Spectrum Retro Games: Feud

Review of Sinclair Vintage Computer Game Feud by Mastertronic Games

Oct 17, 2008 Nicolas McGregor

The classic budget Spectrum computer game Feud by Mastertronic Games Bulldog Software label pits sibling magicians against each other in a fight to the death.

Feud was released in 1987 as the first game of Mastertronic's new budget label, Bulldog Software. Produced by Binary Design, Feud was the brainchild of legendary video game design team, the Pickford Brothers, who were also responsible for such classic games as Ghosts n Goblins, Glider Rider and Xeno.

The premise of Feud is a sorcerous duel between two quarrelling brothers, Learic and Leanoric, in and around the village of Little Dullford. Both brothers roam this rustic horizontally-wrapped flip-screen landscape, collecting spell ingredients to concoct spells with which to engage their brother in a magical battle to the death.

Casting Spells in Feud

Both the player, as Learic, and the computer-controlled Leanoric, have access to up to 12 spells that require herbal ingredients to be collected before a specific spell can be mixed. Each spell requires the combination of two herbs, and once the prerequisite ingredients have been gathered, the spell must be brewed by standing above a cauldron.

Once a spell is brewed, the lettering on the appropriate page in the player's spellbook will turn red, to illustrate that the spell is ready to be cast. What follows is a list of the available spells, the ingredients required to mix the spell, and what each spell actually does:

Feud Spell and Ingredients List

1. Teleport: Requires Dandelion and Burdock. Returns the caster back to their home cauldron.
2. Protect: Requires Piperwork and Ragwort. Renders the caster invulnerable to attack for a short period.
3. Sprites: Requires Snapdragon and Toadflax. A powerful homing missile spell.
4. Zombie: Requires Devilsbit and Bones. Creates a zombie that will attach the caster's opponent.
5. Swift: Requires Speedwell and Mad Sage. Allows the caster to move at twice the usual speed for a short time.
6. Freeze: Requires Bind Weed and Bog Weed. Prevents an opponent from moving or spellcasting for a limited time.
7. Doppleganger: Requires Foxglove and Catsear. Creates a double of the caster to confuse and distract an opponent.
8. Invisible: Requires Chondrilla and Hemlock. Makes the caster invisible for a short while.
9. Reverse: Requires Thistle and Skullcap. Reverses the player controls of the character it is cast upon.
10. Heal: Requires Balm and Feverfew. That all-important health restorative.
11. Fireball: Requires Dragonsteeth and Mousetail. An aimed missile spell.
12. Lightning: Requires Cud Weed and Knap Weed. A very powerful missile spell.

Feud and Spectrum Graphics

Graphically, Feud was considered very advanced in 1987. Making good use of the Sinclair Spectrum's limited colour palette, Feud uses large solid-colour character sprites against a simple but atmospheric game environment. Unlike many Sinclair titles of the time, there is very little colour-clash when sprites collide during gameplay.

The user interface is also imaginative and innovative. Two statues represent Learic and Leanoric, and as the health of each brother is depleted, their respective statues descend into the ground as if into a grave.

To the left of these statues is Learic's spellbook. To cast a spell, the spellbook must be flicked through to the appropriate page which shows both the spell title and the required ingredients. Flipping through the spellbook is both an interesting visual feature and, when under attack from Leanoric, a test of nerves and dexterity: finding the right page whilst under fire is as entertaining as it is frustrating.

To the right of the health statues is the game compass. This compass points towards Leanoric, letting the player know to retreat from that direction if not yet prepared for battle, or to follow the compass to hunt Leanoric down for a confrontation.

Feud Gameplay

Leanoric is not idle while the player gathers herbs. He too is collecting ingredients and mixing spells. Feud relies heavily on the artificial intelligence of Leanoric, as he is the only real source of conflict in the game. Fortunately, in the Pickford Brothers's capable hands, Leanoric is suitably aggressive when armed with combat spells, and is smart enough to attempt retreat, heal himself or teleport away when he is vulnerable to attack.

Legacy of Mastertronic Games Feud

Feud inspired the Feud 2000AD remake that was put on hold in 2002. This version promised updated isometric graphics, multiple computer opponents with superior artificial intelligence, multiplayer network support and random map generation. Several test builds of Feud 2000AD were released, but the game was never completed.

Feud Game Review Conclusion

The budget price tag, clean, clash-free and well-achieved graphics and innovative gameplay made Feud a hit when it was launched in 1987. The forerunner of the deathmatch mode ubiquitous to modern first person shooter games, Feud remains eminently playable more than two decades after its initial release.

The copyright of the article Spectrum Retro Games: Feud in Video & Online Games is owned by Nicolas McGregor. Permission to republish Spectrum Retro Games: Feud in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

Feud Loading Screen	Feud Cassette Inlay Card	Feud Game Screenshot 1
Feud Game Screenshot 2	Feud Game Screenshot 3

Comments

Feb 9, 2009 1:46 PM

Guest :

I had this game absolutely loved it,You had to collected herbs and take them back to your couldron and mix them up and different herbs would give you different powers,then you had to go and zap the bad wizard

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