The Battle of Olympus

About

Orpheus battles through ancient Greek-inspired levels filled with monsters and traps to rescue his love from Hades. This side-scrolling adventure mixes platforming and combat, requiring you to collect and switch between weapons like spears and axes as you fight enemies ranging from centaurs to Medusa. Progression involves upgrading your gear and navigating increasingly complex layouts in the underworld, leading to a showdown with the god of the dead. The game stands out for its dense use of Greek mythology, featuring encounters with gods and creatures from legend. While its mechanics owe clear influence to Zelda II, the setting and challenge curve offer a distinct feel. With 87% of completed playthroughs reaching the final boss, it’s a lesser-known but persistent entry in 80s adventure gaming for its structured difficulty and themed worldbuilding.

Storyline

The Battle For Olympus takes place in Ancient Greece, which is being tormented by the ruler of the underworld-Hades. Orpheus, the main protagonist of the game, must rescue his girlfriend Helene from Hades. The game incorporates a number of different mythological creatures from Greek lore; including Cyclopes, Centaurs, and Medusa-as well as numerous Greek gods. Orpheus, using various upgrades in weaponry, travels deep into the underworld to defeat Hades, conquering numerous foes on the way.