Rastan

The Good
I think a few things make this game seem like more than just another platformer. There's the above average graphics and music, the range of weapons, armour and provisions, all listed and depicted at the start, the introduction where you learn that Rastan is now an old man who has become a king and the game is his story of his days as a barbarian, a "thief-murderer". I think the Rastan character seems to have some depth though some versions of the game skip much of the story. He's a Conan-like, mercenary type, reliant on his muscles and his sword, dressed only in boots and a loin cloth. He's out to slay a dragon in return for riches.I like the stages being divided into outside, inside(castle or cave) and boss room.

The Bad
A lot of arcade games are hard to get the hang of. Rastan is pretty stubborn and I don't think he responds easily to the controls. Missing a weapon stroke can leave you rather open to counter attacks. You have to be precise.

The Bottom Line
One of the best arcade games ever, like maybe even top ten. When playing it now though, it'd make sense to use save states or other relief from the difficulties.

The Good
There is no real plot to Rastan. You just have to get through all five rounds, slaying beasts that include bats, dragons, valkyries, piranhas, demons, serpents, sorceresses, and heaps more along the way. Each round consists of two sections. One section takes place outdoors and has you making your way through mountains, forests, and clearings. The other takes place indoors and has you venture through caves, castles, and caverns. At the end of each round, you have to defeat a boss. Rather than using your default weapon, a sword, you can also pick up weapons along the way including an axe, fire sword, and ball and chain.

More often than not, when you slay these beasts, they might either leave a jewel behind allowing you to gain extra points, or leave something else like shield, armature (aka: armor), gold sheep, ring, and several other items. Be aware that there are other hazards you must avoid such as fire, water, spikes, waterfalls, and even mud. Touching these things by accident will make you lose a life.

You also have an enemy meter, which depletes whenever you touch an enemy or when the enemy throws something like knives or fireballs. However, if you manage to find medicine along the way, the energy meter is restored to full. If you pick up poison also by accident, you’ll lose energy. Timing is important in some levels. For example, in Round 2 and 3, you have to make your way across water by jumping on concrete blocks before they sink.

The Bad
This is not one of the best platformers I played so far. There is no storylines between the rounds like many true platformers have, and the bosses are always the larger version of a beast you meet in every round.

It would have been nice if the game said something different. Finally, there is not much music in the game, only a couple of tunes here and there that serve both indoor and outdoor scenes, plus the music you’ll hear when you watch the ending.

The Bottom Line
Not the best platformer that you can get your hands on. **

The Good
What's good about Rastan? Well, like I said, it's a very, very average game. Playable, but average still. I guess it has pretty good graphics and fairly decent sound, and it's playable for a while... but only for a while.

The Bad
Utterly disasterous controls. I mean, seriously - they suck. It's amazing. A simple arcade platform game with terrible controls. Who would've thought?

Also, the level design isn't particularly interesting, effective or clever, it's just there.

The Bottom Line
A particularly average platform game. It's not really bad, but it's equally not as good. I guess one could live with it.