Hagar the Horrible
Hagar the Horrible, developed by Rasmus Wernersson and due to be published by Kingsoft in 1992. English version thought to have not been released in the UK or maybe even at all. German release known as 'Hägar der Schreckliche'
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Player's Review
"The world's favourite Viking is ready to storm your computer screen... Help Hagar eat, fight and drink his way around the globe in search of loot-oh, and don't forget to make sure he brings back enough souvenirs for his wife, Helga, or he won't get his supper! Join Hagar and his friends in this action-packed platform adventure, you're guaranteed to have fun!"
Even though the English version may not have been released it has been preserved with original disk images available to download at GTW64. Easyflash release played here with password protection removed. https://www.gamesthatwerent.com/gtw64/hagar-the-horrible-uk/
Who knows why it wasn't made available. Maybe 1992 was just to late to expect a meaningful amount of sales. I first played the game via a demo on Commodore Format magazine. I didn't exactly win me over so didn't even look out for it. Platform games at this time like Creatures 1,2 First Samurai and even Stuntman Seymour so had already had my fill of platform gaming and Hagar with its simple looking gfx and no music didn't really grab me but with that said, it's sfx largely resembled the likes of First Samurai and Shadow Dancer. Playing the game years later my opinion hasn't changed. There's not much variation in the levels making it a bit repetitive and weapon collision issues hurt the gameplay. The last level has what might be a bug, I cant see it being intentional where the Chalice item will be moved into the wall where you cant reach it if you collect the key earlier in the level beforehand. It would be an odd gameplay choice to throw in that curveball at the final stage and maybe this delayed the English release.
The game has you controlling Hagar the Viking as you travel the world to find all the items for Helga. There are eight levels and each has an item requirement that you must find in order to proceed to the next level. All levels have the same items, but you do need to make sure to collect specific ones. There is nothing to show you that you achieved that goal, only a sound effect when you pick up a required one. If you enter the exit and defeat the boss without the needed items, it will fail the level and you need to try again. In each level you have to jump around the platforms and slay any enemies in your way. You can charge your sword holding fire but finding the right hit point can be tricky. I find crouching and releasing fire usually works. Many enemies you can just jump over and ignore of course. You carry multiple weapons but I fond that only the smart bomb (Potion) and Fire are useful (and expensive). After finding a key you can access the shop and tavern to buy weapons or food. It is good to have food handy if your energy gets low or you can buy a beer to refill the energy bar. The dice game seems to just be an easy way to lose money.
Overall, I find it a very average platform game. Not nearly as pretty or well presented as the Amiga game, but that's not unexpected although the C64 game has had some effort in the overall presentation with the level select screen, an end screen and level success and fail interlude screens. C64 or Amiga though, the game is lacklustre for the time compared to other releases. The lack of level variation doesnt make for a very interesting game. Maybe if Codemasters had put it out as a budget game sequel to Spike in Transylvania, it may have been more appealing.
00:00:00 Title Music
00:01:00 Level fail / Game-Over Animation
00:01:25 Level 1
00:08:16 Level 2
00:14:35 Level 3
00:19:46 Level 4
00:25:53 Level 5
00:32:22 Level 6
00:37:36 Level 7
00:44:37 Level 8
00:51:08 Ending
Even though the English version may not have been released it has been preserved with original disk images available to download at GTW64. Easyflash release played here with password protection removed. https://www.gamesthatwerent.com/gtw64/hagar-the-horrible-uk/
Who knows why it wasn't made available. Maybe 1992 was just to late to expect a meaningful amount of sales. I first played the game via a demo on Commodore Format magazine. I didn't exactly win me over so didn't even look out for it. Platform games at this time like Creatures 1,2 First Samurai and even Stuntman Seymour so had already had my fill of platform gaming and Hagar with its simple looking gfx and no music didn't really grab me but with that said, it's sfx largely resembled the likes of First Samurai and Shadow Dancer. Playing the game years later my opinion hasn't changed. There's not much variation in the levels making it a bit repetitive and weapon collision issues hurt the gameplay. The last level has what might be a bug, I cant see it being intentional where the Chalice item will be moved into the wall where you cant reach it if you collect the key earlier in the level beforehand. It would be an odd gameplay choice to throw in that curveball at the final stage and maybe this delayed the English release.
The game has you controlling Hagar the Viking as you travel the world to find all the items for Helga. There are eight levels and each has an item requirement that you must find in order to proceed to the next level. All levels have the same items, but you do need to make sure to collect specific ones. There is nothing to show you that you achieved that goal, only a sound effect when you pick up a required one. If you enter the exit and defeat the boss without the needed items, it will fail the level and you need to try again. In each level you have to jump around the platforms and slay any enemies in your way. You can charge your sword holding fire but finding the right hit point can be tricky. I find crouching and releasing fire usually works. Many enemies you can just jump over and ignore of course. You carry multiple weapons but I fond that only the smart bomb (Potion) and Fire are useful (and expensive). After finding a key you can access the shop and tavern to buy weapons or food. It is good to have food handy if your energy gets low or you can buy a beer to refill the energy bar. The dice game seems to just be an easy way to lose money.
Overall, I find it a very average platform game. Not nearly as pretty or well presented as the Amiga game, but that's not unexpected although the C64 game has had some effort in the overall presentation with the level select screen, an end screen and level success and fail interlude screens. C64 or Amiga though, the game is lacklustre for the time compared to other releases. The lack of level variation doesnt make for a very interesting game. Maybe if Codemasters had put it out as a budget game sequel to Spike in Transylvania, it may have been more appealing.
00:00:00 Title Music
00:01:00 Level fail / Game-Over Animation
00:01:25 Level 1
00:08:16 Level 2
00:14:35 Level 3
00:19:46 Level 4
00:25:53 Level 5
00:32:22 Level 6
00:37:36 Level 7
00:44:37 Level 8
00:51:08 Ending
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