

1987 · Aeria · Action role-playing · Adventure
Sorcerian
Timed Sega exclusive
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.
- Released
- 20 December 1987
- Platforms
- Binary Runtime Environment for WirelessDreamcastMS-DOSMSXMSX 2Mega Drive Mini 2NEC PC-8800 seriesNEC PC-9800 seriesPC-8800 SeriesPC-9800 SeriesS!AppliSega GenesisSharp X1TurboGrafx-16Turbografx-16/PC Engine CDWiiWindowsi-αppliiOS
- Genres
- Action role-playingAdventurePlatformerPuzzleRole-playing
- Developers
- AeriaG-Mode
- Publishers
- Suntendy Interactive Multimedia Co.,Ltd.
- Series
- Dragon Slayer
- Modes
- Single-player
- Perspective
- Side view
- Themes
- ActionFantasyHistoricalSandbox
- Country
- Japan
- Languages
- English
- Entry
- #5 in Dragon Slayer
- Composers
- Yuzo Koshiro
About
Sorcerian is a 1987 action role-playing game developed by Nihon Falcom as the fifth installment in the Dragon Slayer line of games. Originally released for the NEC PC-8801, it has since been released on a wide variety of platforms.
Keywords
- exploration
- anime
- medieval
- training
- murder
- magic
- grinding
- construction
- metroidvania
- death
- elves
- action-adventure
Media
The articlegameplay, story, development, reception
Gameplay
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.
Development
Sorcerian was developed by Japanese developer Nihon Falcom. It is the fifth installment in the Dragon Slayer series.
Reception
The four reviewers of Famicom Tsūshin reviewed Sega Mega Drive version of the game.
Two of the reviewers complimented the game as having same atmosphere as the PC game but with re-arranged levels and recommended to fans of the original. One reviewer found the game confusing and said they could not figure out the game mechanics.)
Releases by platformdates and regions as published
Editions and related releases
- Included in
- Mega Drive Mini 2
- Expansions
- Sorcerian Additional Scenario Vol. 3: Pyramid SorcerianSorcerian Additional Scenario Vol. 1
- Ported as
- Eggconsole Sorcerian PC-8801mkIISR
- Remade as
- Sorcerian OriginalAdvanced SorcerianSorcerian: Shichisei Mahou no Shito
- Built on it
- Sorcerian OriginalSorcerian: Shichisei Mahou no ShitoAdvanced Sorcerian
In the same series
Nintendo exclusive60Dragon Slayer
1984 · FM-7, Game Boy +8

Dragon Slayer II: Xanadu
1985 · FM-7, MSX +7
Nintendo exclusiveDragon Slayer Jr.
1986 · MSX, MSX 2 +6
Nintendo exclusive69Dragon Slayer IV: Drasle Family
1987 · Binary Runtime Environment for Wireless, MSX +5
Nintendo exclusive80Faxanadu
1987 · NES, Wii
Hudson Soft
70Dragon Slayer: The Legend of Heroes
1989 · FM Towns, MSX +12
Nintendo exclusiveBS Lord Monarch
1992 · FM Towns, NEC PC-9800 series +3
Timed NECDragon Slayer: The Legend of Heroes II
1992 · FM Towns, NEC PC-8800 series +6
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Collections6 collections
Platform libraries
- MSX games
- Sega Genesis gamesLicensed games
- Dreamcast gamesLicensed games
- TurboGrafx-16 gamesList of games
Publishers
- Virtual Console games for WiiTitles › Genesis / Mega Drive
- Sega gamesDeveloped or published by Sega
Description adapted from its source, CC BY-SA 4.0.
