Sorcerian: Difference between revisions
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|developer=[[Nihon Falcom |
|developer=[[Nihon Falcom]] |
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|publisher=Nihon Falcom, |
|publisher=Nihon Falcom, Takeru Soft, [[Sierra Entertainment]] |
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|designer= |
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|composer=[[Yuzo Koshiro]]<br>[[Mieko Ishikawa]]<br>[[Takahito Abe]] |
|composer=[[Yuzo Koshiro]]<br>[[Mieko Ishikawa]]<br>[[Takahito Abe]] |
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{{nihongo|'''''Sorcerian'''''|ソーサリアン|Sōsarian}} is an [[action role-playing game]] developed by [[Nihon Falcom |
{{nihongo|'''''Sorcerian'''''|ソーサリアン|Sōsarian}} is an [[action role-playing game]] developed by [[Nihon Falcom]], and the fifth in the [[Dragon Slayer (series)|Dragon Slayer]] line of games. It was originally released for the [[NEC PC-8801]] in 1987, and was later ported to other [[Personal computer|PC]] platforms such as the [[NEC PC-9801]], the [[NEC PC-88VA]], the [[Sharp X1]] Turbo, and the [[MSX 2]], for which it was released under the title '''''Dragon Slayer 5: Sorcerian'''''. An English version for [[MS-DOS]] PCs was published by [[Sierra Entertainment]] in 1990.<ref>{{moby game|id=/sorcerian|name=''Sorcerian''}}</ref> |
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| ⚫ | In 1997, Falcom released ''Sorcerian Forever'' for Microsoft Windows95/98 -based PCs. In 2000, Falcom released ''Sorcerian Original'', a remake of Sorcerian for [[Microsoft Windows]]-based PCs. In addition, console versions of Sorcerian with somewhat differing content from their PC counterparts were developed: A version for the [[Mega Drive|Mega Drive/Genesis]] was developed by [[Sega]], a version for the [[TurboGrafx-16|PC Engine]] was developed by [[Victor Musical Industries]], and a version for the [[Dreamcast]] was developed by [[Victor Interactive Software]]. |
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In 1997, Falcom released ''Sorcerian Forever'' for Microsoft Windows95/98 -based PCs. |
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In 2000, Falcom released ''Sorcerian Original'', a remake of Sorcerian for [[Microsoft Windows]]-based PCs. |
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Sorcerian is a [[Side-scrolling video game|side-scrolling]] action-RPG. The player can create up to ten characters, from whom up to four members can be present in a party at the same time. Each character is highly customizable, with four different classes/races (fighter, wizard, elf, and dwarf) and over 60 possible jobs/occupations (ranging from clown to exorcist) available for them to perform; each has its own strengths and weaknesses, affecting the seven primary attributes (strength, intelligence, protection, magic resistance, vitality, dexterity, and karma) in different ways,<ref>{{allgame|20094|Sorcerian}}</ref> as well as different equipment limitations.<ref name=GameCola/> |
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The player can choose from fifteen different scenarios to play through in the order of their [[Nonlinear gameplay|choice]]. The party must battle enemies and perform tasks within the given levels to clear each scenario, before moving onto another scenario of their choice. The player controls the entire party at the same time, with all four members running in a line, jumping in sequence, and attacking in unison. The game employs class-based [[Puzzle game|puzzles]], such as using a high-strength character to force open doors.<ref name=GameCola>[http://gamecola.net/2010/10/sorcerian-pc/ Sorcerian (PC)], ''GameCola.net'', October 30, 2010</ref> |
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| ⚫ | In addition, console versions of Sorcerian with somewhat differing content from their PC counterparts were developed: A version for the [[Mega Drive|Mega Drive/Genesis]] was developed by [[Sega]], a version for the [[TurboGrafx-16|PC Engine]] was developed by [[Victor Musical Industries]], and a version for the [[Dreamcast]] was developed by [[Victor Interactive Software]]. |
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| ⚫ | |||
Sorcerian is a side-scrolling action-RPG. The player, after choosing a scenario to play through, will control a party of up to four members. The party must battle enemies and perform tasks within the given level to clear each scenario. |
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All the characters have a default starting age of 16. Each time a player begins a new scenario, a year passes by, while additional time passes by in towns as a character goes through training or enchants items. The characters age at different rates depending on their race, with humans reaching old age at 60, dwarves at 100, and elves at 200. Upon reaching old age, for every year that passes, a character can die permanently at a random time. There is also an “Advance Time” to speed up the flow of time. Another new feature of ''Sorcerian'' was its [[Episodic video game|episodic]] format that extended across various [[expansion pack]]s. Besides the default fifteen scenarios that come with the game, there were a number of additional scenario packs released. The aging system was created with the additional scenario packs in mind.<ref name=GameCola/> |
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Four different races of characters exist and various jobs are available for them to perform; each has its own strengths and weaknesses. |
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==Add-ons== |
==Add-ons== |
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A number of add- |
A number of add-on [[expansion pack]]s containing new [[Episodic video game|scenarios]] were developed for the PC-8801 version of Sorcerian, by both Falcom themselves and by other companies: |
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*'''Developed by Falcom:''' ''Sorcerian Utility Vol. 1, Sorcerian Additional Scenario Vol. 1, Sorcerian Additional Scenario Vol. 2 - Sengoku Sorcerian, Sorcerian Additional Scenario Vol. 3 - Pyramid Sorcerian'' |
*'''Developed by Falcom:''' ''Sorcerian Utility Vol. 1, Sorcerian Additional Scenario Vol. 1, Sorcerian Additional Scenario Vol. 2 - Sengoku Sorcerian, Sorcerian Additional Scenario Vol. 3 - Pyramid Sorcerian'' |
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| The Cave of Life || Pounding Heart || The Water of Life || The Water of Life |
| The Cave of Life || Pounding Heart || The Water of Life || The Water of Life |
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==References== |
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{{reflist}} |
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==External links== |
==External links== |
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Revision as of 11:41, 24 February 2011
| Sorcerian | |
|---|---|
| File:Sorcerianpc88box.gif | |
| Developer(s) | Nihon Falcom |
| Publisher(s) | Nihon Falcom, Takeru Soft, Sierra Entertainment |
| Composer(s) | Yuzo Koshiro Mieko Ishikawa Takahito Abe |
| Series | Dragon Slayer |
| Platform(s) | NEC PC-8801, NEC PC-9801, NEC PC-88VA, Sharp X1 Turbo, MSX 2, MS-DOS, PC Engine, Mega Drive/Genesis |
| Release |
|
| Genre(s) | Action role-playing game |
| Mode(s) | Single player |
Sorcerian (ソーサリアン, Sōsarian) is an action role-playing game developed by Nihon Falcom, and the fifth in the Dragon Slayer line of games. It was originally released for the NEC PC-8801 in 1987, and was later ported to other PC platforms such as the NEC PC-9801, the NEC PC-88VA, the Sharp X1 Turbo, and the MSX 2, for which it was released under the title Dragon Slayer 5: Sorcerian. An English version for MS-DOS PCs was published by Sierra Entertainment in 1990.[1]
In 1997, Falcom released Sorcerian Forever for Microsoft Windows95/98 -based PCs. In 2000, Falcom released Sorcerian Original, a remake of Sorcerian for Microsoft Windows-based PCs. In addition, console versions of Sorcerian with somewhat differing content from their PC counterparts were developed: A version for the Mega Drive/Genesis was developed by Sega, a version for the PC Engine was developed by Victor Musical Industries, and a version for the Dreamcast was developed by Victor Interactive Software.
Gameplay
Sorcerian is a side-scrolling action-RPG. The player can create up to ten characters, from whom up to four members can be present in a party at the same time. Each character is highly customizable, with four different classes/races (fighter, wizard, elf, and dwarf) and over 60 possible jobs/occupations (ranging from clown to exorcist) available for them to perform; each has its own strengths and weaknesses, affecting the seven primary attributes (strength, intelligence, protection, magic resistance, vitality, dexterity, and karma) in different ways,[2] as well as different equipment limitations.[3]
The player can choose from fifteen different scenarios to play through in the order of their choice. The party must battle enemies and perform tasks within the given levels to clear each scenario, before moving onto another scenario of their choice. The player controls the entire party at the same time, with all four members running in a line, jumping in sequence, and attacking in unison. The game employs class-based puzzles, such as using a high-strength character to force open doors.[3]
All the characters have a default starting age of 16. Each time a player begins a new scenario, a year passes by, while additional time passes by in towns as a character goes through training or enchants items. The characters age at different rates depending on their race, with humans reaching old age at 60, dwarves at 100, and elves at 200. Upon reaching old age, for every year that passes, a character can die permanently at a random time. There is also an “Advance Time” to speed up the flow of time. Another new feature of Sorcerian was its episodic format that extended across various expansion packs. Besides the default fifteen scenarios that come with the game, there were a number of additional scenario packs released. The aging system was created with the additional scenario packs in mind.[3]
Add-ons
A number of add-on expansion packs containing new scenarios were developed for the PC-8801 version of Sorcerian, by both Falcom themselves and by other companies:
- Developed by Falcom: Sorcerian Utility Vol. 1, Sorcerian Additional Scenario Vol. 1, Sorcerian Additional Scenario Vol. 2 - Sengoku Sorcerian, Sorcerian Additional Scenario Vol. 3 - Pyramid Sorcerian
- Developed by Amorphous: Sorcerian New Scenario Vol. 1 - The Visitor from Outer Space, Selected Sorcerian 1, Selected Sorcerian 2, Selected Sorcerian 3, Selected Sorcerian 4, Selected Sorcerian 5
- Developed by Quasar Soft: Gilgamesh Sorcerian
Music
The soundtrack to the original Sorcerian was composed by Yuzo Koshiro, Mieko Ishikawa, Reiko Takebayashi, Hideya Nagata, and Takahito Abe. The Falcom-developed Additional Scenarios were handled solely by Ishikawa.
Soundtrack releases for Sorcerian include:
- Music from Sorcerian: The original score to the PC-88 version of the game.
- All Sounds of Sorcerian: The original sound again, this time in the form of medleys for each scenario, along with two arranged tracks.
- Sorcerian Super Arrange Version: A series of three albums featuring arrangements by Hiroyuki Namba. Volume 1 contains a set of arrangements from the base scenario of Sorcerian. Volume 2 contains arrangements from the base scenario and Additional Scenario Vol. 1, along with the original sound of Additional Scenario Vol. 1. Volume 3 contains arrangements and the original sound from Additional Scenario Vol. 2 and Vol. 3.
- Perfect Collection Sorcerian: A set of 3 2-disc albums containing various arrangements of the base Sorcerian soundtrack, similar to the Perfect Collection Ys album series.
- Sorcerian Forever I & II: Two albums containing upgraded versions of the Sorcerian base scenario soundtrack, similar to the Music from Ys Renewal releases.
American music changes
Because Romancia: Dragon Slayer Jr. was never released to English audiences, Sierra removed references and altered which songs played during the "Dragon King" level of Scenario II. Further tracks were changed in other levels, but this may be due to a bug, as the original Japanese track order (Minus "Dragon King") is maintained in the English Musician's Guild.
| Original Japanese song | American song replacement | American level | Japanese origin |
|---|---|---|---|
| Survivor | Beautiful Day | The Stolen Scepter | Additional Scenario Vol. 1 |
| Luwan and the Dragon | Bloody River | Cursed Oasis | Lucifer's Floodgate |
| Dark Swamp | The Seal | The Master of Dark Marsh | Tower of Thieves |
| Romacia Kingdom | Evil Shaman | Dragon King | Garden of the Gods |
| Azelba Kingdom | Bloody River | Dragon King | Lucifer's Floodgate |
| Vaides | Survivor | Dragon King | The Stolen Scepter |
| Peaceful Forest | Beautiful Day | Riddle of the Red Jewel | Additional Scenario Vol. 1 |
| The Heavens | Harp | Garden of the Gods | Garden of the Gods |
| Harp | The Heavens | Garden of the Gods | Garden of the Gods |
| Evil Shaman | Cave I | Garden of the Gods | Ice Cavern |
| Cave I | Cave II | Ice Cavern | Ice Cavern |
| Cave II | Beautiful Day | Ice Cavern | Additional Scenario Vol. 1 |
| Forest | Village | Curse of Medusa | Curse of Medusa |
| Village | Medusa | Curse of Medusa | Curse of Medusa |
| Medusa | Underground Fortress | Curse of Medusa | The Missing Magician |
| Underground Fortress | Fire Elemental | The Missing Magician | The Missing Magician |
| Fire Elemental | The Cave of Life | The Missing Magician | The Water of Life |
| The Cave of Life | Pounding Heart | The Water of Life | The Water of Life |
References
- ^ Sorcerian at MobyGames
- ^ Template:Allgame
- ^ a b c Sorcerian (PC), GameCola.net, October 30, 2010