Crusader of Centy

Crusader of Centy
Cover art of Crusader of Centy (North American version)
Developer(s)	Nextech
Publisher(s)	Sega NA Atlus
Distributor(s)	Sega
Composer(s)	Motokazu Shinoda
Platform(s)	Mega Drive/Genesis
Release date(s)	NA June 16, 1994 JP June 17, 1994 EU 1994
Genre(s)	Action-adventure
Mode(s)	Single-player
Rating(s)	ESRB: Kids to Adults
Media/distribution	16-megabit cartridge (Physical)

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^?) in Japan) is an action RPG game that was released on the Mega Drive/Genesis. The story centers on Corona, a boy who has just turned 14 years of age. It is time for him to inherit his father's sword and fight the "monsters" that threaten the human race's very existence, attaining animals to help his quest along the way. The game's storyline is remarkable for questioning many of the traditional concepts of fantasy role-playing games, such as that monsters are inherently 'evil'.

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. 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. Only after beating a huge dragon 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 gaining the ability to speak to animals instead. 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, Johnny (UK version), or Mac (US 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 an ice-attack. A total of 16 animals like this can be obtained.

Reception

The game scored well with reviewers who viewed the game as an answer to The Legend of Zelda for the Mega Drive/Genesis and as perfectly suited to the younger audience it targeted.^[1]

Trivia

• Sega's mascot Sonic the Hedgehog makes a cameo appearance at Anemone Beach.
• The American version contains several grammatical errors, most of which were fixed in the European release.
• The European release also changed several puzzle solutions, character sayings and animal names.
• Box art for the game varies dramatically between US, Europe and Japan
• There are a few biblical references in the game. Corona must travel to the heavens through the Tower of Babel, and the monster in the Root Temple is named Leviathan.

References

1. ^ Sir Scary Larry. Crusader of Centy Review. GamePro. Issue 69. Pg. 105. April 1995.

External links

• Crusader of Centy at MobyGames
• RPGClassics Shrine