Asterix - Operation Getafix was made in 1989 and has very good graphics for that time, but the sound was made for some weird hardware I can't emulate, so I just get occasional knocks of sound. Another problem is that the game runs slowly in DOSBox, and far too fast in Windows XP or with VDMSound. I couldn't even get Moslo to run it properly. So I pulled the old 486 from the basement to play the game. That worked just fine.
It's an action/adventure game with a lot more action than adventure in it, but it gets very repetitive. Go out, find stuff, fight people and animals in the process, bring stuff back, find out it's not what you really needed and start the whole thing over… But let me present the game in more detail anyway.
You are Asterix, the only person left in the Gaul village with some common sense!
The Druid Getafix had a huge menhir dropped on his head (thank you, Obelix) and you must cure him. In order to do so, you must collect the ingredients that he wants and bring them to him.
You can find the ingredients all over the place. In the forest, in the village (you have to buy those) or even in the Roman camp. Cooking the potion takes place to the far left side of the village. A cooking pot cursor automatically appears and allows you to mix 3 ingredients. When the potion is done either the Druid or a captured Roman can try it.
But while this is happening, there is a fortune-teller out to get all of you. Once you enter the hut of your chief, you will meet with this wolf-like impostor. He'll settle in the clearing in the forest, where the locals will bring food to him in order to find out about their future.
As I mentioned before, there are some things you need to buy and for which you need money. You can play dice with the fortune-teller or with the Romans in the camp (they always play first). Move the mouse to shake and then right-click to throw. If you win, you'll get richer. But be careful, you should really play dice with the Romans, because if you try to force your way into their camp, they'll probably wear you out. You haven't the magic potion.
In some parts of the forest you can meet wild boars and flying fish (your friends are at each other's throats again). Avoid getting hit or you'll lose life points. On the other hand, you can try to get a boar and gain points. You must strike at the boar to do that.
You also get to fight the Romans (what would Asterix be like if you couldn't?). You fight with the function keys: F1 points upwards and distracts the Roman, F2 gives him a slap, F3 delivers a nice blow and F4 sends him into the wide blue yonder.
Other commands in the game are Enter to jump, enter a building or buy something and Space to duck or pick up.
When you find the right combination of ingredients, you'll cure the druid and that's it.
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