Good Kniight (2024)
a COMMERCIAL game by ‘Icon64’ for Commodore 64
published by ‘Psytronik Software’
Written for BrewOtaku #002 by Shahzad Sahaib
‘Icon64’ are truly on fire these days, which is awesome for all Commodore fans out there. Sir Darren of Durham, also known as the ‘Good Kniight’ to set forth and rescue the kings’ daughter.
YET, ANOTHER PRINCESS IN TROUBLE!
‘Embers’, the mighty green Dragon, is responsible that Sir Darren can’t even enjoy his tea in silence. His services are needed, so there he is. This single player platformer offers what a platformer has to offer: Run, jump, avoid, dodge and collect. The scenery scrolls screen wise – and there are forty of them. Moving platforms, disappearing platforms, attacks from above, below or from the sides, there is quite some stuff ongoing. Always try to reach the flag at the right end of the screen, so you are one step further to save the princess. If you happen to find more flags in the levels, go ahead and raise them. There is the possibility of earning ‘skill’ and ‘gold’ bonus. When the time is there, you will get to know Embers closer as well, but the final action is also mostly a ceremony of dodging and avoiding. Once the green dragon is history, you are going to see the end screen with a scrolltext.
The graphics by ‘Trevor Storey’ are surprisingly nice. The pastel colour palette of the C64 seems to be ideal to support the visual aspects of the castle and getting everything to life. The knight could be also a brother of Mega Man… but we are yet unsure, what makes us think that.
The music is pure SID love by ‘Saul Cross’. Stuart Collier did his best on the code, and yes, the game plays well.
Conclusion
Solid entertainment with nothing to moan. The game gets easier once you have the grip. Of course, you need to have a crush for games where you need to act precise, otherwise it might be yet just another C64 game. The physical presentation is professional and worth the money, as you would expect from Psytronik.
