Alcahest (video game)
{{Short description|1993 video game}}
{{good article}}
{{Infobox video game
| title = Alcahest
| image = Alcahest cover art.png
| border = yes
| developer = HAL Laboratory
| publisher = Square
| director = Atsushi Kakuta
| producer = Satoru Iwata
| designer = Atsushi Kakuta
| programmer = Hiroaki Suga
| artist = R. Ishida
| composer = Jun Ishikawa
| platforms = Super Famicom
| released = {{vgrelease|JP|December 17, 1993}}
| genre = Action
| modes = Single-player
}}
{{nihongo foot|Alcahest|アルカエスト|Arukaesuto||lead=yes|group=lower-alpha}} is a 1993 action video game developed by HAL Laboratory and published by Square for the Super Famicom. The plot takes place in a world where an emperor leads his army towards conquest of the kingdom of Panakeia in the midst of the revival of the demon god Alcahest, who was previously defeated by a swordsman aided with the power of guardians. The player acts as the swordsman Alen, exploring and searching for items and power-ups, while fighting enemies and bosses. Throughout the journey, the player encounters guardians who help Alen with their power and allies who join his party to stop Alcahest.
The game was directed and designed by Atsushi Kakuta, with Satoru Iwata serving as producer. The soundtrack was composed by Jun Ishikawa, known for his work on the Kirby franchise. HAL intended to publish it under the name Guardian Blade, but the company ran into financial issues. Square changed the name to Alcahest and published the game, and its release was accompanied by a strategy guide. Although it was not officially published outside Japan, an English fan translation was released in 2002.
Alcahest garnered generally favorable reception from critics who reviewed it as an import title; praise was given to the graphics for eschewing the super deformed style prevalent on Super Famicom, balance between action and adventure, variety of companions, arcade-style gameplay, and combat system. Some reviewers expressed mixed opinions regarding the music, while criticism was geared towards the scenario, lack of proper interactions between characters, puzzles, repetitivity, and short length.
Gameplay
Alcahest is an arcade-style game played from a top-down perspective similar to titles like Gauntlet (1985), The Legend of Zelda, Dungeon Explorer, and Soul Blazer.{{cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/details/Console_Plus_Numero_027/page/52/mode/2up|title=Le Japon En Direct: Alcahest|magazine={{ill|Consoles +|lt=Consoles +|fr|Consoles +}}|issue=27|publisher=EM-Images|date=December 1993|pages=52–53|language=fr}}{{cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/details/total-27-march-1994/page/13/mode/1up|title=Previews: Alcahest|magazine=Total!|issue=27|publisher=Future Publishing|date=March 1994|page=13}} The book A Guide to Japanese Role-Playing Games describes it as an action game in role-playing (RPG) clothing.{{cite book |chapter=Alcahest |title=A Guide to Japanese Role-Playing Games |publisher=Bitmap Books |date=November 8, 2021 |editor-first=Kurt |editor-last=Kalata |page=478 |isbn=978-1838019143}} The plot takes place in a world where an emperor leads his army towards conquest of the kingdom of Panakeia in the midst of the revival of the demon god Alcahest, who was previously defeated a thousand years ago by a swordsman aided with the power of guardians. Babilom, an envoy from hell, seeks to prevent the swordsman's reincarnation before reaching his full potential.{{cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/alchahest-jpn/mode/2up|title=アルカエスト|date=December 1993|publisher=Square|edition=Japanese|type=取扱説明書}}
The player acts as the swordsman Alen across eight stages filled with a variety of blocks that propel him forward or send him leaping to another area, exploring and searching for items and power-ups, while fighting enemies and bosses.{{cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/details/famitsu-0258/page/154/mode/2up|title=FINAL FANTASY POST: アルカエスト - 個住的な仙人役がいてこそ早が還り上がるってもの|magazine=Famitsu|issue=258|publisher=ASCII Corporation|date=November 26, 1993|pages=154–155|language=ja}}{{cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/details/the-super-famicom-1993-no.-22/page/54/mode/2up|title=Front Line: アルカエスト|magazine={{ill|The Super Famicom (magazine)|lt=The Super Famicom|ja|Theスーパーファミコン}}|volume=4|issue=22|publisher=SoftBank Creative|date=December 10, 1993|pages=54–55|language=ja}} During the journey to stop Alcahest, the player encounters allies who join Alen's party one at a time. They are the wizard Garstein, the princess Elikshil, the knight Sirius, the cyborg Magna, and the shape-shifting dragon goddess Nevis. Allies attack and use special powers, but they cannot be controlled directly and special points (SP) are required for their special move.{{cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/details/famitsu-0256-257/page/150/mode/2up|title=FINAL FANTASY POST: アルカエスト|magazine=Famitsu|issue=256–257|publisher=ASCII Corporation|date=November 12–19, 1993|pages=150–151|language=ja}}
The player attacks enemies using a blade given to Alen by the guardians. Alen can also perform dash attacks while running and block enemy projectiles by standing still with his shield. After fights against specific bosses, the player gains the abilities of one of the four guardians based on the classical elements. Alen can charge his blade for a special attack, which differs depending on the elemental ability selected. Magic points (MP) are used to summon guardians in battle and the player can switch between each one.{{cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/details/famitsu-0259/page/152/mode/2up|title=FINAL FANTASY POST: アルカエスト|magazine=Famitsu|issue=259|publisher=ASCII Corporation|date=December 3, 1993|pages=152–153|language=ja}} Alen gains experience points (EXP) by defeating enemies and the player earns an additional continue after obtaining pre-determined scores to keep playing. The game is over once Alen's vitality is depleted, but the player can resume their progress via passwords given at the start of each stage.
Development and release
Alcahest was developed by HAL Laboratory, known for their work on the Kirby franchise. The game was directed and designed by Atsushi Kakuta, with Satoru Iwata serving as producer.{{cite video game|title=Alcahest|developer=HAL Laboratory|publisher=Square|date=December 17, 1993|platform=Super Famicom|level=Staff}} ([https://www.vgmuseum.com/end/snes/b/alca.htm Ending screens] by VGMuseum [The Video Games Museum]. {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20021003015327/https://www.vgmuseum.com/end/snes/b/alca.htm|date=2002-10-03}}){{cite web|last=Kulikowski|first=Patrick|url=http://www.vgmonline.net/hip-tanaka-pays-tribute-to-the-late-satoru-iwata/|title=Hip Tanaka pays tribute to the late Satoru Iwata|work=Video Game Music Online|date=July 14, 2015|access-date=2024-03-10|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150717110127/http://www.vgmonline.net/hip-tanaka-pays-tribute-to-the-late-satoru-iwata/|archive-date=2015-07-17|url-status=live}} Hiroaki Suga acted as chief programmer, while character visuals were done by artist R. Ishida. The soundtrack was composed by Jun Ishikawa, known for his work on the Kirby series.{{cite web|last=Greening|first=Chris|url=https://www.squareenixmusic.com/composers/other/ishikawa.shtml|title=Jun Ishikawa|publisher=Square Enix Music Online|date=2008|access-date=2024-03-10|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080929132214/https://www.squareenixmusic.com/composers/other/ishikawa.shtml|archive-date=2008-09-29|url-status=live}} Ishikawa's music emphasises action and a light adventurous feel. HAL intended to publish it under the name Guardian Blade,{{efn|{{nihongo|ガーディアンブレード|Gādian Burēdo}}}} but the company ran into financial problems.{{cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/details/famitsu-0182/page/n161/mode/1up|title=NEW SOFT: ガーディアンブレード|magazine=Famitsu|issue=182|publisher=ASCII Corporation|date=June 12, 1992|page=162|language=ja}} Square, renowned for the Final Fantasy franchise, changed the name to Alcahest and published the game for the Super Famicom on December 17, 1993.{{cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/details/GAME-Pia-5/GAME%E3%81%B4%E3%81%82%205/page/103/mode/1up|title=機種別最新ゲー ムカタログ•Super Famicom|magazine={{ill|Game Pia|lt=Game Pia|ja|ぴあ#かつて発行していた雑誌}}|volume=5|publisher={{ill|Pia Corporation|lt=Pia Corporation|ja|ぴあ}}|date=January 1994|pages=100–109|language=ja}}
{{cite magazine|last=Yamanaka|first=Naoki|url=https://archive.org/details/micomBASIC_1994-01/page/n329/mode/1up|title=スーパーファミコン|magazine={{ill|Micom BASIC Magazine|lt=Micom BASIC Magazine|ja|マイコンBASICマガジン}}|series=Super Soft Hot Information|issue=139|type=supplement|publisher={{ill|The Dempa Shimbunsha Corporation|lt=The Dempa Shimbunsha Corporation|ja|電波新聞社}}|date=January 1994|pages=14–19|language=ja}}{{cite magazine|last=West|first=Neil|url=https://archive.org/details/UneditedUK_marktrade/SuperPlay_23/page/n16/mode/1up|title=Super Express Special: Fantasy Quest|magazine=Super Play|issue=23|publisher=Future Publishing|date=September 1994|pages=14–17}}{{cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/details/used-games-02-spring-1997/Used%20Games%20Vol.%202/page/30/mode/2up|title=アルカエスト|magazine=Used Games|volume=2|publisher=Kill Time Communication|date=Spring 1997|pages=30–31|language=ja}} The release was accompanied by a strategy guide published by NTT Publishing.{{cite book|title=Alcahest (アルカエスト) 完全攻略ガイドブック|publisher=NTT Publishing|date=December 17, 1993|pages=1–128|language=ja|isbn=978-4871882828}} Although it was not officially published outside Japan, an English fan translation was released in 2002 by Frank Hughes (F.H.), which was later revised and corrected in 2014.{{cite web|url=https://fantasyanime.com/alcahest/interview-with-fh|title=Interview with F.H.|work=FantasyAnime|date=December 2003|access-date=2024-03-16|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180808235036/https://fantasyanime.com/alcahest/interview-with-fh|archive-date=2018-08-08|url-status=live}} In 2017, the game's main theme was included as part of a compilation album published by Hyperdub.{{cite web|url=https://hyperdub.bandcamp.com/album/diggin-in-the-carts|title=Diggin' In The Carts|work=Hyperdub|publisher=Bandcamp|date=November 17, 2017|access-date=2024-03-10|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211229221045/https://hyperdub.bandcamp.com/album/diggin-in-the-carts|archive-date=2021-12-29|url-status=live}}
Reception
{{Video game reviews
| CVG = 76%{{cite magazine|url=https://retrocdn.net/index.php?title=File%3ACVG_UK_152.pdf&page=98|title=CVG Reviews - And Here's The Rest: Every Game Reviewed - Alcahest|magazine=Computer and Video Games|issue=152|publisher=EMAP|date=July 1994|page=98|access-date=2024-03-10|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210826031631/https://retrocdn.net/index.php?title=File%3ACVG_UK_152.pdf&page=98|archive-date=2021-08-26|url-status=live}}
| Fam = 27/40{{cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/details/famitsu-0262/page/37/mode/1up|title=NEW GAMES CROSS REVIEW: アルカエスト|magazine=Famitsu|issue=262|publisher=ASCII Corporation|date=December 24, 1993|page=37|language=ja}} ([https://www.famitsu.com/cominy/?m=pc&a=page_h_title&title_id=17109&redirect=no Transcription] by Famitsu.com. {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200703092545/https://www.famitsu.com/cominy/?m=pc&a=page_h_title&title_id=17109&redirect=no|date=2020-07-03}}).
| JXV = 15/20{{cite web|author=Zashy|url=https://www.jeuxvideo.com/articles/0001/00016815-alcahest-test.htm|title=Test de Alcahest sur SNES par jeuxvideo.com|work=Jeuxvideo.com|publisher=Webedia|date=March 26, 2012|access-date=2024-03-10|language=fr|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120410042049/http://www.jeuxvideo.com/articles/0001/00016815-alcahest-test.htm|archive-date=2012-04-10|url-status=live}}
| JP = 90%{{cite magazine|last=Morisse|first=Jean-François|url=https://archive.org/details/joypad-magazine-028/page/n140/mode/1up|title=Super Famicom Import (Version Japonaise): Revoilà Squaresoft — Alcahest|magazine={{ill|Joypad (magazine)|lt=Joypad|fr|Joypad (magazine)}}|issue=28|publisher=Hachette Disney Presse|date=February 1994|page=141|language=fr}}
| NLife = 8/10{{cite web|last=Lopes|first=Gonçalo|url=https://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/snes/alcahest|title=Review: Alcahest — The Legend of Alen|work=Nintendo Life|publisher=Nlife Media|date=February 22, 2016|access-date=2024-03-10|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160222174756/http://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/snes/alcahest|archive-date=2016-02-22|url-status=live}}
| ONM = 79/100{{cite magazine|last1=Harrod|first1=Gary|last2=Bright|first2=Rob|url=https://archive.org/details/nms-21/page/76/mode/2up|title=Review: Alcahest|magazine=Nintendo Magazine System|issue=21|publisher=EMAP|date=June 1994|pages=76–77}}
| SP = 69%{{cite magazine|last=Mott|first=Tony|url=https://archive.org/details/super-play-18/page/27/mode/1up|title=Import Review: Alcahest|magazine=Super Play|issue=18|publisher=Future Publishing|date=April 1994|page=34}}
| rev1 = Super Console
}}
Alcahest received generally favorable reception from critics who reviewed it as an import title. It received a 21.2 out of 30 score in a public poll taken by Family Computer Magazine.{{cite book|chapter=超絶 大技林 '98年春版: スーパーファミコン - アルカエスト|title={{ill|PlayStation Magazine (Japan)|lt=PlayStation Magazine|ja|PlayStation Magazine}}|volume=42|type=Special|publisher=Tokuma Shoten Intermedia|date=April 15, 1998|page=160|language=ja|id={{ASIN|B00J16900U|country=jp}}}} Electronic Gaming Monthly{{'}}s Terri Aki regarded it as a great counterpart to Square's Final Fantasy II and Secret of Mana.{{cite magazine|last=Aki|first=Terri|url=https://archive.org/details/Electronic_Gaming_Monthly_54/page/n83/mode/1up|title=International Outlook - Alcahest|magazine=Electronic Gaming Monthly|issue=54|publisher=Sendai Publishing|date=January 1994|page=82}} Joypad{{'}}s Jean-François Morisse lauded its audiovisual presentation, balance between action and adventure, variety of companions, and combat system reminiscent of Soul Blader but noted that while the Japanese text can be an issue, it does not prevent going through all the levels. Super Play{{'}}s Tony Mott commended the game's graphics, gameplay, and level design, but criticized aspects such as the puzzles and lack of proper interactions between characters.
Gary Harrod and Rob Bright of Nintendo Magazine System (Official Nintendo Magazine) gave Alcahest positive remarks for its graphical department, sound effects and enjoyable gameplay, but felt that the music did not convey an atmosphere and criticized the repetitive action. Computer and Video Games made positive comments about its varied visuals and sprites, sound effects, and gameplay, but criticized the music and repetitiveness. Super Game Power{{'}}s Roberto Carnicelli highlighted the game's intense action and graphics, while Piefranco Merenda and Massimiliano Diaco of Super Console commended its playability and challenge due to multiple difficulty levels but criticized the musical score.
Retro Gamer noted the game's blend of action and role-playing elements, partner mechanic, and accessibility due to the light use of Japanese.{{cite magazine|last=Jones|first=Darran|title=Minority Report: Super Famicom - Alcahest|magazine=Retro Gamer|issue=153|publisher=Future Publishing|date=March 24, 2016|page=74}}{{cite web|last=Dragmire|first=Hagen|url=https://www.retrogamer.net/retro_games90/alcahest/|title=Alcahest|work=Retro Gamer|publisher=Imagine Publishing|date=November 17, 2009|access-date=2024-03-10|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140710053013/https://www.retrogamer.net/retro_games90/alcahest/|archive-date=2014-07-10|url-status=dead}} Zashy of Jeuxvideo.com commended its diverse level design, intuitive gameplay, as well as the guardians and allies for adding diversification into enemy encounters, but felt mixed regarding the music and criticized its short length, scenario and repetitive dungeons. Nintendo Life{{'}}s Gonçalo Lopes praised Alcahest for its intuitive controls, arcade-style gameplay, Jun Ishikawa's music, and visuals for eschewing the super deformed style prevalent on Super Famicom.
Notes
{{notelist}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
{{Portal|1990s|Japan|Video games}}
- {{Official website|https://www.hallab.co.jp/works/detail/000752/}} at HAL Laboratory {{in lang|ja}}
- {{Official website|https://www.jp.square-enix.com/game/detail/alcahest/}} at Square Enix {{in lang|ja}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Alcahest (video game)}}
Category:Japan-exclusive video games
Category:Square (video game company) games
Category:Super Nintendo Entertainment System games
Category:Super Nintendo Entertainment System-only games