Faria - A World of Mystery & Danger! (USA)

Faria - A World of Mystery & Danger! is a unique action RPG for the NES, blending a top-down perspective for the overworld with a side-scrolling view for towns and dungeons. Players embody a brave hero, one of four chosen warriors, tasked with rescuing the kidnapped princess and restoring peace to the kingdom of Faria.

When exploring the vast outdoor world, players navigate a top-down overworld map, reminiscent of early Zelda titles. Here, you'll encounter various monsters and seek out important locations such as villages, cities, dungeons, and secret areas. Monster encounters occur in real-time, allowing you to attack with your sword and utilize magic.

Upon entering a town or dungeon, the perspective shifts to a side-scrolling view, offering a different exploration and combat experience. In towns, you can interact with NPCs to gather information, purchase new equipment (swords, armor, shields), and healing items at shops. Conversing with villagers is crucial for advancing the storyline and uncovering clues about the princess's whereabouts.

Dungeons present the most significant challenges, filled with numerous powerful monsters and puzzles to solve. You'll need to employ both your combat skills and problem-solving abilities to overcome them. After each battle, your character will gain experience points (EXP) and gold. Experience points help your character level up, increasing stats like attack power, defense, and maximum health. Gold is used to purchase better equipment, making you stronger to face subsequent foes.

The magic system in Faria - A World of Mystery & Danger! is also diverse, ranging from offensive spells to supportive ones. Players will learn new spells throughout their adventure, often after defeating bosses or finding spellbooks. Choosing and utilizing spells wisely will be key to overcoming difficult challenges. The ultimate goal is to defeat the dark lord and rescue the princess, bringing peace back to the kingdom of Faria.