Anduril

Wilf is back

Anduril is a PD game by Markus Dheus that features a flying hero. Like the ZX Spectrum game, Kokotoni Wilf, this is a flick-screener with cunning rooms to explore. Unfortunately, unlike that game, our guy cannot walk or even touch the landscape scenery. If he does, it results in an instant loss of life. Thankfully, he can fly like a Flappy Bird using simple controls: use the SHIFT key to fly with H + J turning left/right.

Set in a strange and unforgiving labyrinthine realm, Anduril casts you as a winged adventurer trapped within a maze of razor-sharp passages and deadly obstacles. Your quest is simple, but brutal in execution: guide your airborne hero through this hostile world, gathering scattered objects. Yep, don't touch the walls!!

I imagine Anduril is beginning to sound rather easy. Ha, you couldn't be more wrong, as anyone who loves a challenge will get just that - the first screens are fine, but it isn't too long before the game's true sadistic nature is exposed. Most of the map is made up of tight spaces in which to guide our man. If that wasn't tough enough, once gravity is factored in, Anduril becomes distressing for all but the patient gamer.

The graphics are crisp and detailed, but I sometimes had collision detection, which often worked in my favour, so I shouldn't complain. Sounds are almost void, with only a low-volume spot effect for item pickup. Hey, stop moaning, it's a public domain freebie from 1986, and it's pretty darn good.

Very difficult, so not for everyone. However, I found it an enjoyable change from the norm.

• Download Anduril from AtariMania, and this program will help those without a mono monitor.
• Click here if you're wondering what Kokotoni Wilf is.