Fred

About

Fred is a side-scrolling action game where you play a shrunken knight battling his way through hostile terrain. You slash enemies with a sword, hurl daggers at distant targets, and switch between three distinct layers of the screen to outmaneuver foes. The challenge comes from dodging attacks, collecting keys and weapons, and navigating tight platforming sections while under constant pressure. Your goal is to track down a magical dwarf who reduced you to miniature size and reclaim your normal stature. The game’s standout feature is its layered level design, requiring you to shift between foreground, midground, and background planes to access hidden paths and ambush enemies. Throwing daggers at hard-to-reach targets adds a tactical layer, though the difficulty spikes sharply as threats multiply. With minimal platforming polish by modern standards, Fred leans into retro arcade ruthlessness, demanding precision over power. Its single-player structure and Amiga/Atari ST origins make it a niche pick for fans of old-school 2D brawlers.

Storyline

Sir Fred was a brave and noble knight in love with a beautiful damsel, but evil Ultimor, an ugly dwarf with magical powers, casted a spell upon him and minimized to the size of the dwarf. Enemies were laughing at him, and other dwarfs were attacking him. What he should do? Yes, he should find and defeat Ultimor, return his size to be brave and noble enough, and to win back his belle.