Mystaria: The Realms of Lore

Mystaria: The Realms of Lore, also released as Blazing Heroes in North America and Riglord Saga in Japan, is a tactical role-playing game for the Sega Saturn. Its graphics consist of pre-rendered sprites and true 3D backgrounds. Its sequel Riglord Saga 2 was only released in Japan in 1996.

Story

 * Ten years ago, the legendary Twelve Warriors fought against the War-Mage Bane to stop his plans to take over the continent of Mystaria. But Bane was not defeated, he was only forced to retreat to his own kingdom.


 * Ten years have passed, and his army, commanded by five super-powerful leaders, has managed to abduct the Queen of the realm before retreating. Prince Aragon, the Queen's only son and the hero of our story, has lost his rightful throne. But in Queensland's darkest hour he knows he is the only hope left, and will fight to the end to win back his homeland.


 * Prince Aragon needs help. The five commanders under Bane's command are powerful adversaries. Aragon must enlist the aid of eleven adventurers, the strongest warriors he can find. He must travel through the lands of Mystaria, fighting Bane's legions as he gathers his group together for the final showdown - against the dreaded War-Mage Bane himself!

The player controls Aragon and his party to try and reclaim the land to free the people. Aragon's mother, the Queen of Queensland, has been placed under a spell by Lord Bane and has handed her country over to him. Lord Bane has complete control over her and she believes that the prince and the others are traitorous rebels.

Gameplay
Mystaria uses fairly typical Tactical RPG gameplay basics, though with a few innovations. The player manipulates characters along grid-based battlefields, upon which the characters may interact with objects, enemies, and other characters that are within their range. Battles are turn-based according to party; first the player maneuvers all his party members, then the enemy AI maneuvers all enemy units, then the player takes control again, and so on. Each turn, the player can move each character once and have them either attack, defend, cast a spell, or use an item. Unlike most Tactical RPGs, battles in Mystaria frequently require something other than eliminating all enemy units to be completed.

Playing as primarily Aragon, the player gathers a team of 12 heroes. The recruitment of team members, however, is non-linear and the story adjusts itself to the newest character that has joined.

Each of the characters have specific fighting techniques and will develop new techniques with practice. Which techniques are learned next depends on which already known techniques the characters practice, allowing creative development of each character. For example, utilizing Ferral's "Spear Attack" will lead to Ferral learning stronger Spear techniques such as "Spinning Spear" and "Shish-kebob" more quickly, while using "Punch" and "Kick" will help him acquire more Hand to Hand techniques such as "Martial Throw" and "Hundred Hands". Once acquired, new techniques must be added to the character's quick menu so that they can actually be used.

Additionally, some techniques used by enemies can be acquired by having Galford use "Steal Technique".

The graphics were considered phenomenal and are in 3D throughout the game. Three different views are possible for playing the game: aerial, 1st person, and horizontal. It is also possible to view a grid overlay of the battlefield.

The game is heavy on dialog.

Characters

 * Can be renamed accordingly

Some characters have two technique families at their disposal; others have one.

Aragon - Swordsman / Magician

Raiko - Ninja / Hand To Hand

Aletha - Fairy / Magic Support

Hector - Archer

Saura - Magician / Healer

Ashe  - Dragon Knight / Magic Support

Galford - Thief / Archer

Vargaas - Magician / Healer

Kord  - Giant

Fiona - Pirate / Hand To Hand

Katzhai - Ninja

Ferral - Spear / Hand To Hand

Zereth - Magician