Light Crusader

About This Game

Gameplay

Light Crusader is an action-adventure game focused on exploration, combat, and puzzle solving. The game is played from an isometric perspective and sees the player primarily traversing a large dungeon, fighting enemies and solving puzzles, in order to rescue the kidnapped people of Green Row. The player is also allowed to freely roam Green Row to talk to townspeople or buy items from shops. Other towns can be found in the dungeon that give the player similar options but with different people to converse with and additional items to purchase from shops. The player assumes the role of Sir David, who has a variety of abilities at his disposal. Aside from basic running and jumping, David can attack with his sword at a standstill, or while moving or jumping, and by lunging in midair. He can also make use of four different kinds of elemental magic, which are the core classical elements. Magic can be used either individually or combined with another element to create an attack or, in the case of certain combinations, give a buff to David. For example, using water magic on its own allows David to heal himself.

History

Light Crusader was developed by Japanese studio Treasure as part of their partnership with Sega to develop products for the latter's Genesis console. This four game deal also included Dynamite Headdy, Alien Soldier, and Yu Yu Hakusho Makyō Tōitsusen. Light Crusader was programmed by Kazuhiko Ishida with support from Keiji Fujitake and Treasure president Masato Maekawa. The game's graphics and art were provided by Hiroshi Iuchi, Makoto Ogino, Kaname Shindo, and Koichi Kimura. Katsuhiko Suzuki was the sound director while Aki Hata and Satoshi Murata composed the music and sound effects respectively. The project was announced in the spring of 1994 under the working title Relayer.