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Sorcerian

Sega Genesis

Sega Genesis

Sorcerian is the fifth game in the Dragon Slayer series. It is set in the fantasy land known as Pentawa, whose inhabitants are in constant need of protection from ferocious creatures roaming the wilderness. The king of Pentawa hires a party of adventurers, and their first assignment is to retriev...

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Developer
Sega Enterprises

Released on
1990

Size
1 Player

Version
Sega Genesis

Requirements
Sega Genesis

Downloads
Role-Playing

ESRB Rating
Not Rated

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Description

Sorcerian is the fifth game in the Dragon Slayer series. It is set in the fantasy land known as Pentawa, whose inhabitants are in constant need of protection from ferocious creatures roaming the wilderness. The king of Pentawa hires a party of adventurers, and their first assignment is to retrieve a precious sceptre from a dungeon, where it is guarded by the evil demonic lord Ouks.

The game is an RPG with an unusual side-scrolling perspective and action-based combat, somewhat of a cross between Wizardry and platform games. Despite being a Japanese game, Sorcerian resembles Western RPGs of its time, focusing more on character development than story. In the beginning, the player creates a party of four characters, choosing between fighter, wizard, elf, and dwarf (races and classes are not distinguished). Beside the usual inns and shops, there are many things that can be done in the towns of the game, including complex development of magical spells (up to 120 spells of different disciplines), training to raise personal skills (strength, intelligence, etc.), enchanting weapons with elemental magic, as well as looking for part-time jobs.

The view switches to side-scrolling when the party ventures into a hostile area. Combat is performed in real time, with the player controlling the entire party at once. The lead character can be changed at any time, and battle actions will be carried out by whoever is in front. Melee attacks and magic spells are unleashed by pressing corresponding buttons. The characters can also jump and interact with objects by bumping into them. Dungeons are usually maze-like, and some contain simple puzzles such as finding and activating hidden switches to open doors.

Sorcerian

Overview & History

Developed by Falcom and ported to the Sega Genesis in 1990 by Compile, Sorcerian is a fascinating hybrid of action-platforming and party-based role-playing. Originally released on Japanese computers, the Genesis version was meticulously redesigned, featuring stunning sprite work and an unforgettable, driving chiptune soundtrack by Yuzo Koshiro. The game's narrative revolves around the mythical floating land of Sorcerian, which faces doom as five distinct evil deities threaten its peace. To combat this, players manage a guild of up to ten adventurers across four distinct scenarios—or "Acts"—ranging from battling dark wizards to exploring haunted castles. Characters age in real-time as in-game years pass between scenarios, forcing you to eventually retire veteran heroes and pass their hard-earned magic items down to their children.

Gameplay Features & Mechanics

Unlike traditional dungeon crawlers, Sorcerian plays out across side-scrolling stages packed with platforming hazards, destructible environments, and relentless monster spawns. Before embarking on a quest, you assemble a party of four characters, each chosen from four classic classes: Fighter, Wizard, Elf, and Dwarf. Each class possesses unique stat growths, movement speeds, and combat proficiencies. Wizards and Elves wield devastating elemental spells—ranging from fireballs to lightning storms—which require consuming magic points and specific spell cards purchased in the town hub. Combat requires precise timing, as enemies swarm from all angles, and environmental traps like poison gas and crumbling bridges demand constant vigilance. Town management is equally crucial; between quests, you must buy food rations to prevent party starvation, purchase heavier armor, resurrect fallen comrades at the temple, and carefully assign inventory items before setting foot back into the perilous wilderness.