Rastan Saga

Rastan Saga on MSX 2 is a home port of Taito's 1987 arcade hit, initially released in Japan for the platform. It's a side-scrolling action game where you take on the role of a barbarian warrior, fighting through fantasy landscapes. The MSX 2 version brings the arcade experience to a home computer, with visuals that push the hardware's capabilities. While the exact publisher for this port isn't widely documented, it's a faithful adaptation that retains the core of the original.

You control Rastan as he strides across platforms, hacking at skeletons, snakes, and armored knights with his sword. The game is split into several stages, each ending with a boss that requires pattern recognition to defeat. Along the way, you can collect magic potions that grant temporary spells like fireballs or protective barriers, and treasure chests yield points or health. The pace is deliberate, with an emphasis on positioning and timing your attacks rather than frantic button-mashing.

What makes this version stand out is how it captures the atmosphere of the arcade on a computer with limited palette and resolution. The soundtrack is a chiptune adaptation of the original's memorable score. It's a solid action platformer that fans of the genre or Taito's other works should appreciate, though it's a niche title today due to its age and platform exclusivity. If you enjoy methodical sword-and-sorcery gameplay, Rastan Saga on MSX 2 is worth loading up.