[played on original Mega Drive hardware, as Asterix]

Just like everyone who isn’t French, I don’t have much knowledge on Asterix as a franchise. I recognize the two main characters, but that’s really about it. My interest in this game was mostly sparked by a video review from Sega Driven, who spoke very highly of it. Besides, I’m always down to check out more Master System titles, so I thought it’d be worth a playthrough. And despite a few false starts (which were mostly my fault), I can say it was a charming little time!


Asterix might seem like a typical platformer on the surface, but there’s quite a lot that really helps to give it its own identity. First off, there’s two characters you can switch between before each level: Asterix and Obelix. Asterix is shorter and can’t break blocks with his fists, but has access to red explosive potions that’ll do the job for him. Obelix doesn’t need to rely on potions to break blocks, but is a lot bigger and can’t use the regular type at all. This goes a long way to add some replay value, since almost every level has some kind of alternate path that only one of the characters can access, and in some cases, they’re completely redesigned to accommodate their moveset. Both characters also control excellently, with just the right amount of momentum to their movements.

Where Asterix really shines, however, is in the level design. It starts off fairly simple, with the first few worlds being simple left-to-right affairs. But as the game goes on, the stages become bigger and more exploratory, almost feeling like little sandboxes with light puzzle-solving elements. They utilize the characters’ movesets incredibly well (like needing to use Asterix’s potions to create water geysers or break blocks in an auto-scrolling section), and there’s plenty of inventive gimmicks throughout, like special potions that can freeze and ignite enemies. You’re also given plenty of incentives to explore, since there’s lots of bonus rounds, extra lives and bones that’ll unlock a bonus game as Dogmatix. Admittedly, I do wish a few stages explored their gimmicks a bit more, but the level design’s still very solid!

The game’s also great in the presentation department! It looks absolutely gorgeous for a Master System title, with very colourful sprites and backgrounds that capture the style of the original comics well. I also enjoyed the OST, with the song used in most of the castle stages being a particular standout. It can get a bit grating as the tracks tend to loop quickly, but the melodies are still great.


So yeah, that’s Asterix! It definitely has the polish you’d expect from a Sega-developed title, and it’s certainly worth a look if you’re searching for more Master System games to play.