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Heimdall (computer game)
Encyclopedia
Heimdall is an action-adventure computer game
developed by a team called The Eighth Day and published by Core Design
for DOS
, Amiga
and Atari ST
in early 1992. A version of the Heimdall was also released for the Sega Mega-CD
in early 1994. The game spawned a sequel, Heimdall 2
.
Reviewer Gary Whitta
gave the Amiga version a score of 895 (out of a possible 1000), praising its mix of gameplay styles, cartoon-like graphics and longevity. However, many players criticised the small inventory of characters (holding up to 6 items) which required much game time for rearranging.
The Amiga version requires 1 megabyte of memory.
s and Norse mythology
. Loki
steals Odin
's spear, Freyr
's sword and Thor
's hammer, rendering them powerless. They decide to create an infant, the title character (named after the god of the same name), who must bring back the three legendary weapons.
At the beginning of the game, the now adult Heimdall undergoes three arcade-style trials: axe-tossing (cutting a maid's braids), boar hunting and fighting. How well he does influences which crew members he can pick for the actual game. The characters belong to the 'classes' of Warrior, Wizard, Shipwright, Navigator, Druid, Blacksmith and Berzerker.
The game sees Heimdall and his crew (total of 6 characters) travelling around an archipelago of islands in three different maps: Utgard
, Midgard
and Asgard
. On each island, only three characters can walk, while the rest remain on the ship. They travel engaging monsters in combat, interacting with the locals, solving puzzles and avoiding traps, a blend of styles somewhat similar to that found in the Legend of Zelda games. The cartoon-style action is viewed in the isometric perspective
.
Action-adventure game
An action-adventure game is a video game that combines elements of the adventure game genre with various action game elements. It is perhaps the broadest and most diverse genre in gaming, and can include many games which might better be categorized under narrow genres...
developed by a team called The Eighth Day and published by Core Design
Core Design
Core Design was a British video game studio best known today for creating the popular Tomb Raider series.-History:Based in the city of Derby, England, Core Design was set up in 1988 by Chris Shrigley, Andy Green, Rob Toone, Terry Lloyd, Simon Phipps, Dave Pridmore, Jeremy Heath-Smith and Greg Holmes...
for DOS
DOS
DOS, short for "Disk Operating System", is an acronym for several closely related operating systems that dominated the IBM PC compatible market between 1981 and 1995, or until about 2000 if one includes the partially DOS-based Microsoft Windows versions 95, 98, and Millennium Edition.Related...
, Amiga
Amiga
The Amiga is a family of personal computers that was sold by Commodore in the 1980s and 1990s. The first model was launched in 1985 as a high-end home computer and became popular for its graphical, audio and multi-tasking abilities...
and Atari ST
Atari ST
The Atari ST is a home/personal computer that was released by Atari Corporation in 1985 and commercially available from that summer into the early 1990s. The "ST" officially stands for "Sixteen/Thirty-two", which referred to the Motorola 68000's 16-bit external bus and 32-bit internals...
in early 1992. A version of the Heimdall was also released for the Sega Mega-CD
Sega Mega-CD
The is an add-on device for the Mega Drive video game console, designed and produced by Sega and released in Japan, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa. The device was also released in North America under the name Sega CD, for the Sega Genesis...
in early 1994. The game spawned a sequel, Heimdall 2
Heimdall 2
Heimdall 2 is an isometric action-adventure video game developed by The 8th Day and published by Core Design for Amiga, Amiga CD32 and MS-DOS platforms in 1994...
.
Reviewer Gary Whitta
Gary Whitta
Gary Whitta is an English screenwriter, author, game designer, and video games journalist. He is known as the former editor-in-chief of both the UK and US editions of PC Gamer magazine and contributor to gaming magazine, ACE....
gave the Amiga version a score of 895 (out of a possible 1000), praising its mix of gameplay styles, cartoon-like graphics and longevity. However, many players criticised the small inventory of characters (holding up to 6 items) which required much game time for rearranging.
The Amiga version requires 1 megabyte of memory.
Story
The game is set in the world of VikingViking
The term Viking is customarily used to refer to the Norse explorers, warriors, merchants, and pirates who raided, traded, explored and settled in wide areas of Europe, Asia and the North Atlantic islands from the late 8th to the mid-11th century.These Norsemen used their famed longships to...
s and Norse mythology
Norse mythology
Norse mythology, a subset of Germanic mythology, is the overall term for the myths, legends and beliefs about supernatural beings of Norse pagans. It flourished prior to the Christianization of Scandinavia, during the Early Middle Ages, and passed into Nordic folklore, with some aspects surviving...
. Loki
Loki
In Norse mythology, Loki or Loke is a god or jötunn . Loki is the son of Fárbauti and Laufey, and the brother of Helblindi and Býleistr. By the jötunn Angrboða, Loki is the father of Hel, the wolf Fenrir, and the world serpent Jörmungandr. By his wife Sigyn, Loki is the father of Nari or Narfi...
steals Odin
Odin
Odin is a major god in Norse mythology and the ruler of Asgard. Homologous with the Anglo-Saxon "Wōden" and the Old High German "Wotan", the name is descended from Proto-Germanic "*Wodanaz" or "*Wōđanaz"....
's spear, Freyr
Freyr
Freyr is one of the most important gods of Norse paganism. Freyr was highly associated with farming, weather and, as a phallic fertility god, Freyr "bestows peace and pleasure on mortals"...
's sword and Thor
Thor
In Norse mythology, Thor is a hammer-wielding god associated with thunder, lightning, storms, oak trees, strength, the protection of mankind, and also hallowing, healing, and fertility...
's hammer, rendering them powerless. They decide to create an infant, the title character (named after the god of the same name), who must bring back the three legendary weapons.
At the beginning of the game, the now adult Heimdall undergoes three arcade-style trials: axe-tossing (cutting a maid's braids), boar hunting and fighting. How well he does influences which crew members he can pick for the actual game. The characters belong to the 'classes' of Warrior, Wizard, Shipwright, Navigator, Druid, Blacksmith and Berzerker.
The game sees Heimdall and his crew (total of 6 characters) travelling around an archipelago of islands in three different maps: Utgard
Utgård
Utgård is a village on the island Vesterøy in Hvaler municipality, Norway. Its population is 304....
, Midgard
Midgard
Midgard is one of the Nine Worlds and is an old Germanic name for our world and is the home of Humans, with the literal meaning "middle enclosure".-Etymology:...
and Asgard
Asgard
In Norse religion, Asgard is one of the Nine Worlds and is the country or capital city of the Norse Gods surrounded by an incomplete wall attributed to a Hrimthurs riding the stallion Svadilfari, according to Gylfaginning. Valhalla is located within Asgard...
. On each island, only three characters can walk, while the rest remain on the ship. They travel engaging monsters in combat, interacting with the locals, solving puzzles and avoiding traps, a blend of styles somewhat similar to that found in the Legend of Zelda games. The cartoon-style action is viewed in the isometric perspective
Isometric projection
Isometric projection is a method for visually representing three-dimensional objects in two dimensions in technical and engineering drawings...
.