Knight ‘N’ Grail

Starting a Game

The game begins on the loading screen for the initial level, automatically starting the game a short time after.

Move the character to the right of the screen to the first [stone tablet] and move the joystick up for an initial tip on how to play the game.

Gameplay

Knight ‘N’ Grail puts the player in control of a cursed knight, on a quest to find his kidnapped girlfriend and the “vessel of restoration” to lift the curse.

The knight enters the castle wielding armour and a sword made of iron - enough to deal with some of the weaker threats in the castle, but not sufficient for greater foes. Different armour and swords, each based on a specific element, can be found hidden throughout the castle. Certain armour is immune to specific attacks, and the effectiveness of each sword varies considerably depending on the enemy.

Don’t let enemies hit the knight! When damaged, the knight will lose energy. The energy bar is shown in the bottom left-hand side of the screen. When the knight’s energy is depleted, he will perish, respawning at the castle entrance with all collected coins lost. Dropped skulls replenish the knight’s energy - find skulls from defeating enemies and breaking objects in the castle.

The knight can hit various switches in the castle to unlock new areas. When a switch is hit, a text prompt is shown in the bottom center of the screen indicating what the switch has activated - be sure to explore previous areas after hitting a switch!

New weapon and armour types can also open alternative routes in the castle - always remember to check previously explored areas using your newfound equipment for shortcuts.

To swap between obtained armour and swords, press the Swap armour/sword buttons on the joystick. Alternatively, open the map menu by pressing the Pause/map button, and use the joystick to choose your desired armament.

Press the Pause/map button on the joystick to view a map of the areas of the castle you’ve curently explored. The map screen also displays the currently equipped sword and armour. Use the joystick to change equipment from this screen.

Various rune stones can be found within the castle’s corridors and chambers. Each is engraved with helpful advice and tips. To read a rune stone, move the knight nearby until it is flashing yellow, then move the joystick down to reveal its text.

Interface

1. Energy meter
2. Coins
3. Castle area

Story

I had never believed in omens and portents, superstitious nonsense to control the foolish and the gullible. A dream is just a dream, night terrors little more than random musings of the subconscious mind. Or so I thought…

A year had passed since I first met my love at the Great Oak on a clear, star-lit night. We now approached that very same tree, to reminisce and to count our blessings.

It happened in an instant; a blinding, brilliant flash of light struck the mighty Oak, splitting it in two. I fell to the ground, pain engulfing me as I glimpsed my love being thrown several yards from where we stood. I managed to raise my head and watched, helpless and through blood-drenched eyes, as the shadow moved towards, then enveloped her prone form. Another blinding flash and the shadow was gone.

I summoned the strength to crawl to where she lay, praying that the curse of my nightmares had not come to pass. My prayers went unanswered as I gazed down in horror upon my love, her once-soft, yielding form now covered in serpentine scales. I sobbed, I screamed, I cursed the very gods themselves then finally, I raised my head to the clear night sky and I knew what had to be done.

Noble intent was not enough and I could achieve nothing as I was. I needed help, help from the only man who could make me become what I needed to be. I needed the Arch-Mage. But there would be a price. There was always a price…

Thus I now find myself standing in the dimly-lit hallway of the forbidden castle, carrying a sword which, due to the Arch-Mage’s machinations, I could now wield as a true Knight. I am quested with retrieving the Vessel of Restoration, this legendary and magical golden chalice being both the cure to my love’s dilemma and the price of the Arch-Mage’s help.

Iron clad and with death in my grip, I ventured forth into the dark to find the goblet of gold….

Taking on the role of the eponymous Knight, you begin your noble quest to find the Vessel of Restoration and save your love, as you fight your way through over 200 screens of action in this thrilling arcade adventure! You will need brains as well as brawn, brave Knight, do you have what it takes to survive against such odds?