Heimdall 2

Title		Heimdall 2
Publisher	Core Design, 1994
Game Type	RPG
Players		1
Compatibility	1 MB (Seperate OCS/ECS and AGA versions)
HD Installable 	Yes
Submission	Stuart Wilson

Review
Heimdall returns to your screens again with another Loki battling
escapade. For those unfamiliar with the original, Heimdall 2 also uses a
3D isometric perspective, with a point and click system. This time, Loki
is determined to get his revenge on his arch-enemy Heimdall, who defeated
him after Loki stole the weapons of the Norse Gods Odin, Thor and Frey.
Sporadic attacks across the realm have alarmed the Gods, and Odin sends
his son Baldur to deal with them. Unfortunately he is unsuccessful, and
all is lost until Heimdall volunteers to return to a mortal state to deal
with Loki on a more personal basis, not only to retrieve the weapons of
the Gods, but the amulets, talismen and Ro'Gelds (sources of magic) that
are scattered throughtout the various worlds. Excpet this time he is
assisted by a Valkyrie known as Ursha. Hence Heimdall 'II'.

A rather complex background in itself leads to a simple general plot:
Collect the Ro'Gelds, amulets and Talismen and don't get killed. The
addition of another character with slightly differing statistics is
supposed to be an aid, but you may find yourself simply using it to store
items you pick up. Rather standard RPG fare then: Increase your
statistics by practising combat and magic, fight various creatures and
delve into various sub-plots that make up the whole. You are gently eased
into the game with your first puzzle - in this case, two warring villages
that Loki has confused into believing they are at war with each other.
Fairly simplistic in itself, though it doesn't actually sound that
interesting.

What you are presented with however is actually a very pleasant gaming
experience: bold, colourful and well detailed backgrounds and sprites are
extremely well animated, it is clear the designers have spent a lot of
time developing the artwork. Even on a standard A600, detail and animation
is clear and well defined, though it is improved greatly with a 1 MB
memory upgrade, and the AGA version boasts more colours and is slightly
faster, though the pace of the characters is a little slow and can take a
while to traverse the game screen. The sound is very good, the sound
effects adding realism to the game and the in game music is of a similar
quality. Though I found it could get a little annoying at times, it didn't
detract from my enjoyment of the game.

In all I highly recommend this game to anyone, no matter their gaming
preference. If I were to be truly objective, I would say that those
obsessed with standard RPG style games should perhaps avoid this as it
hasn't quite the depth of say, Ishar. But otherwise I consider this to be
a well constructed game and should certainly be on any gamers list.

Alphabetical list.