Pentagram

About

Pentagram follows Sabreman as he ventures into a forest to retrieve a broken artifact and complete it with magical runes. The game plays like a direct sequel to Knight Lore, with the same top-down isometric view and blocky character movement. You swing a magic wand to fire projectiles at enemies while navigating forests and ruins to solve puzzles. Each section requires finding pieces of the Pentagram and purifying them with water from hidden wells before locating and placing runes. It's a straightforward action-adventure with a focus on exploration and timing. The game wraps up Ultimate Play the Game's Sabreman series, sticking close to the formula of its predecessors but adding ranged attacks. While it lacks the lasting polish of its 1980s rivals, fans of retro isometric games often praise its tight controls and cheeky charm. With simple graphics and a clear layout, it's a brisk experience that feels more ambitious than it actually is. The ZX Spectrum and MSX ports kept it accessible for its time, though modern players might find the pacing slow compared to later 8-bit adventures.