Format: Cartridge
Genre: Adventure
Developer: Sandcastle
Publisher: Electronic Arts

Like some of cinema's most famous classics, The Immortal takes place entirely in a claustrophobic, stuffy underground dungeon. Its isometric view looks almost like it's etched in sandpaper, lending the game an extremely unique aesthetic. Battle sequences contain massive character sprites, and the game's numerous death sequences-- both for the player and for enemies-- are fantastically and satisfyingly gruesome.

The inimitable Rob Hubbard strikes again, delivering a score that is absolutely unforgettable; the second stage's song, "Beware the Slime", doesn't even need any accompanying game or visuals-- the song all by itself is the stuff horrors are made of. Likewise, "Dream" conjures imagery of a feverish, restless nightmare-filled sleep-- and that was exactly the point, as the song is set to the game's sleeping sequences.

The Immortal involves descending through a dungeon, collecting items, and navigating scripted encounters by using said items adventure-game style. The game's take on combat is one-of-a-kind, and although the game is short and totally linear, there are so many interesting ways to die that it's, ironically, those paths to failure that make the stages intriguing.

Like a sort of strange marriage of King's Quest, Marble Madness, and Wizardry, it's difficult to define exactly what The Immortal is; adventure game with combat? Graphic novel? Dungeon crawler with very light RPG qualities? No matter; even if The Immortal isn't the best game in its own right, it's at least a fascinating title that set the stage for later games, from Resident Evil to Fallout.