Coryoon: Child of Dragon

Coryoon: Child of Dragon

Coryoon: Child of Dragon is a charming side-scrolling shooter developed by Naxat Soft for the PC Engine. You control a young dragon tasked with rescuing a princess who has been transformed into a little girl and kidnapped by an evil force. The game is known for its colorful, picture-book-like art style and relatively forgiving difficulty, making it accessible to players of all skill levels.

The gameplay involves flying through eight stages, each with a mini-boss and a boss at the midpoint and end, respectively. Coryoon can fire a dragon breath weapon that can be upgraded with power-ups. A unique feature is the ability to charge a powerful piercing shot by refraining from firing for a few seconds, which is effective against tougher enemies and bosses.

The power-up system is based on collecting colored orbs that change Coryoon's breath weapon to Fire, Ice, or Thunder, each with distinct properties. Support power-ups are also available, such as fairies that orbit the player to absorb enemy bullets. The player starts with five lives and can earn extra lives easily, contributing to the game's approachable difficulty.

Coryoon is a lesser-known but highly regarded title on the PC Engine, praised for its delightful presentation, catchy music, and satisfying shooter mechanics. It offers a perfect entry point for those new to the shoot 'em up genre while still providing enjoyment for veteran players.