Ethan Walker
Kid Icarus is a video game developed by Nintendo that revolves around the protagonist Pit's quest for three sacred treasures, which he must equip to rescue the Greek-inspired fantasy world of Angel Land and its ruler, the goddess Palutena. The player controls Pit through platform areas while fighting monsters and collecting items. The game contains frequent action violence, pagan mythological themes, and instances of mild sexual and scatological humor. Due to its content, the Catholic News Service has classified it as suitable for adults and adolescents. As a Catholic, one should exercise discretion and refer to official guidelines or consult with a religious authority before playing Kid Icarus to ensure it aligns with their personal beliefs and values.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Game plot | Revolves around protagonist Pit's quest for three sacred treasures to rescue the Greek-inspired fantasy world Angel Land and its ruler, the goddess Palutena. |
| Gameplay style | On-rails air shooter with a predetermined course and ground-based third-person combat mode. |
| Player's objective | Control Pit through platform areas while fighting monsters and collecting items to reach the end of the levels and defeat boss monsters guarding the treasures. |
| Pit's weapons | Bow with unlimited arrows that can be upgraded with three collectable power items: guard crystal, flaming arrows, and holly bow. |
| Game features | Humorous elements, music, and a mixture of gameplay elements from different genres. |
| Target audience | Classified as A-II by the Catholic News Service, suitable for adults and adolescents due to action violence, pagan mythological themes, and mild sexual and scatological humor. |
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What You'll Learn
Violent gameplay and pagan mythology
Kid Icarus is a video game that revolves around the protagonist Pit's quest for three sacred treasures, which he must collect to rescue the Greek-inspired fantasy world of Angel Land and its ruler, the goddess Palutena. The player controls Pit as he navigates platform areas, fights monsters, and collects items. Pit's primary weapon is a bow with an unlimited supply of arrows, which can be upgraded with three collectible power items: the guard crystal, flaming arrows, and the holly bow.
The game features frequent action violence and pagan mythological themes, including the presence of two goddesses, Palutena, the goddess of light, and Medusa, the goddess of darkness. Medusa is described as hating mankind and destroying their crops and turning people to stone, leading Palutena to transform her into a snake-haired monster and banish her to the Underworld.
The gameplay of Kid Icarus includes two main styles: an on-rails air shooter where Pit travels on a predetermined course, and a ground-based third-person combat mode. Both styles involve combat and violence, with the player controlling shooting within a small range of movement. The game has been classified by the Catholic News Service as A-II, suitable for adults and adolescents.
While the game includes violent gameplay and pagan mythological elements, it is important to note that the game is a fantasy creation and may not be intended to accurately represent any specific religious or mythological beliefs. The inclusion of violence and mythological themes is common in video games and other forms of media as a way to create engaging and entertaining stories and experiences for players.
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Greek-inspired fantasy world
Kid Icarus is a video game with a Greek-inspired fantasy world. The player controls the protagonist, Pit, an angelic servant of Palutena, the goddess of light. Pit is on a quest to find three sacred treasures to rescue Angel Land, a Greek-inspired fantasy world, and its ruler, Palutena. The game features monsters and obstacles, and Pit's weapon is a bow with unlimited arrows. The game was designed by Toru Osawa, who was inspired by Greek mythology and wanted to create an action game with role-playing elements.
Greek mythology has been a source of inspiration for many fantasy worlds and stories. It has shaped our understanding of ancient Greek religion, politics, and culture. The myths were initially propagated orally, likely by Minoan and Mycenaean singers, before being written down in the form of epic poems such as Homer's Iliad and Odyssey. These poems established a hero cult and explored the lives of heroes and their accomplishments, separate from the realm of the gods.
Other examples of Greek-inspired fantasy worlds include the novel Mortal Suns by Tanith Lee, which is heavily inspired by ancient Greece and Egypt, and the Magic The Gathering’s “Theros” plane, a fantasy world based on Greek mythology. The Dark Prince by Cameron is another example, set in a parallel Greek-inspired world with centaurs and dryads.
The Lion of Macedon is another novel set in Ancient Greece with fantastical elements, including demons. The Latro series by Gene Wolfe features a character with amnesia who can see the gods. Sixteen Ways to Defend a Walled City by James Maxwell is also set in a Greek-inspired world.
Greek mythology is characterised by anthropomorphism, with gods portrayed as persons with unique personalities, interests, and areas of expertise. They possess fantastic abilities and are immortal, with unfading youth, ensured by the consumption of nectar and ambrosia. The myths also explore the genesis of the world, the succession of divine rulers, and the origin of human woes and sacrificial practices.
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Angelic protagonist, Pit
Pit, the angelic protagonist of the Kid Icarus series, is a well-known and beloved character in the world of video games. As the player's avatar in the game, Pit's design and abilities have evolved over the years, but he has always retained his core identity as a brave and loyal angelic warrior.
In the original Kid Icarus game, released in 1986, Pit was designed as a young, Putto-like angel with brown hair and small white wings that could not fly. He wore a simple white chiton, sandals, and metal cuffs, giving him the appearance of an innocent and pure angelic being. Pit's primary weapon was a magical bow and arrows, bestowed upon him by the Goddess of Light, Palutena.
As the game's plot unfolds, Pit is on a quest to gather the Three Sacred Treasures and defeat the Dark Goddess Medusa to rescue the Greek-inspired fantasy world of Angel Land and its ruler, Palutena. Pit must journey through the Underworld, Overworld, Skyworld, and the Palace in the Sky, fighting monsters and collecting items to reach his goal.
In subsequent games, such as Kid Icarus: Of Myths and Monsters, Pit's design evolved, and he gained the ability to fly. He now appears older, with blue eyes, brown hair, and a laurel crown. His outfit also became more elaborate, with red and gold accents, a brown belt, and a triangular buckle.
Pit's character and abilities have continued to develop in more recent iterations of the Kid Icarus series, such as Kid Icarus: Uprising. In this game, Pit gains access to new weapons and special attacks inspired by the Three Sacred Treasures, including Palutena's Arrow, Angel Ring, Wings of Pegasus, and Mirror Shield. His primary weapon, the Sacred Bow of Palutena, can now transform into dual swords, adding a new dimension to his combat capabilities.
Overall, Pit, the angelic protagonist of Kid Icarus, is a unique and memorable character in video game history. His evolution from a young angel boy to a more mature and powerful warrior reflects the growth of the franchise and its enduring appeal to players.
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Adult and adolescent rating
Kid Icarus is a video game developed by Nintendo's Research and Development 1 division. The game revolves around the protagonist Pit's quest for three sacred treasures, which he must equip to rescue the Greek-inspired fantasy world Angel Land and its ruler, the goddess Palutena. The player controls Pit through platform areas while fighting monsters and collecting items. The game was designed by Toru Osawa, who intended to make an action game with role-playing elements, rooted in Greek mythology.
Kid Icarus: Uprising, the third entry in the Kid Icarus series, was released for the Nintendo 3DS in March 2012. It is an action/adventure game starring a wise-cracking angelic boy who fights off countless waves of fantastical creatures. The gameplay relies on two styles: an on-rails air shooter and a ground-based third-person combat mode. The game contains frequent action violence, pagan mythological themes, and some instances of mild sexual and scatological humour.
While the game has been rated as suitable for adults and adolescents by the Catholic News Service, it is important to consider the specific context and values of the individual and their family. The game includes violent content, with players spending their time in the air and on the ground, fighting enemies and dodging attacks. However, the violence is described as mild and cartoonish, with no real gore or dismemberment.
Additionally, the game includes some sexual content, with female characters wearing revealing clothing and armour. While there is no nudity or explicit sexual content, parents and individuals may want to consider their comfort level with this type of imagery. The game also incorporates pagan mythological themes, which may be a consideration for some Catholics. It is worth noting that the game's humour has been described as unrestrained and may include some mature themes.
Overall, while Kid Icarus: Uprising has been rated as suitable for adults and adolescents, it is important for players and parents to be aware of the game's content and make an informed decision based on their own values and comfort levels. The game includes mild violence, some sexual imagery, and humour that may be considered mature.
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Monsters, obstacles and items
Monsters, obstacles, and items are core elements of Kid Icarus, a 1986 side-scrolling platformer with role-playing elements. The player must navigate protagonist Pit through two-dimensional levels filled with monsters, obstacles, and items. Pit's primary weapon is a bow with an unlimited supply of arrows, which can be enhanced with power-ups.
Monsters
Kid Icarus features a variety of monsters that players must defeat or avoid to progress. These include:
- Reaper
- Syren
- Komayto
- Uranos
- Monoeye
- Specknose
- Reapette
- Eggplant Wizard
- Fuzz Ball
- Magmoo
- Mega Mussel
- Minos
Obstacles
While specific details on obstacles are scarce, Kid Icarus presents players with challenges and barriers that require strategic thinking and skill to overcome. One notable obstacle is the need to collect the three sacred treasures guarded by powerful fortress guardians. These treasures are essential for defeating Medusa, the goddess of darkness.
Items
Items in Kid Icarus serve multiple purposes, including combat assistance, health restoration, and mapping. Hearts serve as the currency of Angel Land, exchanged for goods such as life-restoring bottles and chalices, and mapping items.
Other notable items include:
- Guard Crystal: Shields Pit from enemies.
- Flaming Arrows: Hit multiple targets.
- Holly Bow: Increases arrow range.
- Mirror Shield: Repels Medusa's stone-inducing gaze.
- Arrow of Light: A beam of pure energy that passes through multiple enemies.
- Pegasus Wings: Enhance Pit's wing power, granting true flight ability.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Kid Icarus contains frequent action violence and pagan mythological themes.
Yes, the game also contains mild sexual and scatological humor.
The Catholic News Service classification is A-II, which is suitable for adults and adolescents.
The player controls the protagonist, Pit, through platform areas while fighting monsters and collecting items. The objective is to reach the end of the levels and find and defeat boss monsters that guard three sacred treasures.
