Game Review: Bram Stoker's Dracula (Master System)

Game: Bram Stoker's Dracula
Console: Sega Master System
Developer: Probe Entertainment
Release Date: 1993

It's always difficult to know quite what to expect from movie tie-in games, and especially those based on fairly well known books. Bram Stoker's Dracula was highly successful as a film in 1993, and as such a video game adaptation was almost inevitable. Despite the game being released on at least 9 systems, I decided to check out the Master System version of it.

Players take control of Jonathan Harker who is attempting to escape from capture in Dracula's Castle, and explore 3 levels, each of which have a night and day stage. Gameplay is in the form of a platformer; players can jump and shoot with each of the buttons on the controller, as well as moving with the d-pad. Weapons, health and bonus score coins can be collected from item boxes on the floor of levels.

Each of the weapons available has a different method of use; the sword (which is the default weapon) can only be used at close range, the hatchet is thrown in an arc from a distance, and fireballs and other projectiles fire straight forwards . The levels are fairly well designed if a little short at times, but are hindered most by the rapidly increasing difficulty. At times the game will present almost impossible combinations of enemies and obstacles which is likely to put some players off.

There are bosses at the end of each level, the first of which is pretty easy as long as players have some sort of projectile weapon, and the second of which is almost impossible due to the small space which players are given to fight in. This disparity in boss difficulty, added to the increase in level difficulty makes for a short game where players are almost certain to get stuck at some point.

Graphically Bram Stoker's Dracula is certainly acceptable in terms of the Master System library. Both indoor and outdoor locations are pleasing to the eye, and player/enemy sprites are fairly detailed and well animated. The music featured in the game is nothing special and isn't particularly memorable, but at times contributes to the horror theme nicely.

Overall this isn't the worst game that could have come from a Dracula movie tie-in, though it doesn't seem to follow the plot of the film particularly. Controlwise the gameplay is very responsive and with a greater number of more detailed levels, and a difficulty adjustment there's no reason that this game couldn't have been a classic for the Master System. Unfortunately it fell short of that mark and is decidedly mediocre.

Rating: 60/100
Grade: D