Sinbad and the Throne of the Falcon

Ported to the Atari ST, Apple IIGS, MS-DOS, and Commodore 64. Sinbad draws its inspiration from Hollywood, with a large influence from films such as Jason and the Argonauts as well as the seven other Sinbad films made throughout the 1930s and 1940s.

• Title — Sinbad and the Throne of the Falcon • Developer — Cinemaware • Publisher — Cinemaware • Designer — Bill Williams • Released — 1987: Amiga 1988: Atari ST, C64 1989: MS-DOS • Genre — Action • Modes — Single-player • Platforms — Amiga, Atari ST, Apple IIGS, MS-DOS, Commodore 64

Gameplay alternates between an open-ended world map, action sequences, and dialog, where the player engages other characters and further conversations and relationships. Choice of dialogue alters the future of the game. Using the world map, the player can sail to any location, triggering dialogue or an action sequences. In cities, crew members can be hired, while in the deep forests there are shamans and Gypsies to talk with about magic and potions.

• Sword fighting - after an on-screen prompt of "Pick Up Thy Joystick!", Sinbad battles with wild animals that have come upon his camp, stone idols that had come to life, other pirates, and the Black Prince himself. • The Cyclops - occasionally, when in remote areas, a cyclops will raid the camp and steal away some of the player's crew. Using a slingshot, the player has to blind the cyclops while avoiding the rocks thrown at him. • The Shipwreck - coming across pieces of a broken ship in rough waters, Sinbad must steer his boat through the waves, avoiding rocks and picking up drowning sailors, who will eventually join the crew. • The Earthquake - Sinbad falls into an opening chasm in the earth, and must escape in this quite typical platform sequence.