Summary
- Release Year: 1989
- Genres: Platform
- Platforms: Amiga, Atari ST/STE
- Developers: Eldritch the Cat Ltd.
- Publishers: Hewson Consultants
Astaroth: The Angel of Death (1989)
Astaroth: The Angel of Death is a challenging and rewarding platformer released for the Commodore 64, Amiga, and Atari ST in 1989. The game follows the journey of Ozymandias, a powerful sorcerer who must traverse the catacombs of Astaroth’s domain to defeat the evil angel of death.
Gameplay
Astaroth is a side-scrolling platformer in which the player controls Ozymandias as he jumps and ducks over obstacles, collects powerups, and defeats enemies. The game’s nine mind powers act as powerups, granting Ozymandias a variety of abilities, including levitation, pyrokinesis, and shape shifting.
Ozymandias must use his mind powers to overcome the various challenges he encounters in Astaroth’s domain. These challenges include giant scorpions, beholders, and fire elementals. Ozymandias must also defeat Astaroth’s three guardians of the soul: a sphinx, a three-headed hydra, and a marlith demon.
Plot
The game’s story is told through a series of cutscenes that are interspersed between the levels. The cutscenes reveal that Astaroth, the angel of death, has stolen the souls of three innocent people. Ozymandias, a powerful sorcerer, is the only one who can defeat Astaroth and save the souls of the innocent.
Ozymandias’ journey takes him through the catacombs of Astaroth’s domain, where he must face a variety of challenges. Ozymandias must use his mind powers to overcome these challenges and defeat Astaroth’s guardians of the soul.
Reception
Astaroth: The Angel of Death was released to critical acclaim. The game was praised for its challenging gameplay, innovative mind power mechanic, and dark and atmospheric setting. Astaroth was also a commercial success, selling over 500,000 copies worldwide.
Legacy
Astaroth: The Angel of Death is considered to be one of the best platformers of the 1980s. The game’s innovative mind power mechanic has been praised by critics, and the game’s dark and atmospheric setting has been cited as an influence on later games in the genre. Astaroth is still enjoyed by retro gamers today, and it remains a challenging and rewarding experience.
Tips for Playing Astaroth: The Angel of Death
- Use your mind powers wisely. Each mind power has its own unique strengths and weaknesses, so it’s important to use them strategically.
- Be patient. Astaroth is a challenging game, so don’t get discouraged if you die a few times. Just keep practicing and you’ll eventually be able to defeat Astaroth and save the souls of the innocent.
- Explore every nook and cranny. There are many hidden secrets in Astaroth, so be sure to explore every level thoroughly.
- Don’t be afraid to experiment. Astaroth is a game that rewards experimentation, so don’t be afraid to try different things. You might just find a new way to defeat your enemies or solve a puzzle.
Conclusion
Astaroth: The Angel of Death is a classic platformer that still holds up today. The game’s challenging gameplay, innovative mind power mechanic, and dark and atmospheric setting make it a must-play for fans of the genre. If you’re looking for a challenging and rewarding platformer, then Astaroth: The Angel of Death is the game for you.
Review Score
7.5/10
Art
Cover Art
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