Summary
- Release Year: 1989
- Genres: Hack and slash/Beat ’em up
- Platforms: Amiga, Mac, Sega Mega Drive/Genesis
- Developers: Discovery Software International, Electronic Arts
- Publishers: Bethesda Softworks, Electronic Arts, Innerprise, Sega Enterprises, Ltd., Tec Toy
Sword of Sodan (1989): A Comprehensive Retrospective
Introduction
Sword of Sodan is a fantasy action-adventure game developed and published by Thalamus Ltd. for the Commodore 64. It was released in 1989 and was one of the last major games released for the platform. Sword of Sodan was critically acclaimed upon release, with praise for its graphics, gameplay, and sound. It has since been hailed as a classic of the Commodore 64 era.
Gameplay
Sword of Sodan is a side-scrolling action-adventure game in which the player controls a hero or heroine on a quest to dethrone the evil Zoras the Necromancer and avenge the death of their father. The game features 11 levels, each with a unique setting and challenges. The player must use a variety of sword-slashing and jumping moves to defeat enemies and progress through the levels.
One of the unique features of Sword of Sodan is its action-replay feature. This allows the player to record and playback their actions, which can be useful for overcoming difficult sections of the game. The game also features digitised sound and speech, which was a relatively new technology at the time.
Development
Sword of Sodan was developed by a small team led by Søren Grønbech, who had previously worked on the classic Commodore 64 game Datastorm. Grønbech was inspired by the arcade game Golden Axe, and wanted to create a similar experience on the Commodore 64.
The development of Sword of Sodan was challenging, as the Commodore 64 was nearing the end of its life cycle and its hardware was becoming outdated. However, Grønbech and his team were able to overcome these challenges and create a game that pushed the platform to its limits.
Release and Reception
Sword of Sodan was released in 1989 to critical acclaim. The game was praised for its graphics, gameplay, and sound. It was also a commercial success, selling over 100,000 copies.
Sword of Sodan has been hailed as a classic of the Commodore 64 era. It is still enjoyed by retro gamers today, and is considered to be one of the best games ever released for the platform.
Legacy
Sword of Sodan has had a lasting impact on the video game industry. It was one of the first games to feature digitised sound and speech, and its action-replay feature was a precursor to the rewind and replay features that are common in modern games.
Sword of Sodan also inspired a number of other games, including the Commodore 64 game Barbarian II and the Amiga game Shadow of the Beast.
Conclusion
Sword of Sodan is a classic Commodore 64 game that is still enjoyed by retro gamers today. Its innovative gameplay, stunning graphics, and catchy music make it a must-play for fans of the platform.
Review Score
8/10
