Reviews

After the success of Tir Na Nog it was inevitable that Gargoyle would make a follow-up. Sticking with Cuchulainn they chose to make a prequel set in the Celtic city of the title, where an evil sorceress Skar has captured the charioteer Loeg, and you must regain his freedom.

Although superficially similar to the earlier game, Dun Darach benefits from much improved graphics; as well as Cuchulainn himself, there are a number of other people in the city that you must deal with, as well as shops, banks and casinos. The puzzles are of a similar nature to Tir Na Nog, but mesh more into a single plot rather than a series of sub-quests. One thing that's missing is the combat; you're entirely reliant on your wits this time, although it wasn't one of the earlier game's best features. Although Cuchulainn cannot die in this game, you've still got the potential problem of losing a vital object to a pickpocket or behind a locked door.

Although nowhere near as innovative as Tir Na Nog, this game did a pretty good job of filing some of the rough edges off the system and provided a whole new adventure that was an enthralling challenge to those who took it up.

For a long time, this was the highest rated game in Crash at 97%.

Looking at it now, the only attraction is the large smoothly scrolling sprites. However this is ultimately only 7 frame animation, and Manic Miner had that.

Playing the rest of the game, there is only an illusion of depth. To travel around the faceless city requires much plodding, and unless there is a map handy then it is very easy to pass by an essential shop because the door is on the other side to the direction you are facing in.

The clues are very, very cryptic. Even with a solution many simple don’t make sense.

Finally the other inhabitants of the city will happily steal items from your inventory and there is no way of getting them back. If it is an essential part of the solution, then that’s time for a reload.

Similar games are Everyones A Wally and Jack The Nipper. Both are much more rewarding, even if the animation isn’t in the same league.

1985 Gargoyle (UK)
by Greg Follis and Roy Carter

This was always a mysterious game in my eyes. The quest is to locate and release Loeg, the charioteer, a hero's friend.
While walking the streets of the Secret City, several secondary quests will take place and which will need to be completed before reaching the final action.
A complex game, very well written, even better than its predecessor Tir Na Nog.

A Classic Graphic Adventure.

Cool atmosphere, great movements and innovative graphics !! An eerie game, but intriguing too ...

Not a true classic , but rather a game that marked an epoch , a landmark .

4,5 for me ...

Prequel to the epic Tir Na Nog, and one of the greatest graphic adventures on the Speccy.
The graphics work perfectly, with large, very well animated characters, and interesting scrolling backgrounds. Moving around can get slightly disorientating, so having or making a map can be very useful. Once you get into the game, it gets very atmospheric and absorbing. The character interaction and puzzles all meshing into a well told story.
Very impressive for a 1985 game.