Lionheart (video game)

For the 2003 role-playing game, see Lionheart: Legacy of the Crusader.
Lionheart

Artwork by Dieter Rottermund
Developer(s) Thalion Software
Publisher(s) Thalion Software
Designer(s) Erik Simon
Programmer(s) Erwin Kloibhofer, Michael Bittner etc.
Artist(s) Henk Nieborg
Composer(s) Matthias Steinwachs
Platform(s) Amiga
Release date(s) 1993
Genre(s) Platform
Mode(s) Single player

Lionheart is a 1993 fantasy platform hack and slash video game for the Amiga designed by Thalion Software.

Production

Lionheart comes in four discs. It has a commercial license. The game graphics feature some parallax scrolling and 3D in the background.

Scenario

According to the game manual, the game takes place in the land of the Cat People, a race of feline humanoids, who are threatened by evil Norka.

The player character is Valdyn, an outlaw who is also known as Lionheart because of his fierceness and courage, after the holy relic of the Cat People. He was arrested from the Bloodied Claw and taken to the palace's dungeons. However he is summoned by the King and is assigned a quest: the Lionheart had been stolen and if the King is not able to show it in the Showing Festival he will be forced to absdicate the throne, replaced by his arch-chancellor Nargle. Furthermore, Valdyn's beloved Ilene had been turned to stone by the thieves. Based on his nickname, the priests declare that Valdyn is destined to reclaim the jewel.

Plot

In the intro sequence Valdyn is given a flying dragon but on his way to Norka's country, he is snatched by a flying ship. Valdyn escapes and is forced to travel on foot.

The first few levels feature an environment of forests and caves before Valdyn reaches a city in Norka's domain. A "volcano level" follows, which includes a hidden level where the player can gain several power-ups and an amulet.[1] In the following level Valdyn finds a dinosaur-like steed running after Norka's flying ship. Valdyn frees his dragon, and rides it towards Norka's flying fortress in a level that resembles a rail shooter. The final levels feature Valdyn climbing to the top of the fortress and his final confrontation with Norka.

The game epilogue has Valdyn return the Lionheart in the Temple, still grieving for Ilene. However the optimal ending (if the player has found the amulet in the earlier hidden level) Valdyn is able to heal Ilene.

Gameplay

Lionheart is a single player side scrolling platformer. Valdyn moves from left to right fighting his way through levels of monsters and environment hazards like water, chasms and fireballs. Some levels feature bosses.

The options provide 3 difficulty levels. The harder level doesn't feature only harder opponents, but also differently designed environments, offering additional gameplay experience.

Valdyn is armed with a sword and is able to perform some attack moves, including striking high, striking middle and a "battle strike" (jumping and hitting enemies over the head). At first he has 4 health points and 3 lives. Health points are lost whenever Valdyn is hit, and a life is lost whenever health reaches zero, or Valdyn suffers a fatality as in when falling into a chasm.

There are a few power-ups (usually in hidden sections of each level) like "Energy Drinks" that replenish health, and "Life Spheres" which grant more lives. Each level has several "Energy Crystals" which the player can collect; every 100th crystal "unlocks" , one life point out of 4 more available; optimal performance means that the player can have a maximum of 8 life points before the end of the game, making survival easier. The player also can find some more powerful swords; the more powerful a sword, the less hits are required to kill a stronger opponent.[2]

Reception

The game received favorable reviews by several gaming magazines.

Other references

Valdyn is a playable character in Ambermoon, a Role-playing video game also from Thalion. He is a Ranger.

References

  1. ↑ This hint is revealed in the ending credits.
  2. ↑ Game documentation


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