Gods (video game)

The Bitmap Brothers

Industry	Video game development
Founded	1987
Founder	Mike Montgomery, Steve Kelly, Eric Matthews, Robert Westmoreland
Products	Gods (1991)

Gods is a platform game created by The Bitmap Brothers and initially launched on the Amiga and Atari ST platforms in 1991. Players take on the role of Hercules, who is on a quest for eternal life. The title was later adapted for several systems, including the Acorn Archimedes, Genesis/Mega Drive, PC98, Super Nintendo Entertainment System, and Atari Jaguar.

Plot

The citadel of the gods has been overtaken by four powerful guardians. The gods vow to grant any hero who retakes it a special favor. The protagonist requests to join the gods as an equal, a wish the gods are skeptical will be granted. Upon defeating the ultimate adversary, the hero ascends to Mount Olympus, transformed into a radiant being.

Gameplay

Success in this game requires accurate, well-timed jumps along with thoughtful resource management to maintain health. Players encounter puzzles that involve revisiting previous areas and managing a limited inventory of four slots to hold keys or items needed for bonuses or advancing through levels. Versions released on consoles, particularly the Mega Drive/Genesis, operate at a faster pace, which increases the challenge. Although versions for Game Boy Advance and Turbografx-CD were planned, both were ultimately cancelled.

Console editions offer continuous background music, contrasting with PC versions where music plays only if a Roland LAPC-I sound card is present.

Players can carry and switch between up to three weapons simultaneously, tailoring their aim depending on enemy positioning—using focused shots for foes aligned horizontally or wider spreads for enemies at various elevations. Available weapons include bouncing axes and fireballs.

Enemy behavior adjusts dynamically based on player location and skill level. Certain areas contain "thieves" that attempt to steal items unless they are shot at precisely the right time. Players earn bonuses for quick completion, remaining lives, successful item deliveries, or even for struggling, as the game provides assistance when needed.

The game consists of four distinct stages, each culminating in a confrontation with one of the guardian bosses. After each level, players visit a trader where collected wealth—gathered through jewels or bags—can be exchanged for enhanced weapons or useful items, a feature also found in Xenon 2 Megablast.

Development

As was customary with other titles from The Bitmap Brothers, an external artist composed the soundtrack; this time it was John Foxx from Nation 12. The cover art was created by British comic artist Simon Bisley. The graphics were developed using the SpriteFX software. Although versions for the Nintendo DS and PC Engine Super CD-ROM² were planned, these editions never reached release.

Reception

In 1992, Computer Gaming World recognized it as one of the top four action games of the year due to its "fast and furious arcade-style action" combined with enough exploration and puzzle elements to distinguish it from typical action titles.

Legacy

Gods Remastered, produced by Robot Riot Games, debuted on 4 December 2018 for Microsoft Windows. It subsequently arrived on Xbox and Steam in December 2019, followed by launches on Nintendo Switch and PS4 on 29 March 2020. Distribution of this remastered edition ceased after 27 March 2022 due to licensing constraints.

External links

• Review of the Atari ST version of Gods, 1992