Master of Darkness

[anagrama]

Hopefully we can get things back on track now after the slip-up last time...
This week it's Ian's choice, so over to you sir!

[ian]

Hey everyone,
I had this game in mind for a while and am pleased it hadn't already been picked in the previous weeks. I don't think this game is under-rated, but maybe not as popular as it should be. My chosen game for this week is none other than

Master of Darkness


I think this is a top Master System game. It has great graphics, sound and playability. One of the main reasons which makes it so great for me is it's interesting and atmospheric plot. There are nice cut scene images between the levels and the storyline merges famous historic horror figures.

The first time I played this game was when I had the system when I was young and I believe I borrowed it from a friend. From that day I have always liked it. As it is a platformer even when I was young I could easily pick and play this game.

You are Dr. Social, and you basically make your way through the well designed levels using such weapons as a knife, hammer(my favourite), sword and an axe. You also have a secondary weapon which can be either a gun, bombs, stakes or boomerangs. These prove to very helpful through the game as you take on enemies such as bad guys in suits, zombies, ghosts, dogs, those really annoying bats and lots more. At the end of each of the 5 rounds there is also a boss. The last maze level is a really good one, if you can make out of that to fight dracula then that is a good achievment.

I think overall the game is an excellent original for the Master System, with only one let-down being the game can be a bit easy with so much life and plenty of health around. But it is a good challenge and an enjoyable game. I have read things about it being a clone of Castlevania and not as good but I have never played this game and quite frankly don't care because Master of Darkness is a great game nevertheless.

I suppose the high score challenge would have to be see who can get the highest score. There is only one difficulty setting so it should be straight foward.
As I know this game by heart I naturally completed it first time when I played it again, and finished with a high score of 205940.

For those who will play the rom you can find it here:
emu-russia.km.ru/data/listroms_en.php?sid=sms&from=M

Cool boxart too

[Stan]

Damn it, figures, one of the last few games I want and need. Crap. I finally get Fantasy Zone: The Maze two week after it's posted. Probably the same thing with this. I refuse to try emulation.

[Stan]

Wait a minute, do you speak Russian?

[anagrama]

Ah, the Master System does Castlevania
Good choice! It's a nice atmospheric title, this. I played through it when I first got it a while back, but I'll dig it out for another run...

[dezanuebe]

YESSS, finally someone chooses a game i really like and reached the end of it several times!!! this is an excellent game with a fascinating storyline for an 8 bits system that makes use for the first time of jack the ripper. i will play it again an leave my impressions later in the week, but i must say WELL DONE!!

[ian]

Thanks a lot ;D
Glad you like my choice. I feel it's great atmosphere and storyline really makes this game stand out from most others.

[Retrobob]

Great choice, I too love the story and atmosphere. I've never really played much into this game so hopefully this week it'll get some serious gametime!

[Admin]

I would like to personally thank you for introducing me to this SMS title I'd always heard about, but never played. I enjoyed it so much, I just bought it on ebay for $5.

I always thought the SMS could do a Castlevania game so well, and here it is, only in disguise. I look forward to completing this one when it arrives.

Thanks again Ian.

[Sinistral]

Dammit! ive been playing this one a few weeks ago. now i have no game of the week to concentrate on this week. the game is an awesome one. Dont let the fact that its a castlevania clone put you off - this game deserves to be played and appreciated as unique sega title in its own right.

What surprises me about this game is that no megadrive version was released. In fact this is a master system exclusive game.

This game was also the last game i was able to purchase at a major a"game shop" before the master system dissapeared from stores everywhere.

[dezanuebe]

ian said:

Thanks a lot ;D
Glad you like my choice. I feel it's great atmosphere and storyline really makes this game stand out from most others.

it´s the ensamble that makes everything excellent!! this one was a really excelent surprise when i bought it in 1994.

[Sim]

Another game sat in my collection that i've never played before.This reminds me of castlevania symphony of the night on psx,only kidding !! It is a good game though,good graphics and music ,brilliant intro and mid level scenes shame the ending couldn't match that intro.Blood dripping from fangs and talk of a ouija board this should have been an 18 certificate.The obvious flaws to this game are i finished it first go using one continue,thanx mainly to the many life potions lying about,however i like the way you have to work to find extra lives.The bosses are all pushovers including Dracula ,and a level 5-2 and 5-3 would have been nice but the game is quite big enough especially if you use a cont. and are sent back to the start of the level which can be harsh.Overall a good laugh running around with an axe smashing it over wax dolls heads.However I thought Transylvania was a place in Romania not a country?

[Retrobob]

Had a crack last night, got to level 2-2 with no continues. Need to play it more though, score was only about 37,000.

[dezanuebe]

the chairs. candlelights, tables and knifes are quite annoying!!

[Sim]

I've just finished it with 8 lives to spare and a score of 342350,i've quite enjoyed this game,played it about 5 times now but feel i know everything there is to know about it so it's only short term fun but great playability aswell as great music.