- For the album by the band Dio, and its title track, see Holy Diver.
Holy Diver (ホーリーダイヴァー) - Famicom (1989) Japanese FC Cover. Though not extraordinarily well known in North America, Irem released several quality games, most of which were designated for public arcades. Their primary claim to fame is the (in)famous R-Type series of sci-fi shoot-em-ups, famed for their power-ups systems and tight gameplay, freakish stage and enemy design, and their unrelenting brutality.
Holy Diver | |
---|---|
Developer(s) | Irem |
Publisher(s) | Irem, Retro-bit |
Designer(s) | Irem |
Platform(s) | Famicom |
Release |
|
Genre(s) | Platforming action |
Mode(s) | Single-player |
Holy Diver is a 6-reel, 586971-line online slot game with bonus round, bonus spins, instant play, autoplay, video slots, wild symbol, scatter symbol, mobile gaming, music, adventure, jewels, middle ages, knights, action, weapons and warrior themes you can play at 132 online casinos. Holy Diver released in 1989 is a Platform game published by Irem Corporation developed by Irem Corporation for the platforms Family Computer.
![Diver Diver](https://keepgif.com/embed/coronavirus-will-not-stop-me.gif)
Holy Diver (Japanese: ホーリー・ダイヴァー, Hepburn: Hōrī Daivā) is a 1989 Japanese video game for the Nintendo Famicom home console. It was developed and published by Irem.
Story[edit]
It is the 666th year for the world of magic, and the Crimson Kingdom is facing destruction at the hands of The Black Slayer, Demon King of the Underground Dark Empire. Realizing that his days are numbered, the 16th Crimson Emperor, Ronnie IV, decides to entrust his two infant sons, Randy and Zakk, to his faithful servant, Ozzy. With Slayer's forces closing in, Ozzy, Randy and Zakk escape to another dimension, with the hope of eventually bringing light back into the world.
Over the following 17 years, Randy, Zakk, and Ozzy devote and train themselves to the cause of Magic Justice, becoming wizardkings. Meanwhile, Black Slayer has increased his empire over the countryside, making his interdimensional forces even stronger. In order to defeat Black Slayer and his army, Randy must retrieve the Five Crimson Emblem Seals. Making matters worse, Randy now must wage his war against Black Slayer alone, for Zakk suddenly goes missing and Ozzy passes away.
Gameplay[edit]
The game consists of six stages in total.[1] The player can learn magic spells at the completion of each level, and defeating the end level boss. Such as a magic spell that can freeze lava.[2][1]
It is similar to the game Getsu Fūma Den.[citation needed] In fact, one of the stages has sprites and graphics similar to those found in Konami's other game, Contra (the final boss is also very similar to Contra's). The HUD is like the one used in Nintendo's Zelda II: The Adventure of Link.[citation needed]
The player has an infinite supply of fireballs to attack enemies.[3]
Enemies in the game include gargoyles, and flying eyeballs.[3]
In order to find and defeat Black Slayer, the player must travel through six stages, which primarily consists of forests, castles, and caverns - all while seeking the Five Crimson Family Seals. The Five Crimson Family Seals are powerful magic spells, which are Twin Fire, Blizzard, Rock Breaker, Overdrive and Thunder. In addition to acquiring the seals, the player must also seek out the Bracelet, Jump Boots, Wizard's Staff, and The Cape of Protection, all of which assist physical strength and endurance.[citation needed]
Development[edit]
The game was developed by Japanese game developer Irem.[4] The game is based on the 1983 album Holy Diver by Dio; however, it is completely unofficial and has no connection with the band.[3][5] The game has four main characters who are named after musicians Ronnie James Dio, Ozzy Ozborne, Zakk Wylde, and Randy Rhoads.[3] Other characters and locations in the game are references to rock music such as the Crimson Kingdom and Black Slayer.[6]
Release[edit]
The game was self-published by Irem and released on April 28, 1989 for the Famicom (Japanese version of the Nintendo Entertainment System).[2] The game was scheduled for a North American release in the same year, and even received a brief preview in Electronic Gaming Monthly.[7] However, the game was never released outside Japan.[5] Since release, the game has gone onto becoming a rare game that is sought after by collectors.[8] In 2018, the title is noted to cost around $75 USD for just the game, and up to $200 USD for the complete game with box. Also, unauthorized reproductions of the game have been produced and sold as well.[8]
In 2018, 29 years after the game was first released, distributor Retro-bit announced that they would give Holy Diver a worldwide physical re-release for the Nintendo Entertainment System.[8][9] The is the first time the game is released outside of Japan, and the game would be translated into English.[9] The new edition is limited to 2,900 copies, and costs 35 USD for the regular version, and 60 USD for the Collector's Edition .[10][4] The collector's edition of the game included a display box to house the game, pins, stickers, and artwork.[11][10] The game was also released on Retro-bit's microconsole the Super Retro-Cade.[12]
Reception[edit]
Multiple reviewers both contemporary and retrospective noted the game as very difficult.[3][1] Many reviewers and previews also noted the similarity to Konami's earlier Castlevania NES installments, with one publication calling the game a 'Castlevania Clone.[7][3][5]
Weekly Famitsu on release gave the game a 22 out of 40 score.[2] Brazilian magazine VideoGame gave the game an overall score of 3 out of 5.[1]
In 2018, Destructoid gave the game a positive review.[13] Bovada live dealer review.
References[edit]
Retro Bit Holy Diver
- ^ abcd'Reviews'. VideoGame (in Portuguese). Vol. 1 no. 1. Sigla Editora. 1991. p. 24.
- ^ abc'ホーリー・ダイヴァー [ファミコン] / ファミ通.com'. www.famitsu.com. Archived from the original on 2018-08-31. Retrieved 2018-08-31.
- ^ abcdefRampton, Mike (July 23, 2016). 'Rock's Greatest Video Games'. Kerrang!. p. 23.
- ^ abLife, Nintendo (2018-08-06). 'Gallery: Unboxing Retro-Bit's Incredible R-Type And Holy Diver Limited Editions'. Nintendo Life. Archived from the original on 2018-08-26. Retrieved 2018-08-31.
- ^ abc'13 Times Video Games Went Metal'. Kerrang!. Retrieved 2019-01-05.
- ^Wawzenek, Bryan. 'Rock Stars in Video Games: The Complete History'. Ultimate Classic Rock. Archived from the original on 2018-12-16. Retrieved 2019-01-05.
- ^ ab'Next Wave'. Electronic Gaming Monthly. September 1989. p. 22.
- ^ abc'混沌の'レトロゲーム市場'に射す、29年ぶりに正規販売されるファミコン用タイトルという光──権利が放置されたビデオゲームが違法複製で流通する現実'. Den Faminico Gamer. January 19, 2018. Archived from the original on 2018-12-23.
- ^ abLife, Nintendo (2017-12-31). 'Retro-Bit Announces R-Type Returns For Super Nintendo'. Nintendo Life. Archived from the original on 2018-07-26. Retrieved 2018-08-31.
- ^ abHigham, Michael (2019-01-04). 'Retro-bit Brings New Ways To Play Old Games At CES 2018'. GameSpot. Archived from the original on 2018-09-19. Retrieved 2019-01-05.
- ^'Holy Diver and R-Type III & Super R-Type Collector's Edition Now Available'. Hardcore Gamer. 2018-09-01. Archived from the original on 2019-01-05. Retrieved 2019-01-05.
- ^'King of the classic consoles: Nintendo, PlayStation, Neo Geo, and more ranked'. VentureBeat. 2018-12-26. Archived from the original on 2018-12-27. Retrieved 2019-01-05.
- ^'Review: Holy Diver Collector's Edition'. destructoid. Archived from the original on 2019-01-05. Retrieved 2019-01-05.
External links[edit]
Retrieved from 'https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Holy_Diver_(video_game)&oldid=982601998'
In the land of 2d platformers Castlevania has always been one of the most unique series around. Even to this day there aren’t many games that intentionally gimp their main character and design around those limitations. While it was frustrating I (almost) wouldn’t change a thing. Not many games tried to imitate that style of platforming, with good reason of course. In Japan Holy Diver was one of the most blatant clones around. It has its differences of course but it really is a bit shameless. Unfortunately it copies some of the worst aspects of Castlevania, and not in a good way which affects its quality overall.
With the number of heavy metal references in the story it is safe to say music played a heavy inspiration in the game’s creation. In the year 666 the Black Slayer, king of the underworld envelops the world in darkness and weakened is guardians, the King Crimson family. It is up to Randy to retrieve the five emblem seals belonging to his family and using them to defeat the Black Slayer. Holy Diver was scheduled for a US release at one point and even had a few previews in gaming publications. But it eventually disappeared. Much like Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure I would imagine possible lawsuits over its references probably played a factor in its cancellation.
Play Holy Diver
There were many games that looked similar to Castlevania such as 8 Eyes and the underrated Master System classic Master of Darkness. But none have been as shameless as this. Randy’s sprite is a monochromatic Trevor Belmont with a cape. Luckily in terms of gameplay the two aren’t so similar. For one you don’t have a weapon. How to beat monopoly. Instead your primary attack is a multi-directional short range fireball. There are no secondary weapons either, just items to refill health and mp for magic. Bancontact mister cash.
You won’t find candles filled with items but you do have an edge: magic. Throughout this adventure you gain numerous spells necessary for progress. The default attack is efficient but not ideal. Twin fire is the first addition, a slighter stronger attack that uses so little mp you can use it as the default. Blizzard is the most important. It not only freezes enemies in place but also lava and water, creating platforms to progress. Breaker travels in a straight line and is powerful. Thunder and overdrive see less due to their cost. At the onset magic points are very limited making its use conservative. By the midpoint your maximum is high enough that it becomes an essential element of the game.
While you won’t find secondary weapons there are four critical items that you absolutely do need to find. The wizard staff is the most important, cutting the cost of spells in half. The wing boots massively increases the height and range of your jumps. The bracelet powers up the fireball to smash blocks. I take issue with the cape being placed before the final level. This item cuts damage in half which is needed much earlier in the game considering the bonkers difficulty level.
The one area I really wish Irem didn’t follow Konami’s lead would be in the game’s difficulty. Of the hundreds of NES games I’ve played Holy Diver is easily one of the most difficult. I would even say it is one of the system’s hardest games. Castlevania has nothing on this. Nearly every annoying gameplay element is present. Items are sparse and magic only evens the playing field a little bit. Imagine if almost every enemy were as annoying as a medusa head. It’s that bad. You get knocked back pretty far when hit and it usually equals death. Enemy placement is completely unfair and in some of the game’s worst moments they spawn infinitely or are indestructible! The last few rooms leading up to the final boss are so borderline insane that I’m getting angry thinking about it. Infinite continues make very little difference unfortunately.
Holy Diver Game Genie Codes
If you somehow manage to reach the end level bosses it gets even worse. The damage levels are insane and most will spawn a constant stream of lesser enemies. The boss of stage four almost made me quit. This floating column of eyes is fought on a series of floating platforms. One wrong hit spells instant death and you’ll be visiting the game over screen frequently. The final boss is a nightmarish encounter against a grotesque brain that sadly devolves into a flickering mess. It’s sad that the difficulty is ridiculous since you won’t have time to appreciate their design and mechanics.
Holy Diver Nes
In Closing
The ridiculous difficulty impedes the overall enjoyment of Holy Diver. Had the game been balanced properly it would have been excellent. Like Battletoads its creators didn’t know when to dial back and the game suffers for it. The only way I could recommend it is if you plan on cheating and even that is still fraught with frustration. For experts only.