Exile (video game)

::"For the BBC Micro, Acorn Electron, Commodore 64, Commodore Amiga, CD32 and Atari ST computer game, see Exile (arcade adventure)."::::"For the shareware Apple Macintosh and Microsoft Windows role-playing game series see Exile (computer game)."

"Exile" (known as XZR in Japan) is an action/role-playing video game series for the Turbo CD, MSX and Sega Genesis developed by Nippon Telenet. The Turbo CD version was released in English by Working Designs, and the Genesis version was released in English by Renovation Products.

=Games=

XZR (1988, MSX)

Released in 1988 for the MSX in Japan, XZR introduces us to the anti-hero and protagonist of the series. Sadler is a Syrian assassin, on a journey to kill his father, a Caliph.

Exile/XZR II: Toki No Hazama (1989, MSX2, Turbo-CD, Sega Genesis)

Originally released for the MSX2, XZR II was treated to a full 16-bit remake in 1991, featuring cutscenes and a brand new redbook audio soundtrack. Also, the dungeons were much less difficult to navigate in the 16-bit versions, as the original game's were maze-like, and far too easy to completely lose one's way.

The plot of the game was very unusual, detailing the further adventures of Sadler, now living in the time of the Christian crusades (roughly 1120 A.D), to attempt to unite the world under one god and achieve world peace. He meets many historical figures along the way, such as Hugues de Payens (who plays a major role) and Pythagoras. Along the way, he performs a Masonic ritual in an attempt to revive Noah, and slaughters many Hindu and Buddhist deities. Eventually he has a final battle against Hiram Abiff.

Characters

* Sadler - Protagonist of the series, an assassin who will not stand for oppression.
* Rumi - Sadler's apparent love interest, an agent skilled in nine languages, and deadly knife arts.
* Kindi - Syrian civilian's militia leader. The strong silent-type, evidence shows that Kindi may be a mute.
* Fakhyle - Friend of Sadler, Rumi, and Kindi. An elderly, but highly skilled mage.
*. Yuug requests that Sadler search for the Holimax to save the world.
*Milieu de Payens - Hugh's sister, engaged to Prince Lahma
*Prince Lahma
*Joffre - A member of the Camu Unit, sent to Africa to search for the Holimax
*Noah
*Ninkan - A Japanese cult leader, imprisoned for his beliefs. Sadler must break him out of jail.
*Pythagoras
* [http://www.masoncode.com/The%20Juwes.htm Jubela, Jubelo & Jubelum]
*Hiram Abiff

Locations

*Syria
*Albi
*Africa
*India
*Europe
*Japan
*Greece
*Temple of Solomon
*The Garden of Eden

Important terms

*Holimax (speculated to be the Holy Grail) - An artifact said to unite all people under one god. Yuug's search for it begins Sadler's journey. Later in the game, it appears that every culture has a "Holimax" of their own.
*Triangular Lake - man-made lake by Pythagoras which seems to hold the secret to time travel and fabricated dimensional distortions.

English versions

Both the translations provided by Renovation and Working Designs changed the names of the characters, locations and organizations. It is not entirely clear whether this was a case of censorship, or simply translation difficulties. Due to this, several reviews state that both translations make the plot very difficult to understand, and the Renovations translation in particular is near incomprehensible.fact|date=August 2007

Interestingly, a few bits and pieces managed to slip by the censors. A town of crucified heretics being burned alive was left in the Working Designs release. Numerous cases of profanity and sexual innuendo were translated in Renovations' release (which was particularly unusual for a domestic cartridge game).

Exile: Wicked Phenomenon/XZR: Janen no Jishou

The third game in the series was released for the Turbo CD in 1992, and translated by Working Designs in 1993. Although Sadler returns as the main character, this was the only game in the series that allowed the playerr to use other characters. The heavy religious elements were no more. Characters who perished in earlier games were revived with little or no explanation. The game was also considerably shorter than the previous entries in the series.

Drug Usage

One notable aspect of the series is Sadler's usage of drugs. Instead of potions, medical herbs, etc., Sadler uses narcotics such as coca, opiates, LSD, and peyote to heal himself or increase other attributes. In XZR, there were side-effects, including death. The side effects were eliminated in the sequels, and the drug names were changed for the western releases. Opiates were changed to "Heartpoisons".

Additional Facts

Sadler and his Syrian companions are most likely followers of Aga Khan. This is pointed to repeatedly throughout the series: Sadler kills a Muslim Caliph because of the Caliph's persecution and oppression of Sadler's people. When Aga Khan was formed in the 11th century, its followers were persecuted for their belief system. Not only is Sadler an assassin, taking up residence in a hidden community of assassins, he also believes that nothing is true and everything is permissible, similarly to Hassan I Sabbah, Aga Khan's founder. This could also explain Sadler's use of drugs.

ee also

* Crusades
* Freemasonry
* Knights Templar
* RiOT

References

External links

* [http://www.fantasyanime.com/garden/cd_exile.htm Turbo-CD "Exile" at FantasyAnime] screen captures