ELF

This game is just way too outdated now to enjoy.

I have no idea how good the game might be. I tried launching it roughly 20 times, but it crashed everytime with one exception somewhere in the middle. The menu was not user friendly and I accidentaly closed the game. I wasn't able to launch it again.

Pressing Right Shift on the menu starts the game. If Cuphead deserves a positive review as a difficult retro 2D game, then an original with memorable music like this probably should too. Surviving for 3 decades in a fast moving industry where far more popular games have been left broken (Battlefield 2 comes to mind), this obscure game (that I often couldn't find even when searching for it) somehow works pretty well on Windows 10. Unlike the early Mario games, it doesn't rely so much on good short-term memory, and had some depth as you go back and forth trying to find objectives for characters (essentially adding some roleplay). But it still suffers the savage difficulty of those early 2D Platformers, which I assume was a lazy attempt to artificially add longevity if they couldn't figure out how to fit content within the limitations of the machines back then (the game is 4MB, which was typical). There is a lot of gameplay in it though, so it seems strange they made it so difficult. A lot of the mad ideas don't work, like being chased by your own ghost which just adds another enemy coming at you out of nowhere. It doesn't compare to a modern 2D game like Terraria that offers greater depth and feels intuitive. There's something to it, it has style, but I wouldn't want to lean towards a positive review on the basis of nostalgia.

I really do not know if I would recommend this or not. I would probably like this more if I read up on what to say to people, and exactly what buttons to push, etc. I should go look up the manual for the original game, but I will do that later. The game is not bad, but it is a bit confusing if you do not know a bit more before playing. The action is okay, not the best but certainly not bad. The old PC platformers were always a bit clunky anyway. I like the graphics, and I want to come back to this later, Should be fun for a waste of time some afternoon. Should you buy it? I cannot say... maybe read up on it before you purchase and see if it is really for you. My thumbs up is from my opinion, but that does not mean I suggest everyone tries it out.

This game is too old and underpolished to be enjoyable. The controls for this game are terrible (including the ridiculous start game button), the gameplay is unengaging, and it has just aged terribly.

No idea what to do in this game. Right Shift starts the game and is the fire button. Right Shift + Up Arrow interacts with a character, but then to talk you have to type stuff to the character and he doesn't understand any questions or words I tried typing, except F***, it seems he recognized that and didn't appreciate it very much. The longer you remain on any screen, the more enemies start coming in from the sides of the screen. Only made it a few screens before dying. The gameover cinematic was quite unexpected for such a cartoony game...

this game kicks ass, anyone that complains just does not understand the intricacies involved

Elf is a 1991 platformer that feels like a true product of its time—simple yet challenging, colorful, and filled with charm. If you’re into retrogaming and enjoy testing your reflexes and patience, this game has a lot to offer. For others, though, it might feel too outdated compared to modern platformers. The story sets you on a classic “hero’s journey.” You play as Cornelius, an elf on a quest to rescue his captured girlfriend. While the plot isn’t groundbreaking, it adds a nice bit of motivation to push through the levels. The humor sprinkled throughout the game is lighthearted and fits well with the whimsical tone. Gameplay is where Elf shines for its time. It’s a mix of platforming and light puzzle-solving, with a focus on exploration. The levels are fairly intricate, requiring you to navigate cleverly designed areas, avoid traps, and fight enemies. What makes Elf stand out is its non-linear level design, which encourages players to think carefully about where to go and how to approach obstacles. The controls, though, can be a mixed bag. They’re functional, but like many early platformers, they feel stiff compared to today’s standards. You might find yourself frustrated at times, especially during precision platforming sections. The difficulty is also pretty steep, with limited lives and unforgiving enemy placements, making it a game that rewards patience and persistence. The graphics are charmingly retro, with colorful sprites and environments that stand out despite the hardware limitations of the era. Each level has its own visual personality, and the overall art style feels cohesive. The music and sound effects are simple but effective, setting the tone without becoming too repetitive. For retrogamers, Elf is a nice time capsule from the early '90s, offering a nostalgic trip back to the golden age of platformers. If you’re someone who grew up playing these types of games, there’s a lot to appreciate. For newer players, though, the dated mechanics and high difficulty might be a dealbreaker. Overall, I’d recommend Elf to those who enjoy digging into gaming history or have fond memories of playing platformers from that era. Just keep in mind that it’s a product of its time, so manage your expectations accordingly.

Basic and wearisome. Not worth to play it nowadays.

This seems to be a very old game with little thought or originality put into it. One of those, Where the hell do I go games of SNES days. With delayed controls and clunky animations this is near impossible to properly play. Bought the game for like 10 cents, which isn't putting much of a hurt to go back into the past of an Amiga port.