Crystal Warriors

From Sega Retro

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  • US/EU
  • JP

CrystalWarriors title.png

CrystalWarriors title-jp.png

Crystal Warriors
System(s): Sega Game Gear
Publisher:
Sega Game Gear
Sega
Nintendo 3DS Virtual Console
M2[1]
Developer:
Peripherals supported: Gear-to-Gear Cable
Genre: Simulation[2][3][4]

















Number of players: 1-2
Official in-game languages:
  • 日本語
  • English
  • Release Date RRP Code
    Sega Game Gear
    JP
    ¥4,5004,500 G-3403
    Sega Game Gear
    US
    $39.9539.95[6][7] 2502
    Sega Game Gear
    EU
    2502
    Sega Game Gear
    EU
    (Classic)
    2502-50
    Sega Game Gear
    UK
    £24.9924.99[10] 2502
    Sega Game Gear
    ZA
    (Classic)
    Nintendo 3DS Virtual Console
    JP
    ¥286 (300)286 (300)[12]
    CERO: A
    Nintendo 3DS Virtual Console
    US
    $3.993.99[13]
    ESRB: Everyone 10+
    Nintendo 3DS Virtual Console
    EU
    €4.994.99[14]
    PEGI: 7+
    Nintendo 3DS Virtual Console
    DE
    €4.994.99[14]
    USK: 6
    Nintendo 3DS Virtual Console
    UK
    £4.494.49[14]
    PEGI: 7+

    Crystal Warriors, known as Arliel: Crystal Densetsu (アーリエル クリスタル伝説) in Japan, is a strategy game developed and published by Sega for the Sega Game Gear. It received a sequel in Japan, Royal Stone: Hirakareshi Toki no Tobira.

    Story

    Four elemental crystals maintain the balance of peace in the Kingdom of Arliel. The underworld Jyn empire have overrun the kingdom and stolen three of the four magic crystals. Princess Iris of Arliel, a sorceress, remains in possession of the last crystal, the Earth Crystal. She takes it with her on her quest through the lands of Arliel to defeat the Jyn.

    Gameplay

    Crystal Warriors, Battle Map.png

    Crystal Warriors, Battle Scene.png

    Battle map and scene

    Crystal Warriors is a strategy game with RPG elements, similar to the Shining Force games.

    The player forms a party of up to nine units to fight in each round. The player starts on one side of the map and an enemy force of up to nine units occupies a castle on the opposite side. The player must defeat the enemy force by defeating all of its units, defeating its leader, or capturing the enemy castle (by moving a unit onto its entrance). Each unit has a class that determines its statistics and capabilities. Each round has terrain features which form bottlenecks or change the speed of units. The player and enemy army alternate turn phases where they can move their units in any order and order them to attack or cast spells. The turn ends when the player has ordered every unit. The identity of enemy units is initially unknown at the beginning of the round. They reveal themselves and their statistics, abilities, and elemental alignment when they attack or are attacked, or the player can use the Scan spell to reveal any individual enemy.

    Whenever a player unit attacks an enemy unit or vice versa, a battle occurs. A battle consists of two bouts in which the units fight with melee weapons, spells, or monsters. The aggressor strikes first in each bout, then the defender takes a turn. Because of this, units risk taking damage each time they attack another unit (with the exception of mages casting offensive spells, which can only be retaliated against if the defending unit is another mage or adjacent to the mage). To avoid taking damage, units can try to retreat instead of attacking. Defeating an enemy earns 4 experience points for the victorious unit and drops gold for the party. Units only gain experience when the enemy unit is defeated. Units gain a new level for every 10 experience points, acquiring higher stats, up to a maximum level of 9. Units are defeated when they lose all of their hit points; death is permanent, and fallen characters cannot be revived. The game ends if Princess Iris is defeated.

    Each unit belongs to a particular elemental group, and most of the strategy revolves around the element of a given unit, its specialty, and positioning. Each element is weak to one and strong versus another in a rock-paper-scissors system. Fire elemental units are strong against wind elemental units, while wind units are strong against water, and in turn water units are strong against fire. Earth-based units are neutral and have no particular strengths or weaknesses to other elements. The majority of the Earth-based units are mages or healers and have a low base defense, making them vulnerable to combat units.

    Units can also defeat and tame monsters (which are also assigned an element) in each round and use them in battle. Monsters, though very weak, are useful to avoid elemental weakness (a Fire Lord, for example, can tame a Wind monster, and use it in combat against a Water Fighter, thus flipping the elemental advantage). They can also be used to spare their owner from taking damage. Like party members, monsters are permanently lost if they are defeated, but more can be captured in each battle.

    After each round, Princess Iris enters a town. The town contains an inn where the player can save the game or recruit new units, a fortune teller that provides hints about the next round, vendors that sell new weapons, armor, and spells, and NPCs that talk to the player. The player does not have enough gold to hire all the available units or purchase all available items in a single playthrough.

    The game includes a two-player mode available by connecting to another Game Gear via a Gear-to-Gear Cable. One player starts with Princess Iris and selects eight other team members from the recruitable characters found during the single player game. The other player starts with Princess Cham, an evil counterpart to Iris, and can select eight other team members from the standard Jyn forces. Any map can be selected as an arena; teams start on a fortress and the opponent's team members are revealed in the same way as the single-player version. To win, the player has to defeat the entire opposing force or take the enemy fortress.

    Classes

    Crystal Warriors, Character Status.png

    Character status
    • Princess—The class of Princess Iris. Good damage but mediocre defense. Can learn spells.
    • Fighter—Attack unit with fair movement range and damage but mediocre defense.
    • Lord—Attack unit with short movement range and less damage but higher defense.
    • Ranger—Attack unit with long movement range but less defense.
    • Healer—Defensive caster. Casts healing spells but very weak in direct combat.
    • Mage—Offensive caster. Casts attack spells but very weak in direct combat.

    Characters

    Crystal Warriors, Characters.png
    Iris
    Class:
    Princess
    Element:
    Earth
    Princess Iris is part of the starting party. She is the main character of the game, and the game is lost if she is defeated. She starts with the Scan spell and can acquire more throughout the game.
    Crystal Warriors, Characters.png
    Murak
    Class:
    Mage
    Element:
    Earth
    Murak is part of the starting party and starts with the Scan and Flash spells.
    Crystal Warriors, Characters.png
    Frye
    Class:
    Healer
    Element:
    Earth
    Frye is part of the starting party and starts with the Heal spell.
    Crystal Warriors, Characters.png
    Dayne
    Class:
    Fighter
    Element:
    Water
    Dayne is part of the starting party.
    Crystal Warriors, Characters.png
    Eldor
    Class:
    Lord
    Element:
    Fire
    Eldor is part of the starting party.
    Crystal Warriors, Characters.png
    Ratt
    Class:
    Ranger
    Element:
    Wind
    Ratt is part of the starting party.
    Crystal Warriors, Characters.png
    Zephi
    Class:
    Ranger
    Element:
    Wind
    Zephi can be recruited in the first town for 400 gold.
    Crystal Warriors, Characters.png
    Flare
    Class:
    Fighter
    Element:
    Fire
    Flare can be recruited in the second town for 800 gold.
    Crystal Warriors, Characters.png
    Sophi
    Class:
    Fighter
    Element:
    Water
    Sophi can be recruited in the second town for 700 gold.
    Crystal Warriors, Characters.png
    Romi
    Class:
    Mage
    Element:
    Earth
    Romi can be recruited in the fourth town for 1,300 gold and starts with the Fire spell.
    Crystal Warriors, Characters.png
    Oryon
    Class:
    Healer
    Element:
    Earth
    Oryon can be recruited in the fourth town for 1,400 gold and starts with the Heal spell.
    Crystal Warriors, Characters.png
    Elsid
    Class:
    Lord
    Element:
    Water
    Elsid can be recruited in the sixth town for 3,500 gold.
    Crystal Warriors, Characters.png
    Borm
    Class:
    Fighter
    Element:
    Fire
    Borm can be recruited in the eighth town for 4,000 gold.
    Crystal Warriors, Characters.png
    Tyris
    Class:
    Ranger
    Element:
    Wind
    Tyris can be recruited in the tenth town for 3,000 gold.

    Weapons

    Town
    Weapon Cost (in gold) Equippable by
    Rod 110 Mages, Healers
    Sword 120 Lords, Fighters
    Warclaws 150 Rangers
    Estoc Initially equipped Princesses
    Halberd 900 Lords
    Falchion 900 Fighters
    Warblade 1,900 Rangers
    Claymore 5,800 Princesses

    Armor

    Armor Cost (in gold) Equippable by
    Robe 80 Rangers
    Cuirass 160 Princesses, Lords, Fighters, Rangers
    Cape 60 Mages, Healers
    Hauberk 3,500 Princesses, Lords, Fighters

    Spells

    Spell Cost (in gold) Mana cost Effect Used by
    Scan 100 1 Identifies enemies. Princesses, Mages
    Heal 150 2 Restores an ally's hit points. Princesses, Healers
    Life 700 4 Stronger version of Heal. Healers
    Peace 300 4 Neutralizes enemy magic. Healers
    Dark 300 2 Deflects enemy magic. Healers
    Sleep 500 1 Puts an enemy unit to sleep. Healers
    Chant 200 1 Gives 10 magic points to an ally. Princesses
    Drain 1,500 8 Takes 25% of an enemy's hit points. Princesses, Mages
    Boost 200 8 Makes the next attack a critical hit. Princesses
    Cold 800 4 Offensive ability, especially effective against Fire enemies. Mages
    Frost 3,000 6 Stronger version of cold. Mages
    Fire 800 4 Offensive ability, especially effective against wind enemies. Mages
    Blaze 2,100 6 Stronger version of Fire. Mages
    Flash 900 4 Offensive ability, especially effective against Water enemies. Mages
    Bolt 3,000 6 Stronger version of Flash. Mages

    Versions

    Localised names

    Also known as
    Language Localised Name English Translation
    English Crystal Warriors Crystal Warriors
    English (US) Crystal Warriors Crystal Warriors
    Japanese アーリエル クリスタル伝説 Arliel: Crystal Densetsu

    Production credits

    Source:
    In-game credits
    Crystal Warriors GG credits.pdf
    [18]


    Magazine articles

    Main article: Crystal Warriors/Magazine articles.

    Promotional material

    Logo-pdf.svg
    Print advert in (JP) #1991-12: "December 1991" (1991-11-08)
    Logo-pdf.svg

    Physical scans

    Sega Retro Average 
    Publication Score Source
    {{{{{icon}}}|L}} Division by zero.
    Based on
    0 review
    Sega Retro Average 
    Publication Version Score
    (JP) NTSC-J
    83
    [19]
    (FR)
    89
    [20]
    (UK)
    81
    [10]
    (JP) NTSC-J
    65
    [21]
    (US) NTSC-U
    76
    [6]
    (JP) NTSC-J
    70
    [22]
    (FR)
    85
    [23]
    (FR)
    85
    [24]
    (FR)
    80
    [25]
    (FR)
    80
    [26]
    (DE)
    66
    [27]
    (UK) PAL
    93
    [28]
    (UK) NTSC-U
    79
    [29]
    (UK) PAL
    79
    [30]
    (SE)
    91
    [31]
    (UK) PAL
    63
    [32]
    (JP) NTSC-J
    81
    [33]
    (FR)
    64
    [34]
    (US) NTSC-U
    80
    [7]
    (DE)
    77
    [35]
    Sega Game Gear
    78
    Based on
    20 reviews

    Crystal Warriors

    Game Gear, JP
    CrystalWarriors JP backcover.jpgNospine-small.pngCrystalWarriors JP cover.jpg
    Cover
    CrystalWarriors JP cart.jpg
    Cart
    Game Gear, US
    CrystalWarriors GG US Box Back.jpgNospine.pngCrystalWarriors GG US Box Front.jpg
    Cover
    CrystalWarriors EU cart.jpg
    Cart
    Crystal Warriors GG US Manual.pdf
    Manual
    Game Gear, EU
    CrystalWarriors GG EU Box Back.jpgCrystal Warriors GG EU BoxSpine.jpgCrystalWarriors EU cover.jpg
    Cover
    CrystalWarriors EU cart.jpg
    Cart
    Crystal Warriors GG EU Manual.jpg
    Manual
    Game Gear, EU (Classic)
    Crystal Warriors GG EU ClassicGG BoxBack.jpgCrystal Warriors GG EU ClassicGG BoxSpine.jpgCrystalWarriors GG EU Box Front Classic.jpg
    Cover
    CrystalWarriors EU cart.jpg
    Cart
    Crystal Warriors GG EU Manual.jpg
    Manual
    Game Gear, ZA (Classic)
    CrystalWarriors GG ZA Box Front Classic.jpg
    Cover
    CrystalWarriors EU cart.jpg
    Cart

    Technical information

    ROM dump status

    System Hash Size Build Date Source Comments
    Sega Game Gear
     ?
    CRC32 35fa3f68
    MD5 45e0159738cbbaaf9f2ef7cc2ad02fcd
    SHA-1 75a04fa483fccd12a52aa18e494d542f4486577f
    256kB Cartridge (JP) 8kB backup
    Sega Game Gear
     ?
    CRC32 529c864e
    MD5 35d3fc09fcf22e35db4bac8cee9967f3
    SHA-1 6b03183b7183de17ad6fbc9938599d3d18badc1a
    256kB Cartridge (US/EU) 8kB backup

    External links

    • Sega of Japan 3DS VC catalogue pages: Game Gear
    • Nintendo catalogue pages: JP, US, UK

    References

    1. https://www.mtwo.co.jp/development/retrogame-2/#tab-4
    2. File:CrystalWarriors GG EU Box Back.jpg
    3. File:CrystalWarriors JP cover.jpg
    4. 4.0 4.1 https://sega.jp/history/hard/gamegear/software.html (Wayback Machine: 2018-12-07 04:57)
    5. Sega Visions, "May/June 1992" (US; 1992-xx-xx), page 58
    6. 6.0 6.1 GamePro, "May 1992" (US; 1992-xx-xx), page 76
    7. 7.0 7.1 VideoGames & Computer Entertainment, "June 1992" (US; 1992-0x-xx), page 64
    8. Computer Trade Weekly, "" (UK; 1992-06-01), page 19
    9. Computer Trade Weekly, "" (UK; 1992-06-01), page 19
    10. 10.0 10.1 Computer & Video Games, "July 1992 (Go! Issue 9)" (UK; 1992-06-15), page 10
    11. Computer Trade Weekly, "" (UK; 1994-08-15), page 10
    12. 12.0 12.1 http://vc.sega.jp:80/3ds/arliel/ (Wayback Machine: 2013-06-27 13:08)
    13. 13.0 13.1 http://www.nintendo.com:80/games/detail/jv53_i9skcWK9Jwj-hCXCRzihfovD8_h (Wayback Machine: 2013-06-29 16:17)
    14. 14.0 14.1 14.2 14.3 14.4 14.5 http://www.nintendolife.com/games/gamegear/crystal_warriors (Wayback Machine: 2017-06-14 00:14)
    15. https://www.nintendo.fr/Jeux/SEGA-Game-Gear/Crystal-Warriors-771925.html (archive.today)
    16. https://www.nintendo.co.uk/Games/SEGA-Game-Gear/Crystal-Warriors-771925.html (archive.today)
    17. https://www.nintendo.de/Spiele/SEGA-Game-Gear/Crystal-Warriors-771925.html (archive.today)
    18. File:Crystal Warriors GG credits.pdf
    19. Beep! MegaDrive, "December 1991" (JP; 1991-11-08), page 40
    20. Consoles +, "Juillet/Août 1992" (FR; 1992-0x-xx), page 121
    21. Famitsu, "1991-12-20" (JP; 1991-12-06), page 42
    22. Hippon Super, "January 1992" (JP; 1991-12-04), page 93
    23. Joypad, "Juillet 1992" (FR; 1992-06-1x), page 99
    24. Joystick, "Juin 1992" (FR; 1992-0x-xx), page 147
    25. Mega Force, "Juin 1992" (FR; 1992-06-05), page 79
    26. Player One, "Juin 1992" (FR; 1992-06-10), page 100
    27. Play Time, "7/92" (DE; 1992-06-03), page 97
    28. Sega Power, "August 1992" (UK; 1992-07-02), page 47
    29. Sega Pro, "July 1992" (UK; 1992-06-18), page 68
    30. Sega Pro, "April 1993" (UK; 1993-03-11), page 74
    31. Sega Force, "2/92" (SE; 1992-11-19), page 26
    32. Sega Force, "July 1992" (UK; 1992-06-xx), page 62
    33. Sega Saturn Magazine, "September 1995" (JP; 1995-08-08), page 88
    34. Supersonic, "Juillet/Août 1992" (FR; 1992-xx-xx), page 30
    35. Video Games, "7/92" (DE; 1992-06-24), page 98


    Crystal Warriors

    CrystalWarriors title.png

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