Taito's side-scrolling hack and slash arcade game known as Rastan on North American shores is known as Rastan Saga in Japan (so it would follow that Rastan Saga II there, should have been Rastan II here, but it doesn't - don't lose any sleep over this). Doubt the authenticity of this nonsense? Never fear, Taito has laced the game with more than its fair share of kitsch gibberish in the brooding screens between levels. A brave savage must turn the tide! I couldn't make this up if I wanted to, believe me. An evil contingent has moved in and taken over the Skyscraper by force. "Ī mysterious edifice known as ''Skyscraper'' controls the land of Rastania somehow. p. 63."A mysterious edifice known as ''Skyscraper'' controls the land of Rastania somehow. ^ "Game Machine's Best Hit Games 25 - テーブル型TVゲーム機 (Table Videos)".^ MSX Magazine (MSXマガジン) (in Japanese).^ a b c d Edgeley, Clare (April 1987).^ a b Akagi, Masumi (13 October 2006).The ZX Spectrum version was awarded 9/10 in the July 1988 issue of Your Sinclair, and was placed at number 54 in the Your Sinclair Top 100 list. Your Sinclair reviewed the ZX Spectrum version, rating it 9 out of 10. Ĭonsole XS reviewed the Sega Master System version of Rastan Saga, giving it an 88% score. The game drew comparisons to the character Conan the Barbarian, Capcom's platformer Ghosts 'n Goblins (1985), and Konami's run-and-gun shooter Green Beret (1985). Tim Rolf of Sinclair User called it a "hacking and a-slaying" game that is "very, VERY good." Peter Shaw of Your Sinclair also gave it a positive review in 1987, with the magazine later calling it the "best ever slash 'n' slice 'em up" in 1988. Ĭlare Edgeley of Computer and Video Games reviewed the arcade game upon release, stating the "coin-op of the month has GOT to be Taito's suberb Rastan Saga" with praise for the "beautifully drawn and very realistic" graphics, fast-paced action and addictive gameplay. In Japan, Game Machine listed Rastan on their issue as being the second most successful table arcade unit of the month. The rare golden sheep's head restores Rastan's health completely. There are also jewels that gives out bonus points, as well potion bottles that restore or deplete the player's health depending on the color. Rastan can only wield one weapon at a time (a mace, an axe, a fireball-shooting sword, or his standard sword), as well as only one type of protector (a shield, a mantle, or a body armor), but other items (such as the necklace and ring) can be worn at the same time. When Rastan picks up any equipable item, an icon will appear on the lower right corner of the screen as an indicator of the item's effect until it wears out. The Ring will remain equipped on Rastan for the entirety of his current life, even carrying over to the next stage. All the weapons and power-ups picked by Rastan will be equipped only for a limited time, except for the Ring power up. The player can pick up any item by touching it, as well as new weapons by striking them with his current one. The Hydra, a five-headed snake-like monster.King Slay, a demonic winged sword-master.King Graton, a halberd-wielding skeletal warrior.The game's bosses (names according to the MSX2 version ), in order of appearance, consist of: The backgrounds of the outdoor areas feature broad landscapes with changing sunlight effects with detail. There are a total of six rounds, each consisting of three areas: an outdoor scene, a castle scene and a throne room where the player must confront the stage's boss. The game uses a health gauge system along with limited lives, although certain obstacles (such as falling into a body of water or being crushed by a spiked ceiling) will instantly kill Rastan regardless of how much health he has left. By using the joystick in combination with either button, the player can determine the height of Rastan's jumps, as well as the direction he swings his weapon (including downwards while jumping). The controls of Rastan consists of an eight-way joystick, a button for attacking, and a button for jumping.