Light Crusader - Mega Drive, 19/10/95

Every time we receive a new RPG we're sure it'll be the giant strawb that snaps the monkey's back.

But every now and then we get a game like Light Crusader which makes our lips curl and our legs straighten out. Though one of these effects is perhaps the by-product of the other.

Light Crusader is an isometric RPG like Landstalker, but replaces the cutesy characters with a load of "Slim Jims".

Though Light Crusader is an action-based RPG involving the graphic decapitation of goblins and zombies, it's far more enjoyable than puzzling.

The Puzzle Rooms reminded us of crumbly old Knight Lore on the Spectrum.

It's a matter of pushing blocks and moving bombs and pulling switches in the right order to open doors.

It could have proved tedious, but as we emerged from sessions with the game, our faces glowed like petrol bombs.

Light Crusader looks like no other RPG.

The Japanese obsession with making everyone a stocky dwarf has for once been abandoned in favour of a more realistic approach to the characters and environment.

What is weird is the way you can push almost everyone and everything in the game around. You'll have particular fun positioning the farmer and his cows.

So yes, it's rather great. It's looking an oddly good year for the Mega Drive.

Light Crusader - Mega Drive - by Sega

Players: 1
Graphix: 78%
Sonix: 79%
Gameplay: 87%
Lifespan: 87%
Originality: 56%
Uppers: Big. Tough. Looks great. Lovely
Downers: Cliched storyline
Overall: 87% - (Ca)rt-sha(ped) Crusader