Solomon’s Key (Arcade)

Video Game Review
Solomon’s Key
Arcade
1986
Developed by: Tecmo
Published by: Tecmo

Arcade games are supposed to be experiences to last just long enough to keep the player interested and entice them to keep plunking down quarters into the machine. Puzzle-platformers don’t exactly fit into the mold of what an arcade game should be. However, Tecmo did a really good job with Solomon’s Key at creating a frantic puzzle-platformer that is quite difficult but makes the player constantly want to spend their quarters in the hopes of beating the level they’re stuck on. The action on screen is hectic (which at times is a good thing and a bad thing), the puzzles are quite clever, and the game is a lot of fun.

The player controls Dana, who needs to find the key in each level to open the door to proceed to the next level. Dana can create blocks to create platforms or stairs or make them disappear to open up a path. There are several other items to collect as well such as jewels and other things for points. Dana can also acquire potions that can be used against enemies. Getting hit by an enemy results in a loss of a life. Once all the lives are lost, it’s game over. Unlike most arcade games that rely solely on score to show how well a player fared, the player’s main goal is to beat the game by finishing all the levels (64 in total with fifteen of them being hidden rooms to be found).

The controls are relatively simple. The joystick moves Dana around; pushing left or right moves him to the left or right and pushing up makes him jump. It does feel a bit weird that there isn’t a dedicated button to jumping and having to rely on the joystick to perform the action. The controls are not tight enough that it makes it feel kind of awkward. There are two buttons on the console; one for using the wand to create/break blocks and the other one for using potions.

The graphics look fine for the period but could have been better. Considering that the Tecmo used a custom board for this game, it’s surprising that the graphics weren’t a cut above the rest of the field. There were better looking games in the arcade in 1986; some of which had been released a few years prior. However, the presentation is fine with the game being able to handle many independent sprites on the screen at the same time with no slowdown. The look of the game is better than something you’d see on a NES but they’re not that much of an improvement to make an argument that arcade games were much better looking than games on home consoles (which was the case but Solomon’s Key would not be a good example of this).

The sound is decent. While the same background theme plays on a constant loop and is the same song for most of the game, the sound effects are interesting. To a certain extent, they sound like glorified bleeps and bloops but they still add to the atmosphere of the game and compliment the gameplay well.

Fans of the Adventures of Lolo series and other games will enjoy this game. It’s a great mixture between platformer and puzzler. However, it’s not for everybody as the game does get incredibly hard; even near the beginning. There’s a chance that those playing in an arcade (or using an emulator) won’t stick around beyond using up their first credit because of the game’s difficulty. Those who love a challenge though should be prepared to go through multiple rolls of quarters as the game is very punishing. However, it feels like a major accomplishment once it’s completed; in fact, making it through half the game feels important. The problem is that unless you’re into really difficult games, you will not like this title. It caters to a small audience and doesn’t try to make concessions to accommodate everyone.

The whole design of the game is really interesting. There are plenty of secrets abound. If you feel you are quick enough with your hands to dodge the multiple enemies coming after you, you’ll have a blast trying to find all the trinkets and potions within the level. This isn’t always the case; rescuing the fairy in a level feels like a distraction more than anything because it feels as if most of the time there’s little technique involved to get to her whereas it can be quite intriguing trying to break blocks (or create blocks and then break them) to find hidden objects.

Tecmo’s Solomon’s Key is a great puzzler that knows how to provide an addictive experience to encourage players to spend plenty of money. It’s not a pushover and the game is very hard. Beating this game would be a great coup for many gamers that pride themselves at taking on the hardest games out there. If you’re a casual gamer looking for an interesting puzzle experience, this is not the game for you. Even for experienced puzzle-platformer fiends, this game is a hard-sell. Give it a try but I can’t guarantee that you’ll enjoy it. However, if you do enjoy it, you’ll do so immensely.

☆☆☆