Kenseiden

Last updated
Kenseiden
Kenseiden Coverart.png
North American and European box art
Developer(s) Sega
Publisher(s) Sega
Platform(s) Master System
Release
Genre(s) Action platformer
Mode(s) Single-player

Kenseiden [a] [b] is a 1988 action platforming game developed and published by Sega for the Master System. The player controls the samurai Hayato in 16th Century Japan as they attempt to retrieve five scrolls and a sacred sword from evil warlocks and spirits lead by Oda Nobunaga.

Contents

The game was released as Sword of the Hwarang [c] in South Korea with multiple visual differences. Hayato is altered to look like a Hwarang warrior and the levels are changed to be set in Korea. [4]

Kenseiden received positive reviews from critics.

Gameplay

Kenseiden features a cameo of Alex Kidd in this level. Alex Kidd's face is in the lower-right corner of the screen. KenseidenAlexKidd.PNG
Kenseiden features a cameo of Alex Kidd in this level. Alex Kidd's face is in the lower-right corner of the screen.

Kenseidan is a side-scrolling action-adventure game set in Japan. Each level is set in an ancient Japanese province where the player is tasked. After A certain point, the player can play levels in whatever order they choose, and can go back to previous levels at anytime except for the final level.

Reception

Upon release, Kenseiden received positive reviews

The Games Machine gave the game an 86% score, considering it one of the best "hack-'n-slay" games because of its "simple, but highly playable action and superb presentation." [8] Computer and Video Games gave it an 85% score, describing it as a "huge" role-playing adventure with exploration, "truly superb" still screens and "plenty of brain-bending puzzles" to last "weeks on end!" [5]

Retrospectively, Levi Buchanan of IGN reviewed Kenseiden. He gave the game a 7.0 and said "even though I found the choice to go grim interesting and the visuals engaging, I have discovered my appreciation for Kenseiden was more of a 'love the one your [sic] with' sentiment. Master System junkies should still seek it out and give it a go, but there are indeed better games for the console that deserve your renewed attention." [7]

References

  1. ↑ Japanese: 剣聖伝
  2. ↑ The title can be roughly translated as Sword Saint Legend, Legend of the Swordmaster or Summoning of the Sacred Sword.
  3. ↑ Hangeul: 화랑의 검, Korean language: Hwarang-ui Geom
  1. ↑ "Software List". Sega Hard Encyclopedia (in Japanese). Sega Corporation. Archived from the original on 2019-06-21. Retrieved May 15, 2023.
  2. ↑ "Availability Update" (PDF). Computer Entertainer . Vol. 7, no. 7. October 1988. p. 8.
  3. ↑ "2 Mega Cartridges" (PDF). The Sega Master System Games Catalogue (1988/89). Mastertronic . Retrieved 24 September 2024.
  4. ↑ Kalata, Kurt (December 31, 2010). "Kenseiden (剣聖伝) - Sega Master System (1988)". Hardcore Gaming 101. Archived from the original on January 6, 2011. Retrieved January 22, 2011.
  5. 1 2 "CVG Complete Guide to Sega - Issue 1 - United Kingdom Magazine - Scans - SMS Power!".
  6. ↑ "Complete Games Guide" (PDF). Computer and Video Games (Complete Guide to Consoles): 46–77. 16 October 1989.
  7. 1 2 Buchanan, Levi (February 1, 2008). "Kenseiden Review". IGN. Retrieved October 5, 2009.
  8. 1 2 The Games Machine, issue 13 (December 1988), page 51 (released 17 November 1988)
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