Difference between revisions of "Sword of Sodan"

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| bobscreen=SwordofSodan title.png
 
| bobscreen=SwordofSodan title.png
 
| publisher=[[Electronic Arts]] (US/EU), [[Sega]] (JP)
 
| publisher=[[Electronic Arts]] (US/EU), [[Sega]] (JP)
| developer=[[Discovery Software International]], {{MD}} [[Innerprise]]
+
| developer=[[Discovery Software International]], {{MD}} [[Innerprise Software Inc]]
 
| system=[[Sega Mega Drive]]
 
| system=[[Sega Mega Drive]]
 
| romsize=512kB
 
| romsize=512kB
| releases={{releases
+
| sounddriver=
| md_date_eu=1990
+
| peripherals=
| md_rrp_uk=39.99
+
| players=1
 +
| genre=Action
 +
| releases={{releasesMD
 +
| md_date_eu=1991-01
 +
| md_rrp_uk=39.99{{fileref|Raze UK 06.pdf|page=49}}
 
| md_code_eu=E168SMXI
 
| md_code_eu=E168SMXI
 
| md_date_us=1990
 
| md_date_us=1990
 +
| md_rrp_us=49.95{{fileref|GamePro US 020.pdf|page=76}}
 
| md_code_us=702601
 
| md_code_us=702601
 
| md_date_jp=1991-10-11
 
| md_date_jp=1991-10-11
 
| md_rrp_jp=6,000
 
| md_rrp_jp=6,000
 
| md_code_jp=G-4056
 
| md_code_jp=G-4056
| md_date_br=1990
+
| md_date_br=1992-04{{fileref|Supergame BR 09.pdf|page=45}}
 
}}
 
}}
| genre=Action
 
 
}}
 
}}
'''''Sword of Sodan''''' (ソード・オブ・ソダン) is a 1988 beat-'em-up for the Commodore Amiga by [[Discovery Software International]]. [[Innerprise]] ported it to the [[Sega Mega Drive]] for [[Electronic Arts]] in 1990.
+
'''''{{PAGENAME}}''''' (ソード・オブ・ソダン) is a 1988 beat-'em-up by [[Discovery Software International]]. [[Innerprise Software Inc]] ported it to the [[Sega Mega Drive]] for [[Electronic Arts]] in late 1990.
 +
 
 +
==Gameplay==
 +
''Sword of Sodan'' is a side-scrolling beat-'em-up where the player can control either an unnamed male or unnamed female, walking towards the right of the screen and hacking and slashing enemies along the way.  
  
The game is a simple side-scrolling beat-'em-up. {{B}} jumps, {{down}} ducks, and {{C}} swings your sword. Enemy health is shown underneath the enemy. Enemies also drop potions that you collect by walking over them; the method of using these potions is currently unknown (TODO).
+
Being originally written for the [[Amiga]], the control scheme of ''Sword of Sodan'' is built around one-button joysticks which were prevalent across home computing at the time. On the Mega Drive the main controls are split across {{B}} and {{C}} - jumping is assigned to {{B}} (where holding down the button results in a higher jump), but is also used in conjunction with {{left}} or {{right}} to turn the character around. {{C}} swings the character's sword, and combined with {{up}}, {{right}} and {{down}} other attacks can be made. {{down}} crouches.
  
In a user ranking held by Japanese magazine Beep!Megadrive, Sword of Sodan was the most unpopular game out of 520 choices.
+
The strength of the player's attacks depend on the current "HIT" value displayed on top of the screen, which decreases when losing a life. Attacks have very specific hit zones - spear wielding guards for example need to be attacked at point blank range, while giants can only be hurt by using high attacks.
==Physical Scans==
+
 
 +
{{A}} is used to drink potions dropped by defeated enemies. Potions are selected in the pause menu, and can be combined to create more interesting results.
 +
 
 +
The game features an undocumented level skip in stage 5 - if the player deliberately falls down the third pit, they will skip directly to stage 6.
 +
 
 +
===Potions===
 +
*'''Red:''' increases attack strength
 +
*'''Orange:''' defeats the closest enemy
 +
*'''Blue:''' restores health
 +
*'''Transparent:''' no effect
 +
*'''Red + transparent:''' extra life
 +
*'''Orange + transparent:''' flaming brand (stronger sword with fire effect)
 +
*'''Blue + transparent:''' temporary invincibility
 +
*'''Red + orange:''' flaming brand (stronger sword with fire effect)
 +
*'''Transparent x 4:''' skip stage
 +
 
 +
Other combinations either have no effect or are poisenous to the player.
 +
 
 +
==Versions==
 +
Despite sharing a name, ''Sword of Sodan'' was significantly altered during its transition to the Mega Drive, putting more of an emphasis on potions while reducing the amount of content. Most of the graphics were re-drawn, with layouts also being modified and swordplay being tweaked. Enemies attack from both left and right (a feature missing in the Amiga version), however the ostrich-like creature in the dungeon stage is missing.
 +
 
 +
Some levels (such as the wood area) were removed, while others combined, bringing the total number of stages to eight. Five of the thirteen enemies seen in the Amiga version were removed also.
 +
 
 +
Neither version of ''Sword of Sodan'' has in-game music.
 +
 
 +
==Magazine articles==
 +
{{mainArticle|{{PAGENAME}}/Magazine articles}}
 +
 
 +
==Physical scans==
 
{{ratings
 
{{ratings
 
| icon=MD
 
| icon=MD
 
| cvg=57
 
| cvg=57
| cvg_source={{num|112|page=72}}
+
| cvg_source={{num|112|page=72|pdf=CVG UK 112.pdf}}
 +
| cvgit=57
 +
| cvgit_source={{num|4|page=88|pdf=CVG IT 04.pdf}}
 +
| gamepro=88
 +
| gamepro_source={{num|20|page=60|pdf=GamePro US 020.pdf|pdfpage=76}}
 +
| gen4=22
 +
| gen4_source={{num|30|page=101|pdf=Generation4 FR 030.pdf|pdfpage=101}}
 
| joystick=45
 
| joystick=45
 
| joystick_source={{num|13|page=113}}
 
| joystick_source={{num|13|page=113}}
 
| mdag=40
 
| mdag=40
| mdag_source={{num|3|page=79}}
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| mdag_source={{num|3|page=79|pdf=MDAG UK 03.pdf}}
 
| megatech=55
 
| megatech=55
| megatech_source={{num|1|page=81|pdf=Megatech UK 01.pdf|pdfpage=81}}
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| megatech_source={{num|1|page=81|pdf=MegaTech UK 01.pdf}}
 
| mm=59
 
| mm=59
| mm_source={{num|5|page=78/79}}
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| mm_source={{num|5|page=78/79|pdf=MeanMachines UK 05.pdf|pdfpage=78}}
 
| raze=73
 
| raze=73
| raze_source={{num|6|page=48/49}}
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| raze_source={{num|6|page=48/49|pdf=Raze UK 06.pdf|pdfpage=48}}
 
| segapower=45
 
| segapower=45
 
| segapower_source={{num|16|page=18/19}}
 
| segapower_source={{num|16|page=18/19}}
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| region=US
 
| region=US
 
| front=SoS MD US Box.jpg
 
| front=SoS MD US Box.jpg
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| back=SoS MD US Box Back.jpg
 
| cart=SoS MD US Cart.jpg
 
| cart=SoS MD US Cart.jpg
 
}}{{Scanbox
 
}}{{Scanbox
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| region=JP
 
| region=JP
 
| cover=SoS MD JP Box.jpg
 
| cover=SoS MD JP Box.jpg
| cart=
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| cart=SwordofSodan MD JP Cart.jpg
 +
| carttop=SwordofSodan MD JP CartTop.jpg
 
}}{{Scanbox
 
}}{{Scanbox
 
| console=Mega Drive
 
| console=Mega Drive
 
| region=BR
 
| region=BR
 
| cover=SoS MD BR Box.jpg
 
| cover=SoS MD BR Box.jpg
| cart=
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| cart=SwordofSodan MD BR Cart.jpg
 
| manual=Swordofsodan md br manual.pdf
 
| manual=Swordofsodan md br manual.pdf
 
}}
 
}}
 +
 +
==References==
 +
{{multicol|
 +
<references />
 +
|cols=3}}

Revision as of 04:11, 7 October 2017


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n/a

SwordofSodan title.png

Sword of Sodan
System(s): Sega Mega Drive
Publisher: Electronic Arts (US/EU), Sega (JP)
Developer:
Genre: Action

















Number of players: 1
Release Date RRP Code
Sega Mega Drive
JP
¥6,0006,000 G-4056
Sega Mega Drive
US
$49.9549.95[2] 702601
Sega Mega Drive
EU
E168SMXI
Sega Mega Drive
BR

Sword of Sodan (ソード・オブ・ソダン) is a 1988 beat-'em-up by Discovery Software International. Innerprise Software Inc ported it to the Sega Mega Drive for Electronic Arts in late 1990.

Gameplay

Sword of Sodan is a side-scrolling beat-'em-up where the player can control either an unnamed male or unnamed female, walking towards the right of the screen and hacking and slashing enemies along the way.

Being originally written for the Amiga, the control scheme of Sword of Sodan is built around one-button joysticks which were prevalent across home computing at the time. On the Mega Drive the main controls are split across B and C - jumping is assigned to B (where holding down the button results in a higher jump), but is also used in conjunction with Left or Right to turn the character around. C swings the character's sword, and combined with Up, Right and Down other attacks can be made. Down crouches.

The strength of the player's attacks depend on the current "HIT" value displayed on top of the screen, which decreases when losing a life. Attacks have very specific hit zones - spear wielding guards for example need to be attacked at point blank range, while giants can only be hurt by using high attacks.

A is used to drink potions dropped by defeated enemies. Potions are selected in the pause menu, and can be combined to create more interesting results.

The game features an undocumented level skip in stage 5 - if the player deliberately falls down the third pit, they will skip directly to stage 6.

Potions

  • Red: increases attack strength
  • Orange: defeats the closest enemy
  • Blue: restores health
  • Transparent: no effect
  • Red + transparent: extra life
  • Orange + transparent: flaming brand (stronger sword with fire effect)
  • Blue + transparent: temporary invincibility
  • Red + orange: flaming brand (stronger sword with fire effect)
  • Transparent x 4: skip stage

Other combinations either have no effect or are poisenous to the player.

Versions

Despite sharing a name, Sword of Sodan was significantly altered during its transition to the Mega Drive, putting more of an emphasis on potions while reducing the amount of content. Most of the graphics were re-drawn, with layouts also being modified and swordplay being tweaked. Enemies attack from both left and right (a feature missing in the Amiga version), however the ostrich-like creature in the dungeon stage is missing.

Some levels (such as the wood area) were removed, while others combined, bringing the total number of stages to eight. Five of the thirteen enemies seen in the Amiga version were removed also.

Neither version of Sword of Sodan has in-game music.

Magazine articles

Main article: Sword of Sodan/Magazine articles.

Physical scans

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
57 №112, p72[4]
57 №4, p88[5]
88 №20, p60[2]
22 №30, p101[6]
45 №13, p113
40 №3, p79[7]
55 №1, p81[8]
59 №5, p78/79[9]
73 №6, p48/49[10]
45 №16, p18/19
40 №23, p54
33 №18, p68
Sega Mega Drive
51
Based on
12 reviews
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
1700 igr dlya Sega (RU)
40
[11]
Aktueller Software Markt (DE)
52
[12]
Beep! MegaDrive (JP) NTSC-J
43
[13]
Console XS (UK) PAL
73
[14]
Cool Gamer (RU)
20
[15]
Computer & Video Games (UK)
57
[16]
Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide (UK)
38
[17]
Famitsu (JP) NTSC-J
48
[18]
GamePro (US) NTSC-U
88
[2]
Génération 4 (FR)
22
[6]
Hippon Super (JP) NTSC-J
40
[19]
Joystick (FR)
45
[20]
Sega Mega Drive Advanced Gaming (UK)
40
[7]
Sega Mega Drive Advanced Gaming (UK) PAL
40
[21]
Mega Drive Fan (JP) NTSC-J
54
[22]
Mega Play (US) NTSC-U
40
[23]
MegaTech (UK)
55
[8]
Mean Machines (UK)
59
[9]
Mean Machines Sega (UK)
55
[24]
Power Play (DE)
25
[25]
Raze (UK) PAL
73
[10]
Sega Power (UK) PAL
25
[26]
Sega Power (UK) PAL
45
[27]
Sega Pro (UK) PAL
33
[28]
Sega Saturn Magazine (JP) NTSC-J
28
[29]
Tricks 16 bit (RU)
78
[30]
VideoGames & Computer Entertainment (US)
80
[31]
Sega Mega Drive
48
Based on
27 reviews

Sword of Sodan

Mega Drive, US
SoS MD US Box Back.jpgSoS MD US Box.jpg
Cover
SoS MD US Cart.jpg
Cart
Mega Drive, EU
SoS MD EU Box.jpg
Cover
SoS MD US Cart.jpg
Cart
Mega Drive, JP
SoS MD JP Box.jpg
Cover
SwordofSodan MD JP CartTop.jpg
SwordofSodan MD JP Cart.jpg
Cart
Mega Drive, BR
SoS MD BR Box.jpg
Cover
SwordofSodan MD BR Cart.jpg
Cart
Swordofsodan md br manual.pdf
Manual

References

  1. File:Raze UK 06.pdf, page 49
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 File:GamePro US 020.pdf, page 76 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:GamePro US 020.pdf_p76" defined multiple times with different content
  3. File:Supergame BR 09.pdf, page 45
  4. File:CVG UK 112.pdf, page 72
  5. File:CVG IT 04.pdf, page 88
  6. 6.0 6.1 File:Generation4 FR 030.pdf, page 101 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:Generation4 FR 030.pdf_p101" defined multiple times with different content
  7. 7.0 7.1 File:MDAG UK 03.pdf, page 79 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:MDAG UK 03.pdf_p79" defined multiple times with different content
  8. 8.0 8.1 File:MegaTech UK 01.pdf, page 81 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:MegaTech UK 01.pdf_p81" defined multiple times with different content
  9. 9.0 9.1 File:MeanMachines UK 05.pdf, page 78 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:MeanMachines UK 05.pdf_p78" defined multiple times with different content
  10. 10.0 10.1 File:Raze UK 06.pdf, page 48 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name ":File:Raze UK 06.pdf_p48" defined multiple times with different content
  11. 1700 igr dlya Sega, "" (RU; 2001-xx-xx), page 233
  12. Aktueller Software Markt, "März 1991" (DE; 1991-02-22), page 116
  13. Beep! MegaDrive, "October 1991" (JP; 1991-09-07), page 36
  14. Console XS, "June/July 1992" (UK; 1992-04-23), page 135
  15. Cool Gamer, "9" (RU; 2002-10-13), page 215
  16. Computer & Video Games, "March 1991" (UK; 1991-02-16), page 88
  17. Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide, "" (UK; 1993-11-18), page 103
  18. Famitsu, "1991-10-18" (JP; 1991-10-04), page 1
  19. Hippon Super, "November 1991" (JP; 1991-10-04), page 91
  20. Joystick, "Février 1991" (FR; 1991-0x-xx), page 113
  21. Sega Mega Drive Advanced Gaming, "January 1993" (UK; 199x-xx-xx), page 94
  22. Mega Drive Fan, "January 1992" (JP; 1991-12-07), page 101
  23. Mega Play, "February 1991" (US; 199x-xx-xx), page 45
  24. Mean Machines Sega, "October 1992" (UK; 1992-09-xx), page 142
  25. Power Play, "4/91" (DE; 1991-03-15), page 135
  26. Sega Power, "October 1991" (UK; 1991-09-05), page 54
  27. Sega Power, "March 1991" (UK; 1991-02-07), page 18
  28. Sega Pro, "April 1993" (UK; 1993-03-11), page 68
  29. Sega Saturn Magazine, "September 1995" (JP; 1995-08-08), page 87
  30. Tricks 16 bit, "Tricks Sega Gold 800 igr" (RU; 1998-03-20), page 192
  31. VideoGames & Computer Entertainment, "March 1991" (US; 1991-0x-xx), page 44