Check out Part 1, Threads of Fate, here.
Soul Blazer is part of a trilogy of games that includes Illusion of Gaia and Terranigma and was developed by Quintet, published by Enix and released in the USA in late 1992. Even though the game is nearly three and a half decades old, it still provides players with an experience that is different than most video games, even by today’s standards, and allows gamers to see what Enix was up to well before the Square merger.
The game begins in Green Valley, seemingly devoid of any life and looking basic. In fact, the temptation could be to turn away as I once did in the mid 1990s, but don’t. Your mission is to get rid of the evil that has spread across the land because of the enigmatic Deathtoll. As you get rid of the countless enemies you soon encounter, you seal up the monster lairs that they spawn from.
For each lair you seal, you release different parts of what once made Green Valley a thriving community. This could be an animal, a plant, or simply creating another path to delve deeper into the current dungeon, allowing you to release more lairs. Later on, in new areas, these lairs will also release humans, mermaids, and more! This is an action RPG, so the game is fast-paced and requires quick reactions. The hit detection is solid, even bordering on generous, as there were times I didn’t think I actually hit an enemy but scored a strike anyway.
There are many special items you need to collect throughout your journey that will either open up new paths or that you need to deliver to one of the living beings you have previously freed from the monster lairs. Some of them are quite difficult to find and either require patience and thinking outside the box, or failing that, a glance at a walkthrough. 2 or 3 times I got stuck as the hints the game provides are sometimes cryptic. Be aware that you’ll have to bring specific items back to past regions several times.
At first glance, it might seem like equipment, swords, armor, and magic are basic, and not very complicated. But you need to keep in mind that weapons and armor often serve a secondary purpose. The bubble armor, for example, is not just stronger than what you currently have, the ice armor, but also allows you to breathe underwater. Sometimes, even when you have stronger armor, it might make more sense to switch back to a previous armor because it protects against the current enemies or elements. The elemental mail will protect against damage zones, for example.
Swords operate under the same concept. The Zantetsu sword, which you get around the midway point of the game defeats monsters with special armor that the lucky blade could not even scratch. So, even though that lucky blade gives you an increased number of gems, you will have to put it away at times and forgo those extra gems to damage some enemies. The recovery sword, much later in the game, is not just stronger than most but recovers HP with each strike. Another sword will defeat metal armors that were once immune to your strikes, so it often pays to revisit old areas to re-explore them with the new equipment you have.
The story is basic but has a few interesting aspects. You, as the protagonist, are kind of like an angel, sent from above to bring life to a land that has become barren because of this evil Deathtoll. Along the way, there is a basic, cliche love story, although how you meet is unexpected. Through a painting, of all things, you get a deeper understanding of the backstory of Soul Blazer and the game delivers a few interesting ideas about life.
The music is memorable because of its uniqueness. Many of the tracks you hear in dungeons are, to be quite frank, funky and upbeat. Music in the towns is not as memorable, but still good, helping to form a world that is special to Soul Blazer and a slight air of mystery.
The graphics are unspectacular but get the job done, and what it lacks in beauty, it makes up for in just how much variety there is between the different regions and even within the same region at times, such as Oceania which is not just underwater but has some active volcanoes and even a sunken ship. Later on, you will travel to an abandoned lab and even a gigantic castle that will truly test your skills.
Soul Blazer offers an average level of challenge that will only punish a player if they get sloppy or rush. If you are somewhat meticulous, enemies will be easy to dispatch and only pose a problem if you allow yourself to be ganged up on by trying to move too quickly. The bosses can be somewhat tough, but after repeated attempts, patterns emerge and you can take them down without too much trouble.
This game is about 10 hours, at most, and will end before it becomes too tedious. Overall, Soul Blazer is a relic from the past that should still generate interest among video game fans interested in retro gaming. Check this game out if you haven’t!
Wayback Wednesday Volume 1: Final Fantasy 7 and Chrono Trigger.
Wayback Wednesday Volume 2: Super Metroid and Castlevania: Symphony of the Night.
Wayback Wednesday Volume 3: The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past and Lunar: Silver Star Story Complete
Wayback Wednesday Volume 4: Secret of Mana and Wild Arms
Wayback Wednesday Volume 5: Illusion of Gaia and Grandia
Wayback Wednesday Volume 6: Breath of Fire 3 and X-Men Legends
Wayback Wednesday Volume 7: Star Ocean: The Second Story and Super Mario RPG
Wayback Wednesday Volume 8: Demon's Crest and Dragon Quest VI
Wayback Wednesday Volume 9: Suikoden I and Jeanne d'Arc
Wayback Wednesday Volume 10: Ranking the first 6 Final Fantasy games
Wayback Wednesday Volume 11: Earthbound and Valkyrie Profile
Wayback Wednesday Volume 12: Legend of Legaia and Secret of Evermore