Crusader of Centy

Crusader of Centy
North American cover art
Developer(s) Nextech
Publisher(s) Sega
Composer(s) Motokazu Shinoda
Platform(s) Sega Genesis
Release
  • NA: June 16, 1994
  • JP: June 17, 1994
  • EU: 1994
Genre(s) Action-adventure
Mode(s) Single-player

Crusader of Centy (also known as Soleil in Europe and Shin Sōseiki Ragnacënty (新創世紀ラグナセンティ, Shin Sōseiki Ragunasenti) (Dawn of the Era: Ragnacënty) in Japan) is an action-adventure game that was released on the Genesis/Mega Drive. The story centers on Corona, a boy who has just turned 14 years of age and must inherit his late father's sword to fight the monsters that threaten the human race's existence. Gameplay uses an overhead perspective and focuses on exploring, battling enemies with a sword, and solving puzzles. As the story progresses, numerous animals join the hero and aid him. They are used in gameplay like weapons or tools, which often grant passage to previously inaccessible areas.

Plot

In Soleil Town, a law requires that all 14-year-old boys go to train and prepare for battle. The game's hero, Corona, has just turned fourteen at the beginning of the game. As such, Corona receives the sword and shield of his father, who died in battle and had a great reputation for his bravery in defending the city.

The story is divided into two parts. Corona must first take time to discover his world and unlock the various levels that make it up. He can then access them at his leisure. During this half of the game, Corona will not have the ability to speak to humans, but only to animals and plants. Only after beating the dragon beast, Merda (Pronounced Mairdah), will the second half of the game begin: Corona has recovered the ability to talk to humans and he will travel through time to build a better world and understand why the monsters are at war with humanity. Is it really the monsters who are the barbarians of the world?

Animals

Screen shot of gameplay

Early in the game, Corona finds himself losing his ability to speak to fellow humans, and instead gaining the ability to speak to animals. Some of them will join him, lending Corona their abilities while they're "equipped". Each animal has its own special technique. The very first animal the player gets is Corona's pet dog, Mac (US version), or Johnny (UK version). He can hold enemies down for Corona to attack. Later, the player gets a penguin, named Chilly (US version), or Penguy (UK version), which will power up Corona's sword with an ice-attack. A total of 16 animals can be obtained.

Reception

Scary Larry of GamePro viewed the game as the Genesis's answer to The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past, and remarked that "While Zelda had tons of hidden surprises, weapons, and fearsome bosses (making it one of the best action/RPGs ever), Crusader of Centy has a too-familiar story line, minor enemies, and a serious shortage of puzzles." He nonetheless concluded that though Crusader of Centy would bore the average RPG gamer, it successfully appeals to its young target audience.[1] The four reviewers of Electronic Gaming Monthly contended that the game is a worthy Zelda clone, with Ed Semrad and Sushi-X going so far as to say it is equally good as the Zelda series. They identified the story and Zelda-like play mechanics as the game's strongest points, and gave the game a 7.75 out of 10.[2]

Next Generation reviewed the Genesis version of the game, rating it three stars out of five, and stated that "Centy is a mirror image of the immensely popular Zelda, and is a load of fun that Genesis owners have yet to experience."[3]

References

  1. ↑ Sir Scary Larry. Crusader of Centy Review. GamePro. Issue 79. Pg. 105. April 1995.
  2. ↑ "Review Crew: Crusader of Centy". Electronic Gaming Monthly. Ziff Davis (68): 34. March 1995.
  3. ↑ "Finals". Next Generation. No. 5. Imagine Media. May 1995. p. 99.
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