Overview and Gameplay
Under the rule of Maalthiir and his Red Plume guards, Hillsfar sends a lone adventurer through class-specific quests as a fighter, cleric, magic-user, or thief. This NES adaptation of the 1989 computer game combines role-playing statistics with city exploration, timed mazes, horseback obstacle courses, lock-picking, archery, and arena combat.
Players create or select a character, visit guilds for assignments, gather clues and objects, survive hazards, and return to advance the story. Each profession follows a different quest route, while gold, experience, healing items, and lock-opening tools support progression.
Controls And Mechanics
- The directional pad handles movement, aiming, menu choices, blocking, and lock-pick selection.
- A confirms actions, fires arrows, jumps on horseback, and performs context-sensitive interactions.
- B cancels some choices, flips lock picks, displays status information, or uses certain carried items.
- Select opens the city command menu for quest review, healing, music, and saving.
- Timed mazes and locks create pressure, while arena battles reward reading attack patterns.
Version Notes
The North American cartridge uses English text and FCI branding. It stores NES characters locally and does not import characters from the earlier computer games.
Release And Credits
- NES release: 1993
- NES conversion: Crosstalk
- Publisher: FCI
- Original computer game: Westwood Associates and Strategic Simulations
