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Darkman technical data
Name | Darkman |
System | NES |
Year | 1991 |
Developer | Painting by Numbers |
Genre | Fighting |
Darkman is a classic action-adventure game released in 1991 for the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES). The game was developed and published by Ocean Software, who are best known for their work on many other classic titles such as Robocop, Batman, and Platoon. In Darkman, players take control of the titular character as they attempt to save the city from a mysterious villain known only as “The Shadow”.
The story of Darkman follows the exploits of a scientist named Dr. Peyton Westlake. After an accident leaves him with severe burns all over his body, he is forced to wear a mask to hide his disfigurement. With his newfound anonymity, he takes up residence in a secret laboratory where he begins to develop an experimental synthetic skin that will help him heal and regain his human form. Unfortunately, this research catches the attention of The Shadow, who kidnaps Dr. Westlake’s assistant and threatens to destroy the city if he doesn’t turn over his research. It is now up to Darkman to rescue his assistant and stop The Shadow before it’s too late.
Gameplay in Darkman consists of side-scrolling platforming levels set in various locations around the city. Players must traverse these stages while avoiding enemies and obstacles such as pits, spikes and falling debris. As they progress through each stage, players can collect items such as health power-ups or weapons which can be used against their enemies. There are also several minigames scattered throughout each level that require quick reflexes or puzzle solving skills in order to progress further into the game. Additionally, there are several boss battles which require precise timing and strategy in order to defeat them successfully.
Graphically speaking, Darkman is quite impressive for an NES title released in 1991; the characters are well detailed and animated nicely for its time period while still managing to maintain a decent amount of detail despite being rendered on 8-bit hardware. The music featured throughout each level also helps set an appropriate tone while playing; providing some nice background music that helps add atmosphere during intense moments of gameplay or suspenseful sequences when exploring unknown areas within each stage.
Overall, Darkman is considered one of the better action-adventure games available for the NES console; offering solid gameplay mechanics along with interesting level design which keeps players engaged for hours at a time while attempting to unravel its mystery filled storyline and save Dr Westlake’s assistant from The Shadow’s clutches before it’s too late!