The New Satan Sam

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The New Satan Sam
Title screen of The New Satan Sam
Developer(s) James Mark Whitehead
Publisher(s) Independent
Designer(s) James Mark Whitehead
Engine Multimedia Fusion
Latest version 3.1
Release date(s) February 10, 2006
Genre(s) Platform game
Mode(s) Single player
Platform(s) Windows
Media Free game and soundtrack
System requirements Pentium 3 750mhz processor, 32mb RAM
Input Keyboard, Gamepad

The New Satan Sam is a freeware game for the Windows operating system, released in February 2006 [1]. It is the remake of a previously release game - Satan Sam which was never officially completed. After being knocked unconscious Sam wakes up in a mysterious wasteland, his goal is to return to his homeland and destroy anything in his path. He must run, jump, swim and fly through 127 levels spread over the world map.

Contents

[edit] Overview

The New Satan Sam is a platform game designed by James Mark Whitehead of Satan Sam games [2]. The project was mostly though subtlety inspired by Turrican on the Commodore Amiga, though also taking loose inspiration from Space Invaders. The game was acclaimed for its art direction [3] and features graphics with a unique styling [4], often surreal they portray a dream like world of bright hues and contrasting environments, though keeping the styling consistent throughout the game. It is also noted for its unusual bosses, though these bosses are often tiring and repetitive.

Training level.
Training level.

The New Satan Sam also features a full soundtrack containing 21 tracks which can also be downloaded for free [5]. The game used to have a multiplayer mode but was deemed very buggy and removed by the developer [6].

Forest level.
Forest level.

[edit] Gameplay

"The New Satan Sam" contains 127 levels [7] with the goal of clearing each one (removing all enemies) and progressing to the next, this formula is in the vast majority of levels. There are some varied levels such as an underwater timed level and rising lava level.

The world Map.
The world Map.

After a short tutorial level the player begins the game on the world map. Each dot on the map (a zone) represents 5 levels and the game is automatically saved after the completion of a 'zone'. In true old skool style, players must face off against a large boss at the end of each world. Throughout the game the player receives upgrades, normally in the form of new powers.

[edit] Story

Spoiler warning: Plot and/or ending details follow.

The game begins with a panning camera until you see Sam in the outskirts of his village. The villagers have their own opinions of Sam and the world around, all wishing that they could travel but too scared to do so. Sam's father knows that something is about to happen to their village so quickly shows Sam how to battle. Sam unleashes his power and kills his father, he starts to run away but is knocked down by falling debris as he leaves the village.

The next shot is of the enemy approaching his lands and Sam awakens in a land covered by snow - a sign that indicates a great overthrowing of power in his land.

It is here that Sam finds Chutney, a guide who shows him various skills and powers. Chutney only appears in the first world of the game. Sam also comes across an island in the ocean where water comes from, it is their job to maintain the area. They kindly offer Sam advice about himself, the island and the rest of the world. Sam later finds more humans residing in the top of a great tower, again offering a deeper insight into the world around.

Later Sam comes across another warrior from his home land; Rubis. He is the leader of the army attacking Sam's world, but is also controlled by a nameless character. Rubis befriends Sam as he worries for his own safety, he tells Sam about his past which transforms him into Satan Sam. Back on Earth Sam was a great warrior who died in battle. Upon entering the Red Lands he became an omnipotent being who ruled over the lands with an iron fist. The people captured Sam and removed his memory and given back to a small village where he would be kept out of harms way.

Later in the game Sam must build together a cannon to launch himself to the moon base of the enemy army. It is up there he faces off against the nameless final boss in 4 rounds, one on the moon, one falling from the sky and 2 back on Earth.

[edit] Characters

  • Sam - An amnesic, age-less, character who lived in a small village in the Red Lands.
  • Chutney - Sam's guide who only appears briefly.
  • Rubis - An enemy who bears a striking resemblance to Sam. Rubis also possesses similar powers. Originally an enemy he later befriends Sam in order to save the world.
  • Humans - The humans offer Sam an explanation of the world around him and invaluable advice on later powers. They have been forced into hiding by the army.
  • Ben - Ben is an odd human who lives under an acid lake in the Green Acres world.
  • MrPineapple - A bizzare fruit-person who tells you how well you did after completing echo world.

[edit] Environment

  • Red Lands - Where Sam lives. An afterlife world for warriors on Earth.
  • Blue Lands - The Blue Lands only feature in the story, there are no playable levels here. It is a place where humans moved to after the war on Earth.
  • Earth - The between world of Red and Blue Lands, most of the levels in the game are here.
  • Moon Station - This is where the enemy comes from, only 1 area of the game takes place here.
  • Echo World - An optional, final world. It pits the player against 5 incredibly difficult levels.

[edit] Trivia

  • The game had begun production in June 2005, originally slated for a Christmas release but was pushed back to February 2006.
  • This game is Sam's 3rd iteration. Originally created in 1997 as a mini game and another feeble remake in 2002, it was only until the 2006 release of this game that Sam really got noticed. [8]

[edit] Media

The game appeared on gaming websites such as Game Hippo, Gamespy and gathered a spot on an episode of G4's "Cinematech". As well as appearing in numerous European and Australian gaming magazines, notably Bravo Screenfun, and the Australian PC User Magazine on its free monthly DVD-ROM. It has also appeared on the UK's Teletext service.

[edit] External links

[edit] See also

[edit] External links

[edit] References