Summary
- Release Year: 1987
- Genres: Adventure, Arcade, Fighting, Platform
- Platforms: Amiga, Amstrad CPC, Atari ST/STE, Commodore C64/128/MAX, DOS, MSX, ZX Spectrum
- Publishers: Mastertronic, Melbourne House, Psygnosis
Barbarian: A Classic Action-Adventure Game
Released in 1987, Barbarian is a classic action-adventure game that still holds up today. Its innovative context-sensitive animation system allows for a wide range of actions, and the game’s world is full of secrets and challenges to discover.
Gameplay
Barbarian is played from a top-down perspective. The player controls the protagonist, Hegor, as he explores the world of Durgan. Hegor can walk, run, jump, and attack with his sword or bow and arrow. The game’s context-sensitive animation system allows Hegor to perform different actions depending on the situation he is in. For example, Hegor can climb ladders, swim in water, and push objects out of his way.
The game’s world is full of puzzles and challenges. Hegor must find keys to open doors, levers to pull, and switches to flip in order to progress. He must also battle a variety of enemies, including goblins, skeletons, and dragons.
Story
The story of Barbarian is simple but effective. Hegor is a barbarian warrior who must travel to the volcano of Durgan to destroy the crystal that is the source of the evil power of Necron. Once the crystal is destroyed, the volcano will start to erupt, and Hegor must escape before it blows.
Graphics and Sound
For its time, Barbarian’s graphics were impressive. The game’s world is rendered in a detailed and colorful pixel art style. The characters are well-animated, and the game’s environments are full of life.
The game’s sound is also top-notch. The music is catchy and atmospheric, and the sound effects are realistic and immersive.
Legacy
Barbarian was a critical and commercial success upon its release. It was praised for its innovative gameplay, beautiful graphics, and catchy music. The game has been ported to a variety of platforms over the years, and it remains a popular choice for retro gamers today.
Barbarian has also been influential on the development of other action-adventure games. Its context-sensitive animation system has been used in many other games, and its world full of secrets and challenges has inspired many other developers.
Conclusion
Barbarian is a classic action-adventure game that still holds up today. Its innovative gameplay, beautiful graphics, and catchy music make it a must-play for fans of the genre. If you’re looking for a challenging and rewarding game to play, then look no further than Barbarian.
Tips for Playing Barbarian
- Be patient. Barbarian is a challenging game, but it’s also fair. If you take your time and explore the world, you’ll eventually find your way through.
- Don’t be afraid to experiment. The game’s context-sensitive animation system allows you to perform a wide range of actions. Experiment with different commands to see what Hegor can do.
- Use your environment to your advantage. The game’s world is full of objects that you can use to help you progress. For example, you can use rocks to block enemies, or you can use ladders to climb over walls.
- Don’t give up. Barbarian is a challenging game, but it’s also very rewarding. If you stick with it, you’ll eventually reach the end.
Additional Information
- Developer: Palace Software
- Publisher: Psygnosis
- Release Date: 1987
- Platforms: Amiga, Atari ST, Commodore 64, ZX Spectrum
- Genre: Action-adventure
Review Score
8.5/10
Art
Cover Art
Screenshots
