Isometric View Games: 1990 (Wing Commander, Quest for Glory II, Cadash, Alpha Waves, Ghostbusters (MD) and Corporation are released)
1989|1990|1991|1992|1993|1994|1995|1996|1997|1998|1999
Solstice (NES, 1990)
Subgenre: Action Adventure/Maze Platformer
Perspective: Isometric view
Other: Platforming
-Non-linear
-No save or password save (there are checkpoint items that save keys, staff pieces, and potions but nothing else, lives system)
-Map feature (however as you progress through an area, rooms you have not been in for a while will disappear from the map!)
-Pick up and place objects to use as platforms (can place and use them in mid-air) or to move other objects, stack objects on top of each other - Knight Lore
-Some ability/tool gating (jump boots, time stopper potion (besides conveyor belts; yellow), invincibility potion (blue) lets you ride on top of enemies)
-Teleporters
-Smart bomb potion (purple; also destroys items and blocks though), Hidden item revealing potion (green)
Playthrough - Video Review - Mini Review
Voodoo Nightmare (AMI/ST, 1990)
Subgenre: Action Adventure/Puzzle Platformer, Collectathon (diamonds in five temples, clearing a temple and trading in the diamonds gives you an ability to progress elsewhere)
Perspective: Isometric
-Some ability/tool gating
-Can jump on some enemies to kill them
Playthrough - Review
Outliers:
The Immortal (Multi, 1990) - Action Adventure, Isometric, Level-based and linear (you don't backtrack to previous ones), Separate battle encounters, Some shops (can haggle at one point), Levitation spell and magic carpet
Gore
Level 1 map feature (missing in some versions)
Password save
Some note hints
Various puzzles (Light beam and object dissolving puzzles, make enemies fight each other, etc.)
Worm sensor item (time limit, single use)
Some tool/ability gating (mostly single use; fireball spell can be used for combat and lighting torches - default attack on NES, shrinking potion - single use, temporary magic carpet, levitation spell, disguise, one gem lets you travel through a light beam, telekinesis/magnetic hands spell)
Two endings
Can get drunk (you're supposed to use the alcohol for a puzzle though - most items and spells are limited use only and have a specific use to progress)
Dodge/Blink spell (limited uses) - there's also a statue spell similar to the tanooki suit's alternate use in SMB3
Playthrough - Video Review - Mini Review
Cadaver (PCs, 1990) - ? Isometric Action Adventure, Level-based and linear (you also don't backtrack to previous ones)
Save anywhere but you have to pay for it (10 slots)
Map feature (zoomable, top down view)
Object manipulation - Knight Lore etc.
Varied puzzles
Limited inventory (28 items?, persistent/carries over, can place items in a room and come back later)
Can examine objects (can find notes which give clues)
Ability gating?
Solstice (NES, 1990)
Subgenre: Action Adventure/Maze Platformer
Perspective: Isometric view
Other: Platforming
-Non-linear
-No save or password save (there are checkpoint items that save keys, staff pieces, and potions but nothing else, lives system)
-Map feature (however as you progress through an area, rooms you have not been in for a while will disappear from the map!)
-Pick up and place objects to use as platforms (can place and use them in mid-air) or to move other objects, stack objects on top of each other - Knight Lore
-Some ability/tool gating (jump boots, time stopper potion (besides conveyor belts; yellow), invincibility potion (blue) lets you ride on top of enemies)
-Teleporters
-Smart bomb potion (purple; also destroys items and blocks though), Hidden item revealing potion (green)
Playthrough - Video Review - Mini Review
Voodoo Nightmare (AMI/ST, 1990)
Subgenre: Action Adventure/Puzzle Platformer, Collectathon (diamonds in five temples, clearing a temple and trading in the diamonds gives you an ability to progress elsewhere)
Perspective: Isometric
-Some ability/tool gating
-Can jump on some enemies to kill them
Playthrough - Review
Outliers:
The Immortal (Multi, 1990) - Action Adventure, Isometric, Level-based and linear (you don't backtrack to previous ones), Separate battle encounters, Some shops (can haggle at one point), Levitation spell and magic carpet
Gore
Level 1 map feature (missing in some versions)
Password save
Some note hints
Various puzzles (Light beam and object dissolving puzzles, make enemies fight each other, etc.)
Worm sensor item (time limit, single use)
Some tool/ability gating (mostly single use; fireball spell can be used for combat and lighting torches - default attack on NES, shrinking potion - single use, temporary magic carpet, levitation spell, disguise, one gem lets you travel through a light beam, telekinesis/magnetic hands spell)
Two endings
Can get drunk (you're supposed to use the alcohol for a puzzle though - most items and spells are limited use only and have a specific use to progress)
Dodge/Blink spell (limited uses) - there's also a statue spell similar to the tanooki suit's alternate use in SMB3
Playthrough - Video Review - Mini Review
Cadaver (PCs, 1990) - ? Isometric Action Adventure, Level-based and linear (you also don't backtrack to previous ones)
Save anywhere but you have to pay for it (10 slots)
Map feature (zoomable, top down view)
Object manipulation - Knight Lore etc.
Varied puzzles
Limited inventory (28 items?, persistent/carries over, can place items in a room and come back later)
Can examine objects (can find notes which give clues)
Ability gating?