The Immortal (video game)

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The Immortal
Apple IIGS cover art
Developer(s)	Will Harvey
Publisher(s)	Electronic Arts
Designer(s)	Will Harvey
Composer(s)	Douglas Fulton (IIGS) Rob Hubbard Michael Bartlow
Platform(s)	Apple IIGS Amiga, Atari ST, DOS, NES, Genesis, Switch
Release	IIGS: November 1990 NES: November 1990 Genesis: NA: July 11, 1991 JP: August 1993 Switch: July 15, 2020
Genre(s)	Action-adventure
Mode(s)	Single-player

The Immortal is an isometric action-adventure game originally created for the Apple IIGS. It was ported to the Amiga, Atari ST, DOS, Nintendo Entertainment System, and Sega Genesis. A wizard is attempting to find his mentor in a large and dangerous labyrinth. The game has a high degree of graphic violence. A Nintendo Switch re-release was published in 2020.

The music for Apple IIGS version was composed by Douglas Fulton. On some conversions, Rob Hubbard and Michael Bartlow are credited.

Plot[]

The game begins with the player in control of an unnamed wizard. In the first room, the player is given the option of viewing the image of the character's mentor, another wizard named Mordamir. He is calling for help from deep below in the Labyrinth of Eternity, though he is attempting to communicate to another man named Dunric.

The two main types of creatures present in the labyrinth are the green pointy eared goblins and the yellow ram horned trolls, who are at war with one another. This is a minor plot element in the game. The player's actions in the earlier stages of the game, make it necessary for the main character to form an alliance with the goblins.

The majority of the story is revealed through dream sequences triggered when the main character rests on straw beds placed throughout the labyrinth. It is eventually revealed that Mordamir once ruled a prosperous city holding a fountain of youth and is battling against a dragon who seized said Fountain of Youth. The plot of the game undergoes a twist when the main character finds Dunric having been trapped by Mordamir, who is also the leader of The Trolls. In the end, the main character is inevitably confronted by both the dragon and Mordamir.

Gameplay[]

The game takes place on a 7- or 8-level labyrinth, depending on the version of the game. The player must solve puzzles, avoid deathtraps, use magic spells (in the form of books and scrolls), and acquire various items in order to survive the labyrinth. However, certain items will bring instant death to the player if used in an unwise and careless manner.

Combat in the game is offered in the form of a variety of non-player characters wandering or protecting a specific portion of the map. Fireball spells can be freely used to dispatch these enemies on the isometric field. However, they can not be used once the game has entered combat mode. Combat mode is initiated upon coming into close contact with these characters (in the Genesis, NES and DOS versions only, game play shifts from the standard isometric view to a zoomed-in two-dimensional view in real-time). The real-time battle engine is limited to dodging opponent's attacks and performing sword swings and stabs.

In addition to walking, certain levels allow the main character to possess a magic carpet that flies, cast a spell to levitate above ground, and paddle through water while sitting on a floating barrel.^[1]

Hidden Easter egg[]

The original Apple IIGS version contains two Easter eggs hidden within the game, as well as an alternate ending, all found or triggered on levels 5 and 6. On the 5th level, a secret hidden item–a coffee pot, can be found in an unremarkable spot in one of the rooms while using the fly carpet. On the 6th level is a seemingly endless corridor, however walking down it for approximately 12 minutes (in real-time) eventually reveals the Apple IIGS game's developers sleeping on the floor. In a fourth wall breaking moment, programmer Will Harvey converses with you, and up to 15 hit-points are awarded if you offer him the coffee item previously found (if the item is offered and not in your possession, it results in your demise). An alternate ending to the game occurs if on the 5th level you refuse to provide Ana, daughter of Dunric, her father's ring. Instead of Ana appearing after defeating Mordamir and dragon on the final level, you are instead rescued by the female Goblin who saved you from drowning.

The Nintendo, Genesis, Amiga, Atari ST and DOS ports also contain similar Easter-eggs (particularly the coffee pot, found at the same location) but differ greatly otherwise, with some ports completely omitting the presence of the developer team or their granting you special abilities upon offering the coffee.

Development[]

Will Harvey had started development on an Apple II game to be called Campaign, intending it to be an online multiplayer RPG. As the story developed, it became a single-player game only.^[2]

Reception[]

Computer Gaming World praised The Immortal's graphics, but stated that the game was really an arcade game as it was too linear to succeed as an RPG. It also criticized the use of save points and the controls and concluded that the game "misses the target".^[4] In 1992, Dragon gave the game 4 out of 5 stars.^[5] Computer and Video Games magazine was positive about the graphics and control scheme and gave an overall score of 93 out of 100.^[6]

Amiga Power was more mixed, awarding the game 76% and criticising its completely linear nature and lack of replay value, while identifying the graphics as a strength.^[7]

References[]

External links[]

• The Immortal at MobyGames
• The Immortal can be played for free in the browser at the Internet Archive