Drachental

Drachental - the 1986 fantasy adventure for Commodore 64 from Kingsoft.

Explore the cursed valley of Drachental, solving puzzles and battling
monsters as you seek the legendary dragon’s treasure hidden deep within
its labyrinthine lands.

Core loop
- explore interconnected screens filled with traps and enemies
- collect items and weapons to solve environmental puzzles
- defeat guardians to unlock new areas and progress deeper
- manage health and energy while searching for the dragon’s hoard

Systems and items
- inventory - carry limited objects for puzzle use
- melee and ranged weapons - swordplay mixed with magic attacks
- keys and relics - open blocked passages and secret chambers
- life energy - constantly drains, requiring careful resource use

Level design and feel
Side-view action-adventure set across gloomy forests, caverns, and
temples. Tight controls and moody pixel art evoke early “Zelda”-style
exploration with a distinct Central European fantasy tone.

Why it is notable
- developed by Kingsoft during the rise of German adventure games
- mixes action and logic puzzles in equal measure
- remembered for its haunting soundtrack and steep difficulty curve

Tips
- keep moving—standing still drains energy quickly
- note symbols on walls; they hint at safe paths and key locations
- save powerful items for boss guardians near the endgame

At a glance
Year - 1986
Developer - Kingsoft
Design and programming - Gerd Placzek
Graphics - Kingsoft team
Music - Rudolf Stember
Publisher - Kingsoft
Genre - Action adventure
Players - 1
Controls - Joystick in port 2