Reviewed
08.10.2000
Publisher
Sega
Developer
Sega
Format
CD
Origin
Import
Available
1993
(Japan)
Exclusive
Yes
Difficulty
Normal
Dimensions
2D
View
Top-down
Genre
Strategy/RPG
Players
1
Options
6
Button
Backup
1
CDKey
Pro
CDX
Requires
n/a
Importable
90% |
INTRO:
> Sega seems to make a lot of strategy/tactics RPGs and simulations.
Games like Shining Force
(Genesis), Dark Wizard (Sega CD), Wachenroder
(Saturn), and Advanced
Daisenryaku (Dreamcast) have kept gamers up many-a-night. I recently
picked up a copy of The Heroic Legend of Arslan (HLA), not really knowing
too much about it. I am happy to report that HLA, which is set in
medieval times, continues the fine Sega tradition of quality strategic
RPGs.
> It's much harder to find a converter cartridge than to import HLA.
The game is straight forward and linear. Everything is menu driven
and there aren't that many selections to learn. Most of the game
is in Japanese, but there is some English here and there.
GRAPHICS:
> Most of what you see in HLA is on par with Master of Monsters (Genesis)
and Dark Wizard (Sega CD). The battlefields are split up into squares
with movement highlights and terrain features. When you enter a one-on-one
battle, the screen changes to a cinematic view showing the combatants taking
swipes at one another (this can be turned off for instant battle results).
Add plenty of great looking animated cut-scenes in between battles to tell
the story (in Japanese), and you get the idea of this game. Characters
in the game include pikemen, cavalry, knights, archers, and elephant-riders.
My only complaint is that there should have been more character variety.
CONTROL:
> You're given one or more characters to directly control in each battle.
Since I can't read Japanese, I can only assume the ally you can't directly
control (I'll call her Arslan) is an important character which must be
protected. Even so, you can give basic commands to Arslan like advance,
attack, retreat, and defend. Your controllable characters can be
strategically moved (the terrain has defense attributes) and told who to
attack (of course). If Arslan dies, then you have to restart the
battle.
SOUND:
> There isn't a ton of variety in music either, but what's there is good.
You'll hear lots of bass-heavy instrumental tunes with a healthy tempo.
The sound effects are adequate in variety and sound good. You'll
hear swords slashing, weapons blocking, horses walking, and more.
FUN:
> HLA is easy to get into and requires lots of strategy. Due to the
language barrier, the fun factor goes down a lot after the first time through.
Still, if you love this genre (as I do), then you can never get enough
strategy/RPGs...
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