Difference between revisions of "Sword of Vermilion"

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{{stub}}
 
 
{{Bob
 
{{Bob
 
| bobscreen=SwordOfVermilion_TitleScreen.png
 
| bobscreen=SwordOfVermilion_TitleScreen.png
 +
| bobscreen2=Vermilion MDTitleScreen.png
 +
| tab1=NTSC-U/PAL
 +
| tab2=NTSC-J
 
| publisher=[[Sega]]
 
| publisher=[[Sega]]
−
| developer=[[Sega AM2]]
+
| developer={{company|[[Sega R&D 8]]{{magref|segamagjp|4|24}}|system=MD}}
−
| system=[[Sega Mega Drive]]
+
{{company|[[M2]]|system=VC}}
−
| japan=December 16, 1989
+
| system=[[Sega Mega Drive]], [[Virtual Console]], [[Steam]], [[Nintendo Switch Online]]
−
| europe=1991
+
| sounddriver=
−
| usa=January 28, 1991
+
| peripherals=
−
| genre=RPG
+
| players=1
−
| rrp_jp=8,500
+
| genre=RPG{{fileref|Vermilion md jp cover.jpg}}
−
|esrb=e
+
| releases={{releasesMD
−
|pegi=7
+
| md_date_jp=1989-12-16
 +
| md_code_jp=G-5502
 +
| md_rrp_jp=8,500
 +
| md_date_us=1990-11{{ref|https://groups.google.com/g/rec.games.video/c/2WJa_XfKZlI/m/9cdoKtm-swAJ}}
 +
| md_code_us=1302<!--{{magref|sv|8|60}}-->
 +
| md_rrp_us=79.95{{magref|vgce|22|52}}
 +
| md_date_eu=1991-04
 +
| md_code_eu=1302<!--{{magref|SegaFromVirginJuly1991 DE Trade Price List.pdf|page=5}}-->
 +
| md_date_uk=1991-04
 +
| md_code_uk=1302<!--{{magref|SegaFromVirginJuly1991 DE Trade Price List.pdf|page=5}}-->
 +
| md_rrp_uk=49.99{{magref|raze|5|75}}{{magref|segapower|20|11}}<!--39.99{{magref|cvg|115|114}}-->
 +
| md_date_fr=1991
 +
| md_rrp_fr=
 +
| md_date_au=199x
 +
| md_date_ca=199x
 +
| md_date_as=199x
 
}}
 
}}
−
'''''Sword of Vermilion''''', known as ''Vermilion'' (ヴァーミリオン) in Japan, is an action game developed by [[Sega]] under [[Yu Suzuki]] and released for the [[Sega Mega Drive]] in late 1989 (Japan)/early 1991 (US/Europe).
+
{{releasesWii
 +
| vc_date_us=2007-03-05{{ref|http://web.archive.org/web/20101123005814/http://www.nintendo.com/games/detail/k5zK--CzKF4xBISlDhDlzN4IzdjoXD4L}}
 +
| vc_rrp_us=800{{ref|http://web.archive.org/web/20101123005814/http://www.nintendo.com/games/detail/k5zK--CzKF4xBISlDhDlzN4IzdjoXD4L}}
 +
| vc_rating_us=e
 +
| vc_date_eu=2007-03-02{{ref|http://web.archive.org/web/20170704172917/http://www.nintendolife.com/games/megadrive/sword_of_vermilion}}{{ref|https://archive.is/wfatv|https://www.nintendo.co.uk/Games/Virtual-Console-Wii-/Sword-of-Vermilion--279756.html}}
 +
| vc_rrp_eu=800{{ref|http://web.archive.org/web/20170704172917/http://www.nintendolife.com/games/megadrive/sword_of_vermilion}}
 +
| vc_rating_eu=7
 +
| vc_date_jp=2007-02-27{{ref|http://web.archive.org/web/20180305231140/https://www.nintendo.co.jp/wii/vc/software/02.html}}
 +
| vc_rrp_jp=600{{ref|http://web.archive.org/web/20070226064644/http://vc.sega.jp:80/vc_vermilion/}}
 +
| vc_rating_jp=a
 +
| vc_date_au=2007-03
 +
| vc_rrp_au=800{{ref|1=http://web.archive.org/web/20120403031820/http://www.nintendo.com.au/index.php?action=catalogue&prodcat_id=41&prod_id=19781&pageID=4}}
 +
| vc_rating_au=pg
 +
}}
 +
{{releasesDigital
 +
| steam_date_eu=2010-10-26{{ref|http://web.archive.org/web/20191119001253/https://steamdb.info/app/71114/}}
 +
| steam_rrp_eu=2.49{{ref|http://web.archive.org/web/20130522201509/http://steamdb.info/app/71114/}}
 +
| steam_code_eu=71114
 +
| steam_rating_eu=7
 +
| steam_date_de=2010-10-26{{ref|http://web.archive.org/web/20191119001253/https://steamdb.info/app/71114/}}
 +
| steam_rrp_de=2.49{{ref|http://web.archive.org/web/20130522201509/http://steamdb.info/app/71114/}}
 +
| steam_code_de=71114
 +
| steam_rating_de=6
 +
| steam_date_uk=2010-10-26{{ref|http://web.archive.org/web/20191119001253/https://steamdb.info/app/71114/}}
 +
| steam_rrp_uk=1.99{{ref|http://web.archive.org/web/20130522201509/http://steamdb.info/app/71114/}}
 +
| steam_code_uk=71114
 +
| steam_rating_uk=7
 +
| steam_date_us=2010-10-26{{ref|http://web.archive.org/web/20191119001253/https://steamdb.info/app/71114/}}
 +
| steam_rrp_us=2.99{{ref|http://web.archive.org/web/20130522201509/http://steamdb.info/app/71114/}}
 +
| steam_code_us=71114
 +
| steam_rating_us=e
 +
| steam_date_au=2010-10-26{{ref|http://web.archive.org/web/20191119001253/https://steamdb.info/app/71114/}}
 +
| steam_rrp_au=3.49{{ref|http://web.archive.org/web/20130522201509/http://steamdb.info/app/71114/}}
 +
| steam_code_au=71114
 +
| steam_rating_au=pg
 +
 
 +
| steamlinux_date_eu=2019-02-01{{ref|1=https://steamdb.info/app/71114/history/?changeid=5755281}}
 +
| steamlinux_rrp_eu=0.99{{ref|http://web.archive.org/web/20191119001253/http://steamdb.info/app/71114/}}
 +
| steamlinux_code_eu=71114
 +
| steamlinux_rating_eu=7
 +
| steamlinux_date_de=2019-02-01{{ref|1=https://steamdb.info/app/71114/history/?changeid=5755281}}
 +
| steamlinux_rrp_de=0.99{{ref|http://web.archive.org/web/20191119001253/http://steamdb.info/app/71114/}}
 +
| steamlinux_code_de=71114
 +
| steamlinux_rating_de=6
 +
| steamlinux_date_uk=2019-02-01{{ref|1=https://steamdb.info/app/71114/history/?changeid=5755281}}
 +
| steamlinux_rrp_uk=0.79{{ref|http://web.archive.org/web/20191119001253/http://steamdb.info/app/71114/}}
 +
| steamlinux_code_uk=71114
 +
| steamlinux_rating_uk=7
 +
| steamlinux_date_us=2019-02-01{{ref|1=https://steamdb.info/app/71114/history/?changeid=5755281}}
 +
| steamlinux_rrp_us=0.99{{ref|http://web.archive.org/web/20191119001253/http://steamdb.info/app/71114/}}
 +
| steamlinux_code_us=71114
 +
| steamlinux_rating_us=e
 +
| steamlinux_date_au=2019-02-01{{ref|1=https://steamdb.info/app/71114/history/?changeid=5755281}}
 +
| steamlinux_rrp_au=1.35{{ref|http://web.archive.org/web/20191119001253/http://steamdb.info/app/71114/}}
 +
| steamlinux_code_au=71114
 +
| steamlinux_rating_au=pg
 +
 
 +
| steamosx_date_eu=2019-02-01{{ref|1=https://steamdb.info/app/71114/history/?changeid=5755281}}
 +
| steamosx_rrp_eu=0.99{{ref|http://web.archive.org/web/20191119001253/http://steamdb.info/app/71114/}}
 +
| steamosx_code_eu=71114
 +
| steamosx_rating_eu=7
 +
| steamosx_date_de=2019-02-01{{ref|1=https://steamdb.info/app/71114/history/?changeid=5755281}}
 +
| steamosx_rrp_de=0.99{{ref|http://web.archive.org/web/20191119001253/http://steamdb.info/app/71114/}}
 +
| steamosx_code_de=71114
 +
| steamosx_rating_de=6
 +
| steamosx_date_uk=2019-02-01{{ref|1=https://steamdb.info/app/71114/history/?changeid=5755281}}
 +
| steamosx_rrp_uk=0.79{{ref|http://web.archive.org/web/20191119001253/http://steamdb.info/app/71114/}}
 +
| steamosx_code_uk=71114
 +
| steamosx_rating_uk=7
 +
| steamosx_date_us=2019-02-01{{ref|1=https://steamdb.info/app/71114/history/?changeid=5755281}}
 +
| steamosx_rrp_us=0.99{{ref|http://web.archive.org/web/20191119001253/http://steamdb.info/app/71114/}}
 +
| steamosx_code_us=71114
 +
| steamosx_rating_us=e
 +
| steamosx_date_au=2019-02-01{{ref|1=https://steamdb.info/app/71114/history/?changeid=5755281}}
 +
| steamosx_rrp_au=1.35{{ref|http://web.archive.org/web/20191119001253/http://steamdb.info/app/71114/}}
 +
| steamosx_code_au=71114
 +
| steamosx_rating_au=pg
 +
}}
 +
{{releasesSwitch
 +
| switchonline_date_jp=2021-12-17{{ref|https://archive.md/4u5Th|https://topics.nintendo.co.jp/article/f75139e8-8413-450e-9369-eba602eb0510}}
 +
| switchonline_rrp_jp=sub
 +
| switchonline_date_us=2021-12-16{{ref|https://archive.ph/2EXZ3|https://twitter.com/NintendoAmerica/status/1471646839225077761}}
 +
| switchonline_rrp_us=sub
 +
| switchonline_date_eu=2021-12-17{{ref|https://archive.md/MY83i|https://twitter.com/NintendoEurope/status/1471767310490906627}}
 +
| switchonline_rrp_eu=sub
 +
| switchonline_date_uk=2021-12-17{{ref|https://archive.md/CRf0I|https://twitter.com/NintendoUK/status/1471767308695707649}}
 +
| switchonline_rrp_uk=sub
 +
| switchonline_date_au=2021-12-17{{ref|https://archive.md/pSlxj|https://twitter.com/NintendoAUNZ/status/1472084212689752069}}
 +
| switchonline_rrp_au=sub
 +
}}
 +
| savetype={{SaveType
 +
|MD|battery
 +
}}
 +
}}
 +
'''''{{PAGENAME}}''''', known as '''''Vermilion''''' (ヴァーミリオン) in Japan, is an action RPG game developed by [[Sega]] under [[Yu Suzuki]] and released for the [[Sega Mega Drive]] in late 1989. It was brought to English-speaking nations in 1991 where it shipped with a 106-page hint book.
 +
 
 +
==Plot==
 +
Erik V, king of Excalabria, is overthrown by Tsarkon, king of Cartahena. Before he dies, Erik tells his most trusted servant, Blade, to take his infant son and the family heirloom, the Ring of Wisdom, and escape, raising the baby as his own. Eighteen years later, Tsarkon's forces approach Wyclif, the town where Blade took the baby, requiring Blade to reveal the boy's true identity as Prince of Excalabria and sending him off to save the land by collecting a series of rings starting with the Ring of Wisdom.
 +
 
 +
==Gameplay==
 +
===Areas===
 +
You control the Prince in four different ways, depending on where you are:
 +
 
 +
====Towns====
 +
When in towns, the game takes a top-down view. {{C}} opens the menu (described below). You may only enter buildings whose doors are open. Each town might have any of the following buildings: a church (where you can get cured of poison and curses and can save your game), a weapon shop (selling weapons, shields, and armor), a tavern (which does not appear to sell anything), an inn (where you may rest), an equipment shop (which sells consumable items), and a fortune teller's building. Furthermore, one NPC in each town will usually give you a map of an area in the overworld when you talk to him. Each town has a building (for instance, with Parma, the castle) where you must go and talk to someone (with Parma, the King) who will tell you how to get the next ring.
 +
 
 +
====Overworld/Dungeons====
 +
In the overworld and dungeons, the screen splits, with a 3D perspective on the left screen and a map on the right, with some status information on the bottom. {{Up}} and {{down}} move forward and backward; {{left}} and {{right}} turn 90° in the particular direction, and {{C}} opens the menu. The map on the right will only show what is immediately visible to you unless you have a map (and in the case of dungeons, which are dark by default, a light). Along the way, you will be stopped randomly by enemies who will take you into battle, find people who you can talk to, and find chests you can open for items, the latter usually placed in dead ends.
 +
 
 +
====Battles====
 +
Battles take place in a top-down area the size of the screen. You always start facing down at the center of the battlefield, regardless of how many enemies there are and where they are, so act fast! {{C}} uses your sword, which you must have equipped beforehand from the menu. {{A}} uses the battle magic that you have readied beforehand from the '''Magic''' menu. Each enemy you kill gains you money, called "kims", and experience points. The battle ends when you either die, walk out the left/right sides, or kill all enemies on screen. If you are killed, you will be restored at a church, and the pontiff will take half your money for the poor.
 +
 
 +
====Archmonster battles====
 +
When fighting an arhcmonster, which are bosses of this game, the battle will take place from a 2D side perspective. {{right}} moves you forward, {{left}} moves you backward, {{down}} makes you duck and {{C}} swings the sword, the attack can also destroy certain projectiles. You can't escape or use magic during archmonster battles so it's a fight until either player or arhcmonster dies.
 +
 
 +
===Menu===
 +
When not in a battle, press {{C}} to open the menu. You have eight options:
 +
* '''Talk''': talk to a person you are immediately next to/in front of/behind
 +
* '''Item''': use or discard collected items
 +
* '''Str''': show incremental screens of status; {{C}} shows the next screen
 +
* '''Open''': open treasure chests and doors
 +
* '''Magic''': cast, prepare, or discard magic spells
 +
* '''Equip''': put on, take off, or discard weapons, shields, and armor
 +
* '''Seek''': look around for unusual things
 +
* '''Take''': take an item from the opened treasure chest
 +
{{C}} makes a selection. {{B}} at any time exits first a submenu, then the whole menu.
 +
 
 +
Pressing {{start}} opens another menu where you may choose how fast you want dialogue to appear.
 +
 
 +
==History==
 +
===Development===
 +
The game was developed by [[Sega R&D 8]], a department known for their [[Taikan game]] arcade works such as ''[[OutRun]]'', ''[[After Burner]]'' and ''[[Power Drift]]''{{magref|bemega|1989-11|85}}. However, programmer [[Tomoharu Kimura]] (who later founded [[Genki]]) came to department head [[Yu Suzuki]] with a proposal: a Mega Drive RPG with 3D visuals. The main development team consisted of 7 people: 1 director and game designer [[Hiroshi Hamagaki]] (Sada), 2 programmers and game designers Tomoharu Kimura (Madoka) and [[Keiji Okayasu]] (Namako), 2 graphic designers [[Kiyo|Key]] and [[Gudon]] [NOTE: One of these two people has the initial H, most likely in their surname{{magref|bemega|1989-11|87}}], and 2 sound designers [[Hiroshi Kawaguchi]] (Hiro) and [[Yasuhiro Takagi]] (Yas). Developing an RPG proved far too difficult with such a small team, so various members from R&D 8 eventually chipped in, including notable people like programmer [[Satoshi Mifune]] (Bin) and graphic designer [[Toshihiro Nagoshi]]{{fileref|VtRaHOST CD JP Booklet.pdf|9}}. The game took 10 months to develop{{magref|bemega|1989-11|87}}.
  
−
Erik, king of Excalabria, is overthrown by Tsarkon, king of Cartahena. Before he dies, Erik tells his most trusted servant, Blade, to take his infant son and escape, raising the baby as his own. Eighteen years later, Tsarkon's forces approach where Blade took the baby, requiring Blade to reveal the boy's true identity as Prince of Excalabria and sending him off to save the land.
+
The name ''Vermillion'' was chosen because it is a shame of red, and the person who named it saw red as the colour of RPGs and freedom{{magref|bemega|1989-11|87}}.
  
−
You play as the Prince in three different modes. While in towns, the game takes on an top-down RPG-type form where {{C}} opens up a status window where you do mundane actions. The overworld is a 3D view you move forward/backward or turn 90 degrees to the right or left to navigate, and (in RPG fasion) run into enemies who appear when they detect you, at which point you are taken into a top-down battle screen where you use {{C}} to use the weapon you equipped in towns.
+
The game's soundtrack runs on a custom sound driver, reprogrammed by Hiroshi Kawaguchi. His style of music often included PCM samples for drums, which the early Mega Drive sound driver [[SMPS]] was not designed to handle. Kawaguchi redesigned it to use the 68000 for processing instead of the Z80. The first song Kawaguchi composed for the game was the title theme, which includes the sound of thunder to show off the game's use of PCM samples. Unlike most songs Kawaguchi composed, all members of the development liked the song from its first demonstration, whereas he usually one or two complaints when exhibiting a new song. The name entry music is also notable for not looping completely back to the beginning, and as it is programmed to raise its pitch at certain intervals, it can go higher and higher forever. Kawaguchi decided not to create a loop point because very few people would stay on the name entry screen long enough to notice, something he has since noted would not have gotten past more modern test teams{{fileref|VtRaHOST CD JP Booklet.pdf|6}}.
  
−
==Physical Scans==
+
===Legacy===
 +
The game was re-released as part of ''[[Sega Mega Drive Collection]]'' for the [[PlayStation 2]] and [[PlayStation Portable]]. It was also released for the [[Wii]]'s [[Virtual Console]] in Japan on 27 February 2007, Europe on 1 March 2007 and North America on 5 March 2007. It was also released as part of ''[[Sega Mega Drive Classic Collection Volume 3]]'' for Windows and is available for separate purchase on [[Steam]].
 +
 
 +
The game has a Japanese guide book in the form of ''[[Vermilion Attack Manual Book]]''. It also would receive a soundtrack in 2009 as ''[[Vermilion vs Rent A Hero Original Soundtrack]]'', which also contains music from ''[[Rent A Hero]]''.
 +
 
 +
==Versions==
 +
===Localised names===
 +
{{aka
 +
|en_name=Sword of Vermilion
 +
|us_name=Sword of Vermilion
 +
|jp_name=ヴァーミリオン
 +
|jp_trans=Vermilion
 +
|jp_rom=
 +
}}
 +
 
 +
==Production credits==
 +
{{multicol|
 +
{{creditstable|
 +
*'''Director:''' [[Hiroshi Hamagaki|Sada]]
 +
*'''Scenario Writer:''' [[Namako]]
 +
*'''Game Design:''' [[Hiroshi Hamagaki|Sada]], [[Namako]], [[Madoka]]
 +
*'''Chief Programer:''' [[Madoka]]
 +
*'''Chief Designer:''' [[Kiyo|Key]]
 +
*'''Main Program:''' [[Madoka]], [[Namako]]
 +
*'''Program:''' [[Satoshi Mifune|Bin]], [[Zeas-Q]], [[Lalf2]]
 +
*'''Sound Program:'''
 +
**'''68000:''' [[Hiroshi Kawaguchi|Hiro]]
 +
**'''Z80:''' [[Yasuhiro Takagi|Yas]]
 +
*'''Background Design:''' [[Kiyo|Key]]
 +
*'''Player Design:''' [[Gudon]]
 +
*'''Boss Design:''' [[Gudon]], [[Papa]]
 +
*'''Enemy Design:''' [[Gudon]], [[Papa]], [[Robo]]
 +
*'''Opening Design:''' [[Jiji]]
 +
*'''Title Design:''' [[Kiyo|Key]]
 +
*'''ASCII Design:''' [[Kiyo|Key]]
 +
*'''Map Design:''' [[Hiroshi Hamagaki|Sada]], [[Namako]]
 +
*'''Map Edit:''' [[Coma]], [[Lucy]]
 +
*'''Sound (BGM):''' [[Hiroshi Kawaguchi|Hiro]], [[Yasuhiro Takagi|Yas]]
 +
*'''Sound (Effect):''' [[Yasuhiro Takagi|Yas]]
 +
*'''Game Check:''' [[Dog]]
 +
*'''Manual Write:''' [[Madoka]], [[Namako]]
 +
*'''Player:''' (player's name)
 +
*'''Producer:''' [[Yu Suzuki]]
 +
*'''Special Thanks:''' [[Yu Suzuki|Yu]], [[Satoshi Mifune|Bin]]
 +
| source=In-game credits
 +
| console=MD
 +
}}
 +
 
 +
The following developers are known, but their pseudonyms have not been identified.
 +
{{creditstable|
 +
*'''Design:''' [[Toshihiro Nagoshi]] (possibly Robo or Jiji)
 +
| source=Developer mentions{{fileref|VtRaHOST CD JP Booklet.pdf|page=9}}
 +
| console=MD
 +
}}
 +
 
 +
{{creditstable|
 +
*'''Japanese cover artist:''' [[Hiroaki Shioya]]
 +
| console=MD
 +
| source=[[Sega TV Game Genga Gallery]]
 +
| pdf=Sega TV Game Genga Gallery.pdf
 +
| pdfpage=20
 +
}}
 +
}}
 +
 
 +
==Digital manuals==
 
<gallery>
 
<gallery>
−
File:SoV MD US Box.jpg|US cover
+
SwordofVermilion Steam manual.pdf|Steam manual
 +
Vermilion MD JP MDMini manual.pdf|Mega Drive Mini JP manual
 
</gallery>
 
</gallery>
  
−
[[Category:Mega Drive Games]]
+
==Magazine articles==
−
[[Category:1989 Mega Drive Games]]
+
{{mainArticle|{{PAGENAME}}/Magazine articles}}
−
[[Category:Mega Drive RPGs]]
+
 
−
[[Category:Virtual Console Games]]
+
==Promotional material==
 +
===Print advertisements===
 +
{{gallery
 +
|{{GalleryPrintAd
 +
|sv|2|15-18
 +
|egm|15|69
 +
|gamepro|15|73
 +
|vgce|21|39
 +
}}
 +
|{{GalleryPrintAd
 +
|egm|16|74-76
 +
|gamepro|16|100
 +
|gpsg|0101|8
 +
|sv|3|22
 +
}}
 +
|{{galleryPrintAd|bemega|1989-11|116}}
 +
|{{galleryPrintAd|bemega|1989-11|2-3}}
 +
}}
 +
 
 +
===Television advertisements===
 +
{{gallery
 +
|{{gitem|Vermilion MD JP TVAdvert.mp4|JP}}
 +
}}
 +
 
 +
==Physical scans==
 +
{{ratings|MD}}
 +
{{Scanbox
 +
| console=Mega Drive
 +
| region=JP
 +
| cover=Vermilion md jp cover.jpg
 +
| cart=Vermilion md jp cart.jpg
 +
| carttop=SwordofVermilion_MD_JP_CartTop.jpg
 +
| manual=Vermilion md jp manual.pdf
 +
| item1=SoV MD JP pcb.jpg
 +
| item1name=PCB
 +
}}{{Scanbox
 +
| console=Mega Drive
 +
| region=US
 +
| cover=SoV MD US Box.jpg
 +
| cart=Swordofvermilion md us cart.jpg
 +
| item1=Sword_of_Vermilion_MD_US_Hint_Book.pdf
 +
| item1name=Hint Book
 +
| manual=Sword of Vermilion MD US Manual.pdf
 +
}}{{Scanbox
 +
| console=Mega Drive
 +
| region=UK
 +
| cover=Vermilion md uk cover.jpg
 +
| cart=Vermilion MD UK Cart.jpg
 +
| item1=Sword_of_Vermilion_MD_US_Hint_Book.pdf
 +
| item1name=Hint Book
 +
| item2=SoV MD EU pcb.jpg
 +
| item2name=PCB
 +
| manual=Sword of Vermilion MD EU Manual.jpg
 +
}}{{Scanbox
 +
| console=Mega Drive
 +
| region=CA
 +
| cover=SoV MD CA cover.jpg
 +
| cart=
 +
}}{{Scanbox
 +
| console=Mega Drive
 +
| region=AS
 +
| cover=
 +
| cart=
 +
}}{{Scanbox
 +
| console=Mega Drive
 +
| region=AS ([[Wywy]])
 +
| cover=SoV MD AS wywy cover.jpg
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| cart=SoV MD AS wywy cart.jpg
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| cartback=SoV MD AS wywy cartback.jpg
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}}
 +
 
 +
==Technical information==
 +
{{mainArticle|{{PAGENAME}}/Technical information}}
 +
 
 +
==External links==
 +
* Sega of Japan Virtual Console pages: [http://vc.sega.jp/vc_vermilion/ Mega Drive]
 +
* Nintendo catalogue pages: [https://www.nintendo.com/games/detail/k5zK--CzKF4xBISlDhDlzN4IzdjoXD4L US], [https://www.nintendo.co.uk/Games/Virtual-Console-Wii-/Sword-of-Vermilion--279756.html UK], [http://web.archive.org/web/20120403031820/http://www.nintendo.com.au/index.php?action=catalogue&prodcat_id=41&prod_id=19781&pageID=4 AU]
 +
* [http://store.steampowered.com/app/71114/ ''{{PAGENAME}}'' on Steam]
 +
 
 +
==References==
 +
<references/>
 +
 
 +
{{VermilionOmni}}
 +
[[Category:Sega Channel games]]
 +
[[Category:Mega Drive Mini games]]

Latest revision as of 04:41, 11 April 2024

n/a

  • NTSC-U/PAL
  • NTSC-J

SwordOfVermilion TitleScreen.png

Vermilion MDTitleScreen.png

Sword of Vermilion
System(s): Sega Mega Drive, Virtual Console, Steam, Nintendo Switch Online
Publisher: Sega
Developer:
Genre: RPG[2]

















Number of players: 1
Release Date RRP Code
Sega Mega Drive
JP 		¥8,5008,500 G-5502
Sega Mega Drive
US 		$79.9579.95[4] 1302
Sega Mega Drive
EU 		1302
Sega Mega Drive
FR
Sega Mega Drive
UK 		£49.9949.99[5][6] 1302
Sega Mega Drive
AU
Sega Mega Drive
CA
Sega Mega Drive
AS
Wii Virtual Console
JP ▼ 		600pts600[11]
CERO: A
Wii Virtual Console
US ▼ 		800pts800[7]
ESRB: Everyone
Wii Virtual Console
EU ▼ 		800pts800[8]
PEGI: 7+
Wii Virtual Console
AU ▼ 		800pts800[12]
OFLC: Parental Guidance (PG)
Steam
US ▼ 		$2.992.99[14] 71114
ESRB: Everyone
Steam
EU ▼ 		€2.492.49[14] 71114
PEGI: 7+
Steam
DE ▼ 		€2.492.49[14] 71114
USK: 6
Steam
UK ▼ 		£1.991.99[14] 71114
PEGI: 7+
Steam
AU ▼ 		$3.493.49[14] 71114
OFLC: Parental Guidance (PG)
Steam Linux
US ▼ 		$0.990.99[16] 71114
ESRB: Everyone
Steam Linux
EU ▼ 		€0.990.99[16] 71114
PEGI: 7+
Steam Linux
DE ▼ 		€0.990.99[16] 71114
USK: 6
Steam Linux
UK ▼ 		£0.790.79[16] 71114
PEGI: 7+
Steam Linux
AU ▼ 		$1.351.35[16] 71114
OFLC: Parental Guidance (PG)
Steam OS X
US ▼ 		$0.990.99[16] 71114
ESRB: Everyone
Steam OS X
EU ▼ 		€0.990.99[16] 71114
PEGI: 7+
Steam OS X
DE ▼ 		€0.990.99[16] 71114
USK: 6
Steam OS X
UK ▼ 		£0.790.79[16] 71114
PEGI: 7+
Steam OS X
AU ▼ 		$1.351.35[16] 71114
OFLC: Parental Guidance (PG)
Nintendo Switch Online
JP ▼ 		SUBsub
Nintendo Switch Online
US ▼ 		SUBsub
Nintendo Switch Online
EU ▼ 		SUBsub
Nintendo Switch Online
UK ▼ 		SUBsub
Nintendo Switch Online
AU ▼ 		SUBsub

Sword of Vermilion, known as Vermilion (ヴァーミリオン) in Japan, is an action RPG game developed by Sega under Yu Suzuki and released for the Sega Mega Drive in late 1989. It was brought to English-speaking nations in 1991 where it shipped with a 106-page hint book.

Plot

Erik V, king of Excalabria, is overthrown by Tsarkon, king of Cartahena. Before he dies, Erik tells his most trusted servant, Blade, to take his infant son and the family heirloom, the Ring of Wisdom, and escape, raising the baby as his own. Eighteen years later, Tsarkon's forces approach Wyclif, the town where Blade took the baby, requiring Blade to reveal the boy's true identity as Prince of Excalabria and sending him off to save the land by collecting a series of rings starting with the Ring of Wisdom.

Gameplay

Areas

You control the Prince in four different ways, depending on where you are:

Towns

When in towns, the game takes a top-down view. C opens the menu (described below). You may only enter buildings whose doors are open. Each town might have any of the following buildings: a church (where you can get cured of poison and curses and can save your game), a weapon shop (selling weapons, shields, and armor), a tavern (which does not appear to sell anything), an inn (where you may rest), an equipment shop (which sells consumable items), and a fortune teller's building. Furthermore, one NPC in each town will usually give you a map of an area in the overworld when you talk to him. Each town has a building (for instance, with Parma, the castle) where you must go and talk to someone (with Parma, the King) who will tell you how to get the next ring.

Overworld/Dungeons

In the overworld and dungeons, the screen splits, with a 3D perspective on the left screen and a map on the right, with some status information on the bottom. Up and Down move forward and backward; Left and Right turn 90° in the particular direction, and C opens the menu. The map on the right will only show what is immediately visible to you unless you have a map (and in the case of dungeons, which are dark by default, a light). Along the way, you will be stopped randomly by enemies who will take you into battle, find people who you can talk to, and find chests you can open for items, the latter usually placed in dead ends.

Battles

Battles take place in a top-down area the size of the screen. You always start facing down at the center of the battlefield, regardless of how many enemies there are and where they are, so act fast! C uses your sword, which you must have equipped beforehand from the menu. A uses the battle magic that you have readied beforehand from the Magic menu. Each enemy you kill gains you money, called "kims", and experience points. The battle ends when you either die, walk out the left/right sides, or kill all enemies on screen. If you are killed, you will be restored at a church, and the pontiff will take half your money for the poor.

Archmonster battles

When fighting an arhcmonster, which are bosses of this game, the battle will take place from a 2D side perspective. Right moves you forward, Left moves you backward, Down makes you duck and C swings the sword, the attack can also destroy certain projectiles. You can't escape or use magic during archmonster battles so it's a fight until either player or arhcmonster dies.

Menu

When not in a battle, press C to open the menu. You have eight options:

  • Talk: talk to a person you are immediately next to/in front of/behind
  • Item: use or discard collected items
  • Str: show incremental screens of status; C shows the next screen
  • Open: open treasure chests and doors
  • Magic: cast, prepare, or discard magic spells
  • Equip: put on, take off, or discard weapons, shields, and armor
  • Seek: look around for unusual things
  • Take: take an item from the opened treasure chest

C makes a selection. B at any time exits first a submenu, then the whole menu.

Pressing  START  opens another menu where you may choose how fast you want dialogue to appear.

History

Development

The game was developed by Sega R&D 8, a department known for their Taikan game arcade works such as OutRun, After Burner and Power Drift[22]. However, programmer Tomoharu Kimura (who later founded Genki) came to department head Yu Suzuki with a proposal: a Mega Drive RPG with 3D visuals. The main development team consisted of 7 people: 1 director and game designer Hiroshi Hamagaki (Sada), 2 programmers and game designers Tomoharu Kimura (Madoka) and Keiji Okayasu (Namako), 2 graphic designers Key and Gudon [NOTE: One of these two people has the initial H, most likely in their surname[23]], and 2 sound designers Hiroshi Kawaguchi (Hiro) and Yasuhiro Takagi (Yas). Developing an RPG proved far too difficult with such a small team, so various members from R&D 8 eventually chipped in, including notable people like programmer Satoshi Mifune (Bin) and graphic designer Toshihiro Nagoshi[24]. The game took 10 months to develop[23].

The name Vermillion was chosen because it is a shame of red, and the person who named it saw red as the colour of RPGs and freedom[23].

The game's soundtrack runs on a custom sound driver, reprogrammed by Hiroshi Kawaguchi. His style of music often included PCM samples for drums, which the early Mega Drive sound driver SMPS was not designed to handle. Kawaguchi redesigned it to use the 68000 for processing instead of the Z80. The first song Kawaguchi composed for the game was the title theme, which includes the sound of thunder to show off the game's use of PCM samples. Unlike most songs Kawaguchi composed, all members of the development liked the song from its first demonstration, whereas he usually one or two complaints when exhibiting a new song. The name entry music is also notable for not looping completely back to the beginning, and as it is programmed to raise its pitch at certain intervals, it can go higher and higher forever. Kawaguchi decided not to create a loop point because very few people would stay on the name entry screen long enough to notice, something he has since noted would not have gotten past more modern test teams[24].

Legacy

The game was re-released as part of Sega Mega Drive Collection for the PlayStation 2 and PlayStation Portable. It was also released for the Wii's Virtual Console in Japan on 27 February 2007, Europe on 1 March 2007 and North America on 5 March 2007. It was also released as part of Sega Mega Drive Classic Collection Volume 3 for Windows and is available for separate purchase on Steam.

The game has a Japanese guide book in the form of Vermilion Attack Manual Book. It also would receive a soundtrack in 2009 as Vermilion vs Rent A Hero Original Soundtrack, which also contains music from Rent A Hero.

Versions

Localised names

Also known as
Language Localised Name English Translation
English Sword of Vermilion Sword of Vermilion
English (US) Sword of Vermilion Sword of Vermilion
Japanese ヴァーミリオン Vermilion

Production credits

Source:
In-game credits


The following developers are known, but their pseudonyms have not been identified.

Source:
Developer mentions[25]


Source:
Sega TV Game Genga Gallery[26]

Digital manuals

  • Steam manual

  • Mega Drive Mini JP manual

Magazine articles

Main article: Sword of Vermilion/Magazine articles.

Promotional material

Print advertisements

Logo-pdf.svg
Print advert in Sega Visions (US) #2: "October/November 1990" (1990-xx-xx)
also published in:
Logo-pdf.svg
Logo-pdf.svg
Print advert in Electronic Gaming Monthly (US) #16: "November 1990" (1990-xx-xx)
also published in:
Logo-pdf.svg
Logo-pdf.svg
Print advert in Beep! MegaDrive (JP) #1989-11: "November 1989" (1989-XX-XX)
Logo-pdf.svg
Logo-pdf.svg
Print advert in Beep! MegaDrive (JP) #1989-11: "November 1989" (1989-XX-XX)
Logo-pdf.svg

Television advertisements

Physical scans

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
{{{{{icon}}}|L}} Division by zero.
Based on
0 review
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
1700 igr dlya Sega (RU)
60
[33]
Aktueller Software Markt (DE)
73
[34]
Beep! MegaDrive (JP) NTSC-J
70
[35]
Console XS (UK) PAL
81
[36]
Computer & Video Games (UK)
91
[37]
Electronic Gaming Monthly (US) NTSC-U
70
[38]
Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide (UK)
89
[39]
Famitsu (JP) NTSC-J
68
[40]
Game Informer (US) NTSC-U
53
[41]
Joystick (FR)
88
[42]
Sega Mega Drive Advanced Gaming (UK)
77
[43]
Mega Drive Fan (JP) NTSC-J
72
[44]
Mega (UK) PAL
86
[45]
Mega Play (US) NTSC-U
73
[46]
MegaTech (UK) PAL
90
[47]
Mean Machines (UK)
82
[48]
Mean Machines Sega (UK)
87
[49]
Player One (FR)
94
[50]
Play Time (DE)
73
[51]
Power Play (DE)
71
[52]
Raze (UK) PAL
82
[53]
Sega Power (UK)
91
[54]
Sega Power (UK) PAL
75
[55]
Sega Power (UK)
95
[56]
Sega Pro (UK)
80
[57]
Sega Pro (UK) PAL
81
[58]
Sega Saturn Magazine (JP) NTSC-J
61
[59]
Tilt (FR)
75
[60]
Tricks 16 bit (RU)
82
[61]
VideoGames & Computer Entertainment (US) NTSC-U
80
[4]
Video Games (DE)
71
[62]
Sega Mega Drive
 78
Based on
31 reviews

Sword of Vermilion

Mega Drive, JP
Vermilion md jp cover.jpg
Cover
SwordofVermilion MD JP CartTop.jpg
Vermilion md jp cart.jpg
Cart
Vermilion md jp manual.pdf
Manual
SoV MD JP pcb.jpg
PCB
Mega Drive, US
SoV MD US Box.jpg
Cover
Swordofvermilion md us cart.jpg
Cart
Sword of Vermilion MD US Manual.pdf
Manual
Sword of Vermilion MD US Hint Book.pdf
Hint Book
Mega Drive, UK
Vermilion md uk cover.jpg
Cover
Vermilion MD UK Cart.jpg
Cart
Sword of Vermilion MD EU Manual.jpg
Manual
Sword of Vermilion MD US Hint Book.pdf
Hint Book
SoV MD EU pcb.jpg
PCB
Mega Drive, CA
SoV MD CA cover.jpg
Cover
Mega Drive, AS†

Mega Drive, AS† (Wywy)
SoV MD AS wywy cover.jpg
Cover
SoV MD AS wywy cartback.jpgSoV MD AS wywy cart.jpg
Cart

Technical information

Main article: Sword of Vermilion/Technical information.

External links

References

  1. ↑ Sega Magazine, "1997-02 (1997-02)" (JP; 1997-01-13), page 24
  2. ↑ File:Vermilion md jp cover.jpg
  3. ↑ https://groups.google.com/g/rec.games.video/c/2WJa_XfKZlI/m/9cdoKtm-swAJ
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 VideoGames & Computer Entertainment, "November 1990" (US; 1990-1x-xx), page 52
  5. ↑ Raze, "March 1991" (UK; 1991-01-31), page 75
  6. ↑ Sega Power, "July 1991" (UK; 1991-06-06), page 11
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 http://www.nintendo.com/games/detail/k5zK--CzKF4xBISlDhDlzN4IzdjoXD4L (Wayback Machine: 2010-11-23 00:58)
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 http://www.nintendolife.com/games/megadrive/sword_of_vermilion (Wayback Machine: 2017-07-04 17:29)
  9. ↑ https://www.nintendo.co.uk/Games/Virtual-Console-Wii-/Sword-of-Vermilion--279756.html (archive.today)
  10. ↑ https://www.nintendo.co.jp/wii/vc/software/02.html (Wayback Machine: 2018-03-05 23:11)
  11. ↑ http://vc.sega.jp:80/vc_vermilion/ (Wayback Machine: 2007-02-26 06:46)
  12. ↑ http://www.nintendo.com.au/index.php?action=catalogue&prodcat_id=41&prod_id=19781&pageID=4 (Wayback Machine: 2012-04-03 03:18)
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 13.2 13.3 13.4 https://steamdb.info/app/71114/ (Wayback Machine: 2019-11-19 00:12)
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 14.2 14.3 14.4 http://steamdb.info/app/71114/ (Wayback Machine: 2013-05-22 20:15)
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 15.2 15.3 15.4 15.5 15.6 15.7 15.8 15.9 https://steamdb.info/app/71114/history/?changeid=5755281
  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 16.2 16.3 16.4 16.5 16.6 16.7 16.8 16.9 http://steamdb.info/app/71114/ (Wayback Machine: 2019-11-19 00:12)
  17. ↑ https://topics.nintendo.co.jp/article/f75139e8-8413-450e-9369-eba602eb0510 (archive.today)
  18. ↑ @NintendoAmerica on Twitter (archive.today)
  19. ↑ @NintendoEurope on Twitter (archive.today)
  20. ↑ @NintendoUK on Twitter (archive.today)
  21. ↑ @NintendoAUNZ on Twitter (archive.today)
  22. ↑ Beep! MegaDrive, "November 1989" (JP; 1989-XX-XX), page 85
  23. ↑ 23.0 23.1 23.2 Beep! MegaDrive, "November 1989" (JP; 1989-XX-XX), page 87
  24. ↑ 24.0 24.1 File:VtRaHOST CD JP Booklet.pdf
  25. ↑ File:VtRaHOST CD JP Booklet.pdf, page 9
  26. ↑ Sega TV Game Genga Gallery, Graphic Sha, page 20
  27. ↑ Electronic Gaming Monthly, "October 1990" (US; 1990-xx-xx), page 69
  28. ↑ GamePro, "October 1990" (US; 1990-xx-xx), page 73
  29. ↑ VideoGames & Computer Entertainment, "October 1990" (US; 1990-xx-xx), page 39
  30. ↑ GamePro, "November 1990" (US; 1990-xx-xx), page 100
  31. ↑ Game Players Sega Guide!, "Vol. 1, No. 1: Fall 1990" (US; 1990-10-xx), page 8
  32. ↑ Sega Visions, "Winter 1990/1991" (US; 1990-xx-xx), page 22
  33. ↑ 1700 igr dlya Sega, "" (RU; 2001-xx-xx), page 233
  34. ↑ Aktueller Software Markt, "März 1991" (DE; 1991-02-22), page 124
  35. ↑ Beep! MegaDrive, "February 1990" (JP; 1990-01-08), page 69
  36. ↑ Console XS, "June/July 1992" (UK; 1992-04-23), page 135
  37. ↑ Computer & Video Games, "June 1991" (UK; 1991-05-11), page 114
  38. ↑ Electronic Gaming Monthly, "January 1991" (US; 199x-xx-xx), page 22
  39. ↑ Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide, "" (UK; 1993-11-18), page 103
  40. ↑ Famitsu, "" (JP; 1989-xx-xx), page 1
  41. ↑ Game Informer, "July 1999" (US; 1999-0x-xx), page 80
  42. ↑ Joystick, "Novembre 1990" (FR; 1990-1x-xx), page 118
  43. ↑ Sega Mega Drive Advanced Gaming, "January 1993" (UK; 199x-xx-xx), page 63
  44. ↑ Mega Drive Fan, "May 1990" (JP; 1990-04-07), page 89
  45. ↑ Mega, "April 1994" (UK; 1994-03-17), page 71
  46. ↑ Mega Play, "February 1991" (US; 199x-xx-xx), page 41
  47. ↑ MegaTech, "Xmas 1991" (UK; 1991-12-06), page 30
  48. ↑ Mean Machines, "May 1991" (UK; 1991-05-01), page 64
  49. ↑ Mean Machines Sega, "October 1992" (UK; 1992-09-xx), page 142
  50. ↑ Player One, "Mars 1991" (FR; 1991-xx-xx), page 45
  51. ↑ Play Time, "6/92" (DE; 1992-05-06), page 94
  52. ↑ Power Play, "3/91" (DE; 1991-02-15), page 138
  53. ↑ Raze, "March 1991" (UK; 1991-01-31), page 74
  54. ↑ Sega Power, "July 1991" (UK; 1991-06-06), page 10
  55. ↑ Sega Power, "October 1991" (UK; 1991-09-05), page 54
  56. ↑ Sega Power, "December 1991" (UK; 1991-10-30), page 47
  57. ↑ Sega Pro, "April 1992" (UK; 1992-03-19), page 30
  58. ↑ Sega Pro, "April 1993" (UK; 1993-03-11), page 68
  59. ↑ Sega Saturn Magazine, "September 1995" (JP; 1995-08-08), page 87
  60. ↑ Tilt, "Décembre 1991" (FR; 1991-1x-xx), page 52
  61. ↑ Tricks 16 bit, "Tricks Sega Gold 800 igr" (RU; 1998-03-20), page 26
  62. ↑ Video Games, "1/91" (DE; 1991-03-27), page 90


Sword of Vermilion

SwordOfVermilion TitleScreen.png

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Books: Sega Mega Drive Attack Manual Book Vermilion (1990)

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