Skuld is a game of bug bashing and goddesses. You are the goddess Skuld of Ah! Megami-sama! (Ah! My Goddess!) fame and it is your mission to destroy the Yggdrasil bugs who have come to invade your room. Prepare for endless hours of mindless bug killing as you pass from one level to another fighting the endless swarm of adorable bugs.
History: Skuld was originally released in 2000 by Banpresto on a CD containing various Ah! Megami-sama! Software and graphics including this game, another text based game, a collection of wallpapers, an alarm clock, and a screen saver.
Although this game was originally released in the fore mentioned collection from my understanding it is freeware and thus perfectly alright to download and play without the original CD.
Setting and Story: There isn't much to say about the setting of this game and even less to say about the story. You start the game in Skuld's room, which is suitably littered with all sorts of gadgets and devices, and you remain there for the rest of the game battling bugs. The story is even simpler because, well, there isn't one unless you count the assumed back story from the Ah! Megami-sama! Series which states that it is Skuld job to track down and kill Yggdrasil bugs that would otherwise cause utter and mostly random mayhem.
Gameplay:
dash about your room attempting to crush the endless stream of cute rabbit eared bugs with well placed jumps and your holy debugging mallet. With each level that passes the bugs will not only grow larger in number but will also increase in speed and gain new devilish strategies to use against you. At the end of each level you will face the dreaded boss bug who unlike his weaker brethren will take multiple hits to destroy and will baffle you with a wide range of tactics, everything from skating along the ground at high speed to leaping about the room.
Controls: The controls for Skuld are very simple, you use the arrow keys to move Skuld about her room and to jump while using the space bar to bring her mallet down atop the evil insects.
Graphics: the graphics in this game are sparse, there is only one background and three sets of sprites however the graphics which are present are of high quality and truly suit the light hearted theme of the game. Anyone who does not think the bugs are the cutest things they have ever seen really needs to get both their eyes and brains examined.
Overall: I have to say this is one of my favorite games for its simple charm and addictive gameplay. This is not a game for someone looking for an in depth experience but if you’re looking for something to grind away the hours with, this is the game for you.
