Sorcerian

IBM EGA/VGA version of Sorcerian

Sorcerian is an action-RPG developed by Nihon Falcom and first published for the NEC PC-8801 in 1987. Versions for numerous other platforms followed including a 1990 IBM PC/AT release by Sierra On-Line, Inc. Sorcerian is the fifth game in Falcom's Dragon Slayer series and takes place in the fantasy world of Pentawa, a dangerous world filled with various obstacles and numerous creatures roaming about. Players take on the role of controlling a party of adventurers appointed by the king of Pentawa to keep the land safe.

In Sorcerian players can create up to ten characters; depending on the scenario and quest selected, up to either three or four of these characters can be selected for the party to complete the quest. Characters may be male or female and there are four different classes of characters that can be chosen (fighter, wizard, elf, and dwarf). Each combination has it's own strengths, weaknesses, and limitations on equipment or items that can be used. There are additionally a wide varity of occupations available for selection which combined with the sex and class help determine the stats of strength, intelligence, protection, magic resistance, vitality, dexterity, and karma. Each character begins at age 16 when created; as time passes in the game by beginning new scenarios, training the character in town, enchanting items, and more the character's age will increase until finally reaching old age. Once old, the character will eventually die at a random time. The age considered old age varies depending on the class of character chosen.

Each quest is shown from a side-scrolling point of view. Players control all of the characters in their party at once which form a line and perform movements and actions in unison. This part of the game takes place in real time with each character able to perform unique physical and magic based attacks dependent on their class and stats. To complete each quest players need to battle enemies found throughout the world and complete tasks that are given. There are other characters to talk to for clues or other information and many items that can be acquired. When leaving a quest (regardless of if it's completed) any items picked up can be divided among the surviving party members. Each quest takes place in a large, maze-like area with many locations and buildings to explore. There are puzzles to solve as well, and in some cases solving puzzles or reaching some areas requires certain characters traits (for example, if a door is stuck it still may be possible to open it with a particularly strong character). As enemies are defeated and quests completed, characters will increase in rank allowing more difficult challenges to be taken on.

Sorcerian includes three scenarios each of which is broken up into five individual quests. While players can select a quest in any order, the game recommends playing them in sequence due to the increasing difficulty of each quest. Expansion packs were also released for some platforms including the PC-8801 and MSX which contain additional quests.