Summary
Maou Golvellius (魔王ゴルベリアス, lit. "Devil Golvellius") is an action role-playing video game developed by Compile and originally released for the Japanese MSX home computer system in 1987. Later that year (1988), Compile released yet another remake for the MSX2 system, titled Shin Maou Golvellius (真・魔王ゴルベリアス, lit. "True Devil Golvellius"). This game featured mostly the same graphics as the ones in the Sega Master System version, but the overworld and dungeon layouts are entirely different.
| Golvellius | |
|---|---|
| Developer(s) | Compile |
| Publisher(s) | Compile, Sega |
| Platform(s) | MSX, Master System, iPhone OS |
| Release | MSX
MSX2 (Super Cooks)
|
| Genre(s) | Action role-playing |
| Mode(s) | Single-player |
Sega Master System edit
Sega licensed the franchise in 1988 and released the game for the Master System (the Mark III in Japan), featuring enhanced graphics and entirely different overworld and dungeon layouts. This version was released worldwide under the name Golvellius: Valley of Doom. The plot revolved around the hero (Kelesis) entering the Valley of Doom to save the Princess Rena, who had gone to the valley to obtain a rare herb needed to heal her father the King.[1]
Gameplay mostly focused on a top down action game, where the player attacked various monsters with a sword, sometimes opening up secret chambers where various characters would offer advice, better weapons, and other items. The game was divided into eight distinct environments[N 1] each ruled by a boss, which needed to be defeated before progressing to the next area of the map.[N 2] The game also consisted of an underground portion in caverns, rotating between a side ways advancing and top down scrolling screen in order to reach a level boss's lair.
The final level, only reachable once all boss monsters have been defeated, is to defeat Golvellius who has a secret lair revealed only by following clues of the game characters. Once Golvellius is defeated it is revealed he was possessed by a demon and is in fact a good and kind creature who now will travel with the hero Kelesis. The game implies a sequel involving Kelesis, Golvellius, and the Princess Rena, but this was never produced.
Other versions edit
In 2009 it was announced by DotEmu/D4 Entreprise that Golvellius was to be re-released for the iPhone OS platform.[2] It is a port of the Master System version.[3]
The scenario is the same in all the three different versions of Golvellius.[3] The ending promised a sequel, which was never developed/released. However, there is a spin-off game titled Super Cooks that came included in the 1989 release of the Disc Station Special Shoka Gou.[4]
Reception edit
Computer and Video Games rated the Sega Master System version 87% in 1989.[5] Console XS rated it 82% in 1992.[6]
Notes edit
- ^ Valley, desert, graveyard, fields, swamp, beach, woods, and forest. The "fields" level connects the graveyard and swamp and has no boss to defeat
- ^ A loophole in the game allows the player, once acquiring aqua-boots, to enter the final level much earlier using an underground river, yet the level is nearly impossible to navigate due to the lack of proper weapons and experience levels
References edit
- ^ "Golvellius, Valley of Doom", Instruction Manual (Sega Master System), pg 2-3
- ^ Games Press (2009-07-23). "Golvellius: Valley of Doom". Gamesindustry.biz. Retrieved 2009-07-23.
- ^ a b "Golvellius: Valley of Doom – Hardcore Gaming 101".
- ^ "Disc Station Special 2 - Early Summer Edition (1989, MSX2, Compile) | Releases | Generation MSX".
- ^ "Complete Games Guide" (PDF). Computer and Video Games (Complete Guide to Consoles): 46–77. 16 October 1989.
- ^ "Software A-Z: Master System". Console XS. No. 1 (June/July 1992). United Kingdom: Paragon Publishing. 23 April 1992. pp. 137–47.
External links edit
- Golvellius at MobyGames