Kenseiden
{{Short description|1988 video game}}
{{Infobox video game
| title = Kenseiden
| image = Kenseiden Coverart.png
| caption = North American and European box art
| developer = Sega
| publisher = Sega
| released = {{vgrelease|JP|June 2, 1988{{cite web |title=Software List |url=https://sega.jp/history/hard/segamark3/software.html |website=Sega Hard Encyclopedia |publisher=Sega Corporation |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190621034428/https://sega.jp/history/hard/segamark3/software.html |access-date=May 15, 2023 |archive-date=2019-06-21 |language=ja}}|NA|November 1988{{cite magazine |title=Availability Update |magazine=Computer Entertainer|volume=7 |issue=7 |date=October 1988 |page=8 |url=https://retrocdn.net/images/a/a3/ComputerEntertainer_US_Vol.7_07.pdf#page=8}}|EU|November 1988{{cite web|title=2 Mega Cartridges |url=https://segaretro.org/images/5/5f/1988_89_SMS_UK_Catalogue.pdf|work=The Sega Master System Games Catalogue (1988/89)|publisher=Mastertronic|accessdate=24 September 2024}}|KOR|1990}}
| genre = Action platformer
| modes = Single-player
| platforms = Master System
}}
Kenseiden{{Efn|Japanese: 剣聖伝|group=lower-alpha}}{{Efn|The title can be roughly translated as Sword Saint Legend, Legend of the Swordmaster or Summoning of the Sacred Sword.|group=lower-alpha}} is a 1988 action platforming game developed and published by Sega for the Master System. The player controls the samurai Hayato in 16th Century Japan as they attempt to retrieve five scrolls and a sacred sword from evil warlocks and spirits lead by Oda Nobunaga.
The game was released as Sword of the Hwarang{{Efn|Hangeul: 화랑의 검, Korean language: Hwarang-ui Geom|group=lower-alpha}} in South Korea with multiple visual differences. Hayato is altered to look like a Hwarang warrior and the levels are changed to be set in Korea.{{cite web|url=http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/kenseiden/kenseiden.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110106163137/http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/kenseiden/kenseiden.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 6, 2011|title=Kenseiden (剣聖伝) - Sega Master System (1988)|author=Kalata, Kurt|date=December 31, 2010|publisher=Hardcore Gaming 101|accessdate=January 22, 2011}}
Kenseiden received positive reviews from critics.
Gameplay
File:KenseidenAlexKidd.PNG in this level. Alex Kidd's face is in the lower-right corner of the screen.]]
Kenseidan is a side-scrolling action-adventure game set in Japan. Each level is set in an ancient Japanese province where the player is tasked. After A certain point, the player can play levels in whatever order they choose, and can go back to previous levels at anytime except for the final level.
Reception
{{Video game reviews
| title = Kenseiden
| subtitle =
| state = expanded
| CVG = 85%{{Cite web|url=http://www.smspower.org/Scans/CVGCompleteGuideToSega-Magazine-Issue1?gallerypage=58|title = CVG Complete Guide to Sega - Issue 1 - United Kingdom Magazine - Scans - SMS Power!}}{{cite journal |title=Complete Games Guide |journal=Computer and Video Games |date=16 October 1989 |issue=Complete Guide to Consoles |pages=46–77 |url=https://retrocdn.net/images/9/98/CompleteGuideToConsoles_UK_01.pdf#page=46}}
| rev1 = The Games Machine
}}
Upon release, Kenseiden received positive reviews
The Games Machine gave the game an 86% score, considering it one of the best "hack-'n-slay" games because of its "simple, but highly playable action and superb presentation." Computer and Video Games gave it an 85% score, describing it as a "huge" role-playing adventure with exploration, "truly superb" still screens and "plenty of brain-bending puzzles" to last "weeks on end!"
Retrospectively, Levi Buchanan of IGN reviewed Kenseiden. He gave the game a 7.0 and said "even though I found the choice to go grim interesting and the visuals engaging, I have discovered my appreciation for Kenseiden was more of a 'love the one your [sic] with' sentiment. Master System junkies should still seek it out and give it a go, but there are indeed better games for the console that deserve your renewed attention."
References
{{reflist|group=lower-alpha}}
External links
{{Portal|Japan|Video games|1980s}}
- {{MobyGames|id=/kenseiden}}
- {{IAg|segasms_Kenseiden_1988_Sega_JP_en}}
Category:Action role-playing video games
Category:Master System-only games
Category:Single-player video games
Category:Video games about samurai