Publisher: American Sammy

Arkista’s Ring (1990)

by Nish
written by Nish 5 minutes read

Summary

Arkista’s Ring: A Unique and Enchanting NES Adventure

Released in 1990 by American Sammy for the Nintendo Entertainment System, Arkista’s Ring is a top-down action-adventure game that stands out from its contemporaries due to its linear style and the limitation of one primary character. Players take on the role of Christine, an elf on a quest to recover the titular Arkista’s Ring, a powerful artifact that has been stolen by the evil sorcerer Zargon.

Gameplay

Arkista’s Ring features familiar gameplay mechanics found in many action-adventure games of its era. Players explore a series of dungeons, battling enemies, solving puzzles, and collecting items. Christine can attack enemies with her sword or bow and arrow, and she can also use magic spells.

What sets Arkista’s Ring apart is its linear style. Unlike many other action-adventure games, which offer a more open-ended approach to exploration, Arkista’s Ring follows a more straightforward path. This linearity gives the game a sense of focus and urgency, as players are constantly moving forward towards their goal.

Another unique aspect of Arkista’s Ring is the limitation of one primary character. While many action-adventure games allow players to control a party of multiple characters, Arkista’s Ring forces players to rely solely on Christine. This limitation creates a greater sense of vulnerability and isolation, and it forces players to be more strategic in their approach to combat and puzzle-solving.

Story

The story of Arkista’s Ring is relatively simple, but it is effective in providing a compelling backdrop for the game’s action-packed gameplay. Christine is an elf who lives in the peaceful village of Elrond. One day, the evil sorcerer Zargon attacks the village and steals the Arkista’s Ring, a powerful artifact that protects Elrond from harm. Christine sets out on a quest to recover the ring and defeat Zargon, and along the way she meets a cast of colorful characters who help her on her journey.

Graphics and Sound

Arkista’s Ring features vibrant and detailed graphics for its time. The dungeons are varied and atmospheric, and the character sprites are well-animated. The game’s soundtrack is also excellent, with a mix of catchy and atmospheric tunes that enhance the overall experience.

Legacy

Arkista’s Ring was not a commercial success upon its release, but it has since gained a cult following among retro gaming enthusiasts. The game is praised for its unique gameplay, its charming story, and its beautiful graphics and sound. Arkista’s Ring is considered to be one of the hidden gems of the NES library, and it is still enjoyed by many gamers today.

Conclusion

Arkista’s Ring is a unique and enchanting action-adventure game that stands out from its contemporaries. Its linear style, the limitation of one primary character, and its charming story make it a memorable and enjoyable experience. If you are a fan of retro gaming or action-adventure games in general, then I highly recommend checking out Arkista’s Ring.

Additional Information

  • Developer: American Sammy
  • Publisher: American Sammy
  • Release Date: 1990
  • Platform: Nintendo Entertainment System
  • Genre: Action-adventure
  • ESRB Rating: Not Rated

Review Score

7.5/10

Art

Cover Art

Screenshots

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Silk Worm (1988)

by Christopher
written by Christopher 5 minutes read

Summary

Silkworm: A Timeless Classic of Horizontal Scrolling Shoot-em-Ups

Released in arcades in 1988, Silkworm quickly became a beloved classic among fans of horizontally scrolling shoot-em-ups. Developed by Tecmo, the game stands out from its contemporaries with its unique blend of land and air combat, as well as its two-player cooperative gameplay.

Gameplay: A Unique Blend of Land and Air

Silkworm’s gameplay is simple yet addictive. Players control either a helicopter or a jeep, and must battle their way through waves of enemy soldiers, tanks, and aircraft. The helicopter is equipped with a variety of weapons, including missiles, bombs, and a powerful laser. The jeep, on the other hand, is armed with a machine gun and can fire rockets.

One of the things that makes Silkworm so unique is its seamless blend of land and air combat. Players can freely switch between the helicopter and the jeep at any time, which allows them to adapt to the ever-changing battlefield. For example, the helicopter can be used to take out enemy aircraft and provide air support, while the jeep can be used to clear out ground targets and rescue stranded soldiers.

Cooperative Gameplay: Teamwork is Key

Silkworm is one of the few shoot-em-ups that can be played cooperatively with two players. This makes it a great choice for friends or family members who want to experience the thrill of battling hordes of enemies together.

In cooperative mode, each player controls one of the two vehicles. Players must work together to cover each other’s backs and take down the enemy. Communication is key, as players need to coordinate their attacks and movements in order to succeed.

Power-Ups: A Boost in the Heat of Battle

Throughout the game, players will encounter various power-ups that can give them a temporary advantage in battle. These power-ups include:

  • Speed Up: Increases the speed of the helicopter or jeep.
  • Weapon Power-Up: Increases the power of the helicopter’s or jeep’s weapons.
  • Shield: Protects the helicopter or jeep from enemy fire.
  • Extra Life: Grants the player an extra life.

Enemies: A Diverse and Challenging Force

Silkworm features a wide variety of enemies, each with their own unique strengths and weaknesses. Some of the most common enemies include:

  • Foot Soldiers: These are the most basic enemy type, and can be easily dispatched with a few shots from the helicopter or jeep.
  • Tanks: These heavily armored vehicles can take a lot of punishment, and can fire powerful shells at the player.
  • Aircraft: These flying enemies can be a nuisance, and can launch missiles or drop bombs on the player.
  • Bosses: At the end of each level, players will face off against a challenging boss enemy. These bosses are typically much larger and more powerful than the regular enemies, and require a well-coordinated attack to defeat.

Legacy: A Lasting Impact on the Genre

Silkworm was a critical and commercial success upon its release, and is still considered one of the best shoot-em-ups of all time. The game’s unique blend of land and air combat, as well as its two-player cooperative gameplay, set it apart from other games in the genre.

Silkworm has been ported to a variety of platforms over the years, including the NES, SNES, and PlayStation. It has also been included in several retro game compilations.

Conclusion

Silkworm is a timeless classic of the shoot-em-up genre. Its unique blend of land and air combat, as well as its two-player cooperative gameplay, make it a must-play for fans of the genre. Whether you’re a seasoned veteran or a newcomer to shoot-em-ups, Silkworm is sure to provide hours of enjoyment.

Review Score

8.5/10

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Amagon (1988)

by Christopher
written by Christopher 5 minutes read

Summary

Amagon (1988)

Amagon is a Nintendo Entertainment System platform side-scroller developed by Aicom and released in 1988. The player controls Amagon, a barbarian warrior who must rescue the princess from the evil wizard Malkil.

The game is set in a fantasy world, and the player must travel through a variety of environments, including forests, caves, and castles. Amagon can use a variety of weapons and items to defeat his enemies, including a sword, a bow and arrow, and bombs.

Amagon was released to mixed reviews. Some critics praised the game’s graphics and gameplay, while others criticized its difficulty and lack of originality. However, the game has since gained a cult following among retro gamers.

Gameplay

Amagon is a side-scrolling platformer in which the player controls the titular character as he fights his way through a variety of enemies and obstacles. The game is divided into six stages, each with its own unique setting and enemies.

Amagon can use a variety of weapons and items to defeat his enemies, including a sword, a bow and arrow, and bombs. He can also jump and climb ladders to navigate the environment.

The game’s difficulty is notoriously high, and players will need to be patient and skilled in order to progress. However, the game’s challenging gameplay is also one of its most appealing aspects, and it has helped to earn the game a cult following among retro gamers.

Graphics and Sound

Amagon’s graphics are colorful and detailed, and the game’s world is full of life and variety. The game’s soundtrack is also well-composed and memorable.

Story

The story of Amagon is simple but effective. The evil wizard Malkil has kidnapped the princess, and Amagon must rescue her. Along the way, Amagon will encounter a variety of enemies and obstacles, but he must never give up hope.

Legacy

Amagon was not a commercial success when it was first released, but it has since gained a cult following among retro gamers. The game’s challenging gameplay and unique setting have made it a favorite among fans of the NES era.

Amagon has also been cited as an influence on a number of other video games, including the Castlevania series and the Metroid series.

Conclusion

Amagon is a challenging but rewarding platformer that is sure to please fans of the NES era. The game’s colorful graphics, catchy soundtrack, and challenging gameplay make it a must-play for any fan of retro gaming.

Tips for Playing Amagon

Here are a few tips for playing Amagon:

  • Be patient. The game is notoriously difficult, and you will need to be patient and skilled in order to progress.
  • Learn the enemy patterns. Each enemy in the game has its own unique attack patterns. Once you learn these patterns, you will be able to defeat them more easily.
  • Use the environment to your advantage. The game’s environment is full of objects that can be used to your advantage. For example, you can use ladders to climb walls, and you can use bombs to destroy obstacles.
  • Don’t give up. The game is challenging, but it is also possible to beat. If you keep trying, you will eventually succeed.

Review Score

3/10

Art

Cover Art

Screenshots

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