The Seven Gates of Jambala

The Seven Gates of Jambala is a 1989 platform video game developed by Thalion Software and published by Grandslam Entertainments for the Amiga and Atari ST. An Amiga CD32 port was released in 1994.[2] 8-bit ports for the Commodore 64, Amstrad CPC, and ZX Spectrum were cancelled.[3]

The Seven Gates of Jambala
Developer(s)Thalion Software
Publisher(s)Grandslam Entertainments
Platform(s)Amiga, Atari ST, Amiga CD32
Release1989 (Amiga, ST)[1]
1994 (CD32)
Genre(s)Platform
Mode(s)Single-player

Gameplay

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Dravion is a student of an old wizard. During a casting of a spell, Dravion is accidentally sent to the realm of Jambala. In order to escape the magical world, he must find the Great Wand that is made up of seven pieces.[4] Each piece is found in one of the seven cities that takes the shape of a horizontally scrolling level. At the beginning Dravion can only throw pixie dust but later learns bigger and better spells.[5][3] Gold that is found throughout the levels can be used to buy items and information from merchants. Level entrances (the titular gates) are guarded by boss monsters.[5]

Reception

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Computer and Video Games summarized: "[...] this is a playable, addictive game which, although looking only average, has loads of super music and goodies of all-important addictive qualities."[7] Amiga Format called it "a slick and well polished game with small but well-defined sprites, haunting soundtracks and impressive presentation screens."[4] The Games Machine said that "[a]lthough the visuals and aurals of The Seven Gates of Jambala are good, gameplay is less than compelling."[8] ST Action concluded: "Seven Gates of Jambala is a standard platform romp that's been polished near to perfection."[5] ACE liked the graphics and sound but found the gameplay lacking.[3] Aktueller Software Markt reviewed the CD32 version and thought the controls felt bad.[2]

References

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  1. ^ "Game disk 1 (Atari ST)". The Seven Gates of Jambala. © 1989 Grandslam Entertainments Ltd. / Thalion GmbH
  2. ^ a b c "Amiga in Scheiben - The Seven Gates of Jambala" (PDF). Aktueller Software Markt (in German). Vol. 9, no. 4/94. Tronic-Verlag. April 1994. p. 88.
  3. ^ a b c d Hamza, Kati (April 1990). "Screentest - The Seven Gates of Jambala". ACE. No. 31. EMAP. p. 80.
  4. ^ a b c Evans, Matt (March 1990). "Screenplay - Seven Gates of Jambala". Amiga Format. No. 8. Future plc. p. 38.
  5. ^ a b c d "Reviews - Seven Gates of Jambala". ST Action. No. 21. Gollner Publishing. January 1990. p. 44.
  6. ^ Mühl, Ulrich (January 1990). "Action Games - Keine Hexerei?" (PDF). Aktueller Software Markt (in German). Vol. 5, no. 1/90. Tronic-Verlag. p. 44. Preis/Leistung: 9/12
  7. ^ a b Rand, Paul (January 1990). "Review - Seven Gates of Jambala". Computer and Video Games. No. 98. Future plc. p. 44.
  8. ^ a b Lapworth, Warren (March 1990). "Reviews - The Seven Gates of Jambala". The Games Machine. No. 28. Newsfield Publications. p. 52.
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