Solomon's Key: Difference between revisions
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[[image:solomonskeyscreenshot.jpg|right|thumb|Arcade version of Solomon's Key]] |
[[image:solomonskeyscreenshot.jpg|right|thumb|Arcade version of Solomon's Key]] |
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{{nihongo|'''''Solomon's Key'''''|ソロモンのカギ|Solomon no Kagi}} is a puzzle game developed by [[Tecmo]] in 1986 for arcade release on custom hardware based on the [[Z80]] chipset. It is better known as a 1987 port to the [[Nintendo Entertainment System]], although it also appeared on many other game systems of the time |
{{nihongo|'''''Solomon's Key'''''|ソロモンのカギ|Solomon no Kagi}} is a puzzle game developed by [[Tecmo]] in 1986 for arcade release on custom hardware based on the [[Z80]] chipset. It is better known as a 1987 port to the [[Nintendo Entertainment System]], although it also appeared on many other game systems of the time, like the [[Famicom Disk System]], released in Japan on [[January 25]], [[1991]]. |
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==Overview== |
==Overview== |
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Revision as of 02:24, 23 September 2007
| Solomon's Key | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Developer(s) | Tecmo |
| Publisher(s) | Tecmo |
| Platform(s) | Z80 / Famicom Disk System / C64 / NES, Virtual Console |
| Release | July 1987 |
| Genre(s) | Puzzle |
| Mode(s) | Single player |
Solomon's Key (ソロモンのカギ, Solomon no Kagi) is a puzzle game developed by Tecmo in 1986 for arcade release on custom hardware based on the Z80 chipset. It is better known as a 1987 port to the Nintendo Entertainment System, although it also appeared on many other game systems of the time, like the Famicom Disk System, released in Japan on January 25, 1991.
Overview
Solomon's Key is generally recognized as one of the most difficult games to appear on the NES or any other platform for that matter. The player must overcome unlimited enemy spawning, challenging level designs, a countdown timer, Dana's fragility, and limited ways to dispatch enemies. In addition, it's easy for players to unintentionally make levels impossible to clear while playing them.
Solomon's Key also has many hidden items and secret levels that are hard to find which enhances the reward for playing. The ending also slightly changes depending on which secret levels the player finds and completes, if any.
Gameplay
The main character, Dana is sent to retrieve "Solomon's Key" to restore the world to light from demons that were accidentally released. The object of the game is to advance through the 50 rooms of "Constellation Space" by acquiring a key to the door that leads to the next room before a timer runs out. The game incorporates elements of the platform shooter genre. Dana can run, jump, create or destroy orange blocks adjacent to him as well as create fireballs to destroy demons. The orange blocks can also be destroyed by jumping into them twice. Along the way Dana can acquire items to upgrade his firepower and extra lives as well as items that award bonus points and unlock hidden rooms. With certain items, Dana must make, then break blocks (sometimes in a certain manner) to make these appear.
Levels
There are 64 levels in total with 15 being secret. The main levels are divided into groups of 4 with one group for each Zodiac constellation. The final level is called Solomon's room. Each constellation has a secret bonus room which can only be accessed by finding a seal for the constellation in the last room of the group. The other three levels are Page of Time, The Page of Space, and the Princess Room which occur only if the player has acquired the hidden Seals of Solomon.
1-4 Aries 5-8 Taurus 9-12 Gemini 13-16 Cancer 17-20 Leo 21-24 Scorpio 25-28 Libra 29-32 Virgo 33-36 Sagittarius 37-40 Capricorn 41-44 Aquarius 45-48 Pisces
Notes
At the Game Over Screen a "GDV", or Game Deviation Value score also appears. The score uses a weighted composite of several factors (like levels completed, items found, time and points) which gives the player a good idea of how well the last game was played. The higher the GDV the better the game.
In 1993, a sequel was released for the NES named Fire 'N Ice in North America but called Solomon's Key 2 elsewhere. A sequel for the original Game Boy entitled Solomon's Club was released in 1991.
The 1999 Game Boy Color release Monster Rancher Explorer (called simply "Solomon" in Japan) by Tecmo is an updated port of Solomon's Key.
The game was released for the Wii's Virtual Console on November 19th, 2006 in North America.[1] and on December 15, 2006 in Europe.[2]
References
- ^ Parish, Jeremy (2006-10-31). "Wii Virtual Console Lineup Unveiled". 1UP.com. Retrieved 2006-11-01.
- ^ "Euro VC updates for tomorrow".
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External links
- Template:GameFAQs
- Fabia Sanna's information site on Solomon's Key
- PC Remake from Zikitrake Soft
- Solomon's Key at MobyGames
- Solomon's Key at the Killer List of Videogames
- Solomon's Key at SpectrumComputing.co.uk
- Maps of all levels for Solomon's Key at NESMaps