Super Daikoukai Jidai (1992)
Super Daikoukai Jidai (literally "Super Age of Discovery") is a historical simulation game developed and published by Koei for the Super Famicom, released on July 28, 1992. It is a port of the PC game Daikoukai Jidai, which was released in 1990, and is set during the Age of Exploration, where players take on the role of a European explorer, trading, exploring, and establishing colonies in the New World. Koei, renowned for their historical strategy games, brought their depth and attention to detail to this simulation.
Gameplay and Exploration Simulation
Super Daikoukai Jidai is a simulation game where players manage a fleet of ships, exploring uncharted territories, trading goods, and engaging in diplomacy with native populations and rival nations. The game features a detailed map of the world, with continents, islands, and ocean routes. Players can invest in ship upgrades, hire crew members, and engage in naval battles with pirates and enemy fleets. The game also features a "discovery" system, where players can discover new lands, artifacts, and resources, earning fame and fortune.
The game includes multiple scenarios, each representing a different historical period and explorer, such as Christopher Columbus, Vasco da Gama, and Ferdinand Magellan. The game's visual style is detailed and colorful, with a clean map interface and historical-style portraits. The soundtrack features traditional orchestral music that enhances the adventurous atmosphere.
Super Daikoukai Jidai received positive reviews for its depth and historical accuracy, becoming a popular title among simulation fans. Koei would later develop other historical simulations, but this title remains a classic for its exploration and trade mechanics.