Elfmania
| Industry | Video game development |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1994 |
| Products | Elfmania |
Elfmania is a 2D fighting game created by Terramarque and released by Renegade Software in 1994, exclusively for the Amiga system.
Gameplay
The gameplay of Elfmania revolves around straightforward fighting mechanics, avoiding the intricate special move commands typical of the genre. Each fighter possesses a limited set of basic attacks alongside a single special ability. Defeating enemies rewards players with gold coins, which can be spent to unlock more powerful characters, introducing an economic strategy element into the combat experience.
In multiplayer mode, the game presents a distinctive overhead grid similar to tic-tac-toe, where players choose battlegrounds on a tiled map. Victories claim squares marked with the winner's emblem, and achieving a sequence of six connected squares secures overall victory.
Characters
Players can acquire six different characters, each with a specific hiring price:
- Janika, a pirate elf and the only female competitor.
- Tenko, an elf residing in the forest.
- Taiki, known as the Ice Elf hailing from a snowy region.
- Seven, leader of the royal guards, equipped with a scimitar.
- Kosken, the kingdom’s executioner, recognized for his formidable strength.
- Matiki, sovereign of the Elven realm and the most expensive fighter, wielding a war hammer.
Reception
Critical responses to Elfmania were varied. The game earned acclaim for its impressive graphics and gameplay quality comparable to popular console beat 'em ups, receiving high marks such as 93% from CU Amiga, a perfect 10/10 from Amiga Magazine, and 92% from Amiga Format. On the other hand, it garnered more moderate evaluations like 61% from Amiga Power and a low 1/5 rating from Sweden’s Datormagazin, which praised the visuals but criticized the lack of depth in gameplay.