Gargoyle’s Quest
| Developer: Capcom | Graphics: |
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| Publisher: Capcom | Sound: |
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| Year: 1990 (1991 in Europe) | Difficulty: |
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| Genre: Action/RPG | Lastability: |
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| Number of players: 1 | Rating: |
8/10 | |
Remember Ghosts ‘n’ Goblins (arcade, 1985) and that pesky flying red gargoyle that kept harassing you? Well, that gargoyle, Firebrand, is the hero of a spin-off series that began on Game Boy. A sequel was released in 1992 on the NES, namely Gargoyle’s Quest 2: The Demon Darkness (set several centuries earlier, covering the events mentioned at the start of the first episode). A third instalment followed on the Super Nintendo, titled Demon’s Crest (1994).
The story of this Gargoyle’s Quest depicts the second invasion of the ghoul realm by an army of demons. Legend has it that long ago, a hero named “Red Blaze” managed to save everyone, and naturally, you’re sent to find him…
The game unfolds in two parts. First, there’s an exploration phase, viewed from above, with villages to visit, some dialogue, and entry points to dungeons. Through these, or during random encounters, you’re thrust into the heart of the matter: the battles. The viewpoint then shifts to a side view, like in a classic platform game.
Our gargoyle can jump, glide briefly, cling to walls and spit projectiles at enemies. And, in RPG fashion, his powers regularly increase throughout the adventure.
This game is particularly well crafted. The levels might seem difficult (at first) without becoming frustrating. Random battles allow you to acquire vials at will, which can then be exchanged for lives, and a password is revealed in each village to resume an ongoing game.
Finally, this entire series stands out for its sublime soundtrack.
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