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Xak III - The Eternal Recurrence

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NEC PC Engine CD RPG Pub Microcabin Dev Microcabin 1993 Japan 1 Player 5 (0) 22

Xak III - The Eternal Recurrence

Xak III - The Eternal Recurrence: PCE-CD RPG

Compiled by the Retro Games Online Editorial Team · Updated June 27, 2026

Xak III: The Eternal Recurrence is a fantasy action role-playing game released in 1993 for the NEC PC Engine CD. It is the third and final entry in the Xak series, originally developed by Microcabin. The game had a convoluted development history, starting on the MSX2 before being shelved and later revived for PC-98 and FM Towns platforms. This PC Engine CD port arrived about a year after those versions and has since been unofficially translated into English by fans.

The player controls a hero exploring a fantasy world from a top-down perspective, battling monsters in real time, collecting items, and leveling up. The game emphasizes dungeon crawling, with maze-like areas to navigate and puzzles to solve. Players can equip weapons, armor, and magic, and interact with NPCs to advance a story that concludes the Xak trilogy. Combat is action-based rather than turn-based, typical of many Japanese computer RPGs of the era.

For fans of classic action RPGs like Ys or Hydlide, Xak III offers a complete, albeit niche, experience. Its late PC Engine release means it benefits from the platform's CD audio and larger storage, giving it a polished presentation compared to earlier games in the series. While the Japanese-only menus can be a barrier, the unofficial English patch makes it more accessible today. It's a solid pick for anyone curious about the evolution of Japanese computer RPGs or the Xak series itself.

How to Play Xak III - The Eternal Recurrence Online

Getting Started Start by selecting New Game from the title screen. Since this is a Japanese-only title with an unofficial English patch, the menus may still show Japanese text unless the patch is applied. Navigate the menu using the D-Pad and confirm choices with the A button (X key). The core loop involves exploring towns and dungeons, talking to NPCs for clues, and fighting monsters in real time. Move with the D-Pad, attack with the B button (S key), and jump with the A button (X key). You'll collect gold and items from defeated foes, which can be used to buy equipment in shops. Pay attention to signs and dialogue even if in Japanese; the game often hints at where to go next. Leveling up increases your stats and makes later areas more manageable. Save your progress at inns or save points (often indicated by a glowing object). The game is linear but has some branching paths. If you're stuck, try exploring previous areas for missed items or talk to every NPC. The unofficial English translation patch, if available, greatly helps with understanding the story and item names.

Xak III - The Eternal Recurrence Keyboard Controls

Controls

Arrow Keys: D-Pad / Movement
X: I button
S: II button
Enter: Run / Start
V: Select

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Xak III - The Eternal Recurrence an official release, a fan hack, a prototype, or another kind of build?

It is an official commercial release. Originally developed for PC-98 and FM Towns, it was later ported to the PC Engine CD in 1993. An unofficial English translation patch exists, but the game itself is not a hack or prototype.

Is Xak III - The Eternal Recurrence exclusive to NEC PC Engine CD or did it appear on other systems?

It also appeared on the PC-98 and FM Towns platforms before the PC Engine CD version. The PC Engine CD release is a port that came out approximately one year after those earlier versions.

What type of game is Xak III - The Eternal Recurrence?

It is a fantasy action role-playing game. The player navigates a top-down world, fights enemies in real time, and solves puzzles while advancing a story that concludes the Xak trilogy.