Rastan Saga (also known simply as Rastan in the United States and Europe), is one of the most beloved arcade games of all time. Produced by Taito and originally released in 1987. In this post, we will explore the history of Rastan and its impact on arcade gaming culture.
Rastan is a side-scrolling action game set in an era Fantasy . The player controls the warrior Rastan, who must traverse a series of levels to defeat monsters and enemies along the way. The game features a detailed and colorful graphics , which represented a step forward compared to previous arcade games. Furthermore, the crazy soundtrack , composed by Masahiko Takaki , helped create an immersive, epic and breathtaking atmosphere. The player takes on the role of a barbarian warrior (Rastan) who must face hordes of mythological monsters to free the kingdom of Ceim from a terrible threat: a red dragon that breathes fire and controls other creatures.
The gameplay by Rastan was a success thanks to the combination of action and adventure. The game features a Wide range of weapons and power-ups , which allow players to customize their gaming experience. Furthermore, the game features Epic level bosses , requiring strategy and skill to defeat. All this made Rastan one of the most fun and engaging arcade games of the time.
You can move in eight directions with the joystick and use two buttons to attack and jump. You can also combine the joystick with buttons to vary the height of your jumps and the direction of your attacks, including downwards while in the air. The game uses a life energy and limited lives system, but there are also some obstacles that kill you instantly, such as falling into water or being crushed by a spiked ceiling.
The whole thing is made up of six levels , each divided into three areas: an outdoor scene, a castle scene and a throne room where you have to face the final boss . THE bosses are inspired by creatures from Greek and Norse mythology , such as griffins, hydras, cyclops and giants. Each boss has its own attack strategy and requires skill and reflexes to defeat.
During the game you can also collect some items that help you in your mission, such as more powerful weapons (swords, axes, maces), armor that increases your stamina, jewels that give you extra points and potions that heal you or give you special abilities (such as higher jump or faster speed).
Rastan has also influenced the world of arcade games in many ways. The game's detailed and colorful graphics influenced many subsequent titles, such as Golden Ax and Castlevania. Additionally, Rastan's epic soundtrack inspired many other action-adventure games of the time.
It has achieved much success both in arcades and in ports for home platforms, such as Amstrad CPC, Apple IIGS, Commodore 64, Game Gear, IBM PC, MSX2, Master System and ZX Spectrum.
Rastan's success was such that it led to two sequels, Rastan Saga II and Warrior Blade: Rastan Saga Episode III . These titles continued to develop the fantasy world created by Rastan, introducing new characters, weapons and environments. However, the first Rastan remains the most iconic title of the series .
Rastan is a game that I recommend you try if you love arcade games from the 80s and if you want to immerse yourself in a fantasy world full of action and adventure. You can play Rastan on your computer or download one of its versions for classic consoles. I assure you that you will not regret it!
