Retro Treasures - Crystalis (NES)

Today debut a new section, designed to show and disseminate unknown games (or almost) of the gaming world.

Are rare gems, those generally makes the player think, "hey, as I've never heard of this game?". Obviously, nowadays many already know most of these, but even so, for those who do not know, , is it worth digging up these true relics and show that in the past many treasures remain buried. For those who already know, is like reviewing a great friend that no longer appeared.

So, good read!

Crystalis

Genre: RPG

Year: 1990 (NES) / 2000 (GBC)

By: SNK

Players: 1

Inaugurating our new section, an RPG for the NES, but unfortunately, it was quite forgotten and few people are aware of its existence: Crystalis.

Contrary to what many think, this RPG was not made by Square and yes, by newcomer in the area (SNK), famous soft experienced in fighting games. Crystalis may be considered a rare jewel for this more reason.

The story of Crystalis is simple:

The story continues showing a computer screen where the player needs a name ... of him, a being  of pink hair leaves (on the cover looks like a woman) and so the game begins.

The beginning is that discovery: the locals are surprised you have "waked", but it seems that everyone has waited for this, because the first house I entered the guy gave me a buck saying that Zebus had left there, if I woke up.

From then on, the player will discover the secrets and the plot unfolds.

Crystalis, before anything else, is an action RPG, similar to Zelda and Golvellius. You control the main character in maps, often huge and cities too.

The fights take place in real time, as in the aforementioned Zelda and Golvellius. But, in Crystalis, the thing is very well neater, at least graphically.

getting the first sword

To start, your character moves diagonally, giving more freedom of movement. While Kelesis and Link only move in 4 directions, Crystalis is possible to exit diagonally and even more repeatedly attacking enemies.

And killing enemies usually gives money, the coins jump when them they die.

The maps are themed, and, at first, is very similar to Golvellius, with undergrowths, some trees and rocks.

The vegetation can also disrupt, since it possible to enter them. When in the woods, your character moves more slowly and the enemies are partially hidden too.

There are many passages in the game: from the outset, in the cave to the left, a man in the end of it gives a hint to be able to continue the game.  There are many minutiae for the player to go discovered over time.

In addition, the game features a whole RPG face: accessories, weapons, armor and items that can be equipped in a proper menu, which also differs from the other two games already mentioned.

One thing that Golvellius can take advantage over Crystalis is the variety of gameplay:  maps,  side-scrolling, shooter. In Crystalis, the whole game is from the perspective of air, but he makes up for it with more diverse areas to explore, such as cities, towns, houses, and so on.

If you want to know a different RPG, but at the same time remember the good times of Zelda or Golvellius, take a chance to Crystalis.

A forgotten game, but that should not giving anything to others of the same genre.