The focus today is Yazzie, developed by Retro Souls for the ZX Spectrum in 2019, now available on MSX and Sega Mega Drive.
In Yazzie, players navigate a platform collect-em-all game, primarily gathering gold ingots without the emphasis on fighting or reaching specific points. The gameplay is straightforward, involving left and right movement and ladder navigation, without jumping or shooting, leaning towards a relaxed platform and ladder style. With infinite lives and no time limits, the experience is low-pressure, though later levels introduce puzzle elements for added challenge.
The MSX version features single-screen levels made of bricks, where collecting pickaxes allows players to dig through bricks to access lower levels. Additional mechanics include steel platforms, teleportation arrows, disappearing blocks, and mines that can be used strategically. Enemies move erratically but are easy to avoid, maintaining the game’s gentle pace. The original MSX version has 20 levels, while a remastered edition offers 10 extra levels with minor gameplay changes, and the Megadrive version includes significant other differences.