Update: May 22, 2008
«©NCSX» Back in the mid to late 80s, a host of Japanese publishers were eager to release their own RPGs after witnessing the success of Zelda no Densetsu and Dragon Quest. Between the years of 1987 and 1994, Data East released five Hercules no Eikoh (Glory of Hercules) games on the Famicom, the original Gameboy, and the Super Famicom. Data East went out of business in 2003 and their Hercules property was sold to a company called Paon. To capitalize on their investment, Paon releases the sixth Hercules game on the Nintendo DS. From a western perspective, the name "Hercules" invokes images of a middle-aged he-man with bulging biceps, a grizzly beard, and a really loud booming voice. He was also mortal. From the Japanese perspective (by way of Paon), Hercules is young, thin, and probably weighs a buck-o-five. He's also immortal. The story follows Hercules as he grows from a young lad to a strapping adventurer who's ultimate goal is gaining entry into Olympus. Hercules no Eikoh makes use of the NDS stylus for combat and magic blasts. The game system also allows the creation of equipment and the cleaning of tarnished weapons found along Hercules' travels so that they're shiny and usable again. Weapons may also be brought to a blacksmith for improvement and repair.
NCS Game Notes
» At the outset of the game, Hercules washes ashore and noticed by a running lad who keeps on running. Seconds later, a man wearing body armor and a red cape runs past, stops, and then approaches the hero. He kicks hero squarely in the ribs and then runs away. After a few seconds, the hero wakes up and control is handed over to the player. » Walk to the northwest and Hercules encounters the lad and man from earlier. The man brandishes a sword and proceeds the chase the boys... right off a cliff. Afterwards, he may be seen cheering as his sword points to the heavens. » The two lads crash into the ground below and the boy gets up, none the worse for wear. He examines Hercules and scoots off. The hero eventually rises to his feet and control is handed over to the player once again. Move to the west and a treasure chest will be found. Open it by tapping once and listen to its creaky hinge as it swivels and shows its contents. » At the westernmost point of the land that Hercules trods into, he'll find the lad from earlier. The boy whistles and then jumps off the cliff. Hercules follows right after him. Below, the two become acquainted after Hercules recovers from his foolhardy fall. The boy later gives Hercules a sword to start him off on his adventure and joins him. » Movement is directed through the d-pad or by tapping on a point on the touchscreen. The further away from Hercules that you tap, the faster he'll run. The screen rotates fluidly for a nifty visual effect. » When playing the game, the top screen shows a map of the area and the touch screen captures all of the action and exploration. When an encounter starts up, it'll appear on the top screen while the touch screen displays party stats and an icon-based system for attacks and magic. Jan Code: 4902370516685 Region-Free
Japanese NDS games may be played on North American and European NDS handhelds. There is no region-coding on Nintendo DS game cards. View the back cover and screenshots on the main NCSX website. This document is ©NCSX 2008. All rights reserved. No reproduction in whole or in part of this document may be made without express written consent of National Console Support, Inc.
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