Retro game review: Solstice (Nintendo Entertainment System)

There were a robust selection of puzzle and action games on the NES. Combine the two styles and you get the action puzzler genre, which includes games like Lolo’s Adventure and Solomon’s Key. An often overlooked action puzzle game is Solstice, which puts you in control of a wizard on a quest to save his beloved.

What makes this game unique is two-fold; first of all, the isometric perspective gives the game a unique look and much of the gameplay hinges on this perspective. Secondly, your wizard cannot attack.

Let the adventure begin!

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After a brief introduction, you’re thrown right into the game. You begin in a castle (or dungeon, perhaps) and can explore the map at your leisure, though much if it is blocked off until you find an item or key to proceed. The controls are instantly awkward, since controlling your wizard who is at a 45 degree angle shift from the layout of the d-pd (think QBert) isn’t intuitive out of the gate. Though after about 10 minutes with the game, I had gotten used to the controls.

You move your wizard using the d-pad, A button jumps and start uses potions. The select button brings up your map and inventory, where you can choose one of your four potions. You begin the game with some of each type, and they deplete a bit each time you use them. Potions are vital for solving some of the rooms, which can make you invincible, destroy all the moving objects on the screen, freeze time or reveal hidden platforms. They can be refilled, but finding them is a rare occurrence.

As you move from room to room, you’ll come across different types of puzzles that are required to either proceed through the room or collect an item. These puzzles start out very simple, but quickly advance to maddeningly difficult. Not long into the adventure, you’re expected to think abstractly by dropping movable platforms onto a monster’s head, which you can then jump on to use him to move you through a room full of spikes.

The map is easy to navigate, as each room is a different shape, color or has distinguishing features. You would quickly get lost and frustrated if the developers had not designed the layout of the game so well.

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The isometric perspective both makes and breaks this game. The presentation is very nice and unique and the game wouldn’t be the same without this 3D viewpoint, but at times it makes lining things up and precision platforming difficult. The lack of shadows below you or items makes it very hard to tell where things are in 3D space. Sometimes you’ll get lost trying to figure out where you, an item, or a block is in the stage — especially anything that’s floating.

This game is extremely challenging. I was only able to progress about 8% into the game before I had to walk away and go to sleep for the night. You receive a few lives and everything kills you — enemies, spikes, pits. Unless you find a credit, once those lives are used up, you’re back at the title screen. No continue, no passwords and no battery backup. The game is ultimately fun and rewarding, but its going to take an iron will to see the end of this adventure.

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The visual presentation of this game is top notch. While the graphics lack fine detail, they’re designed very well. Sprites are clearly drawn and the isometric 3D visuals are very impressive for the NES. The visuals (and gameplay) remind me more of a PC game than something that belongs on the NES.

And the music only needs two words to describe it — Tim Follin. As far as composers of the era go, only the legendary Koji Kondo stacks up to Follin. While not as iconic as those of Kondo, Follin makes the sound chip of the NES bend to his will. Every game he worked on blasts out his instantly recognizable style. I’m not even sure if the game had sound effects, since I was so focused on the tunes.

_{^{Image source: User ClassicGameRoom on YouTube}}

Solstice is a double-edged sword. It looks great, sounds amazing and offers unique, fun and rewarding gameplay. On the other hand, the difficulty paired with the lack of continues or any way to save your progress puts this game in the awkward position of being a solid recommendation, but only for those ready for its challenge. The good news is that its cheap, both as a loose cart and even complete for collectors looking for a solid new game to add to their NES shelf.

Current value:

Loose: $6.24 | Complete: $20.24

Thanks for reading. As always, upvotes, resteems and comments are appreciated!

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