Elvira: The Arcade Game

Elvira: The Arcade Game
Developer(s) Flair Software[1]
Publisher(s) Flair Software
Designer(s) Mick Hedley, Phil Scott, Phillip Nixon
Programmer(s) Mick Hedley
Platform(s) Amiga, Atari ST, PC (DOS), Commodore 64
Release date(s) 1991
Genre(s) Platform
Mode(s) Single-player
Media/distribution Floppy Disk, Compact Cassette
System requirements

Amiga: 1 MB memory, Atari ST: 512 KB memory, PC: 640 KB memory, EGA or VGA graphics card, DOS 2.0

Elvira: The Arcade Game is a platform side-scrolling video game released in 1991 for the Amiga, Atari ST, Commodore 64 and PC by Flair Software. The game is based upon the film Elvira, Mistress of the Dark, released in 1988, and she features as the playable character.[2] Despite its name the game was not based on an arcade game or ever released in arcades.

Contents

Development

Elvira: The Arcade Game was licensed for publication by Queen B Productions, the owners of the Elvira franchise. It was released in four languages: English, French, German and Italian.[3]

Gameplay

The game features two worlds: the Underworld of Fire and the Arctic Earth, which must be unlocked in order to reach the third, the Castle of Transylvania. According to the ghost in the game's introduction, by right the castle belongs to Elvira.[4] In their quest, players are able to use spells and weapons, as well as collect rune stones, food in order to replenish their health, and treasure chests. If they encounter difficulty in completing a segment of their current quest, the player may purchase information from a trader, found within each level, using rune stones as a currency.[5]

Reception

Elvira: The Arcade Game received generally favourable reviews. CU Amiga awarded the game 82% and praised the graphics, describing the game as "brilliant arcade fun," but lacking any longevity. Similarly, Amiga Power pointed to the high level of polish, but lamented the fact that there were "no gameplay surprises," and so awarded it 70%.[6]

References