Astyanax

Astyanax

Overview & History

Released by Aicom and published by Jaleco in 1989, Astyanax (known in Japan as The Lord of King) is a dark, mythical side-scrolling hack-and-slash arcade game that predates and differs significantly from its more famous NES counterpart. The storyline plunges players into the nightmarish realm of Remlia, where a modern-day high school student named Roche is summoned in a dream by a benevolent fairy named Cutie. Transformed into the legendary warrior Astyanax, Roche is tasked with rescuing the captive Princess Rose from the tyrannical clutches of the evil wizard Blackrose. Across six distinct stages blending Greek mythology with biomechanical horrors, Astyanax must battle grotesque monstrosities to restore peace.

Gameplay Features & Mechanics

Unlike the NES adaptation, which plays as a standard platformer, the arcade original is an aggressive, beat-'em-up-style action game viewed from a fixed horizontal perspective. Astyanax wields a massive battle axe capable of dealing heavy melee damage, which can be upgraded in stages to extend its reach and power. Along the way, players collect magical orbs and power-ups that summon devastating elemental spells to clear the screen of tough enemies. The gameplay is notoriously unforgiving, requiring precise timing to dodge lunging beasts, flying gargoyles, and screen-filling bosses like the multi-headed Hydra. The atmospheric presentation is highlighted by detailed sprite work, grotesque enemy designs, and a haunting chiptune soundtrack that amplifies the grim fantasy setting.

Keyboard Controls

• Arrow Keys / D-Pad: Move
• Action Keys: Attack / Jump
• Enter: Start / Pause