Pentagram (video game)

Pentagram, also known as Sabre Wulf II, is an action-adventure video game developed and published by Ultimate Play The Game. It was released in 1986 for the ZX Spectrum. It is the fourth game to feature the character Sabreman.

Pentagram sees Sabreman tasked with collecting five magical artifacts hidden across a large, interconnected game world. These artifacts, represented by the symbols of a pentagram, must be gathered and used to defeat the game's antagonist, the Pentagram Master. The game retains the isometric 3D perspective of its predecessor, Knight Lore, and features a similar control scheme.

Gameplay involves navigating Sabreman through a series of interconnected screens, avoiding enemies and solving environmental puzzles. Sabreman can jump, duck, and collect items. Contact with enemies typically results in the loss of energy, and running out of energy leads to game over. Many rooms contain unique challenges and obstacles that require careful timing and observation to overcome.

Pentagram is known for its challenging gameplay and cryptic puzzles. While the isometric graphics were considered impressive for the ZX Spectrum at the time, they also contribute to the game's difficulty, as discerning pathways and avoiding obstacles can be challenging. The game retains the distinctive flickering effect characteristic of Ultimate's isometric games, a consequence of the rendering technique employed.

The game was generally well-received by critics upon release, praised for its graphics, gameplay, and challenging level design. However, it was also criticized for its difficulty and occasionally confusing perspective. Pentagram is considered a classic example of the isometric adventure genre on the ZX Spectrum and a notable entry in the Sabreman series.