Black Magic is an arcade adventure game that was released for the Commodore 64 and Amiga in 1987.
Black Magic is a multidirectional scrolling action-adventure game originally released in 1987 for multiple home computer platforms including the Commodore 64, Amiga, Apple II, ZX Spectrum, and Amstrad CPC. Developed by Peter Ward and published by Datasoft in the U.S. and U.S. Gold in Europe, the game blends arcade action with RPG-lite elements in a large, maze-like fantasy world.
In Black Magic, players control a young apprentice wizard on a quest to recover six magical eyes scattered across the world by the evil wizard Zahgrim, who has turned the good wizard Aganar to stone. The gameplay involves exploring a vast world that scrolls both horizontally and vertically, collecting arrows, spells, and food while avoiding or fighting enemies. Unique features include limited resources that deplete over time, strategic use of spells like invisibility and teleportation, and progressive difficulty where more powerful monsters appear as you recover each eye.
Players gain experience points by defeating enemies and achieving objectives, with ranks that advance from apprentice to wizard, sorcerer, and finally necromancer, unlocking new spells at each stage. The game’s world includes complex environments with platforms, traps, water hazards, and the need to creatively use spells and arrows to progress. Notably, the Amiga version, released in 1989, is a platform game with similar fantasy themes but features different gameplay focused on collecting diamonds and navigating levels with traps and enemies, also involving item use and strategic combat elements.
Black Magic is praised for its atmospheric and immersive experience despite modest graphics and sound, especially on the Commodore 64. The challenging difficulty is balanced by the rewarding progression system and spell mechanics, making it a compelling retro action-adventure title. Although it did not spawn official sequels, it remains a notable and fondly remembered classic from the 1980s era of home computer gaming.
Very different version from the Amiga one.
However Black Magic is a ambitious game. Mazes, animals, various kind of difficulties. Learning where the eyes are is a priority. When you collect all the eyes and bring them to the statue of Aganar then the game is not over yet: you have to bring down Zahgrim, and so confronting him in a final duel.
Black Magic is a game world, primitive but effective. Music is almost only effects.
