The object of the game is to help Percival, the elf character you guide with your keyboard, collect all the hearts on each level and get to the door. Different objects with unique characteristics aim to make reaching this goal more complex. Unlike many computer games, Heartlight is neither timed nor limited to a certain number of lives.
| Heartlight | |
|---|---|
| Developer(s) | X LanD Computer Games, Janusz Pelc |
| Publisher(s) | |
| Platform(s) | Amiga, Atari 8-bit, DOS, Android, iOS |
| Release |
March 21, 2012 (iOS, Android) |
| Genre(s) | Puzzle |
| Mode(s) | Single-player |
Heartlight is a puzzle game originally developed by Janusz Pelc for the Atari 8-bit family in 1990.[1] In 1994, an DOS port (Heartlight PC) was published by Epic MegaGames along with two other games by Janusz Pelc in the Epic Puzzle Pack. The shareware version has 20 levels and the full version (Heartlight Deluxe) has 70 levels. In 2006, Maciej Miąsik, co-author of the DOS version, recompiled it and released it under the Creative CommonsCC BY-SA 2.5license[2][3] as freeware. The game was remade for mobile devices with new music tracks.[4]
Gameplay[edit]
The game is set on a 12×20 square grid, with similar game mechanics to Boulder Dash and Supaplex. The object of the game is to help the elf Percival collect all the hearts on each level and get to the exit door. Different objects with unique characteristics aim to make reaching this goal more complex. The game is neither timed nor limited to a certain number of lives. However, there is no Save feature. Objects in the levels include bombs, rocks, and hearts. While hearts are one of the goals, they can also fall on and kill Percival. Bombs blow up when squashed or dropped on a hard surface. Rocks squash Percival and can blow up bombs.
Reception[edit]
Computer Gaming World's Chuck Miller in June 1994 praised Heartlight as 'a delightful logic-based game offering a good mix of arcade action and conundrums'. 'Game play is so addictive', he said, that the 'just average' graphics and sound were not noticeable. Miller concluded that 'This is one diversion that will keep you coming back for more'.[5] The game was later released as part of the Epic Puzzle Pack (with Robbo and Electro) which was reviewed in 1994 in Dragon #206 by Sandy Petersen in the 'Eye of the Monitor' column. Petersen gave the compilation 3 out of 5 stars.[6]
References[edit]
- ^'HEARTLIGHT: Fascynacja BOULDER DASHem'. Tajemnice ATARI. Poland. January 1991. includes program listing, available online
- ^Classic DOS Games - Heartlight PC page
- ^Miasik.net » Moje gry dla każdego (in Polish)
- ^'Heartlight HD'. Retrieved July 21, 2017.
- ^Miller, Chuck (June 1994). 'Shareware Showcase'. Best of the Rest. Computer Gaming World. pp. 112, 114.
- ^Petersen, Sandy (June 1994). 'Eye of the Monitor'. Dragon (206): 57–60.
External links[edit]
- Heartlight at MobyGames
- > > >
- Play
| Alt names | Heartlight PC, Heartlight 64 |
|---|---|
| Year | 1994 |
| Platform | DOS |
| Released in | United States |
| Genre | Action, Puzzle |
| Publisher | Moon Doggie |
| Developer | xLand Games |
| Perspective | Side view |
For small DOS games like Heartlight, you can play online immediately with your browser (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Internet Explorer...). This feature is still experimental, the game may not work properly. Warning: game save should work, but you should try it early! Also, be careful to select the right game executable in the list below.
Emulator configuration
You can choose which game version you want to use, then you have to choose the right game executable and press PLAY.
To exit fullscreen mode, press escape. Playing experience can be poor due to your browser or your computer. Download Heartlight and launch it with DOSBox to have the best playing experience!
If the game is too fast or too slow, try hitting CTRL-F11 (slower) and CTRL-F12 (faster).
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