Narzod might be the most addictive Vectrex game.
The detail in this game shows what Vectrex programmers were able
to achieve in the latter 1980's years of Vectrex game design and
coding. Again, a very original game which puts you in the shoes
of a the 'only remaining honourable wizard',in a time when magic
reigned and all souls possessed special magical powers and
battled for rule of the earth.
Little accessible background information was easy to come by
for this shooter which is like a cross between Galaga and sought
of a Sci Fi. other worldly Pinball game. The pinball element
comes from the wizards' hover craft's ability to shoot bullets
which ricochet off the side walls of each of the lower, middle
and upper roadways, which are the stomping ground for the enemy
wizard's henchmen.
The lower roadway sees firstly 'Doomgrabbers' then later
'Tarantulas' and 'Ghouls' pitting their evil 'Spikers' against
you in order the protect the evil wizard's fortress. Once the
player has progressed through the first stage, where the hover
craft exits through a hidden passage, the backdrop is reversed
and Narzod's men become more vicious through shear speed and
deadlier accuracy.
In the latter roadways 'Warbirds' appear which can be used as
a shield once you have downed them but the player must be wary as
their Spikers may split in two and make it ever so hard avoid
them. Once the upper roadway has been successfully transcended
the 'Mystic Hurler' appears and his skill far surpasses that of
even the warbirds. I've yet to pass him!
Fortress of Narzod goes for anywhere from $40.U.S. to $80.U.S.
on ebay and is considered one of the rarer titles. Cool.
Score 8/10
Review written by Daniel Foot
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