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(c)1990 QUINTET/ENIX
Cartridge SHVC-AR
Simulation/ Action game
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Released in America as
ACTRAISER
( SNS-AR-USA )
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Released in Europe as
ACTRAISER
( SNSP-AR-XXX )
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Actraiser is an action/simulation game by Quintet and published by Enix.
This title is partly inspired by Bullfrog's 'God wannabe' Populous,
but Quinted managed here to pull off a really effective marriage of action and simulation,
bringing the genre to new heights and depths. The player takes control of a heaven deity on
a mission to save six fallen regions and their cities and the game starts when a cute winged
cherub character calls for help. Monsters are back and the evil Satan has sealed
your powers and taken over the world. Each of the visited regions begins with a
side-scrolling action stage (called 'Act') where the player controls an armored knight avatar.
The objective is to defeat the local beasts and monsters so humans can start to inhabit the region.
The simulation phase then kicks in and our deity's mission is to take care of his
small human population. Villagers start in a temple and a town quickly spreads around it.
The cute cherub assists the player and can use his bow to strike the various monsters
constantly appearing from creepy lairs dotted around the surrounding hills. As the
population grows, the villagers find objects, other magic items and make discoveries -
the first is the invaluable ability to build bridges. Soon, they become strong enough
to seal the monsters' lairs and peacefully live out their lives... consequently
leaving the player free to explore and free another region.
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There are significant differences between the original Japanese game and the
American and European versions. First of all, sections of the action phases are slightly
different and parts (yet rare) of the layout were modified
(as pictured on the left with the tree-man and the added log)
and few enemies have completely different designs (As pictured on the left with the
winged creatures from the second world). The game has also gone through a few musical
changes and some stages feature new and original soundtracks. Finally, and not
the least important, the difficulty level went
down a notch and the Japanese version is overall much harder.
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Teaser text from the American version:
This sensational game combines pulse-stopping action sequences with an intelligent Simulation Mode, allowing the player to forge a new
civilization. Finally.... experience a game that fully utilizes the advanced capabilities of the Super NES.
Restore peace and order your people's world ! - Long ago, you and your people built a peaceful land. Since then, your world has been taken over and inhabited by the evil Tazura and his Guardians. Your
once-tranquil land has become a breeding ground for monsters. Injured, your have retreated to your Sky Palace and have fallen into a deep sleep. Now, many years have passed and your have recovered from your
injuries and slumber. Your must punish Tanzra and restore the world
to your people or lose their faith forever.
Action mode - Breathe life into the statue modeled after your likeness to cleanse the land and defeat the monsters who have conquered.
Simulation mode - Help your people develop a new land from that which has been purified and build towns with your powers.
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LK
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Add your Pov here !
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P
O
V
s
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Actraiser is a delightful game and it doesn't fail to impress.
It is reminiscent of the good old days of addictive, fun and simple gameplay.
It cleverly welds together two different genres and, despite being not
as complex as other heavy weights such as Populous or
Powermonger, Epyx's virtuosity still brings the right amount of ingredients together
and definitely takes the genre to a new ground. The action phases, even if not ground-breaking,
are well above average and the simulation phases are fun and really addictive.
Finally, the brilliant music tracks composed by Yuzo Koshiro (Ys, YsII, Sorcerian)
will stick to your mind for weeks, if not years. A definite masterpiece.
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