Ashkeron!
{{Short description|1985 video game}}
{{use dmy dates|date=April 2023}}
{{Infobox video game
| title = Ashkeron!
| image = Ashkeron cover.jpg
| developer = Texgate Computers
| publisher = Mirrorsoft
| designer =
| programmer =
| artist =
| writer =
| composer =
| engine =
| series =
| platforms = Amstrad CPC, ZX Spectrum
| released = {{vgrelease|EU|1985}}
| genre = Interactive fiction
| modes = Single-player
}}
Ashkeron! is an interactive fiction video game developed by Dorset-based Texgate Computers and published by Mirrorsoft for the Amstrad CPC and ZX Spectrum in 1985.{{cite magazine |title=Attention All Spectrum Users - Basic Trace |journal=Popular Computing Weekly |date=19-25 May 1983 |volume=2 |issue=20 |page=42 |publisher=Sunshine Publications}}
Gameplay
The player character is Stephen the Blacksmith who is set to recover five treasures from the castle of an evil wizard. The game has a graphic feature called "walk-thru" where screen pictures scroll in the direction the player travels. The game supports joystick control and has a randomising option where the objects appear in different places in each playthrough.
Reception
{{Video game reviews
| AAction = 70%{{cite magazine |last1=The Pilgrim |title=Adventure - Ashkeron |journal=Amstrad Action |date=November 1985 |issue=2 |pages=79–81 |publisher=Future plc}}
| Amtix = 20%{{cite magazine |last1=Masterson |first1=Sean |title=Adventure - Ashkeron |journal=Amtix |date=November 1985 |issue=1 |page=87 |publisher=Newsfield Publications Ltd}}
| ASM = 0/2/7/2{{cite magazine |last1=Kleimann |first1=Manfred |title=Müder Krieger |journal=Aktueller Software Markt |date=March–April 1986 |issue=1/86 |page=86 |publisher=Tronic-Verlag |quote=Grafik: 0, Story: 2, Vocabular: 7, Atmosphäre: 2}}
| CRASH = 8/10{{cite magazine |last1=Brewster |first1=Derek |title=Derek Brewster's Adventure Trail - ASHKERON! |journal=Crash |date=July 1985 |issue=18 |page=104 |publisher=Newsfield Publications Ltd}}
| CVG = 7/10{{cite magazine |last1=Campbell |first1=Keith |title=Adventure Reviews - Ashkeron! |journal=Computer and Video Games |date=August 1985 |issue=46 |page=104 |publisher=Future plc}}
| SUser = 3/5{{cite magazine |last1=Price |first1=Richard |title=Adventure - Ashkeron |journal=Sinclair User |date=July 1985 |issue=40 |page=99 |publisher=EMAP}}
| rev1 = Sinclair Programs
| rev1Score = 70%{{cite magazine |title=Soft Focus - Ashkeron |journal=Sinclair Programs |date=July 1985 |issue=33 |page=17 |publisher=EMAP}}
}}
Computer Gamer said "Askeron [sic] isn't actually a bad game, just very average [...]".{{cite magazine |last1=C.J. |title=Reviews - Ashkeron |journal=Computer Gamer |date=June 1985 |issue=3 |page=64 |publisher=Argus Specialist Publications}} Home Computing Weekly called the game "complex, challenging and witty".{{cite magazine |last1=JGD |title=Reviews - Ashkeron |journal=Home Computing Weekly |date=30 April 1985 |issue=110 |page=11 |publisher=Argus Specialist Publications}} Sinclair Programs called it "[a] gripping game, excellent value for money". Sinclair User said "[...] it doesn't have the detail which provides a compelling atmosphere". Your Spectrum said that "Ashkeron is well up to Mirrorsoft's usual standards".{{cite magazine |last1=Nicholls |first1=Dave |title=Spectrum Adventures - Ashkeron |journal=Your Spectrum |date=July 1985 |issue=16 |page=37 |publisher=Dennis Publishing}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{moby game|id=/ashkeron}}
- [https://spectrumcomputing.co.uk/entry/5970/ZX-Spectrum/Ashkeron Ashkeron!] at Spectrum Computing
Category:1980s interactive fiction
Category:Europe-exclusive video games
Category:Single-player video games