ActRaiser

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Can a game be a classic and a hidden gem at the same time?

ActRaiser isn’t exactly obscure. It shows up on plenty of “Top 10 SNES Games” lists, praised for its bold blend of platforming and city-building. And yet, it still feels like something most people haven’t played or even heard of.

I first borrowed it from my stepdad, expecting just another action game. But after clearing the first side-scrolling level, the game zoomed out and dropped me into a god-sim, watching villagers build homes and worship my pixelated form.

I’d never played anything like it.

ActRaiser throws you into the role of a benevolent deity awakening from a long slumber to find the world overrun by evil.

Your mission is simple: cleanse the land and guide humanity back to prosperity. The game brilliantly alternates between two completely different gameplay styles to achieve this.

In the action sequences, you control a mighty warrior statue that comes to live, slashing through demons and monsters in traditional side-scrolling fashion.

These platforming sections feel tight and responsive, with satisfying combat and creative boss battles that showcase the SNES's early graphical prowess.

But it's the simulation segments that truly sets ActRaiser apart.

You'll help your people clear forests, build roads, and expand their settlements while protecting them from monsters with your angelic companion.

Watching your villages grow from tiny settlements into thriving cities feels genuinely rewarding. The people pray to you, ask for guidance, and even offer gifts of gratitude in power ups for your character.

The visual presentation remains impressive even today. Character sprites are detailed and expressive, while the simulation mode offers a charming miniature world aesthetic.

Yuzo Koshiro's soundtrack deserves special mention, it's absolutely amazing. Each track perfectly captures the epic, divine atmosphere the game strives for. From the triumphant action themes to the peaceful simulation melodies, the music elevates every moment.

Sound effects complement the experience beautifully, whether it's the satisfying slash of your sword or the gentle chimes when your people complete construction projects.

The genius lies in how these two modes feed into each other. Success in action stages unlocks new areas for development, while building up your civilizations provides power-ups, permanent level ups, unlocks magic attacks and more health for the side scrolling missions.

This interconnected design creates a satisfying gameplay loop that keeps you engaged across both genres. Few games have managed to blend such disparate elements so seamlessly.

The game also features a quest system tied to managing different lands or biomes. For example, one region might have the knowledge to build bridges, while a neighboring land doesn’t.

By helping one biome enough, they’ll reward you with blueprints or knowledge that you can then bring to another region, allowing you to share resources and unlock new possibilities. 

Beneath the surface, ActRaiser operates as a fascinating allegory for Judeo-Christian monotheism. In the original Japanese version, your character was literally named God, battling Satan himself.

Nintendo of America's content policies forced the name change to "The Master," but the religious themes remain unmistakable. You travel in a palace on clouds with an angelic companion, perform miracles, and receive prayers from your followers.

The game's ending delivers a surprisingly profound message about faith and independence, as humanity eventually outgrows their need for divine intervention, leaving the temples empty as people learn to solve their own problems.

ActRaiser succeeds because it dared to be unique in an era when most games stuck to established formulas. The concept of playing as a benevolent god guiding humanity resonates on a level that pure action or simulation games rarely achieve alone.

The game did receive a sequel on the SNES, but it dropped the world-building and city management elements entirely in favor of a pure side-scrolling action format. The sequel still has its fans, but I really missed these elements and prefer the original.

Both gameplay modes could have been deeper. The city-building feels somewhat limited compared to dedicated simulation games, and the action sequences, while solid, aren't groundbreaking.

But that misses the point entirely. ActRaiser's magic comes from the combination, from that feeling of divine purpose that emerges when both elements work together.

Playing it again recently reminded me why this game stuck with me for decades. There's something genuinely moving about watching your people flourish under your guidance, then personally taking up arms to protect them from threats.

It captures the fantasy of benevolent leadership in ways few games have attempted, let alone achieved. ActRaiser stands as a reminder of what's possible when developers embrace bold, original concepts.

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