1996 · Black Element Software · First-person shooter · Shooter

Testament

Testament is a horror-themed Doom clone, set outside and inside graveyards, catacombs and dungeons filled with ancient fantasy monsters. On each level you will find a scroll, a piece of the "testament" of the title. This will allow you to save your progress and move on to the next level.

Released: 31 December 1996
Platforms: Amiga
Genres: First-person shooter Shooter
Developers: Black Element Software
Publishers: —
Modes: Single-player
Perspective: First person
Themes: Action Horror
Country: Czech Republic

About

Testament is a 1996 video game by Insanity for the Amiga. It is a horror first-person shooter.

›Story

You are a soldier on an expedition to find the crypt of the ancient magus Ghuwta, the mightiest of the sorcerors and ruler of an empire 4 000 years ago. Or at least you were, until you were separated from your group. Now your task is simply to survive, and eventually find your way out of the haunted lands you are trapped in. Unfortunately, the way out seems to involve finding and defeating Ghuwta's ghost.

The articlegameplay, story, development, reception

Gameplay

The game has similar gameplay to Wolfenstein 3D and Doom. There are 16 levels in the game and the player has to find a piece of scroll (the eponymous Testament) in every single level. The piece is usually hidden behind a door and so the player has to find a key first. To fight enemies, players can use four weapons -a basic handgun, a machine-gun, a fireball-gun and a double-gun.

Story

The game follows a soldier who participates in an expedition to find crypt of the ancient magus Ghuwta. Ghuwta a powerful sorcerer who ruled a strong empire was 4,000 years ago. The player's character gets separated from the expedition and has to escape the haunted land.

Development

The game was developed by Insanity. Filip Doksanský originally intended Testament to be a port of Wolfenstein 3D' for Amiga. The game was introduced in 1996, during Amiga Workshop. The game was released the same year.

Reception

The game has received generally favourable reviews. Andy Smith gave the game 92% in his review. He commented it as "a splendid game that concentrates on making the gaming experience as enjoyable as possible." Another reviewer, Joachim Froholt, commented Testament as "a hugely entertaining and atmospheric game which stands up surprisingly well when compared to the best 3D shooters of today."

In the Czech magazine Amiga Review the game scored with 60%. The review praised the atmosphere, gameplay and music. On the other hand, it criticised the technical aspect of the game such as AI of enemies or the engine.

Legacy

A sequel, Testament II, was produced by Insanity in 1998. It was the last title released by the team. Its members later founded the company Black Element Software.