Previous Next

When the evil Gods decide to make trouble, they really go to town. The town where all the good guys live. The temples of the Dark Ones are spilling out monstrous creations to destroy the buildings and crops of the innocent. Only total eradication will stop them - and only one hero has the power...

ActRaiser is split between a Populous-style overhead-viewed strategy game and a scrolling arcade slash-'em-up that begins and ends each level. The strategy game stars a cherub, who flies around disposing of enemies with his bow and arrows in shoot-'em-up style. Meanwhile, the faithful people build houses, plant crops, and use magic to zap the evil hideouts.

The followers invent items when asked, which range from corn to bridges. Once all the nasty bases have been zapped, it's into a flying cloud and on to the next arcade sequence to guide your knight against even more energy-sapping beasties.

There are six levels in all, and they're set over different landscapes including desert, arctic conditions, and a pleasant pastoral area. Each needs its own tactics, as creating the best conditions for worshippers is no easy task.

1. Create
   The people pray to the God for inspiration and then rush out and make a useful item. What is made depends on the level of civilisation they've reached; anything from spells to bread can appear!
2. Build
   The most important icon, this gets the happy folk to rush out of their homes and build some more, along with fields to supply crops. Obstacles must be cleared first!
3. Use
   When the followers have made something, use this icon to give it to them. Things can be transferred between levels, so if one settlement has a useful item it can be sent over to poorer cousins!

The arcade sections contain a bewildering array of nasties to hack to shreds. Midget trolls guard the first few levels, and in the desert sequences huge sand snakes erupt from the floor.

The bosses themselves are particularly unpleasant, with many more energy boxes than the hero!

A giant Manticore, Egyptian Mummy, sorcerer (who becomes a werewolf) and a flying devil guard the exits of the levels. Pushovers they ain't!

During the arcade sequence, there are silver angel statues which are hacked open to reveal a useful icon.

1. Half Apple
   Gives your knight three extra energy points.
2. Full Apple
   Replaces all lost energy.
3. Flag
   Collect these to increase your spell power.
4. 500 Points
   Add an extra 500 points to your score.
5. 1000 Points
   A big 1000 extra points on your score.
6. 1-Up
   Endow your knight with an extra life.

At first glance, this looked like a Populous rip-off with its "control your minions" idea. Once I studied the game in more depth, its great playability came apparent.

The arcade sections are fantastic, and feature the best music ever heard on console or computer and offer a challenge that's tough without being dispiriting. The graphics are also outstanding, especially in the final showdown.

The strategic element works well, although it may put off some people - they'd be silly to miss a game of this quality. If you've a Super Famicom, this must be your next purchase!

Although this has loads of Japanese text, understanding it isn't vital to the game, and while i might look complicated, it's surprisingly easy to control the action once you've learned what the icons do.

And once you get into it, it's difficult to stop playing. The creation part is enjoyable, but the best bits are the six graphically incredibly parallax-scrolling arcade levels (just check out the screenshots). Not only do they look good, but they sound utterly amazing - it's like there's a full orchestra inside the Super Famicom!

The gameplay is tough, almost frustrating at times, but the quality of the entire program is so good, you just keep on coming back for more.

If you're lucky enough to own a Super Famicom, this is an absolute must.

Presentation 92%
Excellent in-game presentation, plus an arcade game option!

Graphics 91%
Some graphics in the God sectioon are a little basic, but in the arcade sections prepare to be more than impressed!

Sound 96%
Incredible medieval tunes are heard in half the game, and superb cinematic epic scores in the other!

Playability 91%
Once the bizarre control is sussed on the strategy, it's fun all the way. The action game's challenging and exciting.

Lastability 86%
With six huge levels and an incredibly difficult finale, it's no easy task to finish this!

Overall 91%
A brilliant game that has it all - a chubby cherub, tons of action and massive monsters. Who could ask for more?