Rastan (video game)

Last updated
Rastan
RastanSaga arcadeflyer.png
European arcade flyer
Developer(s) Taito
Publisher(s) Taito
Imagine Software (CPC, C64, Spectrum)
Hit Squad (CPC, C64, Spectrum)
Sega (Master System)
Director(s) Yoshinori Kobayashi
Producer(s) Yoshinori Kobayashi
Designer(s) Toshiyuki Nishimura
Programmer(s) Yoshinori Kobayashi
Hideaki Tomioki
Touru Takahashi
Hideo Kazama
Artist(s) Toshiyuki Nishimura
Taira Sanuki
Seiji Kawakami
Genya Kuriki
Composer(s) Naoto Yagishita
Masahiko Takaki
Platform(s) Arcade, Amstrad CPC, Apple IIGS, Commodore 64, Game Gear, IBM PC, MSX2, Master System, ZX Spectrum, PlayStation 4
Release
Genre(s) Hack and slash, [3] [4] platform
Mode(s) Single-player

Rastan Saga, [lower-alpha 1] known as Rastan in North America, is a side-scrolling hack and slash arcade video game released by Taito in 1987. It was a critical and commercial success and was ported to home platforms. On May 2, 2024, the arcade version of the game got ported as part of the Arcade Archives series. [5]

Contents

Plot

Taking place in a fantasy setting, the story is about Rastan who is presently a ruler of his kingdom narrating his past full of dangerous adventures and his eventual ascension to a kingship. Rastan, who back then was a barbaric knave resorted to banditry and murders to survive through hard times, came upon a chance to slay monsters and save a kingdom of Ceim from the said monsters in exchange of rich rewards. Accepting the deal, Rastan must fight hordes of enemy monsters based on mythical creatures such as chimeras and harpies. Rastan's quest to liberate Ceim from monsters eventually leads to a confrontation against a large fire-breathing red dragon with magical powers enabling it to control other monsters. Rastan was able to destroy the red dragon after a duel and after receiving rich rewards as promised, Rastan sets out to find a new region to establish his own kingdom and to rule it.

At the ending of the game, the king Rastan of present reveals that there are many more stories to tell in his ascension to kingship and the whole game was just a minuscule part of his grander tale.

Gameplay

The controls of Rastan consists of an eight-way joystick, a button for attacking, and a button for jumping. By using the joystick in combination with either button, the player can determine the height of Rastan's jumps, as well as the direction he swings his weapon (including downwards while jumping). The game uses a health gauge system along with limited lives, although certain obstacles (such as falling into a body of water or being crushed by a spiked ceiling) will instantly kill Rastan regardless of how much health he has left.

There are a total of six rounds, each consisting of three areas: an outdoor scene, a castle scene and a throne room where the player must confront the stage's boss. The backgrounds of the outdoor areas feature broad landscapes with changing sunlight effects with detail.

The bosses are, in order of appearance: [6]

  1. King Graton, a halberd-wielding skeletal warrior;
  2. King Slay, a demonic winged sword-master;
  3. Symplegades, the wizard-king;
  4. Laios, the dragon-king;
  5. The Hydra, a five-headed snake-like monster;
  6. The Dragon

The player can pick up any item by touching it, as well as new weapons by striking them with his current one. All the weapons and power-ups picked by Rastan will be equipped only for a limited time, except for the Ring power up. The Ring will remain equipped on Rastan for the entirety of his current life, even carrying over to the next stage. When Rastan picks up any equipable item, an icon will appear on the lower right corner of the screen as an indicator of the item's effect until it wears out. Rastan can only wield one weapon at a time (a mace, an axe, a fireball-shooting sword, or his standard sword), as well as only one type of protector (a shield, a mantle, or a body armor), but other items (such as the necklace and ring) can be worn at the same time. There are also jewels that gives out bonus points, as well potion bottles that restore or deplete the player's health depending on the color. The rare golden sheep's head restores Rastan's health completely.

Regional differences

Rastan Saga (the Japanese version) features an opening sequence, when the player starts the game, which explains the purpose of Rastan's journey. It is not included in the versions released in other countries (which are simply titled Rastan). Also, in the Japanese version when the player completes a stage ("Round") the "victory" screen has text pertaining to the storyline. In the international versions, there is a "generic" victory screen with generic text ("You are a brave fighter to have cleared such a difficult stage"). However, the international versions feature a different attract sequence which shows all the items that can be obtained by the player along with their effect.

In the Japanese version there are far fewer bats during the bat swarm sequences in the castle of level 1 than in other versions.

In Europe, the arcade game was originally released with its Japanese title Rastan Saga. [2]

Ports

Rastan was initially ported to various 8-bit home computers in Europe (the Commodore 64, ZX Spectrum and Amstrad CPC) by Imagine Software in 1987. Taito imported Imagine's C64 version to the United States in 1988 and also released in 1990 two additional ports for the IBM PC and Apple IIGS, both of which were developed by Novalogic.

An unreleased version for the Atari ST was discovered in demo form only. [7]

In 1988, Taito developed its own conversions for the MSX2 in Japan, and the Master System in North America and Europe. Both ports featured redesigned level layouts, with the Master System version replacing some of the boss characters as well. The latter was itself ported to the Game Gear and released exclusively in Japan on August 9, 1991.

Reception

In Japan, Game Machine listed Rastan on their May 1, 1987 issue as being the second most successful table arcade unit of the month. [9]

Clare Edgeley of Computer and Video Games reviewed the arcade game upon release, stating the "coin-op of the month has GOT to be Taito's superb Rastan Saga" with praise for the "beautifully drawn and very realistic" graphics, fast-paced action and addictive gameplay. [2] Tim Rolf of Sinclair User called it a "hacking and a-slaying" game that is "very, VERY good." [10] Peter Shaw of Your Sinclair also gave it a positive review in 1987, [11] with the magazine later calling it the "best ever slash 'n' slice 'em up" in 1988. [12] The game drew comparisons to the character Conan the Barbarian, [2] [10] Capcom's Ghosts 'n Goblins (1985), [10] and Konami's Green Beret (1985). [11]

Console XS reviewed the Sega Master System version of Rastan Saga, giving it an 88% score. [13] Your Sinclair reviewed the ZX Spectrum version, rating it 9 out of 10. [14] The ZX Spectrum version was awarded 9/10 in the July 1988 issue of Your Sinclair, [15] and was placed at number 54 in the Your Sinclair Top 100 list.

Legacy

An emulation of the Rastan arcade game is included in the compilations Taito Memories , Taito Legends , and Taito Legends Power-Up .

Rastan was followed by two sequels: Rastan Saga II (released as Nastar in Europe and Nastar Warrior in North America) and Warrior Blade: Rastan Saga Episode III . Rastan appears in another Taito game, Champion Wrestler, as "Miracle Rastan".

The Saffire developed game Barbarian for PlayStation 2 and GameCube was published in Japan by Taito as Warrior Blade: Rastan vs. Barbarian. The game has nothing to do with Rastan despite the title.

Notes

  1. ↑ Japanese: ラスタンサーガ, Hepburn: Rasutan Sāga

Related Research Articles

<i>Bubble Bobble</i> (video game) 1986 video game

Bubble Bobble is a 1986 platform game developed and published by Taito for arcades. It was distributed in the United States by Romstar, and in Europe by Electrocoin. Players control Bub and Bob, two dragons that set out to save their girlfriends from a world known as the Cave of Monsters. In each level, Bub and Bob must defeat each enemy present by trapping them in bubbles and popping, who turn into bonus items when they hit the ground. There are 100 levels total, each becoming progressively more difficult.

<i>Arkanoid</i> 1986 video game

Arkanoid is a 1986 block breaker arcade game developed and published by Taito. In North America, it was published by Romstar. Controlling a paddle-like craft known as the Vaus, the player is tasked with clearing a formation of colorful blocks by deflecting a ball towards it without letting the ball leave the bottom edge of the playfield. Some blocks contain power-ups that have various effects, such as increasing the length of the Vaus, creating several additional balls, or equipping the Vaus with cannons. Other blocks may be indestructible or require multiple hits to break.

<i>The NewZealand Story</i> 1988 video game

The NewZealand Story is a platform game developed and released in arcades by Taito in 1988. The concept and setting were inspired by a holiday trip in New Zealand by one of the Taito programmers. The player controls Tiki (ティキ), a kiwi who must save his girlfriend Phee Phee (ピューピュー) and several of his other kiwi chick friends who have been kidnapped by a large blue leopard seal. While avoiding enemies, the player has to navigate a scrolling maze-like level, at the end of which they release one of Tiki's kiwi chick friends trapped in a cage. In 2007, the arcade game received a remake for the Nintendo DS under the title New Zealand Story Revolution.

<i>Wonder Boy in Monster Land</i> 1987 video game

Wonder Boy in Monster Land, known by its original arcade release as Wonder Boy: Monster Land, is a platform video game developed by Westone Bit Entertainment and released by Sega in Japanese arcades in 1987 and for the Master System in 1988, with a number of other home computer and console ports following. The game is the sequel to the 1986 game Wonder Boy and takes place eleven years after the events in the previous game. After enjoying over a decade of peace on Wonder Land following the defeat of the evil King by Tom-Tom, later bestowed the title "Wonder Boy", a fire-breathing dragon called the MEKA dragon appeared; he and his minions conquered Wonder Land, turning it into "Monster Land". The people, helpless due to their lack of fighting skill, call for Wonder Boy, now a teenager, to destroy the monsters and defeat the MEKA dragon. Players control Wonder Boy through twelve linear levels as he makes his way through Monster Land to find and defeat the MEKA dragon. Players earn gold by defeating enemies and buy weapons, armor, footwear, magic, and other items to help along the way.

<i>Darius</i> (video game) 1986 arcade video game

Darius is a 1987 horizontal-scrolling shooter arcade game developed and published by Taito. Players control a starship named the Silver Hawk in its mission to destroy the Belser empire before they wipe out the planet Darius. Its gameplay involves traversing through a series of scrolling levels while destroying enemies and collecting power-up icons. It is notable for its unique three-screen panoramic display, upbeat soundtrack, and cute anime-influenced graphics.

<i>Gauntlet</i> (1985 video game) 1985 arcade game by Atari Games

Gauntlet is a 1985 fantasy-themed hack-and-slash arcade video game developed and released by Atari Games. It is one of the first multiplayer dungeon crawl arcade games. The core design of Gauntlet comes from 1983 game Dandy for the Atari 8-bit computers, which resulted in a threat of legal action. It also has similarities to the action-adventure maze video game Time Bandit (1983).

<i>Renegade</i> (video game) 1986 video game

Nekketsu Kōha Kunio-kun, released as Renegade in the West, is a beat 'em up video game developed by Technōs Japan and distributed by Taito for the arcades in 1986. In the original Japanese version Nekketsu Kōha Kunio-kun, the game revolves around a high-school delinquent named Kunio-kun who must stand up against a series of rival gangs frequently targeting his classmate Hiroshi. In the Western version Renegade, the player controls a street brawler who must face four different gangs in order to rescue his girlfriend being held captive by a mob boss.

<i>Operation Wolf</i> Arcade video game

Operation Wolf is a light gun shooter arcade game developed by Taito and released in 1987. It was ported to many home systems.

<i>Rygar</i> 1986 video game

Rygar is a 1986 side-scrolling platform game created by Tecmo. Originally released for Japanese arcades in June 1986, the game was subsequently ported to the NES (1987), Commodore 64 (1987), ZX Spectrum (1987), Amstrad CPC (1987), Master System (1988), Atari Lynx (1990), and X68000 (1994). Emulations have also been released for Xbox (2005), Sprint mobile phones (2005), Wii (2009), PlayStation 4 (2014), Nintendo Switch (2018), and Android (2023), with an unofficial fan-made emulation released for Amiga AGA in 2019. A remake, Rygar: The Legendary Adventure, was released for PlayStation 2 in 2002. The Legendary Adventure was remastered for the Wii in 2008 as Rygar: The Battle of Argus.

<i>Double Dragon</i> (video game) 1987 arcade game

Double Dragon is a 1987 beat 'em up video game developed by Technōs Japan and distributed by Taito for arcades across Asia, North America and Europe. It is the first title in the Double Dragon franchise. The game's development was led by Yoshihisa Kishimoto, and it is a spiritual and technological successor to Technos' earlier beat 'em up, Nekketsu Kōha Kunio-kun (1986), released outside of Japan by Taito as Renegade; Kishimoto originally envisioned it as a direct sequel and part of the Kunio-kun series, before making it a new game with a different cast and setting.

<i>Continental Circus</i> 1987 video game

Continental Circus is a racing simulation arcade game, created and manufactured by Taito in 1987. In 1989, ports for the Amiga, Amstrad CPC, Atari ST, Commodore 64, MSX and ZX Spectrum were published by Virgin Games.

<i>Target: Renegade</i> 1988 video game

Target: Renegade is a beat'em up video game released on the Amstrad CPC, Commodore 64 and ZX Spectrum systems in the late 1980s by Ocean Software on their "Imagine" label, as well as a Nintendo Entertainment System version developed by Software Creations and published by Taito. The game is a sequel to Renegade and was followed by Renegade III: The Final Chapter. When acquiring the license to convert the original arcade game Renegade to home computers, Ocean acquired the option to produce and release their own home-computer-only sequels to the game, and Target Renegade was the first of these sequels.

<i>Wonder Boy</i> (video game) 1986 video game

Wonder Boy is a 1986 platform game published by Sega and developed by Escape. Originally designed for arcades, it was later ported to the SG-1000, Mark III/Master System and Game Gear video game consoles by Sega, and to the ZX Spectrum, Commodore 64 and Amstrad CPC home computers by Activision. The game is also known as Super Wonder Boy for its Sega Mark III release in Japan and Revenge of Drancon for its Game Gear release in North America. A high definition remake of the game, titled Wonder Boy Returns, was developed by CFK and released on Steam on October 12, 2016. Wonder Boy was rereleased in 2022 as part of Wonder Boy Collection for the Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 4 which includes its versions on arcade, Master System, SG-1000 and Game Gear.

<i>Rastan Saga II</i> 1988 video game

Rastan Saga II, known in Europe as Nastar and in North America as Nastar Warrior, is a hack and slash platform arcade video game developed and released by Taito in 1988. It is the sequel to Rastan. The story in this game tells how Rastan got his titular name and saved a vast region called 'Rastania' from evil monsters known as "The Wicked Group." Rastania, the kingdom which Rastan saves in this game, subsequently becomes his kingdom to rule. On June 20, 2024, the arcade version of the game got ported as part of the Arcade Archives series.

<i>The Ninja Warriors</i> (1987 video game) 1987 video game

The Ninja Warriors (ニンジャウォーリアーズ) is a side-scrolling beat 'em up video game developed and released by Taito in 1987. The original arcade game situated one display in between projected images of two other displays, creating the appearance of a triple-wide screen. Ports were released for home systems including the Amiga, Atari ST, ZX Spectrum, Commodore 64, Amstrad CPC, PC Engine, and Sega Mega-CD.

<i>Black Tiger</i> (video game) 1987 video game

Black Tiger, known in Japan as Black Dragon, is a hack-and-slash platform game released for arcades by Capcom in 1987.

<i>Enduro Racer</i> 1986 video game

Enduro Racer (エンデューロレーサー) is an arcade racing game from Sega. It was released in 1986 with two arcade cabinet versions, a stand-up cabinet with handlebars and a full-sized dirt bike cabinet. It is often seen as a dirt racing version of Hang-On, as it uses a similar engine and PCB. The game was later released for the Master System in 1987, the ZX Spectrum and Commodore 64 in 1988, and the Amstrad CPC and Atari ST in 1989.

<i>WEC Le Mans</i> 1986 video game

WEC Le Mans, known as WEC Le Mans 24 in Japan, is a racing simulation video game released in arcades by Konami in 1986. It was the first racing video game to depict the 24 Hours of Le Mans World Endurance Championship (WEC). The Lap of Le Mans is split up into three sections, during which the time of day changes from day to dusk, dusk to night, and night to dawn.

<i>Barbarian II: The Dungeon of Drax</i> 1988 video game

Barbarian II: The Dungeon of Drax is a video game first published in 1988 for various home computers. It was released as Axe of Rage in North America. The game is the sequel to Barbarian: The Ultimate Warrior, which was published in 1987. In Barbarian II, the player controls a princess or barbarian character, exploring the game world to locate and defeat an evil wizard. The game's plot is an extension of its predecessor, although the gameplay is different. While the first game offers two players the opportunity for virtual head-to-head combat, the second is a single-player beat 'em up with fewer fighting moves. It uses a flip-screen style instead of scrolling.

<i>Rolling Thunder</i> (video game) 1986 video game

Rolling Thunder is a run and gun video game developed by Namco in Japan and Europe and released in 1986 as a coin-operated arcade video game using the Namco System 86 hardware. It was distributed in North America by Atari Games. The player takes control of a secret agent who must rescue his female partner from a terrorist organization. Rolling Thunder was a commercial success in arcades, and it was released for various home computer platforms in 1987 and the Nintendo Entertainment System in 1989. The original arcade game has been included in various classic game compilations as well. It influenced later arcade action franchises such as Shinobi and Time Crisis, which borrowed mechanics such as taking cover behind crates. On March 17, 2022, the arcade version of the game got ported as part of the Arcade Archives series.

References

  1. 1 2 Akagi, Masumi (13 October 2006). アーケードTVゲームリスト国内•海外編(1971-2005) [Arcade TV Game List: Domestic • Overseas Edition (1971-2005)] (in Japanese). Japan: Amusement News Agency. pp. 43, 137. ISBN   978-4990251215.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Edgeley, Clare (April 1987). "Arcade Action: Rastan Saga". Computer and Video Games . No. 67 (May 1987). United Kingdom: EMAP. pp. 90–91 (91).
  3. ↑ "Complete Games Guide". Mean Machines . No. 20 (28 April 1992). May 1992. pp. 6, 14, 18, 20, 22, 26.
  4. ↑ Reed, Kristan (4 January 2007). "Taito Legends Power-Up". Eurogamer . Retrieved 11 April 2021.
  5. ↑ "Arcade Archives RASTAN SAGA". store.playstation.com. Retrieved 2024-09-25.
  6. ↑ MSX Magazine (MSXマガジン) (in Japanese). May 1988.{{cite journal}}: Missing or empty |title= (help))
  7. ↑ Ocean Software Ltd. (June 10, 2014). "Update". Facebook . Retrieved 2 March 2020.
  8. ↑ Game review, Your Sinclair magazine, Dennis Publishing, issue 30, June 1988, page 63
  9. ↑ "Game Machine's Best Hit Games 25 - テーブル型TVゲーム機 (Table Videos)". Game Machine (in Japanese). No. 307. Amusement Press, Inc. 1 May 1987. p. 25.
  10. 1 2 3 Rolf, Tim (18 April 1987). "Banzai!". Sinclair User . No. 62 (May 1987). pp. 83–84 (83).
  11. 1 2 "Top Ten Games". Your Sinclair . No. 20 (August 1987). July 1987. p. 50.
  12. ↑ "Rastan". Your Sinclair . No. 28 (April 1988). 10 March 1988. pp. 1, 60–1.
  13. ↑ "Software A-Z: Master System". Console XS . No. 1 (June/July 1992). United Kingdom: Paragon Publishing. 23 April 1992. pp. 137–47.
  14. ↑ "Rastan". Your Sinclair . No. 30 (June 1988). 12 May 1988. p. 63.
  15. ↑ "Rastan". Archived from the original on 2007-03-04. Retrieved 2007-01-06.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.