Landstalker - The treasures of King Nolo
Landstalker - The Treasures of King Nole | |||
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Original title | ラ ン ド ス ト ー カ ー 皇帝 の 財宝 | ||
transcription | Randosutōkā / Landstalker: Kōtei no Zaihō | ||
Studio | Climax Entertainment | ||
Publisher | Sega | ||
Erstveröffent- lichung |
October 30, 1992 March 31, 1993 October 1993 |
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platform |
Mega Drive Nintendo Switch Virtual Console ( Wii ) Windows |
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genre | Action adventure | ||
Game mode | Single player | ||
control | Gamepad | ||
medium | module | ||
language | Japanese, German, English | ||
Age rating |
Landstalker - The Treasures of King Nolo (OT: Japanese ラ ン ド ス ト ー カ ー 皇帝 の 財宝 , Landstalker: Kōtei no Zaihō ) is a 16-bit video game for the Sega Mega Drive . It has isometric graphics that give the player a three-dimensional look. The game was developed by the Japanese company Climax Entertainment and has been translated into several European languages. The soundtrack for the game was composed by Motoaki Takenouchi .
In 2007, an emulated version of the title was released on the Virtual Console platform for Nintendo Wii . In Germany, too, the English-language version was used.
action
The hero Niels von Ahorn (English Nigel, French and Japanese Ryle (ラ イ ルRairu )), a young elf and treasure hunter, accidentally makes the acquaintance of the nymph Flora (English and Japanese Friday (フ ラ イ デ ーFuraidē )), after he was doing a dangerous job. Flora is pursued by a gang of crooks, consisting of the leader Kayla and two bumbling figures named Ink and Wally. The trio wants to find out from Flora the exact whereabouts of King Nolo's treasures. Niels helps Flora hide from the pursuers, whereupon she promises him to show him the treasures of King Nolo.
King Nolo, once a cruel and legendary ruler, has hidden his treasure on the island of Merkator. Therefore, Niels and Flora set off on the back of a huge eagle to the said island. Once there, they make friends with the residents of the village of Massan. Then they explore the island and also return to the capital of the island, Merkator. The arrogant Duke of the city turns out to be deceitful and it turns out that he is also looking for the treasures of Nolo. Other adventurers are also interested in the legendary gold. With many enemies, adversaries and competitors behind them, the duo still manages to get closer and closer to the treasure. Ultimately, they manage to enter and traverse the ancient labyrinth of the war king. In the end, they meet the undead king, with whom Niels fights one last battle. After he dies, the dragon Gola appears, a primal power of the island, which Niels also defeats.
In the German (as well as the original Japanese) version of the game, however, all the gold falls into an abyss and is lost forever. Niels and Flora take it sadly and calmly and decide to have more adventures. In other language versions of the game, however, Niels and Flora can get the gold.
Gameplay
Landstalker is a classic action adventure. As the game progresses, Niels gets better and better swords, armor and items. He meets all kinds of strange characters, has to explore caves, visit villages, solve puzzles, fight fights and have conversations. Some dialogues are written downright funny. Built-in mini-games regularly provide variety. The nymph Flora only appears directly when Niels is wounded (and heals him) or occasionally takes part in important conversations. Otherwise it is hidden in his backpack.
The game follows a set course of action, but you can move freely in the world and always return to places you have already visited. Likewise, some tasks are optional and offer added value for the protagonist when done - for example, a tree can serve as a teleporter within the island if you help it to get rid of pests.
Sequels & offshoots
Heart of Diamond was the only direct successor to Landstalker, albeit not as a game. It was a fan manga by the Climax artist Yoshitaka Tamaki, who also did the character design for Landstalker, Shining Force and others. a. took over, and was launched by Landstalker fans. The manga is extremely rare to find today.
- LadyStalker (April 1, 1995 in Japan, SNES )
This game starring a female character was released exclusively in Japan.
- Dark Savior (August 30, 1996 in Japan, December 13, 1996 in North America, February 1997 in Europe, Sega Saturn )
Although the game stories have no connections, the Sega Saturn game Dark Savior, released in 1996, is traded by the fan base as the spiritual successor to Landstalker.
- Time Stalkers (Japan September 15, 1999, North America March 28, 2000, Europe November 10, 2000, Dreamcast )
For the Dreamcast 2000 the game Time Stalkers appeared, in which the two main characters reappeared.
- The future of Landstalker
In 2008 a remake of the game Landstalker was supposed to appear for the PlayStation Portable (PSP), but the project was canceled again, so that there will be no revival of Landstalker at the moment. It should be published in 3D graphics, but based on the appearance of the original. The plot should be expanded, but basic elements should be retained (status: Nov 2007).
Web links
- Landstalker at MobyGames (English)