Getsu Fūma Den

Getsu Fūma Den

The front packaging of Getsu Fūma Den used lenticular printing to feature two different cover artworks. Akira Komeda was the illustrator.[1]
Developer(s) Konami
Publisher(s) Konami
Composer(s) Hidenori Maezawa
Platform(s) Family Computer
Release date(s)

Family Computer

  • JP: July 7, 1987

I-revo

Wii・VC

  • JP: January 27, 2009

3DS・VC

  • JP: February 20, 2013

Wii U・VC

  • JP: April 8, 2015
Genre(s) Action role-playing game
Mode(s) Single-player

Getsu Fūma Den (月風魔伝, lit. "The Legend of Getsu Fūma") is a side-scrolling action-adventure game for the Family Computer by Konami, released in 1987 available exclusively in Japan. While Getsu Fūma Den never had a sequel, it has been referenced in many subsequent Konami titles throughout the years. The game is structurally similar to Castlevania II: Simon's Quest and The Goonies II.[2]

Plot

In the distant future of 14672 A.D., the first year of the Demon Age (魔暦元年 Mareki Gan-nen), the demon lord Ryūkotsuki (龍骨鬼) escaped from hell and plotted to conquer the surface world ruled by the three Getsu brothers (月氏三兄弟 Getsu-shi San Kyōdai). The Getsu brothers fought against Ryūkotsuki, each wielding one of the three spiritual Pulse Blades (波動剣 Hadōken) that have been passed within the clan for generations. However, the brothers were ultimately defeated by the demon and only Fūma (風魔), the youngest of the three, survived. Vowing to avenge his slain brothers, Fūma ventures into Kyōki-tō (狂鬼島 Mad Demon Island) to recover the three stolen Pulse Blades and summon the spirits of his brothers to defeat Ryūkotsuki.

Gameplay

The player controls Fūma, whose goal is to locate the three Pulse Blades that have been stolen from his clan in order to gain access to Ryūkotsuki's lair. Each of the Pulse Blades have been hidden away in the three neighboring islands surrounding Kyōki-tō, which are Kigan-tō (鬼願島, "Ogre Head Island"), Gokumon-tō (獄門島, "Prison Gate Island")　and Mitsukubi-tō (三首島, "Three Necks Island"). Each of these islands requires Fūma to be in possession of a different Devil Mask (鬼面符 Kimenfu).

The game starts off from an overhead view where the player guides Fūma to his next destination. When Fūma enters a gate, the game switches to a side-scrolling action scene where the player must go from one end of the area to the next while fending off enemies and avoiding pitfalls in the usual matter in order to return to the main field and proceed to the next scene. In addition to these action scenes, there are also small shrines featuring villagers who will provide hints to Fūma and shops where he can purchase new items and weapons using the money he has accumulated from defeated enemies. The player switches items by pausing the game during an action sequence and then pressing A to select a defensive item or B to change weapons. Experience points are accumulated by defeating enemies, which will fill out Fūma's sword gauge, increasing the strength of his attacks.

When the player reaches the main dungeon in each of the islands, the game switches to a pseudo-3D perspective which follows Fūma from behind. The player must proceed through a labyrinth in order to reach the boss holding one of the Pulse Swords. Each labyrinth is filled with numerous enemies who will confront Fūma, along with allies who will provide him with hints and helpful items. A candle is required to light these labyrinths, as well as a compass which shows Fūma's current direction. When the player reaches the boss's lair, the game switches back to a side-scrolling perspective before the actual confrontation.

The game uses a lives system like most action games. The player loses a life when he runs out of health or falls into a pitfall. When the player runs out of lives, he can continue from where he left off or quit and resume at a later point using a password. The player is penalized by having his money reduced by half.

Soundtrack

The following soundtrack albums featured music from Getsu Fūma Den in either, original or arranged forms.[3]

References

  1. ↑ "米田朗ＩイラストレーターＩ大阪市" [Komedia Illustration Office].
  2. ↑ Kalata, Kurt (June 12, 2011). "Getsu Fūma Den". Hardcore Gaming 101. Retrieved July 18, 2016. The game is structured as a non-linear action-adventure with some light RPG elements, putting it somewhere in the same realm as Castlevania II and The Goonies II.
  3. ↑ "Getsu Fuuma Den - VGMdb".
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