Shin Satomi Hakken-Den - Hikari to Yami no Tatakai

Shin Satomi Hakkenden New Tale of the Eight Dogs Battle of Light and Dark is a feudal Japanese action role-playing game published by Toei Animation for the Famicom, based on the epic Nansō Satomi Hakkenden novel. Players gather the eight legendary dog warriors of the Satomi clan, travel across ancient Japan, battle bandits and demonic foes, and unite to repel invading hostile armies.

The overworld links villages, mountain passes and sealed demon dungeons. Random encounters trigger turn-based combat. Each of the eight heroes possesses unique combat specialties; assembling a balanced party is critical for survival.

Powerful demonic bosses guard relic fragments needed to complete the clan’s sacred mission. Hidden mountain paths contain rare healing supplies and temporary combat buffs.

Toei Animation’s atmospheric pre-modern Japanese tile graphics and sombre traditional instrumental background music evoke the grand tone of the classic epic tale.

Strategically, successful clan defence requires actively recruiting and levelling all eight warriors. Venturing deep into enemy territory with an incomplete party faces overwhelming combat disadvantages against elite opposing forces.

For contemporary Famicom retro jidaigeki RPG collectors, Shin Satomi Hakkenden is a prominent domestic curio adapting Japan’s famous Eight Dogs epic novel into console adventure gameplay.