Platforms: Wii, PC (Microsoft Windows), DOS, Sega Mega Drive/Genesis, iOS, MSX2, Sharp X1, TurboGrafx-16/PC Engine, PC-8800 Series and PC-9800 Series
Genres: Platform, Puzzle, Role-playing (RPG) and Adventure
Themes: Action, Fantasy, Historical and Sandbox
Keywords: exploration, anime, medieval, training, murder, magic, grinding, construction, metroidvania, death, elves, action-adventure, side-scrolling, multiple protagonists, multiple endings, spin-off, dwarves, level selection, heavy metal, silent protagonist, good vs evil, day/night cycle, 8-bit, user generated content, boss fight, trainer, challenges, attributes, customizable characters, customization, leveling up, character select screen, shopping, upgradeable weapons, loot gathering, party system, collectibles, virtual console, original soundtrack release, non-player character, save point, treasure chest, character growth, character creation, moral decisions, side quests, pick your gender, branching storyline, questing, real-time combat, stat tracking, in-game map editor, optional boss, spellcaster, rock music, commerce, non-linear storytelling, item combination, merchants, fetch quests, ambient music, new protagonist in sequel, age progression, new game plus, heal over time, optional objective, on-the-fly character switching, persistent world, cliffhanger, corruption, j-pop, retroactive achievements, damage over time, power leveling and kill quest
Perspective: Side view
Developer: Nihon Falcom
Publisher: Sierra Entertainment;Takeru;Victor Musical Industries;Sega Enterprises;Nihon Falcom
Sorcerian
Summary:
Sorcerian is a side-scrolling action-RPG. The player can create up to ten characters, from whom up to four members can be present in a party at the same time. Each character is highly customizable, with four different classes/races (fighter, wizard, elf, and dwarf) and over 60 possible jobs/occupations (ranging from clown to exorcist) available for them to perform; each has its own strengths and weaknesses, affecting the seven primary attributes (strength, intelligence, protection, magic resistance, vitality, dexterity, and karma) in different ways, as well as different equipment limitations.The player can choose from fifteen different scenarios, or quests, to play through in the order of their choice. The party must battle enemies and perform tasks within the given levels to clear each scenario, before moving onto another scenario of their choice. The player controls the entire party at the same time, with all four members running in a line, jumping in sequence, and attacking in unison. The party members follow behind in a manner similar to the Options in the arcade shooter Gradius (1985). Sorcerian also employs class-based puzzles, such as using a high-strength character to force open doors.All the characters have a default starting age of 16. Each time a player begins a new scenario, a year passes by, while additional time passes by in towns as a character goes through training or enchants items. The characters age at different rates depending on their race, with humans reaching old age at 60, dwarves at 100, and elves at 200. Upon reaching old age, for every year that passes, a character can die permanently at a random time. There is also an Advance Time to speed up the flow of time. Another new feature of Sorcerian was its episodic format that extended across various expansion packs. Besides the default fifteen scenarios that come with the game, there were a number of additional scenario packs released. The aging system was created with the additional scenario packs in mind.
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