Line #3 VideoGame/SabreWulf


1	[[quoteright:195:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/sabre_wulf.png]]
2	''Sabre Wulf'' is the first game in the VideoGame/SabreMan series (followed by ''VideoGame/{{Underwurlde}}'', ''VideoGame/KnightLore'' and ''VideoGame/{{Pentagram}}''), and the game which introduced [[Creator/{{Rare}} Rare Ltd]]'s long-running Sabreman character (who's since appeared in many other Rare games). The game was published in 1984 by "Ultimate Play The Game" a.k.a. "Ashby Computers and Graphics", both of which [[StealthPun ultimately]] proved to be trading styles of Creator/{{Rare}}. If the title character sounds familiar, you might have played [[VideoGame/KillerInstinct another Rare-created series]] that featured [[OurWerewolvesAreDifferent a similar creature]].
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4	There exists two different games carrying [[RecycledTitle the same name]]: the 1984 original, a Platform/ZXSpectrum ActionAdventure starring Sabreman, a British explorer who finds himself trapped in a [[TheMaze deep labyrinth-esque jungle chasm]] and now must find his way out of it by [[DismantledMacGuffin finding 4 pieces of an amulet]]. However, on his path he'll have to fence against [[BigCreepyCrawlies jungle creeps of various sizes]], natives and the titular Sabre Wulf, an [[ImplacableMan implacable wolf]] who appears at times and is better dealt with by running away. Besides the amulet pieces, Sabreman can also collect different treasures for points and colored flowers that grant him temporary special abilities (increased speed, {{invincibility\|PowerUp}}) or disadvantages ([[InterfaceScrew inverted controls]]). The game got ported to a few other computers of the time, like the Platform/Commodore64 and Platform/AmstradCPC. This game, along with two of its sequels, was rereleased in 2015 on ''[[CompilationRerelease Rare Replay]]''
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6	The second game was released in 2004 for the Platform/GameBoyAdvance, and works as a sequel to the first: Sabreman ended up banishing the evil Wulf as he was ravaging a nearby town, using the magical amulet. The townspeople then erected a statue of the wolf, and used the amulet to seal him inside it. Things went smoothly for a while, until MadScientist Dr. Dolittle-Goode came into the picture. Having tried to seize the land for years, he finds out about the Wulf and releases him, breaking the amulet into eight parts. Now both join forces to [[ArsonMurderAndJaywalking terrorize, conquer the lands and steal anything they want from various bystanders]]. Desperate, the Mayor of Blackwyche Village seeks out Sabreman to deal with the evil duo.
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8	This Sabre Wulf is a more straightforward PuzzlePlatformer, as Sabreman now has a host of small MonsterAllies which assists him with their different abilities (jump higher, create platforms, move obstacles, etc). Besides the amulet parts, Sabreman gets involved in several {{Fetch Quest}}s trying to recover the objects (or people) Wulf has stolen. Once said article is found, the Wulf wakes up and the player must run away back to the entrance before the wolf can catch him.
9	----
10	!!The Platform/ZXSpectrum version (1984) provides examples of:
11	* AmazingTechnicolorWildlife: Only due to the system's limited colors, the wildlife [[AmazingTechnicolorPopulation (and tribesman)]] randomly come in colors like cyan, magenta, red, and yellow.
12	* AngryAngryHippos: Hippos serve as one of the enemies, which charge across the screen when players cross in their paths.
13	* BatOutOfHell: Giant bats are one of the enemy types.
14	* BigCreepyCrawlies: A couple of enemies consist of large spiders and scorpions.
15	* {{Blackground}}: The floor[=/=]background in the game is black, which gives the extra impression of going through a dark jungle.
16	* BladeSpam: The attack button can be held down so that Sabreman is constantly swinging his sword the entire time.
17	* ColorCodedForYourConvenience: Each flower is colored differently depending on the powerup it grants; red is invulnerability, blue is speed up, etc.
18	* DismantledMacGuffin: The Amulet is split into four pieces, and must be found and collected in four different areas within the map.
19	* EliteMook: The wolf can't be defeated, and one had better run away in the chance they cross paths.
20	* GiantMook: Rhinos and Hippopotamus are larger than the other game's {{mooks}}, which can't be defeated like any other enemy.
21	* GiantSpider: One recurrent enemy is a large spider the size of Sabreman.
22	* HollywoodNatives: There are wild tribesmen who serve as enemies, trying to attack Sabreman when they see him by chasing him with a spear.
23	* ImplacableMan: The Wulf is invulnerable to all attacks, so it's best to just run away.
24	* InterfaceScrew: One of the flowers' effects reverses the controls temporarily.
25	* InvincibleMinorMinion: The tribal villagers and hippo[=/=]rhino enemies can't be killed, but they can at least be stunned or reflected with the sword.
26	* InvincibilityPowerUp: The red flower grants invulnerability but gives slower speed. The blue and purple flowers also grants invulnerability, with the former also adding a speed boost and the later reversing the controls.
27	* JungleJapes: The whole game takes place in a dark jungle.
28	* TheMaze: The game's overworld is a large maze with the borders made out of the jungle's fauna. The exit is in the center, but can only be accessed by finding four pieces of the amulet.
29	* NitroBoost: The blue flower grants a temporary speed boost, as well as temporary invincibility.
30	* RhinoRampage: Rhinos can charge across the screen to harm Sabreman.
31	* SavageWolves: The titular wolf. It's very fast and one of the only enemies in the game that can not be killed.
32	* ScaryScorpions: Scorpions in this game are enemies, and they're really big.
33	* SmartBomb: The yellow flower kills most weaker enemies on screen, [[AwesomeButImpractical but doesn't work on Elite Mooks and also disables movement for a few seconds.]]
34	* ToBeContinued: The end screen says that the next adventure of Sabre Man will continue in the ''VideoGame/{{Underwurlde}}''.
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36	!!The GBA version (2004) provides examples of:
37	* ActionBomb: Boomer, one of the MonsterAllies, explodes whenever an enemy touches it or after a few seconds.
38	%%* AdvancingBossOfDoom: The Wulf is Type B, albeit he never turns into a proper BossFight.
39	* AmazingTechnicolorWildlife: The Wulf's fur is blue colored in this game.
40	%%* BigBad: Dr. Dolittle-Goode.
41	%%* BigfootSasquatchAndYeti: Bigfoot is one of the MonsterAllies.
42	* BlobMonster: Sticky is a goo creature you can set to trap enemies who walk into it.
43	%%%* BubblegloopSwamp: Several, Entombed Swamp being the biggest one.
44	%%* CardCarryingVillain: Dr. Dolittle-Goode. Then again, with a name like that...
45	%%* CityGuards: Of the [[TheGuardsMustBeCrazy crazy variety]]:
46	%%--> '''Sabreman''': ''Can't you [save the Mayor]? You are soldiers, after all.''
47	%%--> '''Soldier''': ''Us? Not likely, we only joined up for the uniform. Girls are very partial to a man in uniform, you know.''
48	* CollectionSideQuest: A man in the starting town asks you to find multiple colored orchids for his girl, each obtained through their own questline.
49	%%* CoolAirship: Dolittle-Goode uses a hot air balloon as means of transportation.
50	%%* DeadpanSnarker: Sabreman tends to dip into these, specially when everyone keeps reminding him that he's "their only hope".
51	%%--> '''Sabreman''': ''It's always me, isn't it?''
52	%%* DeathMountain: Mt. Knightlore.
53	%%* DismantledMacGuffin: The Amulet, once again.
54	%%* DumbMuscle: Bigfoot and Club.
55	* TheDragon: The Wulf.
56	* ExtremeOmnivore: The Drooler creature's method of assistance is swallowing most enemies whole.
57	%%* FetchQuest
58	%%* FirstTown: Blackwyche Village.
59	%%* GottaCatchEmAll: The eight Amulet pieces, and arguably the monsters. SideQuest gatherings include photographs and orchids.
60	%%* InexplicableTreasureChests
61	* InvincibilityPowerUp: The Phoenix creature grants Sabreman invincibility.
62	%%* JungleJapes: Karnath Jungle, as the name implies, is a jungle themed level.
63	* MadScientist: Dr. Dolittle-Goode. He builds labs that you have to destroy to access new areas. He also freed Sabre Wulf, turning the Wulf into TheDragon.
64	%%* MonsterAllies
65	* MythologyGag: One of the areas, Underwurlde Mines, is a reference to the second ''Sabre Man'' game ''VideoGame/{{Underwurlde}}'', which also takes place underground.
66	* NonActionBigBad: [[spoiler:You never get a chance to fight Dr. Dolittle-Goode himself.]]
67	%%* ThePhoenix: One of the good creatures.
68	* RecurringBoss: Exaggerated. You have to run away from the same boss at the end of ''every'' level.
69	* RecycledTitle: The title is recycled from the original ZX Spectrum game.
70	%%* ReptilesAreAbhorrent: Crocodiles are common enemies.
71	%%* SealedEvilInACan: Wulf during the backstory, of the TakenForGranite variety.
72	* ShoutOut:
73	** The multi-color orchid SideQuest is likely one to the flower powerups in the original, as those orchids came in a [[ColorCodedForYourConvenience variety of colors]] as well.
74	** One area is called Karnath Jungle; Karnath is a giant snake who serves as an obstacle in the original ''VideoGame/{{Battletoads}}'' game and a boss in the arcade game.
75	%%* TheSpiny: Appears as an obstacle in several stages.
76	* TrampolineTummy: Blubba, the first creature you find, allows you to reach higher grounds by jumping on its big belly.
77	%%* SavageWolves: The Wulf. Its howl is good enough to send shivers down Sabreman's spine.
78	* StickyFingers: Wulf steals anything it wants, including ''people''.
79	%%* TakeOverTheWorld: The doctor's intention.
80	* TimeSkip: Not mentioned, but the game is set quite some years after the original. Sabreman is noticeably older, and even comments he's "getting too old for this."
81	%%* UndergroundLevel: Most Wulf Holes. There are also quite a few named stages, like Karnath Mines.
82	* ThemeNaming: All game areas are named after old [[Creator/{{Rare}} Ultimate Play The Game]] games (''Blackwyche'' Village, ''Underwurle'' Mines, Mount ''Knightlore'', ect.)
83	* TheUnfought: [[spoiler:Dr. Dolittle-Goode is never confronted properly, and is anticlimactically (and literally) shot down in the game's ending.]]

Context VideoGame / SabreWulf