Zeliard
| Industry | Video game development |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1985 |
| Headquarters | Japan |
Zeliard is a hybrid role-playing video game and platform game originally created by Game Arts for the PC-88 in 1987. In 1990, Sierra On-Line reissued the title for MS-DOS users across North America and Europe. Players assume the role of Duke Garland, a valiant knight on a mission to rescue the Kingdom of Zeliard by overcoming the tyrannical overlord Jashiin and reclaiming the Nine Tears of Esmesanti—enchanted gems vital for lifting a powerful curse.
Plot
The ancient demon Jashiin, known as the Emperor of Chaos, emerges after two millennia to wreak havoc upon Zeliard. His arrival triggers an unending sandstorm that transforms the realm into a barren wasteland and turns Princess Felicia, daughter of King Felishika, into stone.
Guided by spiritual forces, Duke Garland embarks on a quest to recover the Nine Tears of Esmesanti—magical jewels stolen from Princess Felicia and essential to breaking her petrification—and ultimately defeat Jashiin. Throughout his journey, Garland can find shelter in unconquered cities and outposts where inns provide rest and shops offer weapons and gear for purchase.
Gameplay
Zeliard combines role-playing elements with platform mechanics, structured around two primary gameplay modes: town exploration and labyrinth navigation. The player must traverse eight progressively difficult labyrinths inhabited by Jashiin’s minions. Each labyrinth culminates in a boss battle protecting one of the nine Tears, with Jashiin himself guarding the final jewel.
Combat is absent within towns except for an optional boss encounter in one location. Towns function as strategic bases situated at labyrinth entrances or within them, featuring facilities such as banks, merchants, sages, and inns accessible through sufficient gold reserves. Interaction with town residents can yield valuable hints and information.
The core action unfolds in labyrinths where Garland wields his sword, shield, special items, and magic spells to defeat enemies and confront bosses. Each labyrinth offers distinct settings, adversaries, and a guardian boss safeguarding a Tear of Esmesanti. Certain labyrinths include hidden barriers that require defeating specific foes to proceed.
Monsters respawn each time Garland enters a labyrinth. Defeated enemies may drop almas, which players can convert into gold at banks or exchange with NPCs for quest-related items.
Garland’s health is threatened by damage from monsters, projectiles, or environmental dangers such as spikes or extreme temperatures. Death results in the loss of all carried gold and half of the almas, followed by teleportation back to the initial town. Progression is eased by persistent changes: defeated bosses remain vanquished, doors stay open, and special items acquired continue to assist advancement.
Reception
The title garnered favorable critiques in both European and American markets. Planetstation magazine lauded it as a timeless classic with distinctive character but acknowledged its repetitive gameplay and high difficulty level.
In 2017, PC Gamer ranked the European box art among the worst ever released, criticizing it for lacking the appeal of the original anime-inspired cover design.
External links
- ZeliardGame
- [MobyGames profile for Zeliard]