is 1987 a side-view platform game released by Konami for the MSX2 computer platform. The story follows archeology assistants on the hunt for a legendary gemstone for a statue of Ushas. The game received positive reviews by critics, who praised the level design and graphics.
Gameplay and premise
thumb|left|Gameplay screenshot
Long before the events of the game, the Indra threw away the Goddess of Dawn's jewel, which fell to earth and broke into four pieces. In the present day, Wit and Cles are lab assistants for Assistant Professor Atre of oriental archeology. Recently, a statue of the Goddess Ushas has been discovered with a recession in its forehead where a gemstone seems to be placed. To save their laboratory from its financial problems, the two go and hunt for the missing gemstone to complete the statue. Due to hardware limitations of the MSX, the screen does not scroll, and instead is a static screen that switches to a new screen as the player progresses.
The player can pick between two different characters, Wit and Cles who have different starting stats. Both players likewise have different means of attacking. Wit uses firearms and starts slower and with less of a jump, while Cles can jump higher and walk faster but attacks with kicks. Coins are found throughout the stages, which can then be used to upgrade the power of your character or replenish health.
Development
For music, the game does not use the SCC (sound source chip) which was a Konami sound chip for the MSX and used in their port of Gradius 2.
Reception
The game received largely positive reviews upon release, as well as in retrospective reviews. Upon release in Europe, reviewers praised the game. The Games Machine called it "Attention to detail is omnipresent and a fantastic, impelling urge to get to the final battle is instilled by the steady progress one makes with practice - and the enjoyment to be gleaned by making it." ASM likewise, praised the game, praising the graphics, and quality of the game's design. Likewise, Benjamin Llamas and Javier Veret of MSX Extra magazine praised the game's visuals and graphics, saying it is elevated to something on par with arcade games of the time. Wim Dewijngaert of MSX Club Magazine also praised the game, only lamenting the lack of an SCC chip.