Sir Fred: The Legend

Sir Fred: The Legend is a side-scrolling action game released in 1989 for the Amiga and Atari ST.

Developed by Incal Product and published by Ubi Soft, the game puts you in the shoes of Sir Fred, a noble knight who has been transformed into a gnome by the evil dwarf Ultimor. Your goal is to guide Sir Fred through various levels, defeat Ultimor, and return him to his human form.

The game designed by Jérôme Guerry and Jean Marc Torroella (also known for Metal Masters) has some unique gameplay mechanics. In addition to walking, jumping, and running, Sir Fred can also move between foreground, middle, and background planes. This allows for greater depth and exploration in the game's levels.

Combat includes two moves: you can use your sword to attack enemies up close or throw daggers to eliminate enemies from a distance. Not a simple choice when you have one-button joysticks only. There are a variety of enemies to face, from flying creatures to hard-to-reach enemies that require precise aim to defeat. To help you on your journey, there are also various items to collect, including keys, additional daggers, magic stars, and magic potions.

The levels in Sir Fred: The Legend are well-designed and offer much variety. There are forest levels, castle levels, and even a level set in a grotto. To progress through each level, you must find the key and make your way to the entrance of the next level. Along the way, you'll face several challenges, from dodging traps to defeating bosses. The graphics are colorful, and the music is well-composed, adding to the game's overall atmosphere.

In a way, the game can be compared to Golden Axe, but to be honest, the SEGA coin-up is a masterpiece, while Sir Fred has some problems. The difficulty curve is steep, and some levels can be frustratingly difficult to complete. Additionally, the controls can sometimes be a bit finicky, leading to frustrating deaths.

Despite its flaws, Sir Fred: The Legend is still a game that's worth checking. Not the best fantasy beat-em-up out there, but definitely underrated.