Master of Darkness
Encyclopedia
Master of Darkness is a video game released for the Sega Game Gear
and the Sega Master System
. It was developed by SIMS.
. The plot has the player entering the role of a psychologist
named Dr. Social trying to defeat Dracula
, who is behind a series of killings in London which have been attributed to Jack the Ripper
.
The game requires the player to battle his way through several locations such as cemeteries, laboratories, castles and a house of wax dolls. To defeat the enemies (which range in ability and include zombies, bats and ghosts), players can utilise several primary and secondary weapons. Primary weapons are close combat weapons ranging from knives to rapiers and axes, that differ in range and efficiency. Secondary weapons are long-range weapons (pistols, bombs etc.) with limited ammunition. The player can hold one type of primary and secondary weapon. Picking up a new weapon means it automatically replaces the previous weapon in the player's inventory.
The game features five rounds divided into three stages. At the end of each stage, a boss must be defeated. At the end of the final stage, the player must defeat Dracula himself.
Both the Master System and Game Gear versions were well received critically, drawing particular praise for the detailed graphics and responsive controls. Another factor may be that the Castlevania series was yet to appear on a Sega console and Master of Darkness was the closest - in terms of quality and gameplay - that the Master System had come to replicating the experience.
gave Master of Darkness a composite score of 79% between its two reviewers Mat Yeo and Paul Wooding. Mat rated it an 83% noting its visuals and Gothic atmosphere, while stating a few of the enemies could be annoying, particularly the dog. Paul gave the game a 74% stating the controls to be easy to use while considering the difficulty to be on the high side and the game play to occasionally be repetitive.
Sega Game Gear
The was Sega's first handheld game console. It was the third commercially available color handheld console, after the Atari Lynx and the TurboExpress....
and the Sega Master System
Sega Master System
The is a third-generation video game console that was manufactured and released by Sega in 1985 in Japan , 1986 in North America and 1987 in Europe....
. It was developed by SIMS.
Overview
Master of Darkness is a platform game, very similar to CastlevaniaCastlevania
Castlevania, known as in Japan, is a video game series created and developed by Konami. The series debuted in Japan on September 26, 1986, with the release of for the Family Computer Disk System , followed by an alternate version for the MSX 2 platform on October 30...
. The plot has the player entering the role of a psychologist
Psychologist
Psychologist is a professional or academic title used by individuals who are either:* Clinical professionals who work with patients in a variety of therapeutic contexts .* Scientists conducting psychological research or teaching psychology in a college...
named Dr. Social trying to defeat Dracula
Dracula
Dracula is an 1897 novel by Irish author Bram Stoker.Famous for introducing the character of the vampire Count Dracula, the novel tells the story of Dracula's attempt to relocate from Transylvania to England, and the battle between Dracula and a small group of men and women led by Professor...
, who is behind a series of killings in London which have been attributed to Jack the Ripper
Jack the Ripper
"Jack the Ripper" is the best-known name given to an unidentified serial killer who was active in the largely impoverished areas in and around the Whitechapel district of London in 1888. The name originated in a letter, written by someone claiming to be the murderer, that was disseminated in the...
.
The game requires the player to battle his way through several locations such as cemeteries, laboratories, castles and a house of wax dolls. To defeat the enemies (which range in ability and include zombies, bats and ghosts), players can utilise several primary and secondary weapons. Primary weapons are close combat weapons ranging from knives to rapiers and axes, that differ in range and efficiency. Secondary weapons are long-range weapons (pistols, bombs etc.) with limited ammunition. The player can hold one type of primary and secondary weapon. Picking up a new weapon means it automatically replaces the previous weapon in the player's inventory.
The game features five rounds divided into three stages. At the end of each stage, a boss must be defeated. At the end of the final stage, the player must defeat Dracula himself.
Both the Master System and Game Gear versions were well received critically, drawing particular praise for the detailed graphics and responsive controls. Another factor may be that the Castlevania series was yet to appear on a Sega console and Master of Darkness was the closest - in terms of quality and gameplay - that the Master System had come to replicating the experience.
Reception
Sega ForceSega Force
Sega Force was an early 1990s publication that covered the Sega console range .-History:...
gave Master of Darkness a composite score of 79% between its two reviewers Mat Yeo and Paul Wooding. Mat rated it an 83% noting its visuals and Gothic atmosphere, while stating a few of the enemies could be annoying, particularly the dog. Paul gave the game a 74% stating the controls to be easy to use while considering the difficulty to be on the high side and the game play to occasionally be repetitive.