Dolls Gathered on Goddess Island. Go on a Journey to Find the Ark Through the Scattered Doors to Other Worlds.
#76 Horror Game 100 story challenge
“MYSTIC ARK”, which I’ll be introducing this time, isn’t a horror game. However, the unique and fantastic worldview and atmosphere is a dark fantasy that will remain in the history of gaming. The enigmatic introduction to the story took me, as a boy, into a world of fear and mystery.
Title: MYSTIC ARK
Genre: Mysterious RPG
Compatible Platform: Super Family Computer
Publisher & Release Date: ENIX 1995.7
Let me give you a brief synopsis.
The protagonist, who was traveling, was turned into a doll by a mysterious technique. When he came to, he found himself displayed with other dolls in a room of a temple. However, a mysterious voice allowed the hero to return to his original form. To return to his original world, he needed to collect seven “arks”. The hero began to investigate the temple in search of the arks…
Anyway, the atmosphere is mysterious and players will be struck by loneliness and anxiety. You can explore the temple and go on an adventure to another world from several points. You’ll have to search for the Ark in each different world, and this one is truly unique. A world of sand, a world of only children, a world where sound and time have disappeared…. All are first-class scenarios that draw the player into the story (reminiscent of the masterpiece Mist.) And I think the riddles are slightly harder to solve. so, you don’t get direct hints and you have to conquer chess and puzzles (I played it again as an adult and found it challenging enough to enjoy!)
The battle system is the same as a typical RPG, the enemies are moderately strong, the difficulty level is easy to clear as long as you level up properly, and there is no special system, but, there is no revive magic, which is familiar in RPGs, and yet there are enemies who use instant death magic! So act with caution… Although it is possible to choose the gender of the main character at the start of the game, the speed of the magic to be learned is different, so character development must be planned or it will be troublesome later on…
The theme of this work is the “birth of life”. The game’s worldview, the easy-to-hear inserted music… The philosophical scenario will continue to be loved through the ages. It’s a dark fantasy that is sure to be enjoyed even by those who are not horror fans!
See you tomorrow!
