Valis: The Fantasm Soldier

Telenet Japan

Industry	Video game development and publishing
Founded	1983
Headquarters	Japan , Japan
Products	Video games, including Valis series

Valis: The Fantasm Soldier is a 1986 action-platformer developed by Wolf Team and released by Telenet Japan across various home computer systems, including the MSX, PC-8801, X1, FM-7, and PC-9801. This title marks the inaugural installment in the Valis franchise. The narrative centers on Yuko Asou, a Japanese schoolgirl chosen to become the Valis warrior. Armed with the mystical Valis sword, she defends Earth, the spirit realm, and the dream dimension Vecanti from the demon lord Rogles. Players navigate through diverse stages, gather power-ups and items, and confront enemies and bosses to strengthen Yuko's capabilities.

The game's initial concept was crafted by programmers Masahiro Akishino and Osamu Ikegame, who envisioned a side-scrolling action experience starring a rebellious female protagonist inspired by Sukeban Deka. This project began as a secret entry for a contest held by the Japanese computer magazine LOGiN. Upon discovery, Telenet authorized full production. Following criticism regarding its graphical quality, writer Hiroki Hayashi was brought on board to enhance the visuals, ultimately shaping the project into what became Valis. Hayashi and Akishino further developed Ikegame’s groundwork by integrating story elements derived from Hayashi’s unfinished novel.

Valis enjoyed commercial success, ranking among the top-selling games in 1987. It was subsequently adapted for the Family Computer and later remade for the Sega Mega Drive/Genesis and PC Engine Super CD-ROM². A mobile phone adaptation was also released in 2005. The franchise expanded beyond gaming to include manga adaptations, an anime short produced by Sunrise, music albums released through King Records and Wave Master, as well as doujinshi works. Critical opinions were mixed: while the original MSX edition received varied reviews, the Genesis remake garnered average feedback, and the PC Engine Super CD-ROM² version was met with more favorable responses. The title’s success paved the way for its sequel, Valis II (1989).

Gameplay and premise

Valis: The Fantasm Soldier is an action-platform game that follows Yuko Asou, a Japanese schoolgirl tasked with safeguarding three interconnected worlds—the Earthly plane, the spirit realm, and Vecanti, a dream world. When demon lord Rogles extinguishes an essential light within Vecanti, Queen Valia summons Yuko to become the Valis warrior. Equipped with the legendary Valis sword, Yuko embarks on a mission to reclaim Vecanti’s light while facing opposition from her brainwashed classmate Reiko Kirishima.

Although gameplay mechanics differ slightly between platforms, all versions adhere to this central storyline. The original releases on MSX, PC-8801, X1, FM-7, and PC-9801 present side-scrolling action gameplay where players control Yuko to battle foes, collect enhancements and items, and defeat bosses that boost her health and powers. Story progression is conveyed through cinematic cutscenes. The Family Computer adaptation shifts toward a more demanding side-scrolling action RPG format featuring maze-like levels with multiple routes but lacks save or password systems.

The remake for the Mega Drive/Genesis aligns stylistically with later entries such as Valis III, utilizing d-pad movement alongside three action buttons assigned to sliding, jumping, and sword attacks that can be upgraded over time. Defeating bosses unlocks new magic spells. Meanwhile, the PC Engine Super CD-ROM² remake introduces gameplay refinements like single high jumps, sliding attacks capable of damaging enemies, and includes voiced cutscenes. The mobile phone edition expands content further by adding extra stages and alternative costumes for Yuko.

Development

Valis: The Fantasm Soldier was created over a period of six months by Wolf Team, a development branch within Telenet Japan established in 1986. The production was jointly overseen by conceptual designer Hiroki Hayashi and Yukio Mitsuhashi, who also collaborated on the scenario's design and writing. Masahiro Akishino contributed further narrative support and handled programming for the PC-8801 edition. Programming for the MSX and X1 versions was carried out by former Compile employees Tomoki Anazawa and Masayasu Yamamoto, respectively. Hayashi took on the role of art director, leading a graphics team, while Shinobu Ogawa composed the soundtrack.

Initially, Akishino and programmer Osamu Ikegame conceived a side-scrolling action game called Shoujo Furyou Densetsu, centered around a delinquent female protagonist inspired by the live-action show Sukeban Deka. This concept was submitted to "Program Olympics," a competition organized by the Japanese computer magazine LOGiN. After attracting Telenet’s attention, the project received approval for further development.

Due to staffing shortages, Yamamoto transitioned from working on Final Zone Wolf to this title. Hayashi joined following his completion of Final Zone Wolf, contributing character designs and settings for the then-unnamed main character. Initially, a Telenet supervisor criticized the visual direction, which led Hayashi to instantly devise the concept of Valis, imagining a heroine wielding a magical sword.

Hayashi and Akishino incorporated elements from Ikegame’s earlier ideas, with Hayashi designing key characters Yuko and Reiko. The Valis narrative drew inspiration from an unfinished personal novel by Hayashi exploring themes of light and darkness within the human soul; this influenced both the storyline and the game's universe developed alongside Shoujo Furyou Densetsu. Early in development, Yamamoto estimated tile requirements with an aim to create expansive scrolling maps as a unique selling point.

After joining Telenet, Kouji Yokota handled graphics for the Family Computer version, attracted by the engaging story and visual style of Valis. Due to hardware limitations and restrictions imposed by memory mapper chips, Yokota employed sprite mirroring techniques to maximize graphical efficiency. The absence of multi-directional scrolling on the Family Computer required redesigning gameplay mechanics to include exploration components and more intricate map layouts. Yokota considers this version more of a remake than a straightforward port.

Release

The original release of Valis: The Fantasm Soldier occurred on November 26, 1986, for the MSX platform in Japan under Telenet Japan. Subsequent ports appeared in December for the PC-8801 and X1 systems, followed by versions for FM-7 and PC-9801 computers in 1987; all these were developed by Wolf Team. Later, Telenet produced a revamped edition for the Family Computer, which Tokuma Shoten published exclusively in Japan on August 21, 1987.

In 1991, Riot—a division of Telenet—developed and released a remake for the Sega Mega Drive/Genesis in Japan. This iteration featured character illustrations by Osamu Nabeshima and was distributed in North America via Telenet’s subsidiary Renovation Products. Although there were plans for a European launch through UbiSoft, it never materialized. A year later, Riot released an enhanced remake on the PC Engine Super CD-ROM², incorporating voice acting with Sumi Shimamoto portraying Yuko Asou.

The MSX edition saw a digital re-release on Microsoft Windows through D4 Enterprise’s Project EGG service and the i-Revo platform. Both Genesis and PC Engine remakes were also added to Project EGG’s catalog, followed by the PC-88 version. In 2004, these titles were compiled into Valis: The Fantasm Soldier Complete for Windows by Bothtec, limited to 2000 copies that included exclusive bonuses. D4 Enterprise expanded this collection in 2011 with Valis: The Fantasm Soldier Complete Plus, bundled with an audio CD soundtrack.

In 2005, Bandai Networks collaborated with R-Force Entertainment to create a mobile phone adaptation compatible with Yahoo! Keitai devices, distributed via SoftBank’s S! Appli service. Konami later released the PC Engine remake on the PlayStation Network in 2010; it became available at no cost to Japanese PlayStation Plus subscribers in 2014.

To celebrate the franchise’s 35th anniversary in 2021, Edia announced reprints of Valis titles for the PC Engine platform. The PC Engine remake alongside its sequels was reissued physically and digitally as Valis: The Fantasm Soldier Collection on the Nintendo Switch in Japan on December 9; an English-language physical edition was planned through Limited Run Games. This compilation subsequently launched separately on Nintendo eShop in Japan (February 2022) and internationally (March 2022).

The Genesis remake was featured in Blaze Entertainment’s Renovation Collection 1 cartridge for Evercade, while both Genesis and MSX editions appeared within Valis: The Fantasm Soldier Collection II for Switch. Retro-Bit announced plans to re-release the Genesis remake as part of a collection during 2022. Edia digitally reissued MSX and Genesis versions via eShop in Japan on December 22, 2022.

In 2023, compilations including PC-8801 and Family Computer versions were released as Valis: The Fantasm Soldier Collection III for Switch. By 2024, Edia expanded digital accessibility by launching Valis: The Fantasm Soldier Collection on Steam, broadening availability of this classic series.

Other media

Supporting the launch of Valis, a manga adaptation authored and illustrated by Susumu Kobayashi was serialized in Tokuma Shoten’s Wanpaku Comic magazine from September through October 1987. To promote the Family Computer edition, Sunrise produced a three-minute anime short directed by Hideaki Anno and Katsuhiko Nishijima with music composed by Kohei Tanaka; this was included in November 1987’s issue of VHD magazine Anime Vision. Additionally, the game served as a central narrative element in Hisayasu Satō’s 1987 film Pleasure Kill. In 1988, King Records issued an album featuring soundtracks from Valis alongside other Telenet titles.

The franchise was among several adapted into manga form by Kouta Hirano within Susume!! Hijirigaku Dennou Kenkyuu Bu, published by Shinseisha in 1999. Between 2007 and 2008, Hiroki Hayashi self-published three doujinshi volumes at Comiket under his pseudonym "PiXEL". In 2011, Wave Master released an album containing orchestral arrangements of music from the game. Kobayashi’s manga adaptation was reissued digitally as an ebook by Tokuma Shoten in 2022.

Reception

Reception of Valis: The Fantasm Soldier was mixed overall, particularly regarding its status as an imported title on the MSX. Masayasu Yamamoto reported strong sales performance that placed it among top sellers during 1987. Japanese publication MSX Magazine commended its visual presentation, character sprites, audio quality, and gameplay experience. French outlet Micro News described it as an unusual game featuring fast-paced but demanding gameplay mechanics. Laurence Le Gentil from Arcades criticized its choppy movement controls, language barriers, and nearly transparent enemy sprites but praised its rapid tempo and soundtrack. José Miguel Rodríguez from Micromanía highlighted impressive backgrounds, engaging gameplay loops, and originality while noting repetitive sprite usage and escalating difficulty.

Spanish magazine MSX Club's MSX Boixos Club strongly recommended it based on audiovisual merits, smooth controls, and addictive qualities. Similarly positive remarks came from MSX Gids, which praised graphics, sound design, and overall polish. Conversely, Jan van Roshum of MSX Club Magazine valued visuals but expressed concerns about difficulty levels. The Family Computer version received a score of 18.17 out of 30 via a public poll conducted by Family Computer Magazine. Retrospectively reviewing for Hardcore Gaming 101, Sam Derboo acknowledged cinematic cutscenes and chiptune compositions but found original computer editions largely unplayable; he described the Family Computer iteration as competent yet occasionally frustrating within its action role-playing framework.

Mega Drive/Genesis

The Sega Mega Drive/Genesis version of Valis: The Fantasm Soldier garnered a range of responses, mirroring the reception of the original release. Both Japanese and Western critics, along with polls conducted by Mega Drive Fan and Sega Saturn Magazine, contributed to its mixed reputation. According to Famitsu, this edition remained faithful to the Family Computer original. While Consoles + lauded the game's visual design, animation quality, music, and replay value, it pointed out sluggish gameplay as a drawback. Joystick remarked on the slow-paced action and brief duration. Video Games offered a divided opinion on its graphics and sound effects but commended the soundtrack. Meanwhile, Sega Force criticized the repetitive nature of the gameplay despite impressive graphical elements.

From another perspective, Sega Visions described it as enjoyable due to sizeable bosses and cinematic sequences, praising audiovisual aspects but warning that the slow pace and limited depth might not satisfy veteran players. Aktueller Software Markt valued its vibrant visuals and audio but found fault with choppy scrolling, pacing issues, and low challenge level. GamePro awarded high scores for visuals, sound quality, control responsiveness, and overall entertainment. In contrast, Sega Pro dismissed the game as only suitable for humor rather than serious play. A retrospective in Mega Drive Taizen criticized its slow tempo, limited attack range, graphical shortcomings, and character deviations from the original title but praised the musical composition. Similarly, Hardcore Gaming 101 regarded it as an improvement over the initial version but still found it dull and unengaging due to its slow pace.

PC Engine

The PC Engine Super CD-ROM² remake of Valis: The Fantasm Soldier was met with generally more positive critical acclaim. In a public poll by PC Engine Fan, it secured 119th place with a score of 22.82 out of 30. Jacques Harbonn from Consoles + praised its animated scenes, graphical quality, Yuko’s character animations, and soundtrack but noted drawbacks such as limited gameplay variety, sparse backgrounds, and problematic jumping mechanics that hindered combat effectiveness. Philippe Querleux of Génération 4 admired the visuals and music but pointed out occasional sluggish controls and movement. Both Jean-Marc Demoly from Joystick and Jean-François Morisse from Joypad positively highlighted its audiovisual presentation and control scheme.

Looking back, Eric L. Patterson of GameFan favored this PC Engine edition over the Genesis counterpart for its precise controls, enemy variety, diverse backgrounds, and use of redbook audio. Lucas M. Thomas from IGN placed it sixth in his list of top TurboGrafx titles that never appeared on the Virtual Console. Rory Milne at Retro Gamer described it as "arguably the best" installment within the series. Derboo of Hardcore Gaming 101 considered this entry the most refined in the franchise, though still somewhat imitative when compared to genre leaders like Castlevania and Ninja Gaiden, firmly positioning it within a strong second tier.

Legacy

Valis: The Fantasm Soldier spawned three follow-up titles throughout the fourth generation of video game consoles era: Valis II (1989), Valis III (1990), and Valis IV (1991). Marking Telenet Japan's final release, the eroge-style visual novel spinoff Valis X, created by Eants and launched in 2006 to commemorate the series' 20th anniversary, features five episodes that revisit the narratives of the original games with mature themes. Outside of video games, a four-volume manga adaptation of Valis, illustrated by ZOL, was serialized in the seinen publication Comic Valkyrie by Kill Time Communication between 2007 and 2012. In 2023, KaniPro Games developed Violet Wisteria, a tribute to the franchise, initially released on Windows via Steam, with further editions for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X and Series S published by Eastasiasoft scheduled for 2024.

External links

• Valis: The Fantasm Soldier at GameFAQs
• Valis: The Fantasm Soldier at Giant Bomb
• Valis: The Fantasm Soldier and its remakes at MobyGames