Line #9 VideoGame/MoonstoneAHardDaysKnight


1	[[quoteright:353:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/d37f0d165d04d0f5de027c06be9ed1da.gif]]
2	[[caption-width-right:353:[[LudicrousGibs Guess what happens in about two seconds]].]]
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4	->"''If you want a beat-'em-up that's''
5	->''meaty, bloody and slightly strategic,''
6	->''then Moonstone is phun with a capital F.''"
7	-->-- Quote from the ''Amiga Computing'' review of ''Moonstone''
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9	A [[HackAndSlash Hack 'n' Slash]]/[[ActionRPG Action RPG]] for the {{Platform/Amiga}}, developed by Canadian independent developer Rob Anderson and released by Mindscape in 1991, ''Moonstone: A Hard Days Knight'' (commonly referred to as just ''Moonstone'') is notable for containing hilariously over the top {{Gorn}} and for being a huge {{Cult Classic}} among Amiga fans. It also received a more or less identical PC port.
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11	[[TheMiddleAges Set in the medieval times]], the story revolves around a quest for the titular stone. Every thousand years, [[TheChosenOne a great warrior is chosen]] by [[{{Druid}} the Druids]] for the task. To succeed, one must gain entrance to the Valley of the Gods and defeat the Moonstone guardian.
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13	''Moonstone'' was neither a critical nor commercial success upon its release, but over the years it gained a cult following [[VindicatedByHistory and is now seen as a classic Amiga game]]...at least in Europe. ''Moonstone'' never saw a release in North America, mainly because of its content. According to [[WordOfGod Rob Anderson]], Toys 'R' Us refused to carry it and when Mindscape pitched the game to Creator/{{Sega}} and Creator/{{Nintendo}}, they liked it but refused to release a game with such content. [[{{Irony}} Anderson noted the irony]] in the fact that both Nintendo and Toys 'R' Us later changed their stance a year later with ''[[VideoGame/MortalKombat1992 Mortal Kombat]]'', a game with just as much blood and gore (though, to be fair, ''Mortal Kombat'' had already proved to be a big hit in the arcades... and Nintendo published it censored).
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15	Has a great fansite dedicated to it, [[http://www.moonstonetavern.co.uk/ The Moonstone Tavern]].
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17	----
18	!!This game contains examples of:
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20	* ArtificialStupidity: Played straight with the [[BlackKnight Black Knights]] (who are actually purple) who are part of a religious sect and believe that the Druids are blasphemous. If there are less than 4 human players, the Black Knights will fill in the empty spots and try to sabotage the quest. Luckily for you, they are utterly worthless and ridiculously easy to beat.
21	* [[BlackAndWhiteMagic Black and White Mages]]: Actually, more like two [[TheRedMage Red]] and one [[WhiteMage White Mage]]:
22	** Math the Wizard is a Red example. If you visit his [[MageTower tower]], he will grant you a gift, either a physical one (i.e. gold, gems, scrolls, etc.) or a stat increase. However, if you visit him too often, he will accuse you of abusing his "abundal warmth and endless favors" and transform you into a toad for a number of turns.
23	** The other Red example is Mythral the Mystic, who lives in Waterdeep. For a donation, he can either increase or decrease one of your stats. It all depends on your luck.
24	** Finally, the White example is the healer who can be found in either of the cities. For a small donation, [[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin he can restore your health]].
25	* BloodlessCarnage: The main menu features an option to turn off the gore.
26	* CriticalExistenceFailure: Being hit with a club? [[OnlyAFleshWound Just a flesh wound]]! Losing your last hit points while being hit with a club? LudicrousGibs ensues.
27	* DescriptiveVille: The cities of Highwood and Waterdeep.
28	* FantasticRacism: [[MonstrousHumanoid Troggs]] and humans despise each other.
29	* GameBreakingBug: Several, including:
30	** When fighting two Trolls (pictured above), the game will crash if they both try to do an overhead swing at the exact same time.
31	** If you defeat a Black Knight, you get to take something from his inventory. Sometimes a Moonstone can be found, but trying to take it results in the game freezing.
32	* HeroesPreferSwords: You always start out with a Long Sword. [[InfinityMinusOneSword The Claymore]] and the Broad Sword can be purchased at a merchant while the [[InfinityPlusOneSword Sword of Sharpness]] is usually found by defeating the dragon (though, if you're lucky, you can buy it in Highwood or get it from another knight).
33	* ImpaledWithExtremePrejudice: Happens when you get killed by spear-wielding Troggs or [[AttackAnimal Trogg War Beasts]].
34	%%* LandmarkOfLore: Stonehenge.
35	* {{Lunacy}}: The Ratmen grow stronger during a full moon.
36	* OffWithHisHead: When a knight dies, he kneels a few seconds before falling. This short time gives the opponent a chance to try out a well-aimed swing.
37	* OneHitKill: A number of monsters have one. Trolls can smash the knight with one overhead swing, mudmen can drag him into the mud, baloks can squash the knight by jumping on top, and the dragon can kill with one bite or breath.
38	* PaletteSwap: The only difference between the knight sprites is the color.
39	* RestAndResupplyStop: Highwood and Waterdeep, where you can (among other things) buy healing supplies, change armor or [[IncrediblyLamePun spend a knight]] at the [[TheNeedForMead local tavern]].
40	* ScareChord: Plays every time a [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uvS4uhVXkmM Mudman appears]].
41	* ShoutOut: The title is a play on Music/TheBeatles song "A Hard Days Night".
42	* StarterEquipment: The starter equipment is always the same: a Long Sword, padded armour, 10 throwing daggers and 10 gold pieces.
43	* StatGrinding: Probably unintentional, but it's possible to max out your stats in the first lair you enter. Every time you defeat all the monsters in one lair, you get an experience point and an opportunity to [[{{Plunder}} take whatever loot]] that was kept in the lairs' treasure chest (if you do, the lair disappears from the map). However, if you exit the lair without taking anything, you can enter it again and the enemies will respawn. Just repeat the process [[OneManArmy until you are practically unbeatable]].
44	* {{Stellification}}: After returning the Moonstone to Stonehenge, your reward is a druidic ritual where you become a constellation and a legend "passed from one generation to the next".
45	* SwampsAreEvil: Played straight with the Wetlands, where you meet some [[SarcasmMode very friendly]] Trolls and Mudmen.
46	* TheManyDeathsOfYou: A wide variety, which include being [[EatenAlive eaten]], [[LudicrousGibs crushed]], [[ManOnFire fried]], [[SquashedFlat stomped]], [[ImpaledWithExtremePrejudice impaled]], [[HornAttack gored]] and [[ArsonMurderAndJaywalking punched]].
47	* ThreeStatSystem: Strength, Constitution and Endurance.

Context VideoGame / MoonstoneAHardDaysKnight