Mizuki Shigeru no Youkai Hyakki Yagyou (1995)
Mizuki Shigeru no Youkai Hyakki Yagyou (literally "Shigeru Mizuki's One Hundred Demons Night Parade") is a role-playing game developed and published by KSS for the Super Famicom, released on December 15, 1995. It is based on the works of Shigeru Mizuki, the legendary manga artist known for his yokai (Japanese monster) stories, including Gegege no Kitarou. The game is a traditional turn-based RPG set in a world of yokai, where players control a young hero on a quest to defeat an evil demon. KSS, known for their gambling and simulation games, brought their storytelling and game design expertise to this licensed title, creating a game that was both faithful to the source material and engaging for fans.
Gameplay and RPG Mechanics
Mizuki Shigeru no Youkai Hyakki Yagyou is a turn-based RPG where players control a party of characters, including yokai from Mizuki's stories, each with unique classes and abilities. The game features a "skill" system, where characters can learn and improve their abilities by gaining experience points. The game's combat is turn-based, with players selecting attacks, magic, and items to defeat enemies. The game's world is large and interconnected, with various towns, dungeons, and secret areas to explore, each filled with yokai, puzzles, and lore.
The game's story follows the hero's quest to defeat the demon and restore peace, with a narrative that incorporates Japanese folklore and yokai themes. The game's visual style is faithful to Mizuki's art style, with large, expressive character sprites and beautifully rendered, folklore-inspired backgrounds. The soundtrack features a mix of traditional Japanese instruments and orchestral music that enhances the game's folkloric and mysterious atmosphere.
Mizuki Shigeru no Youkai Hyakki Yagyou received positive reviews for its faithful adaptation and engaging story, becoming a popular title among fans of the series. It remains a nostalgic classic for its unique yokai theme and KSS's licensed game expertise.