130. Rastan Saga (Taito, Arcade (PS2), 1987)

Another day, another Taito arcade game with a jump and attack button. This time it's Rastan Saga (released in North America with the Saga dropped), a Conan the Barbarian-inspired game about a guy on a quest to slay a dragon for its riches.

The game takes place over a series of long, multi-part stages. Levels will often have split paths where the more difficult option leads to a better reward. The main level segments of the game have a near constant stream of enemies coming at you, though most take only one hit to dispatch. Certain segments contain instant-kill water or bottomles pits, and the platforming can be pretty unforgiving, though mostly (early) levels are not too punishing. Bosses are more of a chore, as they take a lot of hits to fell and take up large amounts of screen space, but their attack patterns are not very interesting or fun to spar with.

Your main weapon is a broadsword that can swipe horizontally, up in the air (there are numerous flying enemies), or thrust downward as you jump. The downward thrust is fun, though not often useful. You can also pick up new weapons including a spear and a flaming sword that shoots out a projectile. The level background art is pretty nice for 1987, but nothing about the game is amazing (or even very good), it feels like a half-hearted Castlevania. Rastan Saga eventually spawned 2 sequels, so I am interested in trying those out to see where time took this series.

2/5, a limp, rote arcade game