Sherwood (Griffensoft / Psytronik Software)
Game title: Sherwood
Game description: Sherwood is a multi-screen action platformer for the Commodore 64 inspired by classic Robin Hood folklore. After Robin wins the Nottingham Castle archery tournament using three enchanted arrows that hide his identity, the final shot breaks the spell and exposes him to Prince John. As a trapdoor opens beneath him, Robin escapes and begins his quest to aid Nottingham’s starving serfs, topple Prince John, and help restore King Richard to the throne. Gameplay unfolds across a large interconnected world filled with platforming challenges, hidden triggers, locked doors, and hazards to navigate. Robin can run, jump, climb ladders, ropes and even beanstalks, while combat is handled through a bow that can be aimed in six directions. Players hold the fire button, select the angle, and release to shoot — with the ability to cancel a shot by relaxing the directional input while still holding fire. Keys automatically unlock doors when carried, and jumping on certain enemies will temporarily stun them. A key mechanic involves resource management: Marian and Friar Tuck have placed hidden extra arrows on every screen, and when Robin exhausts his current supply, a hidden arrow becomes available for retrieval. Exploration is therefore directly tied to ammunition replenishment, encouraging players to thoroughly search each new area. The game’s challenge focuses primarily on discovering these hidden triggers and pathways that expand the world, gradually opening access to new zones.
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Production - 90%
90%
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Fun - 93%
93%
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Depth - 79%
79%
Summary
Sherwood continues Griffonsoft’s rise as one of the more distinctive voices in modern C64 development. Fans of their previous title Musketeer will instantly recognise the same clean movement, smooth exploration flow, and platform-adventure structure — but this release feels like a significant evolution in almost every respect.
The gameplay is genuinely fun, offering responsive controls and a nicely balanced mix of action and exploration. While the six-direction bow system works well overall, diagonal shots can be a little fiddly at times, requiring the right order of direction and button inputs. But once mastered, the bow becomes a much more enjoyable combat tool than the close-range swordplay of Musketeer, avoiding the timing quirks that frustrated some players.
Difficulty is pitched at a welcoming level, making the game accessible to casual and intermediate players. The biggest challenge comes not from combat but from finding the hidden switches and triggers needed to unlock new sections of Sherwood. This sense of discovery is reinforced by the clever arrow-replenishment system, which ties exploration directly to survival — a subtle design choice that keeps players engaged across every new screen.
Visually, Sherwood stands out immediately. The level art, character motion, and overall animation quality ooze a handcrafted charm that makes the game world feel alive and cohesive. The Robin Hood theme enhances the atmosphere dramatically, just as Griffonsoft’s adaptation of Musketeer elevated that adventure through strong thematic integration.
Ultimately, Sherwood is a superior and more ambitious experience than Musketeer. The world is larger, more varied, and more thoughtfully constructed. The mechanics offer greater depth, and the move to ranged combat gives the gameplay a far more satisfying flow.
This is an easy recommendation for C64 players — a polished, story-rich adventure that captures the spirit of classic Robin Hood tales while delivering modern homebrew craftsmanship at its finest.
Overall
87%User Review
( votes)Pros
- Great in game graphics
- Fluid animations
- Highly responsive controls
- Logical puzzle elements
- Wonderful loading SID tune
Cons
- Re-spawning enemies
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