Karnov

• Release Date: 1987
• Genre: Action
• Style: Side-Scrolling Platform

Game Description

As the title character, Karnov, players must attempt to piece together an ancient map leading to a bountiful treasure. There are nine stages in the game, and once Karnov defeats each stage's boss monster, he grabs another piece of the map. If Karnov can successfully find all nine pieces, he'll find the treasure and the credits will roll. Throughout the game, there are numerous power-ups available for the hero. They include ladders, super-speed shoes, ladders, bombs and energy crystals to enhance Karnov's fire-breathing abilities. Players who grab 50 "K" icons can earn an extra life.

Players use the joystick and three buttons -- fire, jump and select -- to control Karnov. If he stands in one place for too long, flying dragons or fire-shooting plants will appear to spur him along. On his quest, Karnov faces a multitude of monsters including demons, ninjas, animated statues, bats and skeletons. One touch from any of these monsters and Karnov loses a life. Once all three lives are gone, the game is over. Players can continue their quest with additional credits.

Review: Overall

Karnov is a strange hybrid of side-scrolling games like Super Mario Bros. and action role-playing games like Gauntlet. The hero tosses fireballs at a collection of dastardly creatures and collects magical items to use in his quest for gold. There is no princess to save and no dungeon to escape, but I think you get the point.

The thing that separates Karnov from the aforementioned games is that it is incredibly, mind-numbingly hard. Just getting the hero through the first level of the game (much less all nine) is a challenge tough enough for even the most adept of gamers.

Karnov's jumps are erratic and difficult to control. When he goes up, you are never really sure where he might land. Usually, it's on one of the evil creatures. Adding to the difficulty is the variable number of shots it takes to kill certain kinds of creatures.

Some things die very easily, while others can resist a barrage of shots and throw things at you. Often, a creature that looks like another creature is more powerful, simply because it's a different color.

All I am trying to say is that Karnov is hard; I never did get through all nine levels. After sinking several dollars into the game and making to the middle of the third level, I quit. You can challenge my integrity as a videogame journalist, but I know a lost cause when I see one.

Visually, Karnov is pedestrian. Compared with other games that hit Arcades in 1987, Karnov is slightly below average. None of the characters are terribly detailed and the background scenery is drab. Karnov is not exactly a feast for the eyes.

Karnov's sound also leaves a lot to be desired. The cookie-cutter music and the low-fidelity sound effects do not add anything to the game, which is already excruciatingly difficult. The folks at Data East did not win any awards for Karnov's audiovisual presentation.

Overall, Karnov is a game with an interesting character and a decent plot but little enjoyment value. I do not like games that are too easy, but I am also averse to playing games that are simply too hard. Karnov falls into the latter category, and with below-average sound and graphics, it's hard to understand why Data East ever released the game.

Review: Enjoyment

Karnov is so difficult that any possible enjoyment is sucked right out of the game.

Review: Graphics

The visuals are sketchy and the backgrounds are drab.

Review: Sound

Karnov has little to offer in the way of sound. Basically, it's pre-fab music and cheesy sound effects.

Review: Replay Value

I continued playing {*Karnov} several times out of a sense of duty, but I think most gamers will give up more quickly than I did.