Entering the inventory menu is the only way to pause the game.
There is a dedicated PAUSE button (by hitting ESC) in addition to entering the inventory menu.
Game Speed
One fixed speed.
Game speed can be changed by pressing F9 and enter a value from 0 (Slowest) to 9 (Fastest). The default game speed (5) is a little faster than the PC-88's speed.
Save Files
One save file per disk.
Game boots up the save file (after the intro) and only starts at the beginning of the game if there is none.
Players are unable to restore a game, save resetting the computer.
The game requires a free disk to format and make into a save file disk. To perform this, a player must boot off disk 3 on drive 1 and insert a blank disk into drive 2.
Updates which sage was last visited. This updates in the memory as the player plays through the game.
Multiple save files can be used and set on any disk.
Game boots up the beginning of the game.
To load up a save file, players can RESTORE a game (by hitting F7) and choose whichever file they wish to use. This can be done at any point in the game.
Given a save file requires only 256 bytes, no special disk is required to hold onto them. They can be saved anywhere, including on the game disks or a hard drive if the game was installed on one.
Never updates last sage the player visited, leaving it at the first sage during the entire playthrough.
Spell caps can increase (depending on level), but spell counts are not restored.
EXP is reset to 0.
No bonus attack damage.
HP cap is increased and fully restored.
Spell caps can increase and are fully restored.
Only what EXP is needed to level up is deducted from the total collected. However, EXP is adjusted if the remaining EXP exceeds what is required for the next level. In that case, EXP is lowered to whatever is required minus 1.
Bonus attack damage is Level /2.
Shield:HP Damage
Player takes 50% HP damage from a frontal attack while equipped with a shield, regardless of what shield it is.
Player's HP damage matches the amount of damage a shield takes when hit. As the shield gets upgraded, it further reduces how much HP damage is taken.
Each stone will hit a target twice, when possible.
Damage = (Level x4)+4. It gains attack power each time the player levels up.
Each stone will only hit a target once.
HOLY WATER OF ACERO
Restores all Shield Points.
Restores the following:
Clay Shield +80 SP
Wise Man's Shield +90 SP
Stone Shield +100 SP
Honor Shield +110 SP
Light Shield +115 SP
Titanium Shield +120 SP
SABER RING
Adds a multiplier to sword damage.
Also includes level bonus damage when multiplying damage.
KIOKU FEATHER
Warps you to the last sage you visited.
Costs 300 golds in Esco and 700 everywhere else.
Warps you to the 1st sage.
Costs 150 golds in Esco and 350 everywhere else.
NOTES:
The game does not update which sage you most recently visit, leaving you to warp to the sage in the very first town when the player dies / uses a feather. Given that the cost of the Kioku feather is halved and Almas exchange rates are higher in the ENG version, this appears to be deliberate, to discourage backtracking to earlier towns for higher rates and cheaper items.
If the player has the user disk inserted instead of disk 2, the game will skip the introduction and boot up an existing save file.
The game introduction goes:
Displays a unique title screen (most likely for Sierra to post their own credits as soon as the game opens)
Game Background/Legend
Game Title
English and JP Credits
Intro Story
Start game
This introduction can be bypassed by entering in a save file name when booting up the game. For instance, "zeliard save1" will take you straight to a restored game if you have a save1.usr in the root directory.
The Japanese version plays the Intro Story more quickly than the DOS version. In addition:
3rd scene with the princess' close-up, Jashiin's eyes appear well after her conversation, rather than during.
All audible speech (including the princess' scream) were removed.
The audio 'tone' for character speech is much higher.
PC-88 Version
DOS Version
Opening scenes
Animated backgrounds were used to show the rain.
The backgrounds were merged into a single image.
Archfiend / Jashiin
The PC-88 used a palette change to hide the green.
Green shows on Jashiin's skin. This also appears in the SHARP X1 version of the game.
Final Scene
The full scene is shown, then clipped to allow text underneath.
The scene starts in colour, changes to a greyscale and the text slowly scrolls upward.
Townsfolk take a while to speak to, as their discussion appears one character at a time. With a few mandatory exceptions, you can cancel the discussion at anytime.
Text is instantly displayed.
Stores
The Goods box replaces the smaller one in the upper right corner.
Equipment sold to a store does not appear until after you have left it.
The Goods box is added into the text box along the bottom.
Equipment sold to a store will appear in their inventory immediately after you sell it.
In the Hut
Magic Shop
The shopkeeper bows to the player as they leave the store.
The shopkeeper tilts her head to her right as the player leaves the store.
Bank
Almas Exchange Rates (Almas:Gold)
Muralla - 1:4
Satono - 1:4
Bosque - 1:6
Helada - 1:2
Tumba - 1:1
Dorado - 1:2
Llama - 4:1
Pureza - 1:4
Esco - 1:6
Almas Exchange Rates (Almas:Gold)
Muralla - 1:6
Satono - 1:6
Bosque - 1:8
Helada - 1:4
Tumba - 1:2
Dorado - 1:4
Llama - 4:2
Pureza - 1:6
Esco - 1:8
Church
The priest makes the 'sign of the cross' with his right hand while giving a blessing. The digitized speech also says "Amen." as the player leaves.
The priest now sports a full beard (and mouth, along with changes to his hair and cloak) and holds up his hand while giving a blessing.
Sage Chanting - Calling forth the power of the Spirits.
The crystal ball cycles through several colours. The frame rate is faster and digitized speech is present.
The crystal ball remains the same colour. The frame rate is slower.
Sage Gender issue?
A male voice actor was used to provide the voice. Players can hear a male 'chant' while calling on the spirits.
The developers changed the gender concept for the Sage from male to female.
Text Example: "My master, the Sage Yasmin, resides in the underground town. She is a person you can turn to if you are in need."
NOTES:
Technically, both versions of the stoned princess are incorrect. The PC-88's version has her arms in front of her, while in the introduction, her arms are along her sides. While the arms positioning was fixed for the DOS version, they changed the character design.
Does not happen in the dungeon, short of using dungeon potions and inventory.
About 2HP per second while standing still (in units of 2, based on a speed of 6).
Regeneration can go over max HP by 1 point 'if' the HP value is odd.
Red Almas Orb
Worth 50 Almas
Worth 100 Almas
Blue Potion (In both versions, it behaves the same; it will prevent the player from dying and will recover HP until it reaches the maximum value)
Recovers up to 800 HP
Recovers up to 8000 HP
Caverns of Caliente, Correr and Reaccion
PC-88 Version
DOS Version
Cavern damage
Player takes 10 points of 'heat damage' every few seconds. The timer used for this check plays through the entire game and is unaffected by entering a cave, unequipping the Absor Mantle, etc. This means the player will take damage at anytime before it cycles again, sometimes almost immediately after entering a hot zone while unprotected.
Player takes 15 points of 'heat damage' every few seconds. The player's HP regeneration will still take effect, but cannot recover enough HP before more damage is taken. The timer for when damage is taken starts when either a player enters a hot cave or removes the Asbestos Cape, leaving them the full amount of the time before damage is dealt.
In the original version, Almas were never given out with bosses.
Bosses have damage multipliers that affect how much damage a sword/spell does to the main body and weak points. At higher levels, bosses start dividing how much damage a sword does, rounding fractions down. This makes many of the lower-end swords useless without Saber Oils to prop up the damage.
PC-88 Version
DOS Version
CANGREJO
Almas: 0
Original Name: CANGREO
Almas: 150
New Name: CANGREJO
PULPO
Almas: 0
Almas: 200
POLLO
Almas:0
Sword Bonus x1, Head x8
Spell Bonus x1, Head x8
Body Damage 20
Beak Damage 64
Almas:500
Sword Bonus x2, Head x8
Spell Bonus x2, Head x8
Body Damage: 18
Beak Damage: 56
AGAR
Almas: 0
Almas: 600
VISTA
Almas: 0
Almas: 800
TARSO
Almas: 0
Body Damage: 192
Almas: 1500
Body Damage: 800
PAGURO
Almas: 0
Sword Bonus /2
Spell Bonus /2, x2 Fuego
Almas 1600
Sword Bonus x1
Spell Bonus /2
DRAGON
Almas: 0
Sword Bonus: /8, Tail /2
Spell Bonus: /8
Weakness: Tail
Horizontal Fire: 80
Tail weakness can be exploited with a regeneration potion and glitching through the dragon to attack it's tail before the potion wears off.
Almas: 2500
Sword Bonus: /2, Head x1
Spell Bonus: /4
Weakness: Head
Horizontal Fire: 120
Tail weakness can no longer be exploited.
ALGUIEN
Almas: 0
Sword Bonus: /8, /4 Tail
Spell Bonus: /8
Damage chart: 160 Tongue, 80 Tail, 40 Body
Almas: 3800
Sword Bonus: x1
Spell Bonus: x1
Damage chart: 80 Tongue, 40 Tail, 160 Body
JASHIIN
Sound effect plays during the meeting with ARCHFIEND, then the screen fades and goes to the final battle chamber.
Original Name: ARCHFIEND
Sword Bonus: /4
Spell Bonus: /16
HP Recovery 120
Silence echoes the meeting with Jashiin, then the screen instantly moves to the final battle chamber.
