Amberstar
| Industry | Video game development |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | Germany |
| Products | Amberstar, Ambermoon |
Amberstar represents the initial entry in Thalion Software's incomplete trilogy of role-playing video games. Despite its enhanced features, it bears resemblance to Thalion's prior title Dragonflight and was frequently confused as its continuation. While public enthusiasm was modest, the sequel Ambermoon was launched in 1993.
Plot
The narrative unfolds in the imaginary realm of Lyramion, where the player starts at their deceased parents' burial site and sets out on a quest to thwart Lord Tarbos, an ancient malevolence on the verge of release. The mission involves assembling thirteen lost fragments of the Amberstar talisman, which originally confined Tarbos, with assistance from companions who join the player's party.
Development
The musical score was created by Jochen Hippel, a composer affiliated with Thalion.
Reception
In both Germany and the UK, Amberstar garnered reviews ranging from mixed to favorable. Reviewers commended its rich narrative depth but pointed out that its visuals were inferior compared to contemporaries such as Ultima Underworld and Might and Magic: Clouds of Xeen.
The Amiga edition received a 78% rating from The One, which likened its gameplay to titles like Ultima VI and Eye of the Beholder. The review emphasized Amberstar’s broad scope and character engagement but criticized its dated graphics, limited 3D elements, overly complex user interface, and the alternating use of first-person and overhead perspectives as design weaknesses.
| Magazine | Date | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Amiga Action | Oct 1992 | 91% |
| Amiga Format | Jan 1993 | 81% |
| CU Amiga | Dec 1992 | 65% |
| The One | Dec 1992 | 78% |
| DatorMagazin | Jan 1993 | 64% |
| Amiga Joker | Mar 1992 | 82% |
| ST Action | Sep 1992 | 92% |
| ST Format | Dec 1992 | 73% |
| ST User | Oct 1992 | 82% |
| ST Review | Jan 1993 | 83% |
| Power Play | Mar 1992 | 85% |
| ASM | Mar 1992 | 67% |
| PlayTime | May 1992 | 87% |
| PC Joker | Jan 1993 | 76% |
Legacy
Originally planned as the opening chapter of a trilogy, Amberstar was succeeded only by Ambermoon, which was released solely for the Amiga platform. Due to disappointing commercial performance of both games, Thalion Software ceased operations following Ambermoon’s release in Germany. The intended third title was named AmberWorlds, as disclosed by developer Karsten Köper. On May 14, 2023, programmer Jurie Horneman made available the surviving source code for both games on GitHub, ensuring their preservation.