Ghost Lion (USA)

**Ghost Lion (USA)** is a role-playing game (RPG) developed for the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES). Players assume the role of Maria, a young girl whose village is tragically destroyed by a mysterious White Lion, and her parents are abducted. Maria embarks on a perilous quest to find her parents and confront the formidable beast.

The gameplay of **Ghost Lion** blends traditional RPG mechanics with a distinctive "spirit" system. Players will explore an expansive overworld map, visiting various towns, dungeons, and caves. Interacting with non-player characters (NPCs) provides crucial clues and advances the narrative.

Battles in the game are turn-based and occur randomly. Uniquely, Maria does not directly attack enemies. Instead, she relies on summoning spirits. Throughout her journey, Maria collects different "Spirit Items," which enable her to summon a variety of spirits (monsters). Each spirit possesses unique abilities, elemental properties (fire, water, wind, earth, light, dark), and attack patterns. Players must strategically choose the appropriate spirit for each battle, considering enemy weaknesses.

Spirits have Hit Points (HP) and Magic Points (MP). While Maria herself has HP, it primarily serves as a Game Over condition if it drops to zero. MP is utilized for summoning spirits and activating their special abilities. Progression in the game isn't solely based on Maria leveling up; rather, it's the spirits that gain experience and become stronger. New spirits are acquired throughout the game, often after defeating bosses or completing quests. The game also features standard RPG items such like healing potions, status restorers, and equipment for spirits. **Ghost Lion** is noted for its challenging difficulty and sometimes cryptic hints.