Summary
- Release Year: 1991
- Genres: Platform
- Platforms: DOS, Mac, PC (Microsoft Windows)
- Publishers: Apogee Software
Dark Ages (1991): A Classic Side-Scrolling Platformer
Dark Ages is a side-scrolling platformer game developed and published by Apogee Software in 1991. It was the first shareware game to feature support for the AdLib sound card, and it quickly became a popular hit among PC gamers.
The game is set in a medieval fantasy world, and the player takes on the role of a prince who must save his kingdom from an evil sorcerer. The prince can move sideways, jump, and shoot, and he can use magic to fight his enemies.
Dark Ages consists of three episodes, with only the first episode playable in the shareware version. The episodes are:
- Prince of Destiny
- The Undead Kingdom
- Dungeons of Doom
The game was released as freeware in 2009, and it is still enjoyed by many gamers today.
Gameplay
Dark Ages is a side-scrolling game where the player’s alter ego, the prince, can move sideways, jump and shoot. Game play involves killing and avoiding enemies and jumping over obstacles. Progression to the next level often involves a hidden door, revealed by one of several Wise Men type characters after retrieving an item for them. The items include a key, a shield, and an apple.
The player can use magic to fight the prince’s enemies, starting out with a simple energy bolt and slowly gaining access to more destructive spells as the game progresses. There are three spells in the game: a blue bolt that flies straight forward, a boomerang that flies forward then returns allowing enemies to be hit twice, and a magic beam with a shorter range but can kill most enemies in one hit and can be fired in rapid succession.
Development
Dark Ages was developed by Apogee Software, a company founded in 1987 by Scott Miller and George Broussard. Apogee was one of the pioneers of the shareware distribution model, and Dark Ages was one of the first games to be released using this model.
The game was developed by a small team of programmers and artists, and it was completed in just six months. The team was inspired by classic arcade games such as Super Mario Bros. and Metroid, and they wanted to create a game that was both challenging and fun to play.
Release
Dark Ages was released as shareware in 1991. The shareware version of the game included the first episode, Prince of Destiny. Players could purchase the full version of the game, which included the remaining two episodes, for $25.
The game was a critical and commercial success. It was praised for its challenging gameplay, its detailed graphics, and its innovative use of sound and music. Dark Ages was one of the best-selling PC games of 1991, and it helped to establish Apogee Software as a major player in the video game industry.
Legacy
Dark Ages is considered to be one of the classic side-scrolling platformer games. It was one of the first games to use the shareware distribution model, and it helped to popularize the use of sound and music in video games. The game has been praised for its challenging gameplay, its detailed graphics, and its innovative use of sound and music.
Dark Ages has been ported to a variety of platforms, including the Super Nintendo Entertainment System, the Sega Genesis, and the Game Boy Advance. The game has also been re-released on a number of digital distribution platforms, such as Steam and GOG.com.
Conclusion
Dark Ages is a classic side-scrolling platformer game that is still enjoyed by many gamers today. The game’s challenging gameplay, detailed graphics, and innovative use of sound and music make it a must-play for fans of the genre.
Review Score
8.5/10
Art
Cover Art
Screenshots
