Previous Next

Ploppy plot alert! You are Sir Galaheart (Ha ha ha) and you've returned to the land of shadows {hee hee heeee). You must collect four charms of eternal youth (guffaw guffaw), in order to retrieve the sacred Firestone and return it to the Dragon's safekeeping [Aaaahhh ho hee haaaaa, stop it stop it, I'm gonna gag on me coffee - Ed].

Okay, so the story's a load of corny old drivel but the game sure as hell ain't. Your knight is initially unarmed but within a short space of time you are able to pick up a little shooty thing [for what of an infinitely better phrase - Ed] and get down to the nitty gritty.

Each screen contains trees, bushes, buildings and so on and all the screens together make up a sort of maze-like affair (according to the blurb there are a staggering five hundred locations). When you enter a screen, several nasties materialise and start to assault you. Their behaviour serves to deplete your energy at an astonishing rate, so the trick here is to run randomly around the screen and fire a lot. There are also fire traps on some screens which, when activated, kill you instantly. One of these is permanently activated thus initially preventing you from reaching the next section of the game.

Various collectables can be found around the place including scrolls potions and of course extra firepower. By entering a house with your newfound items you can barter with the occupant who will provide a number of services. You can trade, ask directions, cast spells and pay tolls to pass through a gate house.

The graphics are fair; not great but well-drawn enough to convey some atmosphere. Gameplay is quite fast moving and the menu system when you enter a house is well-designed, which adds to the no-nonsense gameplay. Three quid worth of entertainment.

The old hackneyed plot fits in perfectly with the old hackneyed gameplay. It's a bit like stepping back in time to the days of Sabre Wulf and all that stuff, which is no bad thing. Don't expect too much and you won't be disappointed.