Janosik

Janosik description

A phenomenal rarity of the artifact, the Polish game industry, devoted to an equally rare historical topic. The main character of this platformer, the legendary "noble outlaw" of the turn of XVII-XVIII centuries, the Slovak Juraj Jánošík (1688-1713 G. G.), who lived only twenty-five years, was betrayed agonizing death for their robberies and murders (he was hanged over the edge), but became famous for stealing horses (with their subsequent resale), and just robbing the wealthy travellers on the road. Despite the fact that the main area of activity of Janosik and his gang – the Carpathian mountains in Slovakia, also operating in Poland, where he received even greater fame. And though in historical documents there is no indication that this man gave the loot to the poor, and protected the peasants, in the memory of man and the legends, he is always shown as a hero. In Poland, the Czech Republic and Slovakia, on it is written a lot of fiction books, films and TV series. And in 1994, was even made a computer game for Amiga and PC, which, however, has never been published outside of his native country and in another language than Polish (although for this game the language is not too important).

The game, following the folk tradition shows the Jánošík in heroic and romantic appearance. Evil Austrian Marquis kidnaps the bride of Janosik, the Marina, and to save her, the hero will have to overcome three major levels – the woods, the village and the castle, each filled with enemies (including the forest animals) and traps. Despite the fact that the basis of the gameplay is jumping and fights, the game has an adventure element: so, Jánošík can find and putting in inventory items, then to use them to solve simple riddles.

The game is quite difficult – primarily because in close physical contact with the enemy, the hero is instantly killed (although an extra life certainly is). Perhaps the most interesting element of the game is the weapon of the hero – Alaska, long axe, which was actually used Slovak robbers in those years, allowing you to strike from a distance.

The graphics in the game are drawn and, so to speak, "special Polish" - drawing a clear, but seemed to be deliberately rude, objects of the environment bright and colorful, but backgrounds no; animation bumps and jumps there, but also not that impressive. Probably the game in the first place is of historical and collector interest – because to find it is really almost impossible. But still to play it difficult and interesting at the same time, and its focus and attention to detail only add to the atmospherics.

Wish to enjoy your afternoon playing some classic videogames? Play Janosik online for free here.

Source: Archive.org, Mobygames.com