This is another under the radar gem, this game is also in a way one of the last actions games the company EA released for the Genesis before they just solely focused on the Sports genre only at least for a while anyway. I'm a fan of the fantasy genre and of course a fan of fantasy franchises like Robert E Howard's "Conan the Barbarian" and "He-Man and the Masters of the Universe". This game is another of those wheel grasser games, where it's no wheel or sword reinventor but a game that makes the cut all the same because it has it where it counts and most importantly is plain fun.
Unfortunately, this game didn't really make a big cut in the market, which is understandable as this came out the same time as a lot of other games with heavy marketing, as I mainly heard about this game only from a video game magazine review. But I think the real reason is simply in the 90's the fantasy genre wasn't as magically powerful as it uses to be in the 80's, as one decade ends so does interest genres. So, it's understandable why a lot of people didn't gravitate toward this game, let alone not everyone is a fan of the fantasy genre.
Really like the graphical presentation which I feel looks beautiful and you can tell they were really pushing the limits of the system. From the backgrounds that really convey that dangerous but fascinating fantasy world that you would see and read about in the "Conan the Barbarian" stories and comics. There are even some blood effects on each of the enemies you dispatch, it's not super gory but just your typical blood splatters but for gamers back then that was a little mind blowing to see that effect as it wasn't commonplace at the time. It's also adding to the dark fantasy atmosphere of the game showing that the world your fighting in is a dangerous one.
I really love the character animation mainly on the two lead characters that look like the characters you see in a Boris Vallejo or Frank Frazetta art illustration as both are beautiful muscled in top notch shape characters. Even some of the enemies are cool looking mainly the bosses whom are actually easy to beat, from the first boss whom is this fire monster or evil Genie as he's floating on a fire cloud and shooting fireballs that hatch into fire people and heat bolts, in a way you can say this is the closest to having a versus match with "The Human Torch" or even the "Wishmaster". Another is a floating Medusa head which always seems to be a common boss in most video games, mainly the "Castlevania" franchise.
Music is solid, there not my favorites list (though that could just be me) but their each a good listen and they fit the feel of the game. Gameplay is solid, the game plays out like the arcade games "Rastan" and "Cadash" another under the radar gem and a story for another time. Control is like the kind for any basic platformer, attack and jump but you also have a blocking ability by just ducking and you use your weapon as a shield. And also there is a magic/item button to use whatever magic or item you chose to purchase and carry on your journey.
The characters play out well each of them has strengths and weaknesses. Though mainly I prefer to play as the two lead characters as both are more balanced but just look and remind me of "Conan" and "Red Sonja" making them really cool in my book. Heck in a way you can say this game is one of the closest we'll have to a video game adaptation of both partnering up on a quest together.
One thing that makes this game unique is there is a slight nonlinear element, as you go from point a to b sometimes there are different pathways that can lead you to other items or even provide an alternate route to point B. This almost give the game a replicability as you like to find some of those secret area, or even just feel like beating the level one way or another, it's all up to you.
Overall, this is a solid platform action game, for any vintage gamers into vintage platform action games this Genesis classic is worth a slice.
Rating: 3 stars.
Unfortunately, this game didn't really make a big cut in the market, which is understandable as this came out the same time as a lot of other games with heavy marketing, as I mainly heard about this game only from a video game magazine review. But I think the real reason is simply in the 90's the fantasy genre wasn't as magically powerful as it uses to be in the 80's, as one decade ends so does interest genres. So, it's understandable why a lot of people didn't gravitate toward this game, let alone not everyone is a fan of the fantasy genre.
Really like the graphical presentation which I feel looks beautiful and you can tell they were really pushing the limits of the system. From the backgrounds that really convey that dangerous but fascinating fantasy world that you would see and read about in the "Conan the Barbarian" stories and comics. There are even some blood effects on each of the enemies you dispatch, it's not super gory but just your typical blood splatters but for gamers back then that was a little mind blowing to see that effect as it wasn't commonplace at the time. It's also adding to the dark fantasy atmosphere of the game showing that the world your fighting in is a dangerous one.
I really love the character animation mainly on the two lead characters that look like the characters you see in a Boris Vallejo or Frank Frazetta art illustration as both are beautiful muscled in top notch shape characters. Even some of the enemies are cool looking mainly the bosses whom are actually easy to beat, from the first boss whom is this fire monster or evil Genie as he's floating on a fire cloud and shooting fireballs that hatch into fire people and heat bolts, in a way you can say this is the closest to having a versus match with "The Human Torch" or even the "Wishmaster". Another is a floating Medusa head which always seems to be a common boss in most video games, mainly the "Castlevania" franchise.
Music is solid, there not my favorites list (though that could just be me) but their each a good listen and they fit the feel of the game. Gameplay is solid, the game plays out like the arcade games "Rastan" and "Cadash" another under the radar gem and a story for another time. Control is like the kind for any basic platformer, attack and jump but you also have a blocking ability by just ducking and you use your weapon as a shield. And also there is a magic/item button to use whatever magic or item you chose to purchase and carry on your journey.
The characters play out well each of them has strengths and weaknesses. Though mainly I prefer to play as the two lead characters as both are more balanced but just look and remind me of "Conan" and "Red Sonja" making them really cool in my book. Heck in a way you can say this game is one of the closest we'll have to a video game adaptation of both partnering up on a quest together.
One thing that makes this game unique is there is a slight nonlinear element, as you go from point a to b sometimes there are different pathways that can lead you to other items or even provide an alternate route to point B. This almost give the game a replicability as you like to find some of those secret area, or even just feel like beating the level one way or another, it's all up to you.
Overall, this is a solid platform action game, for any vintage gamers into vintage platform action games this Genesis classic is worth a slice.
Rating: 3 stars.
