Great game. Very much like Willow Pattern, or Treasure Island on the Commodore Plus/4. Only much MUCH larger. A huge 256 screens of labyrinth exploration.
But part of the problem with that is that there's no save states. The immense size of this game seriously needs it, as even if you know your way around, it will take an age to beat it.
This is best played using save states via other means. For me I use a Steam Deck via Emulation Station. In fact I find that it's the perfect way to play it.
I've now beaten the entire game on 100% kills and 100% treasure completion. The final boss is where it REALLY gets hard. Once you've collected the final piece, the mad monk chases you around the whole labyrinth. One touch and you lose a life.
You now need to find your way back to a marked location in the middle of the map to find the final sword and kill him complete the game, with him hot on your trail.
But without a good memory or a map you will completely lose your way in what is a huge confusing maze. You do get some time to relax and work out your route whilst he's hot on your trail if you can trap him by being completely parallel to him on different paths, as he will stop following. Just as well he's a little stupid.
What would help immensely is for someone to release an actual screenshot map. Ok sure we have the in-game map via the space-bar which is partially useful, but it doesn't highlight all the actual paths and dead ends.
All it shows is whether it has any N, S, E or W side exits on that screen, but without telling you how many or if any of them are accessible from your location.
For instance there may be more than one path which doesn't connect with each other on that screen but the map doesn't show you, and there may be more than one exit on any particular side, such as two or even three north side exits.
But the map will only let you know that there is at least one exit there, and maybe not all exits are accessible from your screen location.
Fortunately there is a longplay YouTube video here in the below comments, so at least you should be able to use that to find my way to the end like I did.
Anyway, one nice feature is the flashing sword. You are able to collect swords through the game that you can only use once, either by stealing one off a soldier or one you may find laying around. But the flashing swords you find are infinite, so you can keep going back to pick up. You will never get stuck.
Despite everything, this is an enjoyable game. It's actually really easy to get into, especially if you are able to create save states then it becomes quite addictive. One that you can casually play at your own leisure into the wee small hours.
It's just the lack of a map that will really get you wincing out in frustration. Fortunately there is no time limit so this is one where you can take your sweet time on. The game could maybe do with a few more lives also. Another reason why I use save states via emulation.
Anyway for the digital price it's well worth it. I'd say it's worth the cassette price also if you're a fan of this particular genre as it's well presented.
Despite its immense map size with no save states and the lack of a more useful map which makes this one tough cookie to complete, this is still one of my favourite Psytronik releases due to its gameplay simplicity, asides its difficulty. I say grab it now.