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Cauldron (C64, 1985)

Cauldron (C64, 1985)

Subgenre: Defender-like Shooter/Maze Platformer hybrid (outdoors while flying, can land and walk around like in Fantasy Zone; flip screen indoors), Collectathon-lite (collect 6 ingredients to mix a potion with, 4 keys for locked doors)


Movement Mechanics: Limited flight (Energy/HP-fueled) - default ability

  • No permanent upgrades/tools besides the potion which lets you beat the boss (works like a key)

  • Partially non-linear structure (can grab some keys in any order)

  • HP refill points

  • No maps

  • No save or password save (respawn on the spot)

  • Can shoot in 6 directions but have to be pressing a direction to fire so it's hard to maintain the same speed unless moving at top speed

Some notable cons:

  • Crash immediately from touching ground obstacles and the game is a bit too picky about where you can land (next to the purple door for example)

  • Turning is too slow which exasperates the above issue, Can't shoot while walking on the ground, No mid-air control when jumping

  • Random invisible wall in one of the forest segments


Playthrough - Video Review



Influenced by: Defender, possibly Forbidden Forest, Jet Set Willy, Montezuma's Revenge, Pitall II, Alchemist


Influenced: 

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