Infuriating difficulty curve means this Master System classic is still a challenge!
Although there were and still are many games of its type, the side-scrolling, two-dimensional, role-playing platformer (phew!) stood out from amongst the crowd by making the gameplay simple, yet tough: make your way to the end of each level, invariably defeating a boss along the way to complete the game. It sounds easy enough, but there are no passwords, continues or saves available, so every playthrough literally has to be perfect to complete the game.
There are a number of shops around to improve your armour, shield, sword and boots, and enemies and hidden coins alike ensure the money supply never runs low, although it's rare to be able to afford the best of everything, all of the time. Enemies are basic but can prove annoying, with timed jumping attacks missing all too easily in an attempt to defend yourself, again reiterating the need for inch-perfect gameplay every time.
As if that wasn't enough, an hourglass drains on each area, and if you fail to get through it in time it takes significant portions of life, so there's little time to plan ahead, especially when enemies respawn and attack from behind.
Despite that, the game is still enjoyable to pick up and play, although having owned it 20 years ago, it has left me wondering how I ever stuck it given how unforgiving the game can be. Perhaps today's gamers are too used to cheats, walkthroughs and continues, but for the hard core that relishes a challenge, you could do a lot worse than give this an hour of your time.