VampiresEmpire Commodore 64 game

In the dark and eerie world of "Vampire's Empire," Van Helsing, the doddery vampire-fighter, embarks on a quest against Dracula's legions. Armed with garlic, mirrors, and a crystal ball, he navigates a subterranean labyrinth filled with bizarre creatures and obstacles. His goal? To direct a beam of light towards Dracula's casket and end the vampire's reign of terror once and for all.

Van's journey is fraught with challenges as he traverses platforms, climbs stairs, and avoids traps. Malevolent beings, such as curly-haired "blond chaps" and seductive female demons, seek to drain his ever-dwindling blood supply. Fortunately, Van can fend them off with garlic or a well-aimed kick.

To achieve his objective, Van must manipulate mirrors and his crystal ball strategically. The row of icons at the bottom of the screen aids him in capturing and redirecting the light beam. His ultimate goal is to guide the light through multiple levels until it reaches Dracula's casket.

This unique take on platform maze games introduces a strategic twist to the genre. While the graphics are cute, the sound effects are limited but adequate. Despite the exasperating joystick icon access, the game remains playable. It's not a groundbreaking title, but it offers a fresh spin on a familiar concept.

"Vampire's Empire" is set to release on various popular computers, with two versions catering to 8- and 16-bit machines. The Amiga version boasts immaculate presentation, including detailed rooms, sound effects, and comic graphics that convey the game's humor effectively.

Overall, "Vampire's Empire" provides an above-average puzzle gaming experience, where Van Helsing's quest to vanquish Dracula is both challenging and entertaining. Will he succeed in directing the light beam to its target and end the vampire's reign? Only time will tell in this dark and comical adventure.