Light Crusader

[Melf]

It's funny how the debate still rages regarding Light Crusader. Many think it was a prime example of Treasure dropping the ball and consider it a exhibit A when presenting their theories about why the developer is overrated. Others think of it as a mere hiccup in an otherwise steady stream of quality releases by one of the most dependable developers in gaming. Then there are others who simply look at it for what it is: a decent action/RPG. Where do we stand? Read our full write up (http://www.sega-16.com/2006/09/light-crusader/) and see!

[David J.]

I recall this game was going for quite a bit a while back... now the game has gotten really, really common and is now cheap as can be.

Go figure and great game... even if it is a change from the norm.

[Genesisdoes]

This game is underrated. Its good but not great.

[Benjamin]

I don't care for the level design in Light Crusader. The Gunstar Heroes-style magic system isn't nearly as useful as it could have been, and any game that drops items in the first room where you encounter enemies that make the game a cakewalk is just poorly thoughtout. I wouldn't mind the simplistic combat system if there was more to the game -- after all, Landstalker has even simpler combat, but it is more a punishing platform game than a typical Zelda clone. Light Crusader doesn't really do anything right and is just a mediocre effort, Treasure or not.

[ThunderForce]

I think the game was borning, so that's why I didn't try to play it further.

[Zebbe]

Great game. I just love the medieval feel of it. Too bad it is so short, that's my only major complain.

[Genesis Knight]

and any game that drops items in the first room where you encounter enemies that make the game a cakewalk is just poorly thoughtout

To be fair, it can take hours to find the Gold Armor.

[Obviously]

I tried to get into Light Crusader but it just came off as a dollar store version of Landstalker to me.

[kevinski]

I love Light Crusader. The graphics are absolutely amazing (especially during boss battles), and the gameplay is quite solid. The puzzles are often just cruel (the Simon-esque puzzles come to mind, as do the ones involving objects on ice), and that makes them all the more satisfying whenever you finally manage to solve them. I also love the magic system, although it'd certainly be nice for it to have a bit more depth to it.

By the way, I still haven't managed to find the Dillo Armo(u)r. :(

[Genesis Knight]

I can't find a lot of the different gloves/armor. Treasure hid stuff well, and it's never had enough of a rabid fan following to be 100% revealed like so many other games of the era.

[Vorty]

This looks pretty cool. I'll definitely check it out later. Good review.

[VinnyT]

I still can't find a version with a working battery!

[Genesis Knight]

I still can't find a version with a working battery!

You know, I've checked around and can't find anyone else who's had the same problem. Hope that makes you feel better. ;)

[Zebbe]

I still can't find a version with a working battery!

Why don't you just replace it then? If it's possible.

[Benjamin]

To be fair, it can take hours to find the Gold Armor.

Yep, it can, though I got mine in about five or so minutes of leveling. :) I wouldn't say it ruined the game exactly for me, but it certainly removed a good bit of challenge having it. I still say it's bad design to have it as a drop so early on, even if it won't necessarily impact everyone playing the game.

I still love that Gunstar Heroes weapon system, though, and it was nice to see Treasure attempt to use it in another game, even if the results weren't all that great.

[ary incorparated]

its a very nice and colourfull game i also had a version with a broke battery but heck i can find it for a euro or 5.i like the graphics+animations ways more then landstalker,landstalker looked bitsy too dark and was missing few colours and lack of detail at the times.

[Genesis Knight]

Yep, it can, though I got mine in about five or so minutes of leveling.

Lucky devil.

[ary incorparated]

its just a passable game,it has its good things.

[Demonic Weasel]

I really tried to like this game. And I almost did. But I couldn't forgive the controls. Trying to get at exactly the right angle to cut those damn ropes took all the fun out of the game lightning fast.

[ary incorparated]

i find it a really easy game?.i like that the controls are bit fast.

[GeckoYamori]

I found the controls lightyears better than Landstalker.

[ary incorparated]

yeah bit more responsive,but i have no complaints about the play of landstalker.

[GameUser-16-32-128]

If you liked Landstaler then get this game! Great graphics, music and challenging puzzles. This game was way too short for me though. Ha ha David's breathing animation makes him look tired. The controls are RESPONSIVE you just have to get used to the perspective (like Landstalker) this game is presented in. Cutting down the villager from the ceiling can be a bit challenging at first, but you have to keep in mind that you must jump from the 3rd column/pillar to bring him down.

[108 Stars]

The rating is okay with me.
But the reason why people don´t like it is not just because of Treasure...I give a damn about Treasure because I think they only made two great titles at all.
It´s because the game has no atmosphere. With this graphics-engine, a very detailed action-RPG would have been possible. But the strange choice of using such bright colours ruins it. And what got into them putting a level with a wild-west-scenario etc in it? Plain stupid.
Also the animations of the hero are pretty bad and at least in the PAL-version the scrolling is all but smooth.
A good story would have helped as well.
Finally I dislike that you can push around everything and everyone even in town.

Not a bad game since the puzzles are good and the graphics detailed, but a lot of wasted potential. Definately no match for it´s Genesis-competitors. They could have used this engine to do a port of Ultima VIII, it would have been more successfull.

[Aarzak]

This game was sure an oddity. I recall my pops buying me a brand-new copy of "Light Crusader" off a flea market back in '96. I picked it first and foremost because it was new and all nice in shrink-wrap. Also, back then I used to be a real sucker for enticing-looking screenshots and text on the back of game boxes (like Acclaim's exclamation-point ridden ads and saturated-color screen shots) It was pretty much my first RPG, but I couldn't get into it because the story and character seemed so "vanilla" and it was pretty boring. It did have some nice music here and there though I'll give it that.

Oh yeah, and the U.S cover art for "Light Crusader" sucks ass and is probably the worse U.S cover for a Treasure game:

http://images.tradera.com/317/31684317_1.jpg

They surely could've done much better to showcase an action scene (at first glance I thought it was a hack-n-slash) or at least used the superior Japanese/European cover art:

http://www.zonesega.com/covers/megadrive/Light%20Crusader%20%5BEUR%5D.jpg

.....Which in this case isn't saying much.

Lastly, wasn't this one of Sega's last 1st-party releases, namely their last Japanese-developed release? After "Vectorman"'s release in fall of 1995 I only recall "The Ooze", "X-Perts", "Arcade Classics" "Marsupilami", "Pocahontas", "Bugs Bunny in Double Trouble", "Virtua Fighter 2" "Sonic 3D Blast" and "Vectorman 2" (all aside from "Ooze" were 1996 releases and not in that order) One wonders why they didn't bring over "Alien Soldier" which the Genesis could've REALLY needed in it's post-Saturn situation, and instead bring this over.

[megabomberman]

This is a fun and worthwhile title for sure, but it feels like you're playing the game in a vacuum. Its horrible when a game is touted as an Rpg yet the speech of the characters the first time you talk to them remains the same for virually the whole game, coupled with the fact that you can push everyone around the place, which is utterly ridiculous and atmosphere sapping...

The puzzles are fairly nice though, but combat is so samey, its not like they put a lot of thought into the magic either, sending out some blaze of one of 4 elements, very lame... All this might have been acceptable if there was a decent weapon armour system, but to put in such an oversight as to only have armour and a sword.. pretty lame.. still a bit of a romp to play though...

[GameUser-16-32-128]

...And what got into them putting a level with a wild-west-scenario etc in it? Plain stupid.
A good story would have helped as well...
Well during that part, you had to guide David through these dungeons by travelling in time saving those wizards. A wild west themed dungeon level is appropriate for that situation. You are right about the game needing a good story. An evil cry baby wizard getting revenge on the king because he got turned down by the queen for marriage. That is so original!

[GeckoYamori]

Pretty much any story can work as long as it's executed well.

[Genesis Knight]

I dunno. At least in the US cover he doesn't look like a girly wuss like he does in the EU/JAP art.

[Aarzak]

They could've done MUCH better with the graphics as well. Look at the efforts Square, Enix and whatnot were pulling off with their SNES RPG's around that time period. I appreciate that the sprites and objects were big/tall and pretty detailed, but everything else was so plain-jane and barren. Dare I say "Arcus Odyssey" (from my recollection in "Nickelodeon Arcade") from the early '90's looks more detailed?

Long story short, mediocre game that should've been passed for ALIEN SOULJA.

How many Megs was this game? If I could make a suggestion that could be passed on to the rest of the staff, how about posting the Meg counts of a game in the info box of the reviews?

[Genesis Knight]

Dare I say "Arcus Odyssey" (from my recollection in "Nickelodeon Arcade") from the early '90's looks more detailed?

No, you don't, because I'd have to beat you about the head and shoulders. Of all the things to criticize, Light Crusader has the most impressive special effects of any RPG on the system - polygons, scaling, rotation, etcetera, etcetera. It also has gorgeous backgrounds and character art. The animation is stiff, but it's fluid and technically superb.

[Orchid87]

It may sound weird for some genny lovers here, but Light Crusader is my favorite Sega Genesis game. Awesome graphics - some of the BG art, like the graveyard or that life restoring wellspring, is beautiful. Music is the most atmospheric stuff you'll hear on Genesis. And that puzzles give the game really surreal feel. I don't agree that it should be judged as RPG. It is an action adventure game.

[Dirt Ball Gamer]

Great game.