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Krull (video game)
Encyclopedia
Krull is a video game based on the film of the same name
. The first Krull adaptation was a 1983 arcade game
manufactured by D. Gottlieb & Co.
. A home adaptation similar to the arcade version was planned for the Atari 5200
, but poor sales of that console prompted the decision to release the game on the Atari 2600
instead. A pinball version was also developed but not put into production.
The player then traverses the Iron Desert on a Fire Mare, stocking up on Colwyn's magical throwing weapon, the Glaive (in the film there is only one), by pressing the button each time the horse rides over one.
The next level takes place in the lair of the Widow of the Web. The player is required to jump between moving threads of web, towards the widow at the top of the screen, while avoiding a giant spider. After completing this task, the widow reveals the location of the Black Fortress, and the player again rides a Fire Mare through the Iron Desert to reach it. If the player does not arrive at the correct time of day, according to a timer at the top of the screen, he loses a life and must return to the Widow to find out the Fortress's new location.
At the Black Fortress, the player must penetrate the barrier surrounding Lyssa with the Glaive (of which the player has a limited number), while the Beast attempts to block the player's shots and hit him with fireballs. If the Glaive hits the Beast or is not caught on the rebound by the player, that Glaive is lost. If all of the player's Glaives are lost, he must return to the Widow of the Web level, discover the new location of the Black Fortress, and traverse the Iron Desert again.
If the player manages to break through the barrier surrounding Lyssa, she turns into a fireball the player can throw at the Beast. If the fireball hits, the player wins, and the game starts over at a higher level of difficulty.
Second event: Shoot the slayers, rescue your army (very much like Robotron).
Third event: Pick up your army, lead it to the hexagon.
Fourth event: Break down the front wall of the hexagon... when it is black.
Fifth event: Save Princess Lyssa, avoid the beast, avoid his fireballs.
also initially planned a pinball version of the game, but for reasons of cost the machine was never put into production. However, ten complete units were manufactured as professional samples, making these machines extremely rare and valuable to modern collectors.
Krull (film)
Krull is a 1983 heroic fantasy film directed by Peter Yates and produced by Ron Silverman. Released by Columbia Pictures, it stars Ken Marshall as Prince Colwyn and Lysette Anthony as Princess Lyssa....
. The first Krull adaptation was a 1983 arcade game
Arcade game
An arcade game is a coin-operated entertainment machine, usually installed in public businesses such as restaurants, bars, and amusement arcades. Most arcade games are video games, pinball machines, electro-mechanical games, redemption games, and merchandisers...
manufactured by D. Gottlieb & Co.
Gottlieb
Gottlieb was an arcade game corporation based in Chicago, Illinois. The company was established by David Gottlieb in 1927, initially producing pinball machines while later expanding into various other games including pitch-and-bats, bowling games, and eventually video arcade games .Like other...
. A home adaptation similar to the arcade version was planned for the Atari 5200
Atari 5200
The Atari 5200 SuperSystem, commonly known as the Atari 5200, is a video game console that was introduced in 1982 by Atari Inc. as a higher end complementary console for the popular Atari 2600...
, but poor sales of that console prompted the decision to release the game on the Atari 2600
Atari 2600
The Atari 2600 is a video game console released in October 1977 by Atari, Inc. It is credited with popularizing the use of microprocessor-based hardware and cartridges containing game code, instead of having non-microprocessor dedicated hardware with all games built in...
instead. A pinball version was also developed but not put into production.
Gameplay
The game, designed by Dave Staugas, mostly follows the plot of the movie, and takes place on four separate screens. In the first level, the player, as Colwyn, starts at his wedding to Lyssa, which is interrupted by the extraterrestrial Slayers. The game continues to generate new Slayers for the player to fight until he is overwhelmed and Lyssa is abducted to the Black Fortress.The player then traverses the Iron Desert on a Fire Mare, stocking up on Colwyn's magical throwing weapon, the Glaive (in the film there is only one), by pressing the button each time the horse rides over one.
The next level takes place in the lair of the Widow of the Web. The player is required to jump between moving threads of web, towards the widow at the top of the screen, while avoiding a giant spider. After completing this task, the widow reveals the location of the Black Fortress, and the player again rides a Fire Mare through the Iron Desert to reach it. If the player does not arrive at the correct time of day, according to a timer at the top of the screen, he loses a life and must return to the Widow to find out the Fortress's new location.
At the Black Fortress, the player must penetrate the barrier surrounding Lyssa with the Glaive (of which the player has a limited number), while the Beast attempts to block the player's shots and hit him with fireballs. If the Glaive hits the Beast or is not caught on the rebound by the player, that Glaive is lost. If all of the player's Glaives are lost, he must return to the Widow of the Web level, discover the new location of the Black Fortress, and traverse the Iron Desert again.
If the player manages to break through the barrier surrounding Lyssa, she turns into a fireball the player can throw at the Beast. If the fireball hits, the player wins, and the game starts over at a higher level of difficulty.
Arcade version
Released in 1984, the Krull arcade game was programmed by Matt Householder and Chris Krubel. The graphics were done by Jeff Lee (one of the creators of Q*bert), the sound by David Thiel. The cabinet art was created by Terry Doerzaph. About 2500 units were produced.Gameplay
First event: Pickup the pieces (five) of your weapon... the glaive, avoid all boulders.Second event: Shoot the slayers, rescue your army (very much like Robotron).
Third event: Pick up your army, lead it to the hexagon.
Fourth event: Break down the front wall of the hexagon... when it is black.
Fifth event: Save Princess Lyssa, avoid the beast, avoid his fireballs.
Pinball game
In addition to the arcade game, D. Gottlieb & Co.Gottlieb
Gottlieb was an arcade game corporation based in Chicago, Illinois. The company was established by David Gottlieb in 1927, initially producing pinball machines while later expanding into various other games including pitch-and-bats, bowling games, and eventually video arcade games .Like other...
also initially planned a pinball version of the game, but for reasons of cost the machine was never put into production. However, ten complete units were manufactured as professional samples, making these machines extremely rare and valuable to modern collectors.