Crystalis

Crystalis, known in Japan as God Slayer: Haruka Tenkū no Sonata, is an action role-playing game developed by SNK and released for the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) in 1990. The game is set in a post-apocalyptic world where a global catastrophe occurred in 1997, leading to the collapse of civilization and the rise of a new era of magic and monsters. Players take on the role of an unnamed protagonist, who awakens from a 100-year cryogenic sleep with no memory of his past.

The gameplay of Crystalis is structured as a top-down action RPG, often compared to The Legend of Zelda series. Players navigate through vast maps, exploring towns, caves, forests, and various other areas. The primary goal is to collect elemental swords, magic spells, and powerful items to confront the looming threat to the world.

The combat system in Crystalis is quite unique. The protagonist uses a sword as their primary weapon, but a distinctive feature is the ability to "charge up" attacks. When the player holds down the attack button, a power meter fills up, and upon release, the character performs a stronger attack or unleashes a projectile depending on the sword currently equipped. There are four main elemental swords: the Wind Sword, Fire Sword, Water Sword, and Earth Sword. Each sword is not only stronger in terms of damage but also possesses unique special abilities. For example, the Wind Sword can shoot wind blasts, the Fire Sword can launch fireballs, the Water Sword creates a water barrier, and the Earth Sword can cause the ground to shake. These abilities are not only used in combat but also serve as keys to solving puzzles and opening paths in the environment.

In addition to swords, players can utilize various magic spells, such as Teleport for instant travel, Heal to restore health, Refresh to remove negative status effects, Barrier to create a protective shield, and many other offensive or supportive spells. Spells are learned by finding spirits or completing quests. Managing magic points (MP) is crucial for effective spell casting.

Throughout the journey, players will collect various types of equipment such as armor, shields, bracelets, and rings, each providing defensive stats or special effects. Support items like healing potions and MP refills also play an important role. The game features a traditional leveling-up system, where the character grows stronger after defeating monsters and accumulating experience points.

The storyline of Crystalis gradually unfolds through dialogues with NPCs and the exploration of new areas. Players will learn about the 1997 catastrophe, the rise of the evil Draygon empire, and their plot to reactivate the Tower of Babel to destroy the world once more. The player's ultimate mission is to prevent this scheme and save humanity. With its detailed graphics, engaging music, and deep gameplay, Crystalis has become one of the most beloved action RPGs on the NES.