also for digging out information, and a smart communications menu is available which allows you to flatter, bribe and insult whoever you want to.

If you are playing a two player game, it is always nice to extract the information you want before doing away with the stranger, leaving your playing companion in the dark.

It is the two player game, in fact, which puts Bloodwych out on its own. With real time 3D action, each player has his own display and control via joystick or keyboard will see you selecting icons to activate locks, throw spells or fight.

On adding to your party, be sure to have a mixture of characters. A party of thugs may sound heavy, but when the spells start flying, you'll wish you'd brought along a magic user to pump up and send a bolt of power down the corridors and deal your companion a dirty stroke.

Another important aspect is to keep your party in order. In a very neat piece of programming, you can praise or subdue your sprites. Too much flattery and they will become cocky and reckless. Tell them off and they will sulk miserably. It's up to you to find the right balance.

Bloodwych is an exceptionally playable game with excellent graphics. As you creep around the grey, green dungeon walls you will see tapestries, some of which are for decoration only, but others contain vital clues.

For plenty of action and a good dose of fun, Bloodwych is the place to be. Never has it been so exciting to go adventuring together with a friend.