Summary
- Release Year: 1984
- Genres: Role-playing game (RPG)
- Platforms: Family Computer, FM-7, Game Boy Color, MSX, NEC PC-6000 Series, Nintendo Entertainment System, PC-8800 Series, PC-9800 Series, SG-1000, Sharp X1
- Developers: Bullet-Proof Software
- Publishers: ASCII Corporation
The Black Onyx (1984)
The Black Onyx is a role-playing game developed by Bullet Proof Software and published by Sega for the SG-1000 in 1987. It was the last SG-1000 game to be released in card form, and the last to be published by Sega, but it is currently unknown as to whether it was the last SG-1000 game overall. MSX and PC-8801 versions had been released in 1983 and 1984, respectively, meaning this version is unusually late. The game was followed by The Black Onyx II: Search For The Fire Crystal, which saw its original MSX release in 1984.
The Black Onyx is a dungeon crawler in which the player controls a party of up to four characters as they explore a series of dungeons, fighting monsters and solving puzzles. The game’s world is presented in a first-person perspective, and the player can move their party around the world map and enter dungeons at will. Dungeons are randomly generated, and the player must navigate through them, fighting monsters and avoiding traps.
The game’s combat system is turn-based, and the player can choose from a variety of attacks and spells to use against their enemies. Each character has their own unique strengths and weaknesses, and the player must use their abilities strategically to succeed in combat.
The Black Onyx was a critical and commercial success, and it is considered to be one of the best RPGs of its era. The game’s innovative dungeon crawling gameplay, challenging combat, and deep story have all been praised by critics. The game has also been cited as an influence on later RPGs, such as the Final Fantasy series.
Gameplay
The Black Onyx is a dungeon crawler in which the player controls a party of up to four characters as they explore a series of dungeons, fighting monsters and solving puzzles. The game’s world is presented in a first-person perspective, and the player can move their party around the world map and enter dungeons at will. Dungeons are randomly generated, and the player must navigate through them, fighting monsters and avoiding traps.
The game’s combat system is turn-based, and the player can choose from a variety of attacks and spells to use against their enemies. Each character has their own unique strengths and weaknesses, and the player must use their abilities strategically to succeed in combat.
Plot
The Black Onyx tells the story of a group of adventurers who are tasked with retrieving the titular Black Onyx, a powerful artifact that has been stolen by the evil sorcerer Maldor. The adventurers must travel across the world, fighting monsters and solving puzzles, in order to reach Maldor’s castle and retrieve the Black Onyx.
Development
The Black Onyx was developed by Bullet Proof Software, a small Japanese video game development company. The game was directed by Masato Kato, who had previously worked on the MSX version of Dragon Slayer. The game’s music was composed by Yuzo Koshiro, who would later go on to compose the music for the Streets of Rage series.
The Black Onyx was originally released for the MSX in 1983. The game was later ported to the PC-8801 in 1984, and the SG-1000 in 1987. The SG-1000 version of the game is the most well-known version, and it is the only version that was released in English.
Reception
The Black Onyx was a critical and commercial success. The game was praised for its innovative dungeon crawling gameplay, challenging combat, and deep story. The game was also a commercial success, selling over 100,000 copies worldwide.
The Black Onyx has been cited as an influence on later RPGs, such as the Final Fantasy series. The game’s innovative dungeon crawling gameplay and challenging combat have been praised by critics, and it is considered to be one of the best RPGs of its era.
Legacy
The Black Onyx is considered to be a classic RPG, and it is still enjoyed by gamers today. The game’s innovative dungeon crawling gameplay, challenging combat, and deep story have all been praised by critics. The game has also been cited as an influence on later RPGs, such as the Final Fantasy series.
The Black Onyx was followed by a sequel, The Black Onyx II: Search For The Fire Crystal, which was released for the MSX in 1984. The sequel was not as well-received as the original, but it is still considered to be a solid RPG.
The Black Onyx has been re-released several times over the years, including on the Virtual Console for the Wii and Wii U. The game is also available on Steam.
Conclusion
The Black Onyx is a classic RPG that still holds up today. It’s a great example of the genre, with challenging combat, a deep story, and a memorable cast of characters. If you’re a fan of RPGs, then you owe it to yourself to check out The Black Onyx.
Review Score
7/10