Rolan's Curse 2

Wicked Lord Barius has sworn revenge on the world in Rolan's Curse II. This one-player adventure from American Sammy is an action game with a dash of role-playing.

Similar to the all-time-classic NES cart, Legend of Zelda, RC II offers solid, overhead-view hack 'n' slashing. Starting solo, you scour the countryside in search of rookie adventurers to help you reverse the curse. Meanspirited beasties abound. With good control, you can move and attack straight ahead in four different directions.

Eight team draftees are waiting for you to enlist their services. You can recruit up to three at once. Each character is assigned a quest, and defeating the appropriate boss villain increases their powers. For example, Kyle the Zombie earns a thunder rod, and Lora the fairy takes flight when her wings are healed. You can also collect batches of magical treasures, including Potions, Fairy Tears, Magic Balls, and level-up icons.

You journey through decent looking locales, such as forests, a castle, a tower, and a graveyard. The great auto-mapping system charts your progress, and you can save the game anytime. The screens scroll fluidly. The characters are well-drawn, but round and squat. The music won't make you too weary.

This Curse is blessed with a moderately difficult, multi-character monster romp and no-frills role-playing. Throw down your Game Boy gauntlet for Rolan's Curse II.