Game 15: Crystalis (NES) - Final Rating

Combatant
The entire game is fast paced. Sword swipes come out so quickly that it's possible to mash and charge into an enemy without taking damage. Most of the challenge comes from the mid-late game when nearly every monster will cause poison in addition to paralysis and petrification. Switching swords is a little cumbersome. Charging swords to use their powers is the only thing that keeps combat fresh.

Magic exists but the only offensive one is paralyze and as expected it doesn't work on bosses. Other useful spells during battles are healing and barrier. Everything else is a utility or quest related spell.

Monsters are not all that challenging and more annoying than anything else: ones that fly, ones that drain magic, and ones that transform the character into a slime. The bosses offer a good variety. While most battles are over quickly there's a certain strategy involved when planning an attack.
Rating: 4

Final bosses are pretty easy when it comes down to it

Admirer
There's only one unchanging character. You get the chance to name him at the beginning, but there's no further control over his development. Leveling is a singular path that seems to only raise HP and MP, although I've read there are level requirements to progress in the game. Bosses will take no damage if your level achieved is too low. The controls are smooth with a quick pace. It would have been nice to see items change the appearance, but even the different swords all look the same.
Rating: 2

Hope you like your characters purple

Puzzler
I've been having a hard time deciding what to consider a puzzle. I mean, does collecting item X to unlock plot point Y really count? I gave some points here for a well laid out main quest, at least a couple of optional quests, and fitting well inside the world at large. There's no way to really jump ahead of the intended solutions, and while everything is fairly easy to solve it's the finding that is frustrating.

The lion guardians were probably the most puzzle like yet there wasn't any text I found describing the solution. As long as you found one bow the icons above their heads should be a good indication.
Rating: 3

I lost you, so how do I find you?

Instigator
The story slowly unfolds and rewards the player for continuing the adventure, but the motivational basis for the antagonist was little more than, "grr... I'm evil." The player has no influence on how the story plays out. NPC dialogue does give flavor to the world, but quest hints are sparse when needed: being told to find item X doesn't help when you don't have a clue for where to find it.
Rating: 2

Instead of preventing the end of the world, let's go through an elaborate setup where we inadvertently cause it

Collector
Well, there's stuff a plenty to collect in this game. You'll pick up most of it naturally, but a number of the final pieces are hidden in side quests or tucked away in dark corners of a dungeon. Completion is obvious as each piece of equipment has a specific slot. My only complaint is there's limited room for armor and shields, so you'll end up selling some of it. Comparing weapons and armor is possible only by equipping and checking stats in a separate window, but at least there's an option for it.
Rating: 4

The one item I missed

Explorer
The world is fun to explore, but the game railroads your progress so often that there's no reason to stray off course. Locked doors I could live with, statues blocking an entrance raised an eyebrow, but when the game developers reached down and said, "no, go to that town first to gain access to this cave," I really couldn't look past it. There isn't anything to see for fun; it's all there for the main quest, and it all starts to look the same. Characters and monsters are a single color, and the music started getting repetitive. I enjoyed the game though, so I gave this section an extra point.
Rating: 3

Instead of reprogramming the computer we must destroy it!

Final Rating: 18 [30%]

With that it's time to move on. If you're looking for a quick recap of the game, then you could do worse than watch the speedrun done in 1:09:06. It should be getting an update soon; the person who ran it the first time has already beaten the time by 3 minutes.

Next up for the blog is Dungeon Magic for the NES, not to be confused with an arcade game of the same name. This is another I played when I was younger. I don't remember beating it. I believe we only rented the game, and once my older brother beat a game we usually returned it.

Game 15: Crystalis (NES) - Finished!

Let's just stand here and enjoy the view

I'm glad this was a short game. I realized I wasn't having any more fun with it some time in the middle of the last post. There's a diminishing returns of sorts when playing through a game, especially if the variety of activities is limited.

Crystalis as an example, has the player explore overland, dungeons, and towns in order to talk to NPCs and gather the correct items. Combat is simplistic at first, but adds some novelty with charged shots. Magic is more utility than active during fights. So, about midway through it felt like all fights were nearly identical, and I was just going through more of the same until I reached the end.

I'll save the rest of the analysis for the final rating though. When I last left off, I was chasing Draygon. During my escape from the castle I found an area with the Leather Boots, useful for walking safely over poison; Battle Armor, which strangely has no value when I try to sell it; and the Power Ring, which I neglected but increases attack power.

I also remembered I needed flight to get this treasure

Heading south into the desert I found the town of Sahara. The people gave me some info that I was on the right track, and I now had a place to purchase Magic Rings, which fully restore MP. I found the Pyramid Draygon was said to escape to on the other side of town.

Let's really make sure the player has flight

Inside was a maze of corridors; at the very center waited Draygon. He moved so quickly that I game overed the first time I met him.

Well that was quick

After defeating Draygon here, the floor opened up when I picked up the Psycho Armor he dropped. Below I found Azteca wounded. I wasn't sure what he was doing here, but he gave me a Bow of Truth to use on Draygon when I faced him again. (We knew we had to face him again, right?)

North of the Pyramid was a lower entrance. Guarding this passage were two lion statues. Luckily I had already returned the Kirisa Plant to the amazon queen in exchange for the Bow of Moon. These statues are immune to all attacks and have rapid fire shots. I can't remember anyone hinting about these guys or what to do. I wonder how many players were stuck by this without the manual.

About to use the Bow of Sun

The dungeon beyond was devoid of interesting items. More often than not, side passages would only lead to dead ends. Getting to Draygon was more annoying than anything else. A new type of monster was introduced that had a shot that would transform me into a monster. Luckily this would go away when I changed screens, but there was one point where I had to navigate by flight over a pit and the shots would drop me down.

Draygon's final form is unlocked after using the Bow of Truth. Without that it will look like he's taking damage, but I burnt through three magic rings before I gave up. I had actually gone back and forth between this final dungeon and the pyramid as I was unsure which one I should beat first.

The only time Draygon's final form is vulnerable

Taking out Draygon in his final form involved waiting for him to expose his delicate heart. All other attacks clinked off his thick hide. I forgot about using Barrier, and ended up casting magic with the Storm Bracelet. After about ten storms he finally died.

Once I destroyed him Azteca was once again lying injured in his place, this time mortally. Were Azteca and Draygon the same entity?

It sounds like he created Draygon somehow, and they were also linked

I was hoping for a little more motivation from Draygon, but was disappointed when it turned out to be as simple as "because he's pure evil."

Why? Well, you know... evil

Mesia was waiting for me in the Floating Tower. This final area contained guardian robots on each floor, which need to be cleared before the stairs to the next floor appeared. In between each floor there was some exposition, which explained that my character and Mesia were part of the original team of scientists that created the tower. We were frozen, only to awaken to ensure humanity's peace if evil was ever detected.

Oh yeah, and Azteca was an android

On the final floor Mesia forged the four swords into the ultimate sword, Crystalis. I was to drive the sword into the core of the DYNA, computer controlling the tower. This final battle was a bit anticlimactic.

Crystalis shoots a giant ball of death

I ended the game having prepared for a huge final confrontation, had 3 magic rings in stock. What followed was a nice cinematic (well for the NES) credits and the ending screen at the top.

Yay for dolphins

We're left with a final congratulatory message encouraging us to follow a peaceful path for humanity's sake.

not evil, evil bad

Disappointment aside I think it's a good game; just not as great as I remembered. I recall the story as something much more interesting, and the final battle let me down. Time to wrap this up with the final rating next post and move on... I hope I'm not misremembering Dungeon Magic as well.

Session Time: 1h23m (Final Time: 7h45m)

Game 15: Crystalis (NES) - Kensu, Master of Disguise

Foreshadowing...

Taking the boat out of Portoa dropped me outside a boathouse that is mysteriously devoid of boats. Inside was Kensu, the last wise man, but he was less than helpful. I can't imagine how anyone else gets around the water. The boat I used to reach here disappeared and there weren't any others. No wonder I needed the shell flute.

I took out the shell flute, summoned the dolphin, and enjoyed a ride around the bay. I found a shrine (couldn't find anything to do at the time), a lighthouse, and a few cave entrances. The first cave was blocked by an invisible barrier.

Well thank you narrator

The town of Joel was found on a separate island, but didn't offer much in the way of useful information. Some plot points mentioned Mesia went to the other island, called Evil Spirit Island, as a sacrifice to the sorceress. So really, its only purpose is to point me towards the cave I was just at. After making the loop I found myself in a nearly deserted and dilapidated town.

Nice mindless zombie

A sorceress had come through and turned everyone into zombies... friendly zombies, not the brain eating types. I found Carl, the town of Joel's Mayor's brother, who blamed the current mess on an evil sorceress from Draygonia. Beyond the town was a fortress. Inside was a new type of enemy that I'm still unsure of how to kill. They're invisible stalkers, identified by a moving shadow.

How do I hit you?

At the end of the fortress I found Mesia standing in the middle of what I thought was a boss room. She said the sorceress was waiting in the back. Being the hero (and her repeating the same text), I headed off to face this monster only to find Mesia on a platform out of reach. I had been tricked! The only option was to drop down a pit, which put me back a few rooms.

"Go away?" Is that how you welcome your rescuer?

Once I made my way back, I interrogated the fake Mesia until she cracked. The sorceress, Sabera, one of the four generals appeared; she's decidedly the easiest of the first two. Weak against the fire sword, I used the level three spell to take her out almost immediately.

The sprite count limit really shows with this attack

The level 3 powers cost MP to use, so the only time I can really see myself using them are at bosses. The wind sword has a tornado wall that breezes past enemies too quickly to use. The fire sword has an area explosion that's more useful than D&D fireballs. The water sword has swirling snowflakes that have a good chance of hitting multiple times.

You think you've won, but you haven't

Like the first general, Sabera escaped, but not before making a dramatic escape with Mesia in tow. She left behind a broken statue. Her enchantment over the townspeople was broken, and as a reward from Carl I received the Eye Glasses. Looking in the manual I equated these to the X-Ray Goggles, which are supposed to let me "see through the secret storage room door." Well, not much of a secret now is it?

Secret door that's always been there, but not accessible until the right plot device is found

I stumbled into Kensu sleeping at the lighthouse, woke him with an alarm flute, and received the Glow Lamp. Using the lamp on the broken statue made it whole again. Placing this statue at the shrine dispersed a whirlpool blocking my egress to the next area.

Oh, was this the Angry Sea?

The next area was the town of Swan, which is controlled by the Draygonia Empire. Soldiers guarded the gateway to the next area, and won't let me pass. At least the ones in the town are less hostile.

Okay, I'm leav...why are you attacking me?

Stom was hiding out in a shack, and informed me that the last wise man, Kensu, was missing. I used telepathy and was told he was searching for something he had lost. The manual mentions a Love Pendant needed to learn the magic of disguise. Just what I needed to get past the guards.

Yeah, I just drag him off by the scruff of his neck once he stops teleporting

Well, I'm not sure how long it would have taken to find normally, but I remembered this was the hint I needed from Nintendo Power. The Love Pendant was hiding in discrete unmarked part of the underground river behind the castle of Portoa only accessible from the angry sea riding the dolphin.

For anyone still searching, it's right here

With love pendant in hand I quickly found Kensu... is what I'd like to write. In reality, I had no clue where he was. Telepathy only repeated the same "lost something" message. I searched the entire known world; backtracked to the very beginning once again. I searched everywhere. At least half an hour retracing my steps.

I suppose he does say where the Love Pendant is, too bad there's no hint about his location

At that point I did what any sane man would do, went crazy. I went through the towns paralyzing everyone. I'm not sure why I was doing this. But as soon as I paralyzed everyone in the tavern at Swan I found Kensu was there posing as a soldier.

KENSU!!!

He disappeared before I could use the amulet. It didn't take quite as long the second time around.  I found an extra girl in the party house (some rebellious teenagers setup a dance hall). I knew it was Kensu, but the Love Pendant didn't do anything. I had to paralyze her/him again, talk to him/her, and then I hurried to use the pendant. This time it worked. I don't think speed was a factor, but I wasn't taking a risk of him disappearing again.

No, I'm supposed to escort you there

I received the Change magic, which allows me to take on the guise of Stom, a random soldier, a woman, or Ahakana (the merchant I keep helping). I used the soldier disguise, and was admitted access to the next area. The town of Goa was locked down, which figures as it's the capital city of the empire. The castle was enclosed by a giant iron wall that shoots fireballs, so I looked elsewhere.

This is how I learned this disguise was Stom

Located to the southwest is Shyron, the final gathering place of the wise men. They instructed me to climb Mt. Hydra to retrieve the Thunder Sword, and provided a key to a locked gate. By this point I'm a bit sick of the dungeons that all look the same, and the step-by-step locked path I'm on. I quickly retrieved the sword I sought, and was teleported back to Shyron to speak with Azteca.

So, instead of preventing the end of the world, you waited for it happen before doing something?

After the plot updates it was back to storming the castle. My assault was cut short though as I received a message that Shyron was being attacked. I teleported back, but it was too late. Everyone in town was dead, the wise men were nowhere to be found.

I wonder if Akahana would be here if I left him as a statue

In their place I faced off against the third general, a ninja by the name of Mado. His attack was to turn into a ball and bounce around the room. Every now and then he'd stop and throw shuriken. I took him out without trouble with the help of the water sword's level three magic. He left behind a vital piece to getting through Goa castle, the Ball of Thunder. This second level magic destroys iron gates.

By destroyed he means kidnapped

Storming the castle took a good amount of time. The castle is separated into four sections where I faced off against each general; after each one, I met a wise man that refilled my health and magic.

Barrier is the only way I could get close enough to attack

The three generals were a lot more powerful. This translates to larger more frequent projectiles and increased speed. The first was easily dispatched by using the barrier spell (once I remembered I had it), which blocks projectiles. The second once again fell quickly to the same level three fire magic tactic. The third died to a final blow moments before I would have met my own demise.

Can't get much closer than this...

The final general had a special attack that would turn my character into a powerless slime. The only counter to this is an item, of which I only had one. Eventually I managed to avoid this attack, dispatched the general, and cured Kensu as well (who fell victim to the monster transformation). I was told the emperor already absconded with Mesia to a Pyramid, and I should use the back way to get out... there's a back way?

...the other side of the coin; I failed as the boss died

I received flight, which was needed to exit the back way. According to the manual there's only the Pyramid and the Tower in the Sky as the areas left unexplored. With this post out of the way, I won't feel so far behind in my updates as I press on towards the end.

Whee~~

Session Time: 2h57m (Total Time: 6h22m)

Game 15: Crystalis (NES) - Trigger Happy

I keep getting ahead of myself. My past experience with the game has given me some insight, but at the same time I end up jumping past plot points and triggers. I know eventually I'm supposed to get behind the queen's chamber and discover... something.

Admit it; you're the queen!

I tried to paralyze the queen and fortune teller, but they were immune; I moved on to explore the countryside. Inside a cave behind the waterfall were some petrified townsfolk blocking my way deeper. I returned to town, but the queen was just as unhelpful; however, this time I noticed after being sent away with the "I'm tired" message that the guard now moved to block my return.

Quick, take my picture

I paralyzed the guard and found I couldn't get very far without a way to cross the underground rivers.

I found this guy early too

Something must have triggered; the next time I spoke to the queen she provided me with the Flute of Lime, which cures petrification. Using this on the statues allowed me to find the Sword of Water. I was then directed to find the Lime Tree guardian to the south that previously banished me.

I also saved Akahana and received the shield ring

Arriving with the sword, I was given the ball of water. The second level power creates ice bridges. Inside the tree was a message from someone named Mesia, a being similar to my character, who was going to meet me in Draygonia.

Help me Obi-wan Kenobi...

Now to remember all the potential places to build ice bridges; I don't think there were too many. The ones nearby allowed me to get to two caves. After getting lost in the northern cave, I reached a secluded area outside the southern cave.

I got a what?

I returned to the area outside Brynmaer where a new ice bridge allowed me to reach the Amazones Village. Run by women, they discounted me (I guess my character is a man). I found the shops didn't care about my gender and sold me some new armor. I managed to find my way into the leader's house and retrieved the Blizzard Bracelet before being thrown out.

I was just looking, I swear... I mean, no, I wasn't looking

The queen had disappeared when I returned to Portoa. I found her hiding in the back where she disclosed that she was actually one of the wise men in disguise. I gained the Recover spell, and was told to find the Shell Flute before taking a boat ride.

If I knew where the Angry Sea was, I'd go there right now

I searched the cave I was previously lost in again and managed to find the Fog Lamp this time. The Shell Flute still eluded me for some time. It turns out another hidden trigger caused a dolphin to wash up in the cave behind the castle, an area I had already searched.

When did you get here?

The dolphin offered up the Shell Flute in exchange for medicinal herbs. With the new flute in hand, the boatman was now back from his fruitless search for the Fog Lamp. Returning this item allowed me free access to the boat.

Join me next post for more trigger hunting fun.

Session Time: 1h10m (Total Time: 3h25m)