Sword of Vermilion

Infobox VG


developer = Sega-AM2
publisher = Sega
released =

; Sega Mega Drive: Vgrelease|Japan|JPN|December 1989
Vgrelease|United States|USA|November 1990; Virtual Console: Vgrelease|Japan|JPN|27 February 2007
Vgrelease|Europe|EUR|2 March 2007
Vgrelease|United States|USA|5 March 2007

genre = Console role-playing game
modes = Single player
platforms = Sega Mega Drive, Virtual Console
media = 5 megabit cartridge
input = Control pad

"Vermilion" (Known as "Sword of Vermilion" outside Japan) is a console role-playing game developed and published by Sega in 1989 for the Mega Drive. It is the first console-exclusive game designed by Yu Suzuki.

The game is part of the Sega Genesis Collection for the PlayStation 2 and PlayStation Portable. It was released on the Wii's Virtual Console in Japan on 27 February 2007, in Europe on 2 March 2007 and in North America on 5 March 2007.

Storyline

"Sword of Vermilion" is about the role of Erik's son, who takes on a quest of revenge to defeat Tsarkon and free the world of Vermilion from evil.

In the town of Excalabria the people went about their business, and tended to the fields. One day, vicious fighting broke out everywhere as the army from Cartahena, led by the wizard-king Tsarkon, swarmed all over the town. The townsmen were overwhelmed, and the castle of King Erik V collapsed. Erik V summoned his bravest, strongest and most faithful warrior, Blade, and gave him his infant son and an ancient family heirloom, the ring of wisdom. Erik ordered Blade to save himself and the child while the castle burned. Blade traveled to a small village named Wyclif, where he settled down and raised the child as his own son. Eighteen years later, the son of Erik begins his quest.

The Sword of Vermilion becomes the most powerful weapon at the end of the game. Erik's son saves the world of Vermilion and fulfills the prophecy of the Malaga fortune tellers.

Gameplay

The gameplay features different views and play style from the more traditional RPGs at the time.

* The "Town View" would utilize the typical overhead angle found in most RPGs. This is the only view where the player's status cannot be viewed during gameplay.
* The "Battle View" would be a tilt overhead view where the player takes full control of the character in real-time combat action. The player can use weapons and magic. There is nothing that is menu-based.
* The "Dungeon View" would be in a first person perspective where an array of sprites represent the maze corridors' walls.
* The "Boss View" puts the player up against a boss resembling a platform game.

Release

After the release of Phantasy Star II from the previous year, Sword of Vermilion was the main RPG launched during the "Genesis does what Nintendon't" campaign.

The Sword of Vermilion would be one of the last Sega Mega Drive RPGs to come with a box sized hint book. The hint book was 106 pages long.

External links

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