| Master of Darkness | |
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Master of Darkness cover art |
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| Developer(s) | SIMS |
| Publisher(s) | Sega |
| Platform(s) | Sega Master System Game Gear |
| Release date(s) | Master System [1] 1992 Game Gear [2]
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| Genre(s) | 2D action platformer |
| Mode(s) | Single player |
Master of Darkness (released as In the wake of Vampire in Japan and Vampire: Master of Darkness [1] in the US), is a video game released for the Sega Game Gear and the Sega Master System. It was developed by SIMS.
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Master of Darkness is a platform game, very similar to Castlevania. The plot has the player entering the role of a psychologist named Dr. Social trying to defeat Dracula, who is behind a series of killings in London which have been attributed to Jack the Ripper.
The game requires the player to battle his way through several locations such as cemeteries, laboratories, castles and a house of wax dolls. To defeat the enemies (which range in ability and include zombies, bats and ghosts), players can utilise several primary and secondary weapons. Primary weapons are close combat weapons ranging from knives to rapiers and axes, that differ in range and efficiency. Secondary weapons are long-range weapons (pistols, bombs etc.) with limited ammunition. The player can hold one type of primary and secondary weapon. Picking up a new weapon means it automatically replaces the previous weapon in the player's inventory.
The game features five rounds divided into three stages. At the end of each stage, a boss must be defeated. At the end of the final stage, the player must defeat Dracula himself.
Both the Master System and Game Gear versions were well received critically, drawing particular praise for the detailed graphics and responsive controls. Another factor may be that the Castlevania series was yet to appear on a Sega console and Master of Darkness was the closest - in terms of quality and gameplay - that the Master System had come to replicating the experience.
Sega Force gave Master of Darkness a composite score of 79% between its two reviewers Mat Yeo and Paul Wooding. Mat rated it an 83% noting its visuals and Gothic atmosphere, while stating a few of the enemies could be annoying, particularly the dog. Paul gave the game a 74% stating the controls to be easy to use while considering the difficulty to be on the high side and the game play to occasionally be repetitive.[3]