Time Stalkers
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| Developer(s) | Climax Entertainment |
| Publisher(s) | Sega |
| Platform(s) | Dreamcast |
| Release date | March 29, 2000 |
| Genre(s) | RPG |
| Mode(s) | Single player |
| Rating(s) | ESRB: Everyone (E) |
| Media | 1 GD-ROM |
| Input methods | Joypad |
Time Stalkers (known as Climax Landers[1] in Japan) is a Sega Dreamcast role-playing game, a spin-off of the popular Sega Genesis game Landstalker (as well as the Japan-only Lady Stalker). The player initially takes the role of Sword, a character caught in a world made of many worlds. As he goes along, similar heroes show up for the player to control. The world of worlds is created by one person's imagination, and thus new parts of different worlds, whether it be fictional (as we know it) or parts of this world such as 80's Tokyo are cobbled together. This world also acts as the central hub from which the player may do things such as enter dungeons, take special assignments, and upgrade/buy/sell items. Another aspect to the game is the continuing storyline, even after the player completes the final level. The game has an anime/manga slant, particularly pertaining to how the people from different worlds interact with each other.
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[edit] Playable characters
- Sword
- Sword acts as the primary character of Time Stalkers (although any character carrying the hero's crest takes on the main role.). Sword comes from an unknown world that is never explained in detail, although it seems to be world with many problems as both Sword and a nameless girl in the intro and ending (Sword's) both refer to it as cursed. Aside from a very brief intro cinematic (That doesn't explain much.), not much is known of Sword's origin or background, the few details that are given are never explained, such as Sword being referred to as "cursed", and hints of a tragic past. Sword's story starts outside a clock tower as he battles a heavily armored enemy (presumably for the girl he was talking to earlier.) which then retreats into said tower. Sword gives chase and finds himself in a room with desk, on the desk is book which he opens and is met by a bright flash of light, suddenly the layout of the clock tower has changed and upon defeating the main enemy he walks into a world no longer his own. Sword comes off as hero almost aloof to the world around him (all be it constantly changing), rarely giving significant care to larger picture or those around him. He is forced into the part of the hero by "Master" a being of near infinite power who created the ring world for his own amusement. Through the course of the game Sword works to unravel the secrets of the ring world to find his way back to his own world, using his considerable sword abilities to guide his actions. Despite his otherwise "spaced out" attitude towards most things, Sword is quick to anger if feels manipulated or that he is being lied to, which often leads to reckless actions on his part. When Master's true identity is revealed as the creator of the ring world, Sword attacks him continuously despite the fact that Master effortlessly deflects them by turning himself to stone, however in an act of impressive cunning, this is Sword's true intent, as he instructs another member of his team to brave the newest dungeon while he keeps attacking. Upon completion of the dungeon Master becomes enraged because while he was dealing with Sword he wasn't able to witness the dungeon battle, which was Sword's intention all along. Sword remains distant even to other members of his party, but oddly shares a fondness for dogs who seem happy to return his affection. A special mention should be given to Sword's appearance as it has caused some speculation. Sword is commonly believed to be a vampire of some sort, this almost certainly has to do with his pointed ears and vampire like attire, also in some depictions it looks as though he may have fangs as well. However, it should be mentioned that he is never referred to as a vampire in the game, nor does he exhibit any vampire like tendencies, it is more likely that Sword's appearance is just a style preference on the artist's part.
- Rao
- A half man half lion beast, Roa is the only playable character to seemingly proceed Sword's arrival in the ring world. Roa is a veteran of war many times over, and seems to come from a rather unstable world that moves from conflict to conflict. Roa even more so then probably any other warrior from his world has witnessed battle at it's worst, trapped inside a dimension known as the "phantom zone", Roa and the other members of his troop were forced into a never ending battle against powerful monsters. Roa managed to find his way out but was the only surviver of the ordeal, an event that left him bitter and sullen. Despite his obvious prowess in combat, it's not mentioned if Master ever petitioned Roa for the role of the hero in his "story", but given Roa's outlook and personality it's doubtful that even if Master did try and convince Roa, that he was met with a favorable response. Roa starts off very anti social, and says very little to any of the characters, aside from waring them not to open the door to the Phantom Zone, but after Sword assists Roa with the matter of the Phantom Zone, he allies himself with the team. Roa is very well mannered towards all the other members of the team, but holds Sword in probably the highest regard, due to Sword agreeing to help him, but he also acts as somewhat of a mentor to Lady, often giving her advice on fighting. Unlike many war ravaged characters in role playing games, Roa is not a man who has overcome all fear, in fact his time in the Phantom Zone gave him a new outlook on life, he openly admits to hating war and fearing death.
- Nigel
- The main character of Landstalker, Nigel is the third playable character to show up. Shortly after Sword obtains victory at fire mountain, the ground beings to shake signaling the arrival of a new section of the ring world. Sword makes his way to the new area only to find Nigel passed out in front the new dungeon with a small crowd around him. Sword expresses only the smallest shred of concern, which dissipates as soon as Nigel is confirmed to be alive. Nigel explains that while exploring the ruin with his companion "Friday" they came across a book and then the ground began to shake. Surprised, Nigel and Friday attempt to flee from the ruin only to set off a number of traps and to eventually get separated from one another. Nigel begs Sword to find Friday, and although initially unresponsive to the request, Sword is goaded in when Nigel explains that Friday is "really cute". Eventually the two are reunited and are often seen together there after. Nigel himself is an elf, and despite his appearance (he looks to be in his early twenties at most) is actually quite old, which hinders him some in dealing with desirable females of the ring world. He is much better natured than Sword and is more than willing to assist, he also shares a bond with Pyra, as she to is an elf, and from the same world, all be it different time lines. According to Nigel he seeks adventure, not treasure of any kind.
- Pyra
- One of the main characters of the game Shining in the Darkness, Pyra is an elf who looks much younger than she really is (which she attempts to hide from most people.) and claims to be "looking for truth.". An expert sorceress Pyra is good natured but quick to anger, and emotionally unstable at times, sometimes overreacting to small issues. Despite these occasional problems Pyra tends to be very willing to make new friends in the ring world, forming somewhat of a friendship with Nigel, although she is distressed when Nigel explains in his time her kingdom has fallen. She doesn't get along well with Lady however, and the two tend to stay away from one another unless necessary, oddly though they share a common friend in the Yamada's daughter. Pyra commands the greatest magic power out of any of the playable characters in the game.
- Lady
- The main character from the game Lady Stalker (never released outside of Japan.), Lady is straight forward to the point of often being rude. Lady comes from a world seemingly not very different then earth, all be it more of the style reminiscent of the gangster era of North America's past. Lady comes from a city full of Gangsters, all of whom she has beaten prior to, and during the events of Time Stalkers. Her fighting ability is second to none, save perhaps Roa's, in the ring world, she uses unarmed martial arts (although usually aided by minor add ons such as spurs.), and whips to regularly smack down any would-be opponent. Lady joins the team more out of boredom then anything else, and doesn't get along well with Pyra, however Lady isn't completely overbearing. During the course of the game Lady can be seen offering to teach the Yamada's daughter kick boxing, she also pokes fun at Pyra when she hides her age. More often then not though, she can be found stomping the small gang from her world into submission, the gang it's self attempts on a few occasions to get revenge on Lady, it seems before Time Stalkers, she burned down their previous hideout, which they try to remedy by attempting to take over various spots in the ring world, however their attempts fail due in part to Ladies interference. Lady also has a rivalry with Rao, considering him to be the only person in the ring world to match and even surpass her own fighting ability. Roa regularly offers advice to Lady, which very abnormal to her personality, she gladly accepts, showing the amount of respect she has for him. Lady tends to be hard on Sword more then the members of the party (other then Pyra) which may imply a crush.
- Marion
- Aside from Sword, Marion is given the least explanation in regards to her character before the events in Time Stalkers, however, from what is known, there probably isn't much more there. Marion is a living doll, created by a puppet master that you encounter in one of the dungeons, as he is only a boss character he has no dialog what so ever, and as of such his intentions, his world of origin, and more importantly his motivations for his creations are unsure. Marion, like the other dolls featured seems to have been made for combat, probably to act as a body guard for her creator. Unlike the other members of the team, Marion is an optional character to some degree, she only joins your team if you find her doll form (in this form she seems to be a normal doll, and most likely isn't conscious, she is also much smaller, about the size of a stuffed animal.) while searching through her dungeon. This is based on luck, so you might have to try several times before finding her. After finding her in doll form, if you give the doll to Mr. Noiman (the authority on magical weapons and items in the ring world.) he figures out how to activate her and she springs to life, she also grows to the size of a normal person. Upon her awakening Marion seems un-phased by her new surroundings and the people standing around her. Marion is at first devoid of emotion of any kind, but finds humans interesting enough to accompany Sword and the others. Initially Marion seems very robotic in her actions and demeanor, but as she spends more time with Sword and the other she begins to take on her own sense of personality and emotion, although she often doesn't understand it herself. Marion is fond of taking walks and exploring her new found sense of self, she can often be found talking to Krystal (a broken android who Marion helps repair.). Marion's unique disposition gives her an almost philosophical point of view, as she notices things from a very juvenile point of view, something the other characters seem to be fond of. Marion is particularly fond of talking with Sword and hearing his vast amount of stories.
[edit] Other major characters
- Master
- The Creator of the Ring world, Master is a being of seemingly limitless power, able to rip the fabrics of time, space, and dimension. Master is the first to greet Sword to the ring world, although at the time he appears as a feeble old man to conceal his identity. He explains to Sword that that ring world is in a state of turmoil, and that a great darkness has appeared to threaten all that live there. He gives Sword the Hero's Medal and explains that only Sword can protect the ring world from the darkness. After some convincing he gets Sword to agree and then wanders off talking about things that seemingly make no sense at the time. Occasionally Master shows up to instruct Sword and his companions on their next course of action, something that Sword finds endlessly irritating. During the game Sword notes on several occasions Master contradicts earlier statements that he made, such as telling Sword in the beginning that he needs to protect the ring world, where as later he tells Sword that he should escape the ring world, this leads to suspicion among Sword and the party. Eventually Master is revealed as the creator of the ring world, when asked why Master explains that he designed the ring world to act as his personal story book, which he has been following since it started. It is for this reason that Sword and the others were called to the world, and needless to say they are unanimously frustrated by this fact and demand to be released from the ring world, however Master isn't willing to let them go yet and refuses. In an act anger Sword attacks Master in his physical form, which is immediately repelled when Master turns his own body to stone and places a barrier around himself. Defiant Sword continues to attack, and instructs one of the others to complete the latest dungeon, any given character can do so, and upon returning to Sword and Master, it is revealed that Sword had a plan all along. While Sword kept Master in his physical form, Master was unable to follow the exploits of the other character who defeated the dungeon, infuriated by this Master demands that the party continue to do his bidding. When the party refuses Master is forced to take drastic measures, he makes it so that none of the party members can eat or drink anything and gain any substance from the food or water they consume. After several days of holding out, the party agrees to Master's demands, but on the condition that Master create the most powerful dungeon he can muster to challenge the group, if they can defeat it then there would be little reason for master to continue the story and they would be allowed to leave. Master accepts the challenge and summons his most powerful dungeon, upon obtaining victory with any member of the team, they are given the option of staying in the ring world or going home (symbolically by closing a book.). Master appears mournful of the ending, and tries to convince each member to stay by pointing out how bad their individual worlds are in comparison to the ring world. In the end Master owns up to his end of the bargain and breaks apart the ring and sends the characters on their ways.
- Friday
- Mr. Noiman
- Dr. Anna
[edit] Other appearances
The characters of other Climax games also make an appearance:
- Nigel and Friday, main characters from Landstalker.
- Lady, main character from Lady Stalker, and Cocks, from the same game. Cocks joins to your monsters group after finish the game with Lady.
- Darth, Milo and Pyra, main characters from Shining in the Darkness, but only Pyra joins to your group. The other two appear on her final.
- Jogurt, the Yogurt, from Shining Force, when you equip the Yogurt Ring on any character.
Many critics say that the game was clumsy and difficult to play; many people have disliked the design of the game, which is somewhat similar to Azure Dreams. (Item limitations and starting out each dungeon at level 1 are two common complaints with this game structure.) Further more, the game was rushed and never properly completed during its development. On the other hand, many RPG fans enjoyed it for its story and the unique turn-based battle system.
The game also borrows elements from Pokémon because players can capture enemies and build an army of monsters. Players can carry up to 8 monsters, but are only allowed to have three with them during battles.
The game, on the adventure aspect, is very similar to games such as "The Legend of Zelda: The Ocarina of Time" and "The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask".
