Rastan

Rastan

Overview & History

Originally unleashed in arcades by Taito in 1987, Rastan stormed onto the Sega Master System in 1988, expertly ported to rival the gritty, sword-and-sorcery atmosphere of the coin-op original. Set in the mythical, decaying world of Rastania, the storyline follows the eponymous rugged barbarian who is summoned by a dying queen to slay a monstrous dragon terrorizing the realm, alongside a rogue's gallery of chimeras, harpies, and undead warriors. Unlike the brightly colored platformers of the era, Rastan embraces a heavy, atmospheric dark fantasy aesthetic, complete with ruined temples, subterranean caverns, and cavernous multi-tiered lairs. While the Master System version scales down the arcade's bombastic graphical fidelity, it retains the core brutal challenge, iconic heavy metal-inspired chiptune soundtrack, and the gritty, unyielding spirit of 80s barbarian pulp fiction.

Gameplay Features & Mechanics

Rastan is a grueling, side-scrolling action-platformer divided into distinct stages, each culminating in a ferocious boss battle against mythical beasts like the Hydra and the Chimera. Players must navigate treacherous terrain filled with crumbling platforms, swinging blades, and bottomless pits. Combat is deliberate and heavy; Rastan starts with a basic broadsword, but players can collect currency dropped by fallen foes to purchase or discover vastly superior weaponry, including a crushing mace, a sweeping fire sword, and a deadly long spear. Additionally, adventurous players can unearth rare mystical artifacts—such as a protective shield, a scale that lets him breathe underwater, a protective ring, and a mantle that reduces damage. Health management is vital, as falling into pits or succumbing to relentless enemy swarms drains Rastan's limited lives quickly, making precise timing and knowledge of enemy spawn patterns mandatory for survival.

Keyboard Controls

• Arrow Keys / D-Pad: Move
• Action Keys: Attack / Jump
• Enter: Start / Pause