Member name: Pio
Game genre: arcade adventure
Positive points: graphics & sound, non-linear, replayability
Negative points: too short, hard controls, scarce manual
Rating: 3.9
System requirements: Pentium II/400, Windows 98 or XP (or a little faster when "cloud transparency" turned on)
Official game URL: http://cezgs.computeremuzone.com/eng/card.php?id=8
Download location URL: http://computeremuzone.com/contador.php?f_ad=SirFred.exe&dd=cezgs/remakes&n_ar=Sir%20Fred%20-%20El%20Remake%20(pc)
Questionable content: killing animals, killing armed knights (no blood), some tortured prisoners
Multiplayer: none
The review:

From people called "Retro Works", under "Computer Emuzone Game Studio" label, comes this quality remake of "Sir Fred", originally made for Spectrum and Amstrad in 1986 by "Made in Spain" team. Besides this one, "Computer Emuzone" also features a few new spanish games for ZX Spectrum and Amstrad(!). "Sir Fred el Remake" seems faithful to original gameplay but with looks greatly enhanced. It's a 2D platform-like arcade adventure, divided in screens. 

A princess is kidnapped and you, Sir Fred are the only knight not already on a quest. So it becomes your task to find and rescue the princess from evil Baron's castle. Game begins in castle's garden, from where you can go left or right, trying to gain entry to indoor places. Locations are very vivid, dangerous, interconnected, often with secret paths, including walking on impossible places. There are items such as rock, rope or matches which can sometimes be found in rooms. They can be used to gain more access, kill enemies or for some special simple purpose. 
Much exploring and some planning ahead is required, together with right timing and precise movement. Getting around many obstacles is hard, but puzzles are pretty basic and mechanical (use the key to unlock the door, activate switches by throwing objects etc.) Surprisingly, there are no classic traps. Game is sometimes not logical nor realistic, but it's usually intuitive. Sometimes you have to try your sword against the castle's guards which is quite a challenge.

Sounds and lo-res graphics are both done with great sense for humour and detail. Although there is music only in intro, menu and ending, ambient sound of crickets, water, wind and rain during the game make up for it. Twinkling stars, drifting clouds, flowers, shadows, especially at the beginning of the game are very appealing. In castle's garden they will hopefully hold you from quitting too soon, while trying to figure game's frustrating mechanics. Your character, Sir Fred, is very lifelike. He blinks and grimaces, his enormous nose bouncing while he runs.

This gentle sir is nothing like heroes we encounter in platform games. In fact, experience in modern platforms will be a hindrance when getting used to this one. He's a bit inert and easily hurt, not only when dropping from heights, but also when hitting ceilings, walls or even stairs too fast. He has only one life and loses his health easily. Behaviour of the main character is only a part of alien feel this game produces. Some platforms can be climbed on, others not, some guards can be killed only with sword, others only with something else, etc. Game appears consistent and user-friendly but it has a strange old Spectrum game at its core.

After initial shock however, "Sir Fred el Remake" is actually very playable and not so hard. It is also short: load/save feature reduces the need for careful planning and frequent restarting. Immense variety of rooms keeps you motivated to explore further and eventually you find the one with the princess and finish the game. 
Replayability is very high. Game places items both controlled and randomly on the map, so it is always possible to solve it but course of the game depends on which items can be found nearby. Princess also tends to be held on different places. Game's beginning is not easy. Another motivation is percentage of visited rooms; can you see them all? A mysterious locked door exists I could not open with the key...

Remake's manual is too scarce. Some abilities of the main character should have been explained, like swinging the rope. Also, some items, like rope item, have to be used from pixel-perfect position. It is very hard to begin playing without these information.
(In belief that this is not a spoiler, here is actually how to swing a rope: Do not hold the key! Shortly tap the arrow key in the direction your character is facing - Sir Fred turns the other way and swings the rope a little. Repeat whenever rope is near full-amplitude position. If you hold the arrow key or tap the arrow pointing Sir Fred's back, he will jump off the rope.)

This is not a game that can be played merely for pleasure or release of agression. Some enemies are an equal match to your character and the progress might not be as fast as one might expect. Just remember that you are obliged to save the princess and demonstrate chivalry. That should help you keep your spirits up and bring the game to the end.