Dragonstone (1994)

Summary

Release Year: 1994
Genres: Adventure, Role-playing game (RPG)
Platforms: Amiga, Amiga CD32
Developers: Core Design

Dragonstone (1994): A Zelda-Inspired Adventure on the ZX Spectrum

Released in 1994 for the ZX Spectrum, Dragonstone is a pseudo-sequel to the 1988 game Darkmere. It is an action-adventure game with a top-down perspective, similar to the Legend of Zelda series. The game is set in a fantasy world where the player takes on the role of a brave knight on a quest to defeat the evil Agon and his hordes of monsters.

Dragonstone is split across seven multi-directional levels, each with its own unique environment and enemies. The levels are set in a variety of locations, including forests, caves, and castles. The player must battle their way through each level, defeating enemies and solving puzzles in order to progress.

The player is armed with a sword and a special energy-bolt attack, which can be charged up for more powerful shots. Defeated enemies sometimes drop food or gold, which can be used to purchase items in shops. The player can also find hidden treasure chests containing items and weapons.

One of the things that makes Dragonstone stand out from other ZX Spectrum games is its large and detailed world. The game’s levels are sprawling and interconnected, and there is a real sense of exploration as the player discovers new areas and secrets. The game also features a day-night cycle, which affects the behavior of some enemies and the appearance of the world.

Dragonstone was praised for its graphics, gameplay, and soundtrack. It was one of the most ambitious games released on the ZX Spectrum, and it pushed the hardware to its limits. The game was also a commercial success, selling over 100,000 copies.

Gameplay

Dragonstone is an action-adventure game with a top-down perspective. The player controls a brave knight on a quest to defeat the evil Agon and his hordes of monsters. The game is split across seven multi-directional levels, each with its own unique environment and enemies.

The player must battle their way through each level, defeating enemies and solving puzzles in order to progress. The player is armed with a sword and a special energy-bolt attack, which can be charged up for more powerful shots. Defeated enemies sometimes drop food or gold, which can be used to purchase items in shops. The player can also find hidden treasure chests containing items and weapons.

Development

Dragonstone was developed by Incentive Software, a British video game company founded in 1983. The game was designed by Steve Kelly and programmed by Jonathan Griffiths. The game’s graphics were created by Bob Stevenson.

Dragonstone was released in 1994 for the ZX Spectrum. The game was also released for the Amstrad CPC and MSX computers.

Reception

Dragonstone was ranked number 23 in the Your Sinclair Official Top 100 Games of All Time. The game was also awarded a 9 out of 10 score by Sinclair User magazine.

Legacy

Dragonstone is considered to be one of the best games released on the ZX Spectrum. The game’s large and detailed world, innovative gameplay, and impressive graphics set a new standard for Spectrum games. Dragonstone also helped to inspire a number of other games, including the Game Boy game Zelda: Link’s Awakening.

Dragonstone remains a popular game today, and it is still enjoyed by many retro gamers. The game is available for download on a number of websites, and it can also be played on emulators.

Conclusion

Dragonstone is a classic ZX Spectrum game that is still enjoyed by many retro gamers today. The game’s large and detailed world, innovative gameplay, and impressive graphics set a new standard for Spectrum games. Dragonstone is a must-play for any fan of retro gaming.

Review Score

8/10