The Pawn, Unknown, Rainbird

As a fan of adventure games and the fantasy genre in general, the box art to games such as Rainbird’s The Pawn always give me a particular thrill. Viewed through a church-style window pane, this is a great first person image with several interesting elements to it. In front of (presumably) the player stands an almost kindly-looking wizard, blocking the path across a rickety wooden bridge. A curiously body-less horse ‘stands’ on the left precipice while a handsome knight appears to be straining while rescuing a damsel in distress to the right. It’s an odd collection of characters that compels you to want to discover more about them in the game. And above it all, the chilly mountains enshroud the scene as the game’s antagonist, replete with a demonic red-eyed stare, harshly observes the progress that its opponent is making. Finally, the shining armoured right arm, gripping the rope bridge firmly, grounds the viewer into the picture as a pointy ice castle awaits behind the grimacing wizard.