Retro Gaming Magazine Jan. 2014 | Page 35

version of the game is $5.99 and features the complete version of the ROM, a version of the Fusion emulator so you can play it, and the high-res manual and cover artwork. Kick in an extra four bucks though, and Darko pours on the bonus features including the complete soundtrack for the PC version in 320k MP3 format, five earlier builds (so you can see the game's progression for yourself), some promo artwork of the main baddie, discount coupons for two of his other offerings (one PC game and one music album), and the full version of Sacred Line personalized to you with any name or nickname you desire in the game's text and credits. This is a steal for game collectors at $9.99. I feel comfortable awarding Sacred Line a solid 7/10. While graphically inferior to the original PC game, the story itself benefits greatly from the text-based format. Darko's models and backgrounds are effective if a little minimalistic on the 16-bit screen, and his vocabulary is more than up to the task of telling the tale of Ellen vs. the madness she stumbles upon in her ill-advised trip to the forest. It's a short trek to be sure, and once you've beaten it there's little to compel you to play it again, but homebrew games are impressive simply for being made. If you manage to create a game that's not only playable but also entertaining, that's sauce for the goose and well worth supporting with your gamer bucks. And that's exactly what Darko's done here. Sacred Line http://sashadarko.com/genesis.html