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"An unrecognized classic - enter Firelord’s world for engaging arcade adventure"

Firelord is one of the absolute best C64 arcade adventure games. It deserves to be recognised as one of the best games available for the computer. It has trading and exploration elements that will appeal to roleplaying game fans, and arcade-style dodging and shooting for the most rabid Space Invaders freak.

The player is greeted by a title screen featuring fantastic music. Ben Daglish’s theme is one of the SID chip's best moments. It sets an evocative medieval atmosphere for the game, which is enhanced by the graphics. Galaheart (the hero) walks through forest clearings and small towns, with lovely little houses that he can enter. Going into a house allows interaction with the occupant. Objects can be traded, and information can be gained. Characters include peasants, knights and witches, all with appropriate-looking dwellings.

Exploration is hampered by evil ghosts, which wander around and drain Galaheart's energy on contact. Galaheart can find crystals which allow him to shoot at the ghosts, adding to the score (finding new screens also gives points). He will also find food to boost his energy, occasional extra lives, and other useful items. Ultimately, the aim of the game is to collect magic charms through trading, and defeat the evil queen.

The game is a dream for people who like to make maps, since some grasp of the kingdom's layout is essential for success. Keeping track of the teleport points could be difficult, but a full map of the game would really be something to see. Each part of the kingdom has a different feel to it. Tiny details, like little signs on taverns in the towns, make the game a delight to play.

At the end of the game, the player is given a final score, a percentage based on how many of the screens were explored, and a ranking based on the English feudal system (Serf, Thane, etc). This is another good detail that increases the atmosphere of the game. (Have I said enough about atmosphere yet? It really cannot be overstated. This game creates a fantasy world just as convincing as Elite’s sci-fi universe.)

The game originated on the Spectrum, and it does have the black background that was common in Spectrum ports (see the Dizzy series). The graphics have been improved, with the Galaheart sprite looking much cuter. On the Spectrum, Firelord is just a great game, but on the Commodore 64 it's a classic.

Play Firelord and you'll feel like a citizen of the magic kingdom. The world pulls you in, and a return to it is impossible to resist.


Reviewer's Score: 9/10 | Originally Posted: 02/02/03, Updated 02/02/03