''Savage'' is an

action game An action game is a video game genre that emphasizes physical challenges, including hand–eye coordination and reaction-time. The genre includes a large variety of sub-genres, such as fighting games, beat 'em ups, shooter games, and platform ...

developed by

Probe Software Acclaim Entertainment was an American video game publisher from Long Island, active from 1987 until filing for Chapter 7 bankruptcy on September 1, 2004. Through a series of acquisitions between 1990 and 2002, Acclaim built itself a large portfo ...

and published by

Firebird Software Telecomsoft was a British video game publisher and a Division (business), division of British Telecom. The company was founded by Ederyn Williams, Dr. Ederyn Williams in 1984 and operated three separate labels: Firebird, Rainbird, and Silverbir ...

in 1988 for

ZX Spectrum The ZX Spectrum () is an 8-bit home computer that was developed by Sinclair Research. It was released in the United Kingdom on 23 April 1982, and became Britain's best-selling microcomputer. Referred to during development as the ''ZX81 Colou ...

, Commodore 64,

Amstrad CPC The Amstrad CPC (short for ''Colour Personal Computer'') is a series of 8-bit home computers produced by Amstrad between 1984 and 1990. It was designed to compete in the mid-1980s home computer market dominated by the Commodore 64 and the S ...

, Atari ST, and

MS-DOS MS-DOS ( ; acronym for Microsoft Disk Operating System, also known as Microsoft DOS) is an operating system for x86-based personal computers mostly developed by Microsoft. Collectively, MS-DOS, its rebranding as IBM PC DOS, and a few oper ...

. In 1989 Firebird published a version for the

Amiga Amiga is a family of personal computers introduced by Commodore International, Commodore in 1985. The original model is one of a number of mid-1980s computers with 16- or 32-bit processors, 256 KB or more of RAM, mouse-based GUIs, and sign ...

Gameplay

''Savage'' is a three-part game; the first part is side-scrolling level with a muscular hero warrior fighting his way in a castle dungeon; the second is a 3D into-the-screen action sequence where the player has to shoot targets while avoiding monstrous stone heads; the third level a bird has to find its way in a 2d scrolling maze, collect four keys and reach the exit. The story is a

swords and sorcery Sword and sorcery (S&S) is a subgenre of fantasy characterized by sword-wielding heroes engaged in exciting and violent adventures. Elements of romance, magic, and the supernatural are also often present. Unlike works of high fantasy, the ta ...

fantasy, with the muscular hero in the end rescuing his 'maiden love' from the clutches of the "Dark Guardian".

Reception

Nick Bruty spoke on the reception of the game stating "The reviews definitely seemed positive, but sales-wise I don't think it did that well. I hated the marketing campaign - the print ads, They had this weedy little school kid becoming Savage, and I think they really just focused on the game itself. So there was this big thing 'Savage' - a colour, full-on, Conan-on-steroids game, and then we got this weedy, black and white advert. Everything about it sucked the life out of me." ''

Your Sinclair ''Your Sinclair'', or ''YS'' as it was commonly abbreviated, was a commercially published and printed British computer magazine for the Sinclair range of computers, mainly the ZX Spectrum. It was in circulation between 1984 and 1993. History Th ...

'' awarded the game 9 out of 10, praising the detailed and colourful graphics achieved with the Spectrum. The Commodore 64/128 version of the game was reviewed in 1990 in '' Dragon'' #155 by Hartley, Patricia, and Kirk Lesser in "The Role of Computers" column. The reviewers gave the game 4 out of 5 stars. The reviewers complimented the game, stating, "''Savage'' is one of the best C64/128 arcade games we’ve played lately. Especially of note is the game's music, which is of extraordinarily high quality. The graphic sprites are well designed, and play is fast." They concluded the review by saying, "Yes, ''Savage'' is savage—on both your joystick palm and fire-button finger. If you aren’t quick, you’re dead. ..''Savage'' is a very good arcade/fantasy game and is well named!"

References

External links

''Savage''
at Gamebase 64
''Savage''
at Spectrum Computing
''Savage''
at Amiga Hall of Light {{Authority control 1988 video games Amiga games Atari ST games DOS games ZX Spectrum games Amstrad CPC games Commodore 64 games Action games Fantasy video games Probe Software games Video games scored by Jeroen Tel Video games developed in the United Kingdom Video games set in castles Microplay Software games Telecomsoft games

Gameplay

Reception

See also

References

Further reading

External links