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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 games by Quintet and published by Enix.
The game is obviously inspired by Bullfrog's 'God wannabe' game Populous,
but Quinted managed here to get 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. 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.
Then the simulation phase of the game starts 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 and other magic items or make discoveries -
the first one being the ability to build bridges. Soon, they will become strong enough
to seal the monsters' lairs and peacefully live out their lives and the player ready
to free another land.
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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 some parts of the layout (as picture on the left with the tree-man and the added log)
and few enemies have a completely different design (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 of 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 yo your people's world ! - Long ago, you and your people built a peaceful land. Since then, your workd 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 - Hoelp 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 simplified
compared to other bigger games, still brings the right amount of ingredients
to take the style 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.
Musics, a composed by Yuzo Koshiro (Ys, YsII, Sorcerian) are simply excellent
and will stick to your mind for weeks, if not years. A Definite masterpiece.
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