Sorcerian
Encyclopedia
is an action role-playing game
developed by Nihon Falcom, and the fifth in the Dragon Slayer line of games. It was originally released for the NEC PC-8801
in 1987, and was later ported to other PC
platforms such as the NEC PC-9801, the NEC PC-88VA, the Sharp X1
Turbo, and the MSX 2, for which it was released under the title Dragon Slayer 5: Sorcerian. An English version for MS-DOS
PCs was published by Sierra Entertainment
in 1990.
In 1997, Falcom released Sorcerian Forever for Microsoft Windows95/98 -based PCs. In 2000, Falcom released Sorcerian Original, a remake of Sorcerian for Microsoft Windows
-based PCs. In addition, console versions of Sorcerian with somewhat differing content from their PC counterparts were developed: A version for the Mega Drive/Genesis was developed by Sega
, a version for the PC Engine
was developed by Victor Musical Industries, and a version for the Dreamcast was developed by Victor Interactive Software
.
action-RPG. The player can create up to ten characters, from whom up to four members can be present in a party at the same time. Each character is highly customizable, with four different classes/races (fighter, wizard, elf, and dwarf) and over 60 possible jobs/occupations (ranging from clown to exorcist) available for them to perform; each has its own strengths and weaknesses, affecting the seven primary attributes (strength, intelligence, protection, magic resistance, vitality, dexterity, and karma) in different ways, as well as different equipment limitations.
The player can choose from fifteen different scenarios, or quests, to play through in the order of their choice. The party must battle enemies and perform tasks within the given levels to clear each scenario, before moving onto another scenario of their choice. The player controls the entire party at the same time, with all four members running in a line, jumping in sequence, and attacking in unison. The party members follow behind in a manner similar to the Options in the arcade
shooter
Gradius
(1985). Sorcerian also employs class-based puzzles, such as using a high-strength character to force open doors.
All the characters have a default starting age of 16. Each time a player begins a new scenario, a year passes by, while additional time passes by in towns as a character goes through training or enchants items. The characters age at different rates depending on their race, with humans reaching old age at 60, dwarves at 100, and elves at 200. Upon reaching old age, for every year that passes, a character can die permanently at a random time. There is also an “Advance Time” to speed up the flow of time. Another new feature of Sorcerian was its episodic format that extended across various expansion pack
s. Besides the default fifteen scenarios that come with the game, there were a number of additional scenario packs released. The aging system was created with the additional scenario packs in mind.
s containing new scenarios were developed for the PC-8801 version of Sorcerian, by both Falcom themselves and by other companies:
, Mieko Ishikawa, Reiko Takebayashi, Hideya Nagata, and Takahito Abe. The Falcom-developed Additional Scenarios were handled solely by Ishikawa.
Soundtrack releases for Sorcerian include:
Action role-playing game
Action role-playing games form a loosely defined sub-genre of role-playing video games that incorporate elements of action or action-adventure games, emphasizing real-time action where the player has direct control over characters, instead of turn-based or menu-based combat...
developed by Nihon Falcom, and the fifth in the Dragon Slayer line of games. It was originally released for the NEC PC-8801
NEC PC-8801
The NEC PC-8801 was an early Zilog Z80-based computer exclusively released in Japan, where it became very popular, by NEC Corporation in 1981. It was informally called the "PC-88"....
in 1987, and was later ported to other PC
Personal computer
A personal computer is any general-purpose computer whose size, capabilities, and original sales price make it useful for individuals, and which is intended to be operated directly by an end-user with no intervening computer operator...
platforms such as the NEC PC-9801, the NEC PC-88VA, the Sharp X1
Sharp X1
The X1 is a series of home computer released by Sharp Corporation from 1982 to 1988. It was based on a Z80 CPU.Despite the fact that the Computer Division of Sharp Corporation had released the MZ series, suddenly the Television Division released a new computer series called the X1...
Turbo, and the MSX 2, for which it was released under the title Dragon Slayer 5: Sorcerian. An English version for MS-DOS
MS-DOS
MS-DOS is an operating system for x86-based personal computers. It was the most commonly used member of the DOS family of operating systems, and was the main operating system for IBM PC compatible personal computers during the 1980s to the mid 1990s, until it was gradually superseded by operating...
PCs was published by Sierra Entertainment
Sierra Entertainment
Sierra Entertainment Inc. was an American video-game developer and publisher founded in 1979 as On-Line Systems by Ken and Roberta Williams...
in 1990.
In 1997, Falcom released Sorcerian Forever for Microsoft Windows95/98 -based PCs. In 2000, Falcom released Sorcerian Original, a remake of Sorcerian for Microsoft Windows
Microsoft Windows
Microsoft Windows is a series of operating systems produced by Microsoft.Microsoft introduced an operating environment named Windows on November 20, 1985 as an add-on to MS-DOS in response to the growing interest in graphical user interfaces . Microsoft Windows came to dominate the world's personal...
-based PCs. In addition, console versions of Sorcerian with somewhat differing content from their PC counterparts were developed: A version for the Mega Drive/Genesis was developed by Sega
Sega
, usually styled as SEGA, is a multinational video game software developer and an arcade software and hardware development company headquartered in Ōta, Tokyo, Japan, with various offices around the world...
, a version for the PC Engine
TurboGrafx-16
TurboGrafx-16, fully titled as TurboGrafx-16 Entertainment SuperSystem and known in Japan as the , is a video game console developed by Hudson Soft and NEC, released in Japan on October 30, 1987, and in North America on August 29, 1989....
was developed by Victor Musical Industries, and a version for the Dreamcast was developed by Victor Interactive Software
Victor Interactive Software
Victor Interactive Software, Inc. was a Japanese video game software publisher and developer, established in 1970-08-03 as a division of Victor Entertainment.In 1996-10-01, Victor Entertainment Inc. merged with Pack-In-Video Co., Ltd...
.
Gameplay
Sorcerian is a side-scrollingSide-scrolling video game
A side-scrolling game or side-scroller is a video game in which the gameplay action is viewed from a side-view camera angle, and the onscreen characters generally move from the left side of the screen to the right. These games make use of scrolling computer display technology...
action-RPG. The player can create up to ten characters, from whom up to four members can be present in a party at the same time. Each character is highly customizable, with four different classes/races (fighter, wizard, elf, and dwarf) and over 60 possible jobs/occupations (ranging from clown to exorcist) available for them to perform; each has its own strengths and weaknesses, affecting the seven primary attributes (strength, intelligence, protection, magic resistance, vitality, dexterity, and karma) in different ways, as well as different equipment limitations.
The player can choose from fifteen different scenarios, or quests, to play through in the order of their choice. The party must battle enemies and perform tasks within the given levels to clear each scenario, before moving onto another scenario of their choice. The player controls the entire party at the same time, with all four members running in a line, jumping in sequence, and attacking in unison. The party members follow behind in a manner similar to the Options in the arcade
Arcade game
An arcade game is a coin-operated entertainment machine, usually installed in public businesses such as restaurants, bars, and amusement arcades. Most arcade games are video games, pinball machines, electro-mechanical games, redemption games, and merchandisers...
shooter
Shooter game
Shooter games are a sub-genre of action game, which often test the player's speed and reaction time. It includes many subgenres that have the commonality of focusing "on the actions of the avatar using some sort of weapon. Usually this weapon is a gun, or some other long-range weapon". A common...
Gradius
Gradius
The Gradius games, first introduced in 1985, make up a series of scrolling shooter video games published by Konami for a variety of portable, console and arcade platforms. In many games in the series, the player controls a ship known as the Vic Viper...
(1985). Sorcerian also employs class-based puzzles, such as using a high-strength character to force open doors.
All the characters have a default starting age of 16. Each time a player begins a new scenario, a year passes by, while additional time passes by in towns as a character goes through training or enchants items. The characters age at different rates depending on their race, with humans reaching old age at 60, dwarves at 100, and elves at 200. Upon reaching old age, for every year that passes, a character can die permanently at a random time. There is also an “Advance Time” to speed up the flow of time. Another new feature of Sorcerian was its episodic format that extended across various expansion pack
Expansion pack
An expansion pack, expansion set, or supplement is an addition to an existing role-playing game, tabletop game or video game. These add-ons usually add new game areas, weapons, objects, and/or an extended storyline to a complete and already released game...
s. Besides the default fifteen scenarios that come with the game, there were a number of additional scenario packs released. The aging system was created with the additional scenario packs in mind.
Add-ons
A number of add-on expansion packExpansion pack
An expansion pack, expansion set, or supplement is an addition to an existing role-playing game, tabletop game or video game. These add-ons usually add new game areas, weapons, objects, and/or an extended storyline to a complete and already released game...
s containing new scenarios were developed for the PC-8801 version of Sorcerian, by both Falcom themselves and by other companies:
- Developed by Falcom: Sorcerian Utility Vol. 1, Sorcerian Additional Scenario Vol. 1, Sorcerian Additional Scenario Vol. 2 - Sengoku Sorcerian, Sorcerian Additional Scenario Vol. 3 - Pyramid Sorcerian
- Developed by Amorphous: Sorcerian New Scenario Vol. 1 - The Visitor from Outer Space, Selected Sorcerian 1, Selected Sorcerian 2, Selected Sorcerian 3, Selected Sorcerian 4, Selected Sorcerian 5
- Developed by Quasar Soft: Gilgamesh Sorcerian
Music
The soundtrack to the original Sorcerian was composed by Yuzo KoshiroYuzo Koshiro
is a Japanese video game music composer and audio programmer. He is regarded as one of the most influential innovators in chiptune music and video game sound design...
, Mieko Ishikawa, Reiko Takebayashi, Hideya Nagata, and Takahito Abe. The Falcom-developed Additional Scenarios were handled solely by Ishikawa.
Soundtrack releases for Sorcerian include:
- Music from Sorcerian: The original score to the PC-88 version of the game.
- All Sounds of Sorcerian: The original sound again, this time in the form of medleys for each scenario, along with two arranged tracks.
- Sorcerian Super Arrange Version: A series of three albums featuring arrangements by Hiroyuki NambaHiroyuki Nambais a Japanese musician. He has composed for and arranged songs from Japanese anime, OVA and video games. Notably, Hiroyuki Namba composed for Dallos, the first anime Original video animation. However, in the United States, he is known for composing the soundtrack to the Armitage III film...
. Volume 1 contains a set of arrangements from the base scenario of Sorcerian. Volume 2 contains arrangements from the base scenario and Additional Scenario Vol. 1, along with the original sound of Additional Scenario Vol. 1. Volume 3 contains arrangements and the original sound from Additional Scenario Vol. 2 and Vol. 3. - Perfect Collection Sorcerian: A set of 3 2-disc albums containing various arrangements of the base Sorcerian soundtrack, similar to the Perfect Collection YsYsYs , also spelled Is or Kêr-Is in Breton, and Ker-Ys in French , is a mythical city that was built on the coast of Brittany and later swallowed by the ocean...
album series. - Sorcerian Forever I & II: Two albums containing upgraded versions of the Sorcerian base scenario soundtrack, similar to the Music from Ys Renewal releases.
American music changes
Because Romancia: Dragon Slayer Jr. was never released to English audiences, Sierra removed references and altered which songs played during the "Dragon King" level of Scenario II. Further tracks were changed in other levels, but this may be due to a bug, as the original Japanese track order (Minus "Dragon King") is maintained in the English Musician's Guild.| Original Japanese song | American song replacement | American level | Japanese origin |
|---|---|---|---|
| Survivor | Beautiful Day | The Stolen Scepter | Additional Scenario Vol. 1 |
| Luwan and the Dragon | Bloody River | Cursed Oasis | Lucifer's Floodgate |
| Dark Swamp | The Seal | The Master of Dark Marsh | Tower of Thieves |
| Romacia Kingdom | Evil Shaman | Dragon King | Garden of the Gods |
| Azelba Kingdom | Bloody River | Dragon King | Lucifer's Floodgate |
| Vaides | Survivor | Dragon King | The Stolen Scepter |
| Peaceful Forest | Beautiful Day | Riddle of the Red Jewel | Additional Scenario Vol. 1 |
| The Heavens | Harp | Garden of the Gods | Garden of the Gods |
| Harp | The Heavens | Garden of the Gods | Garden of the Gods |
| Evil Shaman | Cave I | Garden of the Gods | Ice Cavern |
| Cave I | Cave II | Ice Cavern | Ice Cavern |
| Cave II | Beautiful Day | Ice Cavern | Additional Scenario Vol. 1 |
| Forest | Village | Curse of Medusa | Curse of Medusa |
| Village | Medusa | Curse of Medusa | Curse of Medusa |
| Medusa | Underground Fortress | Curse of Medusa | The Missing Magician |
| Underground Fortress | Fire Elemental | The Missing Magician | The Missing Magician |
| Fire Elemental | The Cave of Life | The Missing Magician | The Water of Life |
| The Cave of Life | Pounding Heart | The Water of Life | The Water of Life |