(Everything I Do) I do it for Sherwood
A long time ago, I bought Millennium's Men in Tights(!) and proudly showcased its box art. I had the genuine intention of adding it to my playlist, but somehow, that never happened - things get busy here sometimes (ahem). The wait’s over at last - better late than never, right? Let’s see if it was worth it...
The Adventures of Robin Hood is an open-world adventure released in 1991. Set right in the heart of Nottingham, Robin begins his life stripped of his lands and title, dumped rudely into the outlaw lifestyle. He didn't expect that! To make matters worse, the locals aren’t exactly welcoming - you’ll get plenty of snide remarks as you try to scrape together a bit of respect. So we need to rebuild Robin’s reputation by doing what he does best: helping poor people by robbing the rich, and slowly gathering that famous band of Merry Men.
Right then, let's break up this jibba jabba with a screenshot...
Here I am chilling out with Little John.
Let's play
When you begin, you might feel abandoned in the game without any kind of a guide. Don't despair. What makes Robin Hood stand out is its surprisingly open design. Instead of shoving you through a set of levels or predetermined tasks, the game drops you into a living world. So why not explore Nottinghamshire? Maybe talk to some of the villagers as you wander about, but the key will always be exploration!
As you wander, you soon realise that time passes by, people go about their business, and your actions affect how the world reacts to you. However, make too many enemies, and you’ll find yourself called, ridiculed, or worse. It’s not just an adventure; it’s a medieval sandbox where you decide how the legend unfolds as you live your life. Remember, the goal is to rebuild your reputation so people begin to change their opinion of you.
Playing Robin Hood is all about the time spent exploring Sherwood, which is a big place, but not too big. It pays to chat to villagers and sneak about where you probably shouldn’t be. It’s these choices of how to act that shape your adventure, so walk the walk and scour areas to gather allies like Little John and Friar Tuck.
This is going to be tough to provide some help without ruining the adventure. But, here goes...
- Drawing your weapon in front of guards is considered a crime. If caught, you'll be arrested. Always ensure you're out of sight before risking that, just like real life when you think about it lol.
- Friar Tuck offers a monk's cloak that allows you to move around without being recognised. That's a big deal - stealth mode!! He might be hard to find, but when you do, just speak with him.
- Little John is a bit of a loner, so I'm sure you can imagine where he is.
- Saving peasants from execution not only boosts your heroism but may also recruit them to your cause, providing valuable assistance. Again, something to act upon when prompted.
- During winter, beggars become more desperate. They're cold and hungry. Donating money to them increases your popularity and helps maintain a positive reputation.
- Wouldn't an in-game map be great? Why not explore NW of your starting location?
- Magic mushrooms can revive fallen allies if used promptly (before burial). They are single-use items, but new ones may appear in various locations. Did you pick up the map?
- Engaging in archery practice reduces the time it takes to reload your bow, making subsequent shots quicker because you're a more proficient warrior. Well, quicker...
- Wealthy merchants can be robbed of money. Oh yeah, this has got to be done!
- Magic mushrooms can revive fallen allies if used promptly (before burial). They are single-use items, but new ones may appear in various locations. Did you pick up the map?
- Don't just speak to Maid Marian, talk with her...
- Ensuring your allies are well-fed boosts their effectiveness. Food can be obtained by robbing merchants, hunting, trading, or (maybe) when rescuing peasants.
- The dragon is a formidable foe that, when defeated, grants a significant heroism boost. To defeat it, shoot it with an arrow, but it runs after you! Perhaps return later to finish the job?
- Walking is a bit of a trek, but if you press the spacebar whilst clicking on an arrow, Robin continuously walks until you tell him otherwise. Saves lots of clicking!
- In fact, hitting shortcuts like the Spacebar is extremely handy for seeing what's ahead.
Break time, and that means only one unsurprising thing. Yep, here is another screenshot...
The seasons come and go very quickly. Shall we make a snowman?
Aesthetics in Tights
I can’t talk about this game’s graphics without getting all mushy inside!! I absolutely love it - this game is an absolute visual treat from start to finish! The isometric world is jam-packed with lovely little details I adore – cosy cottages, winding paths, trickling streams, shady woodland, and bustling townsfolk going about their day - it all feels alive in a way that so few games ever managed. The only downer (for me) is when Robin’s green outfit blends into a grassy hill, and half of him seems to vanish without a trace! I really think a slightly different colour or maybe even a black outline could have been used on the edges of the hills/etc.
The audio is mostly sparse, leaving much of your quest in gentle silence. This actually works well, as a constant tune would have grated after a while. Instead, bursts of sound effects or charming music kick in whenever something exciting is happening or about to unfold. Like during the humorous introduction, with its olde English-style music that fits the Robin Hood and medieval theme perfectly. This game oozes charm, and the aesthetics help to boost the Sherwood atmosphere wonderfully; it’s like stepping into an old storybook.
An overreaction to the Sherwood aesthetics? Nope, so let's see a screenshot then...
Not everyone hates you, so get out there and talk to people.
CryptO'pinion
The Adventures of Robin Hood is something quite extra special. It’s not just another isometric adventure; it actually feels alive. A sandbox world where the NPCs have their own routines and personalities. And because it’s all about your reputation, the way you behave genuinely changes what you can actually do. If you can forgive the plodding treks across the map and combat that’s less than skilful, you will find a witty, atmospheric adventure that quietly steals hours like a certain outlaw in green steals money from the rich.
Sherwood is big, but not too big, which is perfect as it makes exploring, chatting, and nosing around feel fun rather than overwhelming. I feel this game is up there with the likes of Hunter, Damocles, and Midwinter in the sense that it's ahead of its time. As free-roaming adventures go, this is one of the very best.
Right, I’ve got a date with Maid Marian, so before I go, I'll give this game a Merry Men rating of 90%.
- Lots of floppy disks can be found at Atari Legend.
- The hard drive game has been adapted by the mighty 8BitChip.
This gorgeous map is by Kennel and is found at VGMaps.
Robin Hood may walk like a pensioner, but he gets an AtariCrypt SMASH accolade!!
