Before Grandia and Star Ocean, there was ActRaiser. Released in 1990 for the Super Nintendo by Enix and developed by Quintet, ActRaiser boasted a gameplay experience like no other, which contributed to its highly addictive gameplay. This may all seem quaint to this day because not many people have heard of the game nor did it get the recognition it deserved due in part to other popular franchise games released at the time. ActRaiser deserved the recognition it needed to carry it to lofty heights. The game was just plain fun. A stupendous experience. Let me explain.
You need a synopsis? Sorry, but the story is quite minimal and briefly stated in the opening sequence. It's as follows: you are a god who fills the space of the universe. Somehow, you are beaten and fallen out of heaven by a demon named Tanzra. The next thing you know, a little cherub comes to you and tells you to get back on your feet and out of limbo. As you come to Cupid says that the world has been made unsafe to inhabit, as it is overran by demons and monsters emplyed by Tanzra to take over the planet. Your job is to save the world from these sources of evil. Clichéd storyline, you think? Ironically, despite what RPGs heavily rely on, ActRaiser's main focus is not on story, but rather gameplay strategies, and just having the liberty of divine power.
Graphics: 8.0
ActRaiser is one of the earliest Super Nintendo games released. Thusly, the graphics are what you'd expect out of an early Super Nintendo game. The character sprites are incredibly large and blocky, but the bosses, monsters, and the background are quite elegant to look at. There is no slowdown at all in the game.
Play Control: 8.5
In the action stages, you inhabit the body of a warrior, and you have spells and weapons at our disposal, which you must use to kill the enemies in your way. Sometimes, controller response is poor; for example if you fall you cannot orient your character at all. It also takes a while to use a weapon if you continuously switch from the standing and crouchin position. In the simulation mode, it's a bit easier. You press the B button to bring up a menu, which is your command database; send in thunderstorms, building directions, etc. As Cupid you attack the overhead monsters (usually flying monsters) using a bow and arrow, and you can periodically upgrade your weapon based on offerings from the townspeople.
Sound: 9.0
The ActRaiser soundtrack is composed of medieval folk songs. Everything from the dynamic action themes to the solemn Sky Palace theme and catchy simulation theme is represented. You will find yourself humming these songs while you play.
Game Design: 10
This game doubles both as an action game and a building simulation. In the action scenes, it's a two-dimensional sidescroller, your traditional hack and slash game as your soul is embodied within a soldier. However, most of the stages are highly difficult, even on the beginner mode. At the end of every single act, there is a boss character, which is purely challenging. Each boss has its set attack pattern, so it's advised you memorize it. After the action stage, a simulation stage follows. In the first act of every land (two acts to every land area), you defeat the boss to clear the area so that people can inhabit it. Now here's the fun part... you take control of Cupid, and you are in complete control of how to run the entire town. You can build wherever you please, send the elements down to the earth, and even take and use offerings given by the people as gratitiude for your work. Also, you must fend away overworld monsters trying to destroy your town. Once you seal all of the monster lairs, you partake in the second act, in which you are taken back to the action part of the game to defeat an even more difficult boss character. Once overcome, the land is saved and you must repeat the sme tasks in the other lands. Of course, your character levels up, but according to population. The game design is ingenious, and despite what is stated above, is not awkward and is easy to learn.
Satisfaction: 9.5
It is perhaps impossible not to be satisfied with this game. Both the action stages and the simulation stages are excellently represented (perhaps with the exception of a couple of highly difficult bosses). ActRaiser is simply begging you to play it.
Final Score: 9.0
You should definitely not overlook ActRaiser, as many people have done in the past. At first it may seem like another adventure game looking at the box art but there is much more substance to it. ActRaiser employed such a novel and innovative idea at the time, and it is a once in a lifetime experience in which the formula could never be duplicated just as great.
You need a synopsis? Sorry, but the story is quite minimal and briefly stated in the opening sequence. It's as follows: you are a god who fills the space of the universe. Somehow, you are beaten and fallen out of heaven by a demon named Tanzra. The next thing you know, a little cherub comes to you and tells you to get back on your feet and out of limbo. As you come to Cupid says that the world has been made unsafe to inhabit, as it is overran by demons and monsters emplyed by Tanzra to take over the planet. Your job is to save the world from these sources of evil. Clichéd storyline, you think? Ironically, despite what RPGs heavily rely on, ActRaiser's main focus is not on story, but rather gameplay strategies, and just having the liberty of divine power.
Graphics: 8.0
ActRaiser is one of the earliest Super Nintendo games released. Thusly, the graphics are what you'd expect out of an early Super Nintendo game. The character sprites are incredibly large and blocky, but the bosses, monsters, and the background are quite elegant to look at. There is no slowdown at all in the game.
Play Control: 8.5
In the action stages, you inhabit the body of a warrior, and you have spells and weapons at our disposal, which you must use to kill the enemies in your way. Sometimes, controller response is poor; for example if you fall you cannot orient your character at all. It also takes a while to use a weapon if you continuously switch from the standing and crouchin position. In the simulation mode, it's a bit easier. You press the B button to bring up a menu, which is your command database; send in thunderstorms, building directions, etc. As Cupid you attack the overhead monsters (usually flying monsters) using a bow and arrow, and you can periodically upgrade your weapon based on offerings from the townspeople.
Sound: 9.0
The ActRaiser soundtrack is composed of medieval folk songs. Everything from the dynamic action themes to the solemn Sky Palace theme and catchy simulation theme is represented. You will find yourself humming these songs while you play.
Game Design: 10
This game doubles both as an action game and a building simulation. In the action scenes, it's a two-dimensional sidescroller, your traditional hack and slash game as your soul is embodied within a soldier. However, most of the stages are highly difficult, even on the beginner mode. At the end of every single act, there is a boss character, which is purely challenging. Each boss has its set attack pattern, so it's advised you memorize it. After the action stage, a simulation stage follows. In the first act of every land (two acts to every land area), you defeat the boss to clear the area so that people can inhabit it. Now here's the fun part... you take control of Cupid, and you are in complete control of how to run the entire town. You can build wherever you please, send the elements down to the earth, and even take and use offerings given by the people as gratitiude for your work. Also, you must fend away overworld monsters trying to destroy your town. Once you seal all of the monster lairs, you partake in the second act, in which you are taken back to the action part of the game to defeat an even more difficult boss character. Once overcome, the land is saved and you must repeat the sme tasks in the other lands. Of course, your character levels up, but according to population. The game design is ingenious, and despite what is stated above, is not awkward and is easy to learn.
Satisfaction: 9.5
It is perhaps impossible not to be satisfied with this game. Both the action stages and the simulation stages are excellently represented (perhaps with the exception of a couple of highly difficult bosses). ActRaiser is simply begging you to play it.
Final Score: 9.0
You should definitely not overlook ActRaiser, as many people have done in the past. At first it may seem like another adventure game looking at the box art but there is much more substance to it. ActRaiser employed such a novel and innovative idea at the time, and it is a once in a lifetime experience in which the formula could never be duplicated just as great.
