Avalon (video game) explained

Avalon
Developer:Steve Turner
Publisher:Hewson Consultants
Designer:Steve Turner[1]
Genre:Action-adventure
Modes:Single-player
Platforms:ZX Spectrum

Avalon (with the tagline The 3D Adventure Movie on the box cover) is an action-adventure game written by Steve Turner for the ZX Spectrum and published by Hewson Consultants in 1984.[1] Avalon was followed by a sequel in 1985, Dragontorc.

Plot

Avalon is set in Britain in the year 408, during the collapse of the Western Roman Empire. The player controls Maroc, a "lore-seeker" who has been given a staff and map by a strange old woman and pointed in the direction of a place called Glass Hill on the isle of Avalon, where a quest to defeat the Lord of Chaos begins.

The name "Avalon" is taken from King Arthur's legendary resting place, the isle of Avalon, while a figure named Avallach features in Welsh mythology. Other than this and the time period the game is set in, there is little connection to the Arthurian legend.

Gameplay

Avalon involves controlling Maroc the mage in his quest to destroy Avelach, Lord of Chaos. The player's character cannot be killed. The game world is explored by an astral projection of Maroc; if Maroc's energy is depleted the projection returns to Maroc's "physical" body, from which the game can be continued.

Reception

The game was well received and attained numerous awards from critics.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Hague. James. The Giant List of Classic Game Programmers.
  2. Web site: CRASH 10 – Avalon. www.crashonline.org.uk. 2019-01-07.
  3. Web site: Home Computing Weekly Magazine Issue 088. 9 April 2023. Internet Archive.
  4. Web site: Sinclair User Magazine Issue 032. 9 November 1984. 9 April 2023. Internet Archive.
  5. Web site: Computer & Video Games - Issue 037 (1984-11)(EMAP Publishing)(GB). 9 November 1984. 9 April 2023. Internet Archive.
  6. News: Avalon. Eurogamer.net . 10 October 2007. 9 April 2023.
  7. Web site: Personal Computer Games issue 83, page 12. archive.org. 9 April 2023.
  8. Web site: MicroHobby Magazine Issue 005. 9 April 2023. Internet Archive.