Viking Child

{{Infobox video game

|title = Viking Child

|image = Viking Child cover art (Atari Lynx).jpg

|caption = Lynx cover art

|developer = Imagitec Design Limited

|publisher = Atari Corporation

|released = {{vgrelease|NA|1991}}

|genre = Action

|modes = Single-player

|platforms = Atari ST, Amiga, Lynx, Game Boy, MS-DOS

}}

Prophecy I: The Viking Child (shortened to Viking Child on some systems) is a video game created by Imagitec Design Limited for the Atari ST, Amiga, Atari Lynx, Game Boy, and MS-DOS compatible operating systems in 1991. The Atari ST original was programmed by Mark Fisherwith with graphics by Anthony Rosbottom and music by Barry Leitch and Ian Howe.{{Citation needed|date=March 2014}}

Ports to the Game Gear,{{cn|date=February 2023}} Master System,{{cn|date=February 2023}} and Commodore 64{{cite web |title=Viking Child - 8 Bit Release |url=http://www.gamesthatwerent.com/gtw64/viking-child/viking-child-2/ |date=January 26, 2015 |access-date=February 21, 2017}} were cancelled. A planned sequel, Viking Child 2, was not released.{{cite web |title=Viking Child - Sega Releases |url=http://s109.photobucket.com/user/jamescostello/media/vcscan.jpg.html |date=January 26, 2015 |access-date=February 21, 2017}}

Plot

This video game was based on a Viking Child called Brian who must enter the Halls of Valhalla and do battle against the evil god Loki and his minions.

Gameplay

The game closely resembled Sega's Wonder Boy in Monster Land, as certain elements like collecting hidden gold, upgrading the character's weapons and visiting shops were practically identical, despite the difference in release times.{{cite magazine |last=Campbell |first=Stuart |date=September 1992 |title=Prophecy 1 - The Viking Child |url=http://amigareviews.classicgaming.gamespy.com/prophecy.htm |magazine=Amiga Power |location=United Kingdom |publisher=Future Publishing |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080402034955/http://amigareviews.classicgaming.gamespy.com/prophecy.htm | archive-date=2 April 2008 |access-date=27 February 2025}}

The game includes no save game feature. However, passwords can be earned and used to allow access to later levels.

Reception

{{Video game reviews

| IGN = 7/10 (Lynx)

| rev1 = Raze

| rev1Score= 87% (Amiga)
84% (Atari ST)

| rev2 = Amiga Power

| rev2Score = 29%

}}

Robert A. Jung reviewed the Lynx version of the game which was posted to IGN. In his final verdict he wrote "While Viking Child is a pleasant diversion, it is missing the refinements needed for greatness. The biggest appeal is in exploring the land and just trying to survive, but it should not be mistaken for an adventure game. Still, if you're looking for something that's a little more than the typical run-and-jump title, Viking Child is worth a try." Giving a final score of 7 out of 10.{{cite web |url=http://uk.ign.com/articles/1999/07/07/viking-child |title=Viking Child is worth a try. |publisher=IGN Entertainment |author=Robert A. Jung |date=6 July 1999 |access-date=15 August 2018 }}

Raze Magazine reviewed the Amiga and Atari ST versions of the game in December 1990.{{cite web |url=https://archive.org/stream/raze-magazine-02/Raze_02_Dec_1990#page/n67 |via=archive.org |publisher=Raze Magazine |author=Les Ellis |page=68 |issue=2 |date=December 1990 |access-date=16 August 2018 |title=Prophecy 1 - The Viking Child }}