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/ Genres / Action / Zeliard

Zeliard

DOS - 1990
Also available on: PC-88

Amidst the flurry of imported games that resulted from Sierra's deal with Japanese publisher Gamearts are Sorcerian and Zeliard, two quirky action/RPG titles with strong "console" feel.

Definitely "light" games in that there is few statistics (although characters do gain levels), and the arcade-style platform action may not be every RPGer's cup of tea. Still, interesting plots, spells, and lots of "secrets" make these games above average despite chunky graphics. Although both games are RPG with heavy arcade elements, Sorcerian has a stronger RPG flavor because you get to control a four-character party, comprising the traditional retinue of priest, fighter, and wizard, each of whom have access to unique weapons and/or spells.

Zeliard, on the other hand, is a solo-player RPG with much less emphasis on character development than nonstop platform action.

Review By HOTUD

Comments and reviews

Tommy 27 Dec. 2023

Great game. Not a big fan of platform games but this one, together with Prince of Persia, is the exception. This game is what Zelda II should have been.

2
wwtoys 16 Aug. 2022

how to play in windows?

1
Starfighter 20 Oct. 2021

@Mr This Should Not Happen
Quick answer: F7 - type the name of the save file you want to load - Enter

Long answer for others who might wonder what's going on: When given the opportunity to save your game (for example after selecting 'Record Experience' at the Sage) you'll generate a save file (something.usr) that is accessable with F7 (when the game is fully started, not on the title screen). When you arrive at the saved games selection screen, don't select the save from the list with the mouse or arrow keys - instead type out the name of the file you want to load, and then press Enter. This way it loads properly. :)

1
Mr This Should Not Happen 16 Feb. 2021

This game looks very promising and I like the adventure aspect of this game.
The problem is that whenever I return to this game, I am not given an option to load a game and whatever alma, gold, and other things I obtained are disappeared.

The only evidence of my progress is the reference to my savefile and I could only overwrite it.

-1
Dr Velious 29 Jan. 2021

I found a copy of of this game on a disused fifteen year old laptop this afternoon, definitely was not expecting a gem like this to be buried in here.

1
Wertzui 14 Aug. 2020

Allright, I was talking early... later it does get unfairly difficult.

1
Hugh Dick 23 Jul. 2020

@Kristi

Anime is just Japanese-style animation, and animation (cartoons) were originally meant for children. Somewhere along the way, NSFW and adult-oriented cartoons started to be made, which is a reflection of changing society rather than the art itself.

The major turning point in Japanese anime, the transition from cheerful family-friendly anime to adult-oriented gloomy anime was Evangelion back in the 1990s.

-4
Wertzui 10 May. 2020

Now this is a really good game, that potentially can be run on about every IBM or clone PC with DOS. The gameplay has a pleasant depth to it, and it still feels fresh, compared to a lot of other "somewhat more involved" PC games that aged not so well. I could get into it without a manual, because it sort of has a tutorial in the form of optional conversations. The difficulty is hard but not unfair, I can see the developers did think it through and not just wanted to mess with the player.

Also it's not any fandom game, it just simply made in Japan.

0
Kristi 08 Dec. 2019

I know this is a years old conversation, but the idea that "most anime isn't for kids" is incorrect. Most anime IS for kids, but Japan just has different cultural ideas of what is and isn't suitable for children. That doesn't mean that adults can't enjoy it too though.

3
vinny 28 Aug. 2019

does not work with dosbox

-1
Ninoo 27 Jul. 2016

My most favouite game! Loved it as a child and will always do! Best classic graphics and the best story!

2
CK13 15 Jun. 2016

Is there anyway to edit the key configuration, or to calibrate the joystick for this game? My joystick isn't reacting correctly (xbox 360 controller; works fine with other games) and unless I can reconfigure the keys on the keyboard, I don't think I'm going to make it through this game. My hands are in pain and I'm only in the second cavern.

1
ssfsx17 24 Nov. 2014

This game was evil - especially the final area, with wind currents and one-way walls. But it was really fun.

1
keith Locke 31 Oct. 2014

Adults fighting over Anime...God would be so proud of his children. Ha ha i guess its cool though, can't say your a failure when the whole group is

-8
Erik 08 Sep. 2014

@Skeletony: *Facepalm*

1
Aronatia 02 Dec. 2013

SkeleTony: Anime and hentai are two different things,just like movies and pornography are. If you're referring to the anime cat-girl trope as "furries", I think you're also unclear on what that means, and lastly; anime is mostly not for children. The majority of it is geared toward teens and adults.The kid's anime is actually the exception,not the rule.

1
SkeleTony 20 Oct. 2013

This is not a RPG. It is a console-styled platformer for the anime/furry/hentai kiddies.

-17
Steerpike 18 Jan. 2013

Fantastic classic RPG game! Reminds me quite a lot of Faxanadu on the NES console.

5
mymoon 29 Feb. 2012

wish i had more of this game on the pc.

3

No comment nor review for this game at the moment.

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Downloads

DOS version
Game file
United Kingdom English
552 KB
PC-88 version
Game file
United Kingdom English
761 KB

Extras

Manual Manual 1
Extra file
DOS 1 MB English English

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