Summary
Belial (1989)
Belial is a horror video game developed and published by Psygnosis for the Amiga. It was released in 1989 and is considered to be one of the first true survival horror games.
The player takes control of a young woman named Sarah who is trapped in a dark and twisted castle. She must explore the castle, solve puzzles, and fight off monsters in order to escape. The game is known for its dark and atmospheric graphics, its challenging gameplay, and its disturbing story.
Gameplay
Belial is a top-down survival horror game. The player controls Sarah as she explores the castle, solving puzzles and fighting off monsters. The game’s combat is simple but effective, and Sarah can use a variety of weapons to defeat her enemies.
The game’s puzzles are also challenging and require the player to think outside the box. Many of the puzzles are based on the game’s environment, and the player must use their surroundings to their advantage.
Story
The story of Belial is told through a series of cutscenes and in-game dialogue. The player learns that Sarah is a young woman who has been kidnapped by the evil sorcerer Belial. Belial has taken Sarah to his castle and is using her as a sacrifice in his dark rituals.
Sarah must escape from the castle and defeat Belial in order to save herself. Along the way, she will learn more about Belial’s evil plans and the dark history of the castle.
Graphics
Belial’s graphics are dark and atmospheric, and they create a truly unsettling mood. The game’s environments are detailed and realistic, and they are filled with eerie sounds and effects. The character sprites are also well-animated, and they convey a sense of fear and vulnerability.
Sound
The sound design in Belial is excellent, and it helps to create the game’s eerie atmosphere. The game’s music is dark and brooding, and it perfectly captures the game’s sense of dread. The sound effects are also well-done, and they add to the game’s overall sense of realism.
Reception
Belial was a critical and commercial success upon its release. The game was praised for its dark and atmospheric graphics, its challenging gameplay, and its disturbing story. Belial is considered to be one of the first true survival horror games, and it has influenced many games in the genre.
Legacy
Belial is a classic horror game that still holds up today. Its dark and atmospheric gameplay is sure to send chills down your spine, and its disturbing story will stay with you long after you finish playing. If you are a fan of survival horror games, then you owe it to yourself to check out Belial.
Trivia
- Belial was one of the first games to use a top-down perspective.
- The game’s soundtrack was composed by Tim Wright, who also composed the music for the Amiga classic Shadow of the Beast.
- Belial was ported to the Atari ST and MS-DOS in 1990.
- A sequel to Belial, titled Belial II: Return to the Castle, was released in 1993.
Conclusion
Belial is a classic horror game that is still worth playing today. Its dark and atmospheric gameplay, challenging puzzles, and disturbing story make it a must-play for fans of the survival horror genre.
Review Score
7.5/10
