''Alchemist'' is an action-adventure game for the

ZX Spectrum The ZX Spectrum () is an 8-bit home computer that was developed by Sinclair Research. It was released in the United Kingdom on 23 April 1982, and became Britain's best-selling microcomputer. Referred to during development as the ''ZX81 Colou ...

and released by

Imagine Software Imagine Software was a British video games developer based in Liverpool which existed briefly in the early 1980s, initially producing software for the ZX Spectrum and VIC-20. The company rose quickly to prominence and was noted for its polished, ...

in 1983. The player controls an alchemist who can shape-shift into a

golden eagle The golden eagle (''Aquila chrysaetos'') is a bird of prey living in the Northern Hemisphere. It is the most widely distributed species of eagle. Like all eagles, it belongs to the family Accipitridae. They are one of the best-known birds of ...

. ''Alchemist'' was developed by Ian Weatherburn and Paul Lindale and was Imagine's first action-adventure. It was the first piece of software to be released on a gold-coloured

cassette Cassette may refer to: Technology * Cassette tape (or ''musicassette'', ''audio cassette'', ''cassette tape'', or ''tape''), a worldwide standard for analog audio recording and playback ** Cassette single (or "Cassingle"), a music single in th ...

and box.

Gameplay

The player controls an alchemist who has been summoned to defeat an evil warlock. The game is set inside the warlock's castle, with the game's primary objective being finding four pieces of a magic scroll. This allows the alchemist to use the "Spell of Destruction" to defeat the warlock. The alchemist can transform into a

, requiring the use of spell energy. Transforming between the two is essential to completing the game. The alchemist can hurl lightning bolts and other spells, but the eagle form is required to negotiate steep hills or drops. The alchemist can only carry one item at a time and must consume food to keep stamina levels up. Movement, bumping into objects, or transforming depletes the character's stamina. Fighting monsters also reduces the character's stamina, although this can be mitigated by carrying an axe or sword.

Reception

''Alchemist'' was released to positive reviews from critics. Reviewers drew comparisons to ''

Atic Atac ''Atic Atac'' is an arcade-adventure video game developed and published by Ultimate Play the Game, released for the ZX Spectrum and the BBC Micro in 1983. The game takes place within a castle in which the player must seek out the "Golden Key of ...

'' due to the similar atmosphere and play style. ''

Sinclair User ''Sinclair User'' was a magazine dedicated to the Sinclair Research range of home computers, most specifically the ZX Spectrum (while also occasionally covering arcade games). Initially published by ECC Publications, and later EMAP, it was pub ...

'' highlighted ''Alchemist'''s cartoon graphics and storyline. ''

CRASH Crash or CRASH may refer to: Common meanings * Collision, an impact between two or more objects * Crash (computing), a condition where a program ceases to respond * Cardiac arrest, a medical condition in which the heart stops beating * Couch su ...

'' praised the game's presentation, graphics and "spooky organ tune". While the exploration of the castle was a drawback for one reviewer, overall opinions about the game's addictiveness was mixed. In ''CRASH''s 1984 retrospective, it was felt that the graphics in ''Alchemist'', whilst detailed, had not aged well. The jerky scrolling, poor keyboard layout, and lack of replayability were also criticised. ''

Your Spectrum ''Your Sinclair'', or ''YS'' as it was commonly abbreviated, was a commercially published and printed British computer magazine for the Sinclair range of computers, mainly the ZX Spectrum. It was in circulation between 1984 and 1993. History Th ...

'' highlighted the alchemist character's graphic, and his eagle transformation animation.

References

External links

*{{WoS_game, id=0000139, name=Alchemist 1983 video games Action-adventure games Video games developed in the United Kingdom Video games scored by Fred Gray ZX Spectrum games ZX Spectrum-only games Single-player video games