The BBC and Master Computer Public Domain Library

RAVENSKULL

 

 

Professional, Originally Released On Cassette Only

 

Game Alias          : CASTLE RAVENSKULL

Game Type          : Arcade Adventure

Author             : Peter Scott

Standalone Release(s)   : 1984: RAVENSKULL, Superior, £9.95

                    1990: RAVENSKULL, Superior/Blue Ribbon, £2.99

Compilation Release(s) : 1987: PLAY IT AGAIN SAM, Superior/Acornsoft, £9.95

Stated compatibility    : Electron

Actual compatibility    : Electron, BBC B, B+ and Master 128

Supplier            : SUPERIOR/ACORNSOFT

Disc compatibility     : ADFS 1D00, CDFS 1D00, DFS 1D00

 

 

Instructions

The Objective

Ravelskull Castle consists of 4 levels, each exactly 64 times the size of the screen. To complete the adventure, you must work your way through each of the 4 levels collecting the treasure you find and assembling the mystical silver crucifix. Each levels holds one part of the crucifix; you may pick this up only after you have found all the treasure on that level. You are able to pick up various objects throughout the castle.

 

Most of these objects are helpful to you, but some are a hindrance and some are even deadly!

 

After picking up an object, you may attempt to utilise it by following this procedure: (a) check that the object is positioned in your hand by using the "<" and ">" keys; (b) press the RETURN key to use the object. Some items may only be used in certain locations. You must logically deduce where and when you should use each item.

 

Castle Objects

Ravenbees    - The deadly castle guardians

Acid Pools, Spiked Disks, Man-Eating Plants - Contact with these is fatal

Spiked Gates, Cell Doors/Bars              - Some of these can only be opened with a key

Wooden Casks   - They may be pushed, but only after the player has a Strength Scroll

Time Door    - An enchanted door which opens and closes by itself regularly

Time Shaft   - A special area on the final level. The last part of the crucifix has been carefully hidden by Baron Strieg in another dimension

 

By pushing 4 wooden casks into its 4 alcoves, the time shaft can be opened, revealing the last part of the crucifix. Other castle objects include : coffins, earth, stone pillars and the treasure.

 

Quest Objects

These objects may be picked up, used and dropped as explained earlier. The quest objects include : keys, pick-axes, dynamite, detonators, scythes, spades, hand-axes, bows and arrows, bells, food and wine (Beware! it may be poisoness or have strange side-effects), magical scrolls and potions.

 

Magical Scrolls

(1) Strength - Reading this scroll allows the player to push wooden casks.

(2) Time Chime - Synchronised with the time door.

(3) Lightning Strike - This scroll is fatal!

(4) Enchanted Door - Causes a door to open somewhere in the castle.

(5) Teleport - The player is instantly teleported to an otherwise inaccessible area.

(6) Super Speed - An interesting scroll which allows the player to run about five times faster than normal.

(7) Energy Drain - Another dangerous scroll.

(8) Dispell - This scroll simply dispells the effects of the last scroll used.

 

Magical Potions

(1) Speed - Drinking this potion enables the player to run twice as fast as normal.

(2) Slow - Causes the player to run about four times slower than normal.

(3) Poison - This is a powerfully poison which is fatal, instantly.

(4) Strength - The player increases his health by drinking this potion.

(5) Loser - Causes the player to lose all the objects he is carrying.

(6) Dispell - Dispells the effects of the last potion.

 

Game Controls

     

     * ................. Run North     COPY ....................... Freeze on

     ? ................. Run South     DELETE .................... Freeze off

     Z .................. Run West     < .. Move hand left (to select object)

     X .................. Run East     > . Move hand right (to select object)

     P ............ Pick up object     E ..................... Examine object

     (You cannot carry more than 3     J ... Level jump (only available after

     objects at a time)                   completing the previous level with-

     RETURN ........... Use object                         out losing a life)

     D ............... Drop object     S ........................... Sound On

     1 ............. Kill yourself     Q .......................... Sound Off

     ESCAPE ......... Restart game

 

 

Instructions' Source       :  PLAY IT AGAIN SAM (Superior/Acornsoft) Inner Inlay

 

Review (Electron User) - "A Castle With Style"

The evil Baron Strieg has stolen the silver crucifix. Without its protection, the village of Austburg is powerless against the zombies which inhabit the local swamp. To save the village you must enter Ravenskull castle and locate the four parts of the crucifix.

 

Before starting this arcade adventure you select whether you are to be an elf, wizard, warrior, or just an ordinary run-of-the-mill adventurer. This appears to determine what sort of treasure you collect as you explore the castle. Wizards collect crystal balls, warriors get shields, and so on.

 

The screen display is divided into two main areas. The first is the status section, which shows your score, health rating, number of lives and what you are carrying. The rest of the screen forms a large window into the castle and you are treated to an aerial view of yourself and your immediate surroundings.

 

As you walk in one of the four possible directions the screen scrolls smoothly in that direction revealing more of the castle. The graphics used are some of the best I have seen on the Electron. The playing area is 64 times the size of the action window. There are four levels to the castle with one quarter of the crucifix hidden in each and you can only pick up a piece of crucifix when you have collected every item of treasure on that level.

 

As you might expect, the castle is constructed like a giant maze, with sections closed off by different types of door. Some of these can be opened using keys, but although they all look the same each one will only open one specific door.

 

Every time you play the game the objects are in the same position so you quickly learn where to find them.

 

Apart from keys you will find magic scrolls and potions which will give you special powers - or poison you!

 

Some of the castle's nastier residents are the ravenbees. These follow specific routes along some of the corridors, and you will need split second timing to avoid these little beauties.

 

I loved RAVENSKULL - there is a genuine feeling of satisfaction when you guess the correct use for an object or gain access to a new section of the castle. The puzzles are devious and the correct route is not always obvious but you know instinctively when you're on the right trail.

 

Sound ........................... 4

Graphics ........................ 9

Playability ..................... 9

Value for money ................. 9

Overall ......................... 9

 

Steve Brook, ELECTRON USER 4. 4