Skyblazer

Infobox VG
title = Skyblazer


developer = Ukiyotei
publisher = Epic Sony Record, Sony Imagesoft and Sony Computer Entertainment Europe
designer =
engine =
released = ^JPN February 18, 1994 as "Karuraou" ^NA January 1994 ^EU March 25, 1994
genre = Platform game
modes = Single-player
ratings =
platforms = SFC, SNES
media = 8 megabit cartridge
requirements =
input = Super Famicom or Super NES controller

"Skyblazer" is a SNES platform video game released by Sony Imagesoft in early 1994. It involves the Skyblazer hero searching for Ashura, the Lord of War, who had kidnapped the sorceress Ariana.

"Skyblazer" was obscure at the time of its release, but has received respectable reviews from those who have played it. [cite web | title=GameFAQs reviews and profile | publisher=GameFAQs | accessdate=2007-04-08| url=http://www.gamefaqs.com/console/snes/review/588665.html] [cite web | title=GameLemon review (where screenshot was also borrowed with permission) | publisher=GameLemon | accessdate=2007-04-08| url=http://www.gamelemon.com/article_30007.jsp]

Gameplay

There are a total of 17 levels (with a few more stops on the map where the elder gives passwords to the player) and ten bosses (including the final boss, Raglan; the other nine bosses must each be fought twice, since they reappear immediately before Raglan.) An overhead map allows for movement between levels, including back to ones already completed, and its slight non-linearity allows one to skip some levels (at the cost of the magic spells and other powerups obtainable in them.)

Most of the levels are side-scrolling, but there are some levels involving flight, either automatically scrolling or in Mode 7, where the player can grab crystals towards extra lives but will exit the level upon touching a spike and falling. Also, some levels expand on the usual platform structure by including waterways whose paths can be varied with switches, and there are areas with rotating towers. Many of the bosses also use extensive Mode 7, expanding and rotating around the screen or coming in the form of rotating walls.

There are eight secondary attacks available beyond the basic punch and kick, but unlike those they require magic power:

* "Dragon Slash" — This basic secondary attack is always available with enough magic power, even before completing any levels. It fires a small curved wave with moderate attack power.

* "Comet Flash" — Sky jets straight forward, allowing him to traverse long pits of spikes, lava and other dangers.

* "Lightning Strike" — Full-screen lightning blast.

* "Star Fire" — Shot goes outward in nine directions from the player.

* "Heal" — Self-explanatory.

* "Warrior Force" — Temporary invulnerability and doubled attack power.

* "Time Stop" — Temporarily stops enemy motion; only works on one boss.

* "Fiery Phoenix" — The only weapons that can penetrate Ashura's defense.

Magic powerups, signified by flasks of red liquid in either small or large sizes, can replenish the power needed to use these. Palette-swapped flasks of green fluid restore health. There are gems of both small and large sizes; a large gem counts the same as 10 small ones, and obtaining 100 gems will give a player an extra life (much like Super Mario Brothers coins.) There are also outright 1-ups.

Credits

Game Design — Kenshi Naruse [cite web | title=MobyGames profile | publisher=GameLemon | accessdate=2007-04-08| url=http://www.mobygames.com/game/skyblazer]

Programming — Tadakatsu Makiuchi, Norihiro Tokeshi

Character Design — Teruo Nagato

Graphics — Midori Nasu, Michiyo Komura, Sadaki Matsumoto

Music — Harumi Fujita (who used a similar style, but militaristic as opposed to Indian in tone, in "Bionic Commando")

References