Ravenskull (computer game)
| Ravenskull | |
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Front cover art
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| Developer(s) | Martin Edmondson and Nicholas Chamberlain |
| Publisher(s) | Superior Software, ProAction, Superior Interactive |
| Designer(s) | Martin Edmondson & Nicholas Chamberlain (BBC Micro / Acorn Electron), John Wallace (Acorn Archimedes / Risc PC), Darren Izzard (Windows) |
| Platform(s) | BBC Micro Acorn Electron Acorn Archimedes Risc PC Microsoft Windows |
| Release | 1986 (BBC/Electron) 1994 (Archimedes) 1997 (Risc PC) 2003 (Windows) |
| Genre(s) | Action-adventure game |
| Mode(s) | Single-player |
Ravenskull is a British graphic adventure video game. It was originally developed by Martin Edmondson and Nicholas Chamberlain for the BBC Micro and Acorn Electron and released by Superior Software in 1986.
The player may choose from one of four character types: an Adventurer, a Wizard, a Warrior or an Elf. The choice defines both the graphics for the character's player and the treasure pieces to be collected.
The player is tasked with entering Baron Strieg's Castle Ravenskull in order to defend the village of Austberg and retrieve a stolen silver crucifix, which has been split into quarters and found on four different levels of the castle.
The castle is defended on all four levels by the vicious Ravenbees. Direct contact would cause the player to lose a life. Each Ravenbee moved on a set course moving back and forth along a row, horizontally at a uniform speed matching the normal speed of the players character. To complete each level and progress to the next level, a player is required to collect all of the treasure pieces before being able to pick up the crucifix quarter section. On completing a level and starting the next, then a jump facility would become available by pressing J to start a game at any level that had been reached. Objects could be picked up, used and dropped - the maximum objects were three that could be carried around in the inventory. Objects could be examined by pressing E, and keys would have an assigned letter for identifying it. Doors and gates were opened using the keys, and barrels could be pushed in any direction in mini puzzles on the map. The objective was to complete all four levels consequtively, without losing a life, and without using the level jump facility. On successfully doing this it produces a congratulatory message to appear on the screen: "Well done Done it!" Superior Software had held a competition with a cash prize offered, and stating a deadline for entering it. The main objects that had featured in the levels is described below:
Level 1 - Castle Ravenskull: Keys (for opening doors and gates). 2 magic scrolls (teleportation, and lightning strike). Axes for removing a wall section. Hazards include acid pools causing loss of a life on contact.
Level 2 - The Catacombs: Keys. A spade for digging out the sections of earth in a poisonous plant maze. A fish that boosts health. A potion which slows down players movement, but increases the health. A Magic scroll for cancelling out the effect of the potion, to restore the speed of player movement. Another magic scroll (teleportation). Hazards include poisonous plants and spiked discs causing loss of a life on contact.
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