Late
eighties and early nineties were packed with martial arts movies. Jean-Claude
Van Damme, Steven Seagal, Michael Dudikoff and the most fearsome mustache of
all time (Chuck Norris), just to name a few, were my favorite martial artists. Obviously,
the video game industry followed this trend with the awesome Last Ninja and Shadow
Dancer.
The First
Samurai successfully brought, to home consoles and computers of the time, those
flesh cutting swordfights and mystique that oriental culture always transpired.
Originally
developed, in 1991, by Vivid Image for the Amiga, The First Samurai was so
successful that the developers soon started working on other versions. Soon
after they ported the game for the Atari ST, in 1992 was available the
Commodore 64 and DOS and, in 1993, the Super Nintendo version also saw the
light of day.
The game
was programmed by Raffaelle Cecco, the creator of extraordinary 8 bit titles
for the C64 and the ZED X Spectrum, such as Stormlord and Cybernoid, and his
work is noticed right away, as the first images and sounds starts to strike the
player.
So, what’s
the fuzz all about? Revenge! As I’ve mentioned in the beginning of the episode,
our master has been killed by the so called Demon King who flees to the future.
Our task is to hunt him down and avenge the death of our mentor. This won’t be
easy. On our quest, we’ll be visiting different worlds, from mystical places to
futuristic ones.
Besides
kicking and punching, there are a bunch of weapons that you can use against the
enemy, like axes and daggers, but your sword is your best friend in this game.
It has some magical powers and is part of a clever energy system. It is
displayed by the sword icon in the bottom right of the screen and, when you
slay an enemy, it releases a glowing star which is absorbed by the main
character raising his own magical energy. When this energy is in its maximum,
the sword will immediately be available for you to use. It is kind of an
extension to the player’s own energy; so, instead of only one energy bar, you
have two. This small detail, levels the difficulty pretty damn well!
Through
these awesomely complex and nicely structured levels, you will encounter
various types of creatures that are ready to slow you down. Those creatures can
jump, run, fly and roll and won’t stop until your dead! Besides those and some
annoying traps, you will also face a large variety of monsters that are hard as
hell to put down to sleep.
The arm
icon in the bottom left of the screen displays your energy. When you suffer
from attacks or traps, the energy icon slowly disappears. Keep an eye on it
and, through each level, pick up the items that can restore your energy, like
potions and food baskets.
Scattered
throughout the levels are also regeneration pots that work as checkpoints. A
very important feature, so that, when you fall in battle, you won’t return to
the beginning of the level. To use it, you need to crouch over the pot and the
mystical energy accumulated during the level will then flow into that
particular regeneration pot. Only one pot can be active at any one time, but
you can reactivate a previously charged pot and so determine a new restart
position. You even keep all the items you were carrying after you’ve been
resurrected! How cool is that?
When you
have enough magical energy, you will be able to pick up other magical items.
These items can be used to overcome certain unpassable obstacles. Your master,
just like Yoda in Star Wars, will appear from time to time to give you some
hints on how to do it.
This is a
game that needs your constant attention. The enemies are constantly respawning
so you have to move your ass quickly and avoid stopping to smell the roses! Use
and abuse the regeneration pots! These will be your best trick to advance in
the game!
To
conclude, the Amiga and Super Nintendo versions of this awesome game, are the
ones you should try. The DOS version is also very good, but lacks that superb
and cool parallax scrolling effect.
The First
Samurai is a fantastic side scrolling action platformer with an amazing exotic
atmosphere, graphics and sound. You really need to check it out! Believe me,
you won’t regret it!
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