Relics - Ankoku Yousai (Japan)
Relics - Ankoku Yousai (Japan) on FDS
Relics - Ankoku Yousai is a Famicom Disk System title that came out in Japan sometime in the late 1980s. I have not been able to pin down the exact year or the developer - information on this one is scarce even among dedicated import collectors. What I can say is that it falls into the action-adventure camp, a genre that really flourished on the Disk System due to its ability to save progress and store larger maps. The title translates roughly to "Relics - Dark Fortress," which suggests some kind of dungeon or stronghold theme, but I have not confirmed a specific story.
From what I have gathered, you control a character who explores a fortress or series of rooms, collecting items (the relics) while avoiding or defeating enemies. The gameplay seems to involve moving through side‑view or top‑down areas, using weapons or tools to overcome obstacles. Without firsthand experience, I cannot detail the mechanics further, but the Disk System often meant battery‑backed saves and slightly larger worlds than standard Famicom cartridges allowed.
For retro fans who enjoy digging up obscure FDS software, Relics - Ankoku Yousai represents exactly the kind of mystery that makes import gaming rewarding. It is not a celebrated classic, and there is little English documentation, but that is part of the appeal. If you appreciate experimental action games from the early Nintendo era and do not mind navigating Japanese text, this is a niche curiosity worth a look.
How to Play Relics - Ankoku Yousai (Japan) Online
Getting started
When you power on the game, you will see the Japanese title screen. Press Start (Enter) to begin. You control a small character who moves through rooms themed like a fortress or dungeon. The exact objective is not explained in English, but the core loop appears to involve finding keys or relics, opening doors, and defeating enemies that block your path.
Use the arrow keys to move and X to jump or confirm selections. The B button (S) seems to attack or interact. Since the menus are entirely in Japanese, you may need to experiment with each option to understand what they do - most likely items or save functions. The game may require you to collect a certain number of relics before you can reach the exit or boss of each stage.
If you get stuck, remember that older Disk System games often had simple tile‑based layouts. Try exploring every corridor and pushing against walls, as hidden passages are a common convention. The game does not offer continues or passwords, so you will need to beat it in one sitting unless emulator save states are available.
Relics - Ankoku Yousai (Japan) Keyboard Controls
Controls
- Arrow Keys: D-Pad / Movement
- X: A button (jump / confirm)
- S: B button (run / attack / cancel)
- Enter: Start / Pause
- V: Select
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