Difference between revisions of "Adventures in Melgratta"

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|text=
 
|text=
 
'''Release type:''' [[Shareware]]<br />
 
'''Release type:''' [[Shareware]]<br />
'''Release date:''' 1992<br />
+
'''Release date:''' [[1992]][[Category: 1992]]<br />
 
'''Levels:''' 5<br />
 
'''Levels:''' 5<br />
 
'''Author:''' [[Sherwood Forest Software|Sherwood Forest]]<br />
 
'''Author:''' [[Sherwood Forest Software|Sherwood Forest]]<br />
 
'''Registration bonus:''' Free game + current catalog<br />
 
'''Registration bonus:''' Free game + current catalog<br />
 
'''Registration price:''' $15<br />
 
'''Registration price:''' $15<br />
'''Related games:''' none}}I think that [[Sherwood]] was shooting for a sort of a ''Gauntlet'' thing here. Maybe ''Zelda'' by way of Richard Garriott? You're a quaint medieval forest adventurer, complete with tunic and green newspaper cap with a feather. Ostensibly the idea is to wander through a convoluted yet somehow empty countryside, collecting treasure and stumbling upon the right path to the next level. Since this is a Sherwood game (and probably the most appropriate to that title), nothing quite turns out as planned.
+
'''Related games:''' none}}''Melgratta'' is [[Sherwood]]'s apparent attempt at something between ''Zelda'' and ''Gauntlet'', perhaps by way of Richard Garriott -- and, perhaps, an attempt to capitalize on the brand's namesake. You're a quaint medieval forest adventurer, complete with tunic and green newspaper cap with a feather. The idea is to wander through a convoluted yet somehow empty countryside, collecting treasure and stumbling upon the right path to the next level.  
  
Rather, upon starting the game you will spend about two minutes trying your best to avoid being assailed by an unending torrent of protagonist-seeking foes. Then they will touch you once, freezing you in place. Several more thieves will mob you, and you're done for. This will happen over and over before you learn a few tricks and glitches to help you avoid the enemies.  
+
The character has a limited supply of ammunition, which is replenished by picking up arrows around the countryside. There is also a more powerful attack, which necessitates that one find and pick up a large spear item. Firing can be a bit of a chore sometimes, as at point blank range the arrows often pass through enemies.  
  
Even when you find the arrow, and figure out how to pick it up and shoot it, there's no guarantee that it will hit an enemy rather than passing right through. You have to measure the right distance between you and your target. Not an easy demand. What with their constant approach, at about the same rate that your character walks, there's really no time to sit around and aim.
+
As is typical in Sherwood games, it can be difficult to figure out where to go or what to do. Every level is set up more or less like a maze, which is further complicated in that it is not immediately obvious what is and is not a wall. Further confusing the issue, collectible objects are often placed behind impassible barriers. Later levels take the player on all manner of further challenges -- platformer stages, overt mazes, and whatnot.
  
The instructions describe all sorts of challenges and wonders as the game goes on. Perhaps it's appropriate that they remain a myth.
+
== Story ==
 
 
==Story==
 
  
 
[[File:Melgratta.png|thumb|320px|Avoiding roguery in ''Adventures in Melgratta'']]
 
[[File:Melgratta.png|thumb|320px|Avoiding roguery in ''Adventures in Melgratta'']]
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[[File:Melgratta1.png|thumb|320px|Level 1 of ''Adventures in Melgratta'']]
 
[[File:Melgratta1.png|thumb|320px|Level 1 of ''Adventures in Melgratta'']]
  
You control the movement of your character by using the four main arrow keys. You can pick up arrows by being on top of them and then you push the "Z" key. Once you have an arrow you have 50 shots and only 50, so try to conserve them. You shoot by pressing the spacebar.
+
You control the movement of your character by using the four main arrow keys. You can pick up arrows by being on top of them. Once you have an arrow you have 50 shots and only 50, so try to conserve them. You shoot by pressing the spacebar.
  
 
You will encounter two types of plants: yellow, and purple. The yellow plants will cure you if you touch them. This is good. The purple ones are poisonous, so it is wise not to touch these.
 
You will encounter two types of plants: yellow, and purple. The yellow plants will cure you if you touch them. This is good. The purple ones are poisonous, so it is wise not to touch these.
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After about two minutes, the wizard will appear in field #1. Walk into the spell he is casting, and you will be put into field #2. In this area, wait until the castle's drawbridge is lowered and you can get in the castle.
 
After about two minutes, the wizard will appear in field #1. Walk into the spell he is casting, and you will be put into field #2. In this area, wait until the castle's drawbridge is lowered and you can get in the castle.
  
In the castle you must jump over the barrels. To do this you push the "Z" or "C" key, depending on which way you are facing. Don't stay up in the air too long, or an arrow will hit you.
+
In the castle you must jump over the barrels. To do this you push the "7" or "9" key on the numerical keypad, depending on which way you are facing. Don't stay up in the air too long, or an arrow will hit you.
  
 
When you find the exit to the castle, you will be in the dense forest, a maze of trees and plants. Like in the first screen, the yellow plant will help you and purple will hurt. Also look out for shaky ground, that will also cause damage. You must also find the magic lance in the forest. It is the only defense you have against the dragons in the Lost Woods of screen five. You pick this up also by standing on it and pressing the "Z" key.
 
When you find the exit to the castle, you will be in the dense forest, a maze of trees and plants. Like in the first screen, the yellow plant will help you and purple will hurt. Also look out for shaky ground, that will also cause damage. You must also find the magic lance in the forest. It is the only defense you have against the dragons in the Lost Woods of screen five. You pick this up also by standing on it and pressing the "Z" key.
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You get to screen five, the Lost Woods, by jumping in the magic pool.  Jump into the pool to be transported to the Lost Woods, where you must find the hermit's cave and then win the game.
 
You get to screen five, the Lost Woods, by jumping in the magic pool.  Jump into the pool to be transported to the Lost Woods, where you must find the hermit's cave and then win the game.
  
==Credits==
+
== Credits ==
  
 
''Adventures in Melgratta'' is one of the many games from [[Sherwood Forest Software]]. The people who bring you this game are Rob Sherwood president, owner, and the guy with the short hair. And Dan Whalen, art director, techno guy, and the one with the long hair.
 
''Adventures in Melgratta'' is one of the many games from [[Sherwood Forest Software]]. The people who bring you this game are Rob Sherwood president, owner, and the guy with the short hair. And Dan Whalen, art director, techno guy, and the one with the long hair.
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Any similarity between any person or character in this game and any person or people in real life is purely a coincidence, and not intentional.
 
Any similarity between any person or character in this game and any person or people in real life is purely a coincidence, and not intentional.
  
==Links==
+
== Availability ==
 +
 
 +
Available on several shareware compilation CD-ROMs, including:
 +
* Public Software Library's '''[[:Category: PSL Monthly: November 1993|PSL Monthly: November 1993]]'''[[Category: PSL Monthly: November 1993]] (1993),
 +
* The Chicago Computer Broker's '''[[:Category: Games 1994|Games 1994]]'''[[Category: Games 1994]] (April 1994)
 +
* '''[[:Category: Gold Medal Software|Gold Medal Software]][[Category: Gold Medal Software]]''' (1994),
 +
* '''[[:Category: Software Vault: Platinum|Software Vault: Platinum]]'''[[Category: Software Vault: Platinum]] (1994), and
 +
* '''[[:Category: Softkey Entertainment Pack|Softkey Entertainment Pack]][[Category: Softkey Entertainment Pack]]''' (1996).
 +
 
 +
== Archive history ==
 +
 
 +
''Adventures in Melgratta'' was added to the archive on August 1, 2010. It was located on one of several shovelware CD-ROMs hosted on cd.archive.org (see [[#Availability]]), during ongoing research for the [http://www.diygamer.com/tag/the-game-maker-archive/ Game-Maker Archive article series] at DIYGamer.
 +
 
 +
== Links ==
  
 
<videoflash>kcdI2gxHEhE</videoflash>
 
<videoflash>kcdI2gxHEhE</videoflash>
 +
 +
=== Interviews / Articles ===
  
 
* [http://www.diygamer.com/2010/09/gamemaker-archive-part-16-trees-forest/ Trees in the Forest (DIYGamer)]
 
* [http://www.diygamer.com/2010/09/gamemaker-archive-part-16-trees-forest/ Trees in the Forest (DIYGamer)]
  
==Downloads==
+
=== Listings ===
 +
 
 +
* [https://archive.org/details/AdventuresinMelgratta_1020 archive.org entry]
 +
* [http://demu.org/resource/AdventuresinMelgratta_1020 demu.org entry]
 +
* [http://chomikuj.pl/Moonti/STARE+GRY/TOTAL+DOS+COLLECTION+7/TDC+release+7/1993/Adventures+in+Melgratta+*5bSW*5d+(1993)(Sherwood+Forest+Software)+*5bAction*2c+Adventure*5d,4915314787.rar(archive) chomikuj.pl entry]
 +
 
 +
=== Misc. Links ===
 +
 
 +
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TNaH2t-6C6o Shovelware Diggers #111 - Form3] (YouTube)
 +
* '''[http://www.aderack.com/game-maker/java/melgratta.php Play ''Adventures in Melgratta'' online]'''
 +
 
 +
== Downloads ==
  
 
* '''''[http://www.aderack.com/game-maker/downloads/melgratta.zip Adventures in Melgratta]''''' (139.6 kB)
 
* '''''[http://www.aderack.com/game-maker/downloads/melgratta.zip Adventures in Melgratta]''''' (139.6 kB)
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[[Category: Shareware]]
 
[[Category: Shareware]]
 
[[Category: Sherwood Forest Software]]
 
[[Category: Sherwood Forest Software]]
 +
[[Category: Nonlinear]]
 
[[Category: Top-down]]
 
[[Category: Top-down]]
 
[[Category: Action-adventure]]
 
[[Category: Action-adventure]]
 
[[Category: New discoveries]]
 
[[Category: New discoveries]]
 +
[[Category: Complete games]]
 +
[[Category: Compilation CD-ROMs]]
 +
[[Category: Pennsylvania]]
 +
[[Category: United States]]
 +
[[Category: Rob Sherwood]]
 +
[[Category: Dan Whalen]]
 +
[[Category: DIYGamer]]

Latest revision as of 23:25, 19 July 2020

Adventures in Melgratta
Melgratta-title.gif

Release type: Shareware
Release date: 1992
Levels: 5
Author: Sherwood Forest
Registration bonus: Free game + current catalog
Registration price: $15
Related games: none

Melgratta is Sherwood's apparent attempt at something between Zelda and Gauntlet, perhaps by way of Richard Garriott -- and, perhaps, an attempt to capitalize on the brand's namesake. You're a quaint medieval forest adventurer, complete with tunic and green newspaper cap with a feather. The idea is to wander through a convoluted yet somehow empty countryside, collecting treasure and stumbling upon the right path to the next level.

The character has a limited supply of ammunition, which is replenished by picking up arrows around the countryside. There is also a more powerful attack, which necessitates that one find and pick up a large spear item. Firing can be a bit of a chore sometimes, as at point blank range the arrows often pass through enemies.

As is typical in Sherwood games, it can be difficult to figure out where to go or what to do. Every level is set up more or less like a maze, which is further complicated in that it is not immediately obvious what is and is not a wall. Further confusing the issue, collectible objects are often placed behind impassible barriers. Later levels take the player on all manner of further challenges -- platformer stages, overt mazes, and whatnot.

Story[edit]

Avoiding roguery in Adventures in Melgratta

Welcome to the magical land of Melgratta. In this place beyond the realm of reality you will find all sorts of creatures, such as fairies, elves, and wizards, just to name a few.

But beware! The forests all full of thieves, that will try to steal gold and other treasures that'll be able to be found laying around in the woods.

MelgrattaGuy.png

There are many lands to be found in melgratta. There are forests, rivers, swamps castles, and caves, just to name a few.

Good luck with your exploring, and please enjoy your stay with us in Melgratta.

Instructions[edit]

Level 1 of Adventures in Melgratta

You control the movement of your character by using the four main arrow keys. You can pick up arrows by being on top of them. Once you have an arrow you have 50 shots and only 50, so try to conserve them. You shoot by pressing the spacebar.

You will encounter two types of plants: yellow, and purple. The yellow plants will cure you if you touch them. This is good. The purple ones are poisonous, so it is wise not to touch these.

After about two minutes, the wizard will appear in field #1. Walk into the spell he is casting, and you will be put into field #2. In this area, wait until the castle's drawbridge is lowered and you can get in the castle.

In the castle you must jump over the barrels. To do this you push the "7" or "9" key on the numerical keypad, depending on which way you are facing. Don't stay up in the air too long, or an arrow will hit you.

When you find the exit to the castle, you will be in the dense forest, a maze of trees and plants. Like in the first screen, the yellow plant will help you and purple will hurt. Also look out for shaky ground, that will also cause damage. You must also find the magic lance in the forest. It is the only defense you have against the dragons in the Lost Woods of screen five. You pick this up also by standing on it and pressing the "Z" key.

You get to screen five, the Lost Woods, by jumping in the magic pool. Jump into the pool to be transported to the Lost Woods, where you must find the hermit's cave and then win the game.

Credits[edit]

Adventures in Melgratta is one of the many games from Sherwood Forest Software. The people who bring you this game are Rob Sherwood president, owner, and the guy with the short hair. And Dan Whalen, art director, techno guy, and the one with the long hair.

Any similarity between any person or character in this game and any person or people in real life is purely a coincidence, and not intentional.

Availability[edit]

Available on several shareware compilation CD-ROMs, including:

Archive history[edit]

Adventures in Melgratta was added to the archive on August 1, 2010. It was located on one of several shovelware CD-ROMs hosted on cd.archive.org (see #Availability), during ongoing research for the Game-Maker Archive article series at DIYGamer.

Links[edit]

Interviews / Articles[edit]

Listings[edit]

Misc. Links[edit]

Downloads[edit]