If you are a child of the 70s or 80s, you’ll fondly remember every RPG and point-and-click title you’ve experienced. These convoluted and often brutal games were clichéd, full of colourful characters, and had amazing worlds to explore. The Dark Prophecy aims to replicate this with its unusual story, weird characters, and simple mechanics.
Developed by Meridian4 and published by Ratalaika Games, this is a fantasy point-and-click adventure title. Furthermore, it uses well-trodden tropes, has a cutting and humorous plot, and is reminiscent of Monkey Island, Disc World, and Broken Sword. What’s more, you’ll have to piece together some cryptic clues to solve an eclectic blend of crazy puzzles.
The Dark Prophecy is slow but interesting.
What makes this genre so great is its slow and methodical approach. Thankfully, The Dark Prophecy has some fascinating stage designs, excellent one-liners, and a whole roster of interesting people and monsters to interact with. On top of this, it tests your brain as you must solve problems to progress the story.
You control Jacob, who is an ordinary boy living in an extraordinary world. Unbeknownst to him, his kingdom and his life are in grave danger. Someone has been messing with magic and he is tasked with saving the day. By undertaking a dangerous adventure, he will meet Merlin, pass on his message, and possibly become a hero.
Standard gameplay mechanics.
If you are familiar with this genre, then nothing will surprise you. Why? Well, the developers have played it safe throughout. Consequently, there are few surprises and most of the action lacks originality. This may seem like a complaint, but it isn’t. The phrase “if it isn’t broken, don’t fix it”, is apt. As such, much of the retro gameplay and dated plot work perfectly with the silly fantasy tale.
The gameplay revolves around point-and-click mechanics. Subsequently, you must thoroughly explore every scene and location. Once you’ve found each item, they must be combined, used, or given to certain pivotal characters. By doing this, you’ll expand your interactions and will receive new tasks to complete. However, this can be frustrating if you get stuck and can’t find key items.
Unfortunately, there were many times when I simply guessed my way out of a problem, and this was annoying. Occasionally, the cryptic clues were too obscure, and this led to confusion and wasted time. Accordingly, some players will quit as progress often stall as there are no obvious solutions to hand.
The Dark Prophecy is pixelated and dated, but it looks great.
Maybe it’s the nostalgia speaking, but I adored The Dark Prophecy’s dated aesthetics. With a moody colour palette, pixelated imagery, and its brilliant fantasy setting, it looked great. Alongside this, I appreciated how easy the text was to read, and the simplicity of the UI. However, the developers could have alleviated the aforementioned game stalling issues with some simple visual changes. If they had implemented a light hue or sparkle to key items, it would have reduced the confusion and removed the issues altogether.
Alongside the delightful visuals was a folksy and magical soundtrack. The simple but fun music complemented the zany action without being overbearing. The sound effects were notably good with their comical timing and larger-than-life delivery. However, I was disappointed by the lack of acting. Unlike its peers, The Dark Prophecy missed a trick by relying solely on text narration. Had some of the dialogue been performed, it would have enhanced the story and the comedy moments.
A simple and well-considered control system.
I was impressed by the excellent controls. I expected it to be clumsy, awkward, and unbearable. Instead, it was a simple and well-considered system that is easy to understand and smooth to operate. By pressing one button, you flit between 4 working methods. You may talk to someone, use an item, move Jacob, or inspect your surroundings. This is the extent of the control setup and it is mastered in no time at all.
Where The Dark Prophecy is lacking is its longevity. If you are a veteran of the genre, you’ll fly through the game with little challenge. Yet, mere mortals, on the other hand, will struggle. Fortunately, though, the achievement list demands you return to experience different outcomes and some secret moments.
The Dark Prophecy is a great retro title.
This won’t appeal to everyone, but I think The Dark Prophecy is a great retro title. Its old-school aesthetics, simple mechanics, and the witty plot will impress older gamers. What’s more, it fills you with nostalgia while testing your resolve. Yes, it has its shortcomings, but I loved it nonetheless. As such, I recommend you buy it here! The world is in trouble and you must save it. Search for clues, help the locals, and pass your message on to Merlin.
