+wongojack Posted June 3, 2018 Share Posted June 3, 2018 I am going through a phase of playing through Coleco games on my Ultimate SD, and last week, I started playing Alcazar: The Forgotten Fortress. I couldn't find a thread dedicated specifically to this game, so I decided to start my own. I was surprised at how much I liked the game (having never heard of it before), and I just got finished making it to the throne on the hardest difficulty. This is truly a great game that reminds me of a handful of other games from the era like AD&D Cloudy Mountain, Swords & Serpents, Wolfenstein, and the original Metal Gear. I really liked the way the game forced you to play differently as the difficulty increased. Here are some tips from someone fresh from playing this hidden gem: 1) Read the fnck!ng manual (LOL) 2) After #1, make note of what special item kills which enemy AND which color castle has which resources and shortcut item. I wrote this down on a small piece of paper and just kept it next to me for reference: Oil kills Griffins Bleach kills Oilmoebas Water and Ring kill Genies Only Bullets kill the Guards Rope is in the Blue Castle (lots of guns) Raft and WATER are in the Red Castle (no guns on lvl 4) Ring is in the Purple Castle (little bit of everything; no genies) Extra life is in the Black Castle (despite the manual, usually has guns) 3) Go slow and learn to recognize the hints about which enemies are where. On the higher levels, you can't let yourself get surprised. You'll almost always be killed by every enemy unless you have a plan. 4) If you do get surprised, carrying meat in your hand can help you quickly stun any enemy. 5) Follow the tips in the manual and learn to lure enemies down pits. I find that the tiger and the oilmoeba are especially easy to lure down the small pits in level 3 and 4 (4 is the highest) even if chasing you for a few screens (they're slow). The guard and the griffin are pretty fast, so only a direct lure down a pit is recommended for them. 6) Your route matters! You want to plan your route so that the last castle you visit before the Alcazar is either a Red or Purple Castle. If the map isn't favorable, don't wast time. Just reset the game until you see one you like. 7) Blue Castles are the easiest, but the rope is the least useful special item and bullets aren't very helpful in the Alcazar. Blue Castles are good to visit early to stock up on bullets and can be a relief to pass through on your route to the finish, but don't waste too much time on maps with large numbers of them near the Alcazar. 8.) Black Castles are a good first stop to stock up on supplies, but getting the extra man can be very tough (and expensive) especially on level 4. Step into Black Castles early and look around, but be prepared to backtrack and leave rather than waste resources. Also, you don't want to pick up a key too early or it will use valuable inventory space. 9) Carry 2 bottles of water with you into the Alcazar. Sometimes you can find one bottle in there, but don't count on it. You will almost always need to kill at least 2 genies to get to the throne. 10) On level 3 and 4, you will need to carry keys with you into the Alcazar. You can get these only from guards in the Purple or Black Castles. Ideal inventory starting Alcazar on level 4: Water* Water Keys Oil or Bleach** *can substitute a ring **You don't really need bullets in the Alcazar because there are no guards 11) When you find it, you need to make contact with the left part of the throne. That's the part that most looks like the seat. If you are racing a genie to the throne, be aware that you cannot just touch it anywhere. 8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ed1475 Posted June 3, 2018 Share Posted June 3, 2018 Here's a gameplay video I made a few years ago. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+wongojack Posted June 3, 2018 Author Share Posted June 3, 2018 Here's a gameplay video I made a few years ago. Nice! You should try to make a Level 4 video and tell me if my tips are helpful. Side note - this game is dying for a controller hack where Button 1 shoots, Button 2 shows the map, and Buttons 1-3 on the keypad change your hand item. The Coleco controller is just sitting there wasting away while I mash button 1, making it do 3 separate functions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarcusFrom1982 Posted March 19, 2019 Share Posted March 19, 2019 I've been after a copy for a few years now. I didn't know about this game from back in the day either. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jman9 Posted March 20, 2019 Share Posted March 20, 2019 Question, I know on the title screen that they say the game came out in 1985, but since the game was released by Telegames wouldn't a 1986 date been more likely? I say this because there isn't really anything concrete or any source that I know of that states 1985 is correct. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crapahute Posted March 20, 2019 Share Posted March 20, 2019 Question, I know on the title screen that they say the game came out in 1985, but since the game was released by Telegames wouldn't a 1986 date been more likely? I say this because there isn't really anything concrete or any source that I know of that states 1985 is correct. It is in the "unreleased before 1986" list : http://colecoboxart.com/colecovision_listofgames.htm#unreleased 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mr_me Posted March 20, 2019 Share Posted March 20, 2019 (edited) Question, I know on the title screen that they say the game came out in 1985, but since the game was released by Telegames wouldn't a 1986 date been more likely? I say this because there isn't really anything concrete or any source that I know of that states 1985 is correct. The copyright year is when it was written, not when it was released. I am going through a phase of playing through Coleco games on my Ultimate SD, and last week, I started playing Alcazar: The Forgotten Fortress. I couldn't find a thread dedicated specifically to this game, so I decided to start my own. I was surprised at how much I liked the game (having never heard of it before), and I just got finished making it to the throne on the hardest difficulty. This is truly a great game that reminds me of a handful of other games from the era like AD&D Cloudy Mountain, Swords & Serpents, Wolfenstein, and the original Metal Gear. ... Same programmer as intellivision AD&D. Edited March 20, 2019 by mr_me 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jman9 Posted March 21, 2019 Share Posted March 21, 2019 Slip of the tongue when it comes to written vs released. The million dollar question is does that mean that all the games below by Telegames that were for the Dina 2 in 1 were released in 1986. (yes, some games were built in, but I want to keep this tidy) Alcazar: The Forgotten Fortress Amazing Bumpman Boulder Dash Cosmic Crisis Meteoric Shower Motocross Racer Rock 'n' Bolt Skiing Strike It Tank Wars Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarcusFrom1982 Posted July 24, 2019 Share Posted July 24, 2019 A copy appeared on ebay last week with box. It sold quickly at $300 I hope one of you guys got to fill in the gap. I just couldn't pull that trigger 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+sixersfan105 Posted August 30, 2019 Share Posted August 30, 2019 On 7/24/2019 at 12:54 PM, MarcusFrom1982 said: A copy appeared on ebay last week with box. It sold quickly at $300 I hope one of you guys got to fill in the gap. I just couldn't pull that trigger Interesting. Not showing up on GameValueNow or eBay sold listings... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
digress Posted August 30, 2019 Share Posted August 30, 2019 I bought this from telegames back in around 1987 via mail order. what a great game. I got boulderdash, Spy hunter, Alcazar and James bond at the same time. It was so nice to get some new games after colecovision was gone from store shelves since 1985. The use of sound fxs as visual clues making you strategize before entering the next room only to run in and find 3-4 gaurds instead of 1 come at you. the stupid transportation carpet that sometimes would transport you to a endless pit room. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarcusFrom1982 Posted September 1, 2019 Share Posted September 1, 2019 On 8/29/2019 at 11:30 PM, sixersfan105 said: Interesting. Not showing up on GameValueNow or eBay sold listings... Its back listed on ebay again Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+sixersfan105 Posted September 1, 2019 Share Posted September 1, 2019 1 hour ago, MarcusFrom1982 said: Its back listed on ebay again Hmm not seeing it. Maybe sold again and it's not showing yet as sold. Dunno. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarcusFrom1982 Posted September 1, 2019 Share Posted September 1, 2019 29 minutes ago, sixersfan105 said: Hmm not seeing it. Maybe sold again and it's not showing yet as sold. Dunno. Ahhhh it's not spelled right lmao https://www.ebay.com/itm/COLECOVISION-Coleco-ALACAZAR-Telegames-New-NOT-Sealed-Ex-Condition-box-L/183927286575?hash=item2ad2ebab2f:g:B6QAAOSwTrVbYmNo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+sixersfan105 Posted September 1, 2019 Share Posted September 1, 2019 Ah that explains it! They even spell it a third way in the description lol... that's a lot for just cart and manual. Box is some generic POS. They claim they bought it new from Toys "R" Us that way but that's gotta be a lie. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarcusFrom1982 Posted September 1, 2019 Share Posted September 1, 2019 Just now, sixersfan105 said: Ah that explains it! They even spell it a third way in the description lol... that's a lot for just cart and manual. Box is some generic POS. Yes. I really want this game but I'm not going for this one.... but then again I'm starting to think i will never find a copy at all Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+sixersfan105 Posted September 1, 2019 Share Posted September 1, 2019 Yeah I don't blame you. Looks like two loose carts sold last year on ebay, at least according to GameValueNow. $125 cart-only and $100 cart + manual. Not too bad. Just gotta bide your time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+sixersfan105 Posted September 23, 2019 Share Posted September 23, 2019 @MarcusFrom1982 you jealous? Scored myself the eColeco cart version (a likely repro from the 1990s/early 2000s) along with a repro box from Marc O. and a scanned/printed copy of the manual. I know they're not original but I'm still excited to have them! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarcusFrom1982 Posted September 24, 2019 Share Posted September 24, 2019 3 hours ago, sixersfan105 said: @MarcusFrom1982 you jealous? Scored myself the eColeco cart version (a likely repro from the 1990s/early 2000s) along with a repro box from Marc O. and a scanned/printed copy of the manual. I know they're not original but I'm still excited to have them! Wow! I'd certainly take a repo. That looks really cool 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarcusFrom1982 Posted September 25, 2019 Share Posted September 25, 2019 I'm getting a repo made but not like your nice example. I'm just happy to get a cart to fill in my Alcazar void. I definitely plan to play the game too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+sixersfan105 Posted September 28, 2019 Share Posted September 28, 2019 Congrats! Who's making it for you? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarcusFrom1982 Posted November 23, 2019 Share Posted November 23, 2019 How about this auction? https://www.ebay.com/itm/Colecovision-Super-Rare-Alcazar/174103326415?hash=item28895deecf:g:FnYAAOSwWqtd1zHh Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarcusFrom1982 Posted November 23, 2019 Share Posted November 23, 2019 On 9/27/2019 at 10:01 PM, sixersfan105 said: Congrats! Who's making it for you? Sorry... i didn't see your question. I'll have to look up who made mine. Maybe forum member slabomeat. Its a very nice presentation but not like the original. Presents very nice Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Yurkie Posted November 23, 2019 Share Posted November 23, 2019 On 6/3/2018 at 7:02 PM, wongojack said: I am going through a phase of playing through Coleco games on my Ultimate SD, and last week, I started playing Alcazar: The Forgotten Fortress. I couldn't find a thread dedicated specifically to this game, so I decided to start my own. I was surprised at how much I liked the game (having never heard of it before), and I just got finished making it to the throne on the hardest difficulty. This is truly a great game that reminds me of a handful of other games from the era like AD&D Cloudy Mountain, Swords & Serpents, Wolfenstein, and the original Metal Gear. I really liked the way the game forced you to play differently as the difficulty increased. Here are some tips from someone fresh from playing this hidden gem: 1) Read the fnck!ng manual (LOL) 2) After #1, make note of what special item kills which enemy AND which color castle has which resources and shortcut item. I wrote this down on a small piece of paper and just kept it next to me for reference: Oil kills Griffins Bleach kills Oilmoebas Water and Ring kill Genies Only Bullets kill the Guards Rope is in the Blue Castle (lots of guns) Raft and WATER are in the Red Castle (no guns on lvl 4) Ring is in the Purple Castle (little bit of everything; no genies) Extra life is in the Black Castle (despite the manual, usually has guns) 3) Go slow and learn to recognize the hints about which enemies are where. On the higher levels, you can't let yourself get surprised. You'll almost always be killed by every enemy unless you have a plan. 4) If you do get surprised, carrying meat in your hand can help you quickly stun any enemy. 5) Follow the tips in the manual and learn to lure enemies down pits. I find that the tiger and the oilmoeba are especially easy to lure down the small pits in level 3 and 4 (4 is the highest) even if chasing you for a few screens (they're slow). The guard and the griffin are pretty fast, so only a direct lure down a pit is recommended for them. 6) Your route matters! You want to plan your route so that the last castle you visit before the Alcazar is either a Red or Purple Castle. If the map isn't favorable, don't wast time. Just reset the game until you see one you like. 7) Blue Castles are the easiest, but the rope is the least useful special item and bullets aren't very helpful in the Alcazar. Blue Castles are good to visit early to stock up on bullets and can be a relief to pass through on your route to the finish, but don't waste too much time on maps with large numbers of them near the Alcazar. 8.) Black Castles are a good first stop to stock up on supplies, but getting the extra man can be very tough (and expensive) especially on level 4. Step into Black Castles early and look around, but be prepared to backtrack and leave rather than waste resources. Also, you don't want to pick up a key too early or it will use valuable inventory space. 9) Carry 2 bottles of water with you into the Alcazar. Sometimes you can find one bottle in there, but don't count on it. You will almost always need to kill at least 2 genies to get to the throne. 10) On level 3 and 4, you will need to carry keys with you into the Alcazar. You can get these only from guards in the Purple or Black Castles. Ideal inventory starting Alcazar on level 4: Water* Water Keys Oil or Bleach** *can substitute a ring **You don't really need bullets in the Alcazar because there are no guards 11) When you find it, you need to make contact with the left part of the throne. That's the part that most looks like the seat. If you are racing a genie to the throne, be aware that you cannot just touch it anywhere. Nice write up! Makes me want to play this. Adventure (VCS) is my all time favorite game and this sounds like it might have over shadowed it had I had it back in the day. 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Yurkie Posted November 23, 2019 Share Posted November 23, 2019 On 6/3/2018 at 7:33 PM, ed1475 said: Here's a gameplay video I made a few years ago. 2:45 Shrek running from knife wielding Panda bear. Great video! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.