The Evolution of Platform Adventure/Metroidvania Games Pt. 1: 1984-1993

[@Alianger]

What are everyone's faves from this period? My own preliminary top 25 list: Gargoyle's Quest 2 (NES/GB, 1992) Wonder Boy III: The Dragon's Trap/Monster World II/Dragon's Curse (SMS, 1989/GG/PCE) Knightmare II: Maze of Galious/Majou Densetsu II (MSX, 1987) Zillion (SMS, 1987) Ufouria: The Saga/Hebereke (NES, 1991) Gargoyle's Quest (GB, 1990)​ TMNT 3: Radical Rescue (GB, 1993) Flashback: The Quest for Identity (PC/MD, 1992) Wonder Boy in Monster World/Monster World III/Dynastic Hero (MD, 1991/PCE CD) The Goonies II/Goonies 2 (NES, 1987) Faxanadu (NES 1987) Zelda II (FDS/NES, 1987) Metroid II: Return of Samus (GB, 1991) Blaster Master (NES, 1988) Milon's Secret Castle (GB, 1993) Metroid (FDS/NES, 1986) Rygar (NES, 1987) Spellcaster (SMS, 1988) ​Legacy of the Wizard/Dragon Slayer IV (NES, 1987) Tengoku Yoitoko (Welcome to Heaven)(MSX, 1987) The Adventures of Rad Gravity (NES, 1990) ​Cyborg Hunter (SMS, 1988) ​Below the Root (C64/PC, 1984) Clash at Demonhead (NES, 1989) Exile (C64/AMI, 1988) ​

[@oOTxaiOo]

wow, never thought of Quackshot this way, but it makes a lot of sense

[@Alianger]

Yeah, while the levels themselves don't interconnect it does feature the other elements of the genre.

[@RyumaXtheXKing]

Where is Exile though? Omg, what is that amazing bass at 1:05 ?

[@Alianger]

You mean the JP game by Telenet? I went with this one as the JP game doesn't have ability gating. That's C64 saw bass :D It was pretty common to add a modulation effect to it for music on that system but here I think it's just playing alongside a sine or triangle wave.

[@RyumaXtheXKing]

@@Alianger No, Exile for micro computers. Planet exploration side scroller with advanced physics.

[@Alianger]

@@RyumaXtheXKing It's in the video :) 7:28

[@KA0T]

Nice! I had golden talisman on cpc, been trying to remember the title since then. That tech jump at the 90's...😳

[@Alianger]

Cool, I've only played the C64 version more recently. Quite a tricky game in terms of the platforming with the way you bounce off of walls It's a big contrast from a GB game to a 16-bit FPS, yeah :D There were some earlier FPS games including action adventure style ones like Total Eclipse and Star Cruiser but they didn't have platforming nor much ability/tool gating.

[@Tybis]

I'd argue that GG Shinobi II could count, since it has upgrade-gated backtracking unlike the first game.

[@Alianger]

Fair point, is the gating mandatory though?

[@Tybis]

Yeah, you need to backtrack in order to collect objects that will open the last level.

[@guiguisuperG]

Don't forget Rambo on NES (1987) haves some backtracking! Y's 3 (1989) Multi Konami Wai Wai World (1988) Famicom

[@Alianger]

I skipped a few games due to length but yes, Wai Wai World does belong! They also need some movement ability gating I think and Ys 3 doesn't have that, just some minor tool gating: "No tool items for traversal/exploration gained besides the Fire Jewel (creates a guiding light in a dark maze) and arguably the Fire Dragon's Amulet (dries up a lava river) - the rest are used as keys or for trading". Rambo has only one AFAIK.