![ActRaiser [Model SHVC-AR] screenshot](images/game/61007_2.png "ActRaiser [Model SHVC-AR]")
ăąăŻăăŹă€ă¶ăŒ © 1990 Enix, Limited.
(ActRaiser)
ActRaiser is a genre-defining hybrid that masterfully blends side-scrolling action with top-down deity simulation. The story begins after Satan, having defeated the gods of old, returns to divide the world into six corrupted provinces, each ruled by a powerful demon lord. Responding to the desperate plea of a winged cherub, the playerâas The Masterâdescends from the heavens to reclaim these lost lands and dismantle the forces of evil.
The gameplay is divided into two distinct, complementary phases. In the Act phases, the player takes control of an armored knight in intense side-scrolling platforming sequences, clearing the terrain of monsters to make the land habitable for humans. Once an area is cleared, the simulation phase begins. As a deity, the player guides the growth of small human settlements, clearing obstacles and directing town expansion. While the cherub assists by firing arrows at the monsters spawning from nearby lairs, the player must foster the population's growth. As the civilization thrives, villagers uncover magic artifacts and make crucial technological discoveriesâsuch as bridge-buildingâthat enable them to seal monster lairs and achieve independence. Once a region is liberated and peaceful, the player is free to descend upon the next province to continue the crusade against Satan.
![Goodies for ActRaiser [Model SHVC-AR]](images/covermini160/61007_1.jpg)
GAME ID: SHVC-AR
ActRaiser was released on December 16, 1990 (Sunday) in Japan at a retail price of 8,000 JPY.
The game sold 400,000 copies sold in Japan.
Genre Fusion: ActRaiser is frequently cited as one of the most successful examples of "genre fusion" in gaming history. By seamlessly blending Populous-style god-simulation mechanics with side-scrolling Castlevania-style action, it created a unique gameplay loop that few developers have successfully replicated since.
The Yuzo Koshiro Soundtrack: The gameâs score, composed by the legendary Yuzo Koshiro, is considered one of the greatest soundtracks on the Super Famicom. Because the console's sound chip was limited, Koshiro used an unconventional method to create his music, writing the tracks in a way that mimicked real orchestral instruments, giving the game a distinct "symphonic" sound that pushed the hardware to its absolute limit.
Quintetâs Creative Philosophy: This was the debut title for Quintet, a studio formed by former Nihon Falcom employees. They would go on to develop Soul Blazer, Illusion of Gaia, and Terranigma, creating an unofficial trilogy of action-RPGs that share spiritual and thematic DNA with ActRaiser.
The "Flying" Cherub: While the player controls the Master in the action sequences, the cherub is the constant companion throughout the simulation phases. Interestingly, in the Japanese version, the cherub is often depicted as more mischievous and personality-driven, whereas the Western marketing leaned into him being a purely subservient "angelic" guide.
A Technical Benchmark: Upon its 1990 release, ActRaiser was a key showcase title for the Super Famicomâs Mode 7 graphics and sound capabilities. It proved to critics that the 16-bit console wasn't just capable of arcade ports, but could also support complex, multi-layered game design that required significant processing power.
Export releases:
[US] ActRaiser [Model SNS-AR-USA]
[EU] "ActRaiser [Model SNSP-AR-EUR]"
[FR] ActRaiser [Model SNSP-AR-FRA/SFRA]
[GE] ActRaiser [Model SNSP-AR-NOE/SFRG]
Reviews:
[FR] 1990 - Consoles + HS N.2: 85/100
Soundtrack album releases:
[JP] Actraiser (ALCA-105) (1/25/1991) [Alfa Record]
[JP] Actraiser Synphonic Suite (originally mispelled) [Arrange] (ALCA-182) [Alfa Record]
