Pixels burst on screen the instant START is pressed — Mythos has not skimped on the opening cinematic, and the title-card hand-off to gameplay happens in a single elegant cut. Within seconds, fingers learn the dance of light across the D-pad, and the muscle memory locks in for the long haul. Lives renewed by skill, not luck — that has been this studio's quiet design philosophy since their 1987 debut, and PRISM PALADIN polishes it to a mirror shine.
The premise: you are Vael, last of the Paladin order, and the seven Prism Shards have scattered across a corrupted electronic kingdom whose architecture flickers between cathedral and arcade hall. Mythos understands what we've been begging Japanese RPG studios to understand for two years now — that the difference between a tedious quest and a brilliant one is the moment-to-moment feel of your sword arm. Vael's blade has six attack frames, each with distinct hitboxes, and you will read every one of them by the end of the second dungeon.
Screenshot 01 / Verdant CavernsAVael stands at the edge of a bioluminescent ravine. Three glowing prism flowers cluster at the cliff base. The HUD reads 3 lives, full health bar in segmented blue, and a tiny inventory ribbon showing the bronze key just acquired. Color separations on the cave walls show Mythos pushing the NES palette harder than anything since Crystalis.
Combat is forgiving in the right places and cruel in others. Health regenerates slowly during exploration but never during boss fights, which forces a tactical economy unusual for the genre. The save crystal system — accessible at every chapter break — means no one will ever lose more than fifteen minutes of progress. We appreciate that. (Are you listening, Hudson?)
Screenshot 02 / Mid-CombatBVael leaps over a clockwork dragon's tail-sweep, sword raised mid-arc. Six gear-shoulders rotate at different speeds along the dragon's spine — each one is a hit-zone. The screen flashes magenta on a successful parry. This is the second-act boss and a perfect example of what the NES is still capable of in late 1989.
Hold B while opening any chest in the Verdant Caverns to re-roll the loot table. Works on the second attempt only — the first attempt is always a teal potion.
The save crystal in Argent Keep restores HP but not MP. Visit the fountain on level 2 before talking to the librarian, or you'll be locked out of the shortcut for the rest of the chapter.
Boss 4 (the Mirror Knight) telegraphs his lunge two frames earlier than his slash. Watch the left arm, not the sword.
Prism shard order matters. Collect Blue before Red and you'll get a different cutscene at the throne room. Both are good. Trust us — play it twice.
Screenshot 03 / InventoryCThe hexagonal shard-grid takes up the full screen. Five of seven slots filled, each shard a different saturated hue rendered with three-color dithering that suggests far more depth than the chip should allow. A tiny Vael sprite waits at the bottom corner, tapping his foot.
The Verdict
Mythos has delivered the action-RPG of the year. Combat that respects you, save points that don't punish you, art direction that makes the NES sing one more time before the 16-bit wave arrives. Bring it home this weekend. We mean it.
$499.95 · FINANCING AVAIL.Shipping in two crates. Garage assembly. Not for apartment buildings.
LETTERS FROM PLAYERS
Send your strategy questions, high-score brags, and unsolved riddles to P.O. Box 8814, Burbank CA. Best of issue gets a Game Genie cartridge.
Jenna M. — Long Beach, CA
90803 · (213) 555-0144
I have been stuck for three weeks on the second cycle of Castlevania II. Every guide says burn the bookshelf in Aljiba but the bookshelf is gone when I get there. Am I cursed? Is Simon cursed? Please help — I have a Halloween bet riding on this.
You are not cursed, Jenna. The bookshelf despawns if you've spoken to the merchant in Doina more than four times. Restart the day cycle by waiting at a church until dawn and the shelf returns. The bet is yours.
Marcus K. — Toledo, OH
43607 · (419) 555-0102
My older brother says using a Game Genie is cheating and I shouldn't be allowed in the family Tetris tournament. I say if I beat him fair on Tuesday, he can't tell me what I do on Saturday with my own cartridge. Who's right?
You are right on Saturday. Your brother is right on Tuesday. Most household disputes resolve themselves with a written rulebook taped to the TV. Codes are tools — what they're for is up to the table.
Diane P. — Akron, OH
44313 · (216) 555-0177
Just finished Phantasy Star II at 47 hours of play. My husband finished it at 62. The game is the same length for both of us. Where did those fifteen hours go? Asking sincerely.
Random encounters and an honest love of grinding. Both of you played the game the game wanted to be played. There is no wrong way. Tell your husband we said congratulations.
Anthony R. — Pawtucket, RI
02860 · (401) 555-0119
Will the Sega Genesis ever get a Final Fantasy? My cousin says no, my uncle says yes, my neighbor says it doesn't matter because the SNES will eat them both. Settle this for me.
Nobody outside Square's offices in Tokyo knows. We've asked. They smile. We'll keep asking. Your cousin and uncle should make peace and play Phantasy Star II while they wait.
GAME GENIE CODE DATABANK
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★ Special Pre-Release Product Card ★
THE GAME GENIE
Galoob's video game enhancer — the device every reader has been asking about since spring. Slips between your cartridge and your NES like a slim white wedge. No solder. No screwdriver. Eight characters and a whole new game.
[CARTRIDGE CARD ART — A vivid magenta and electric-blue product photograph occupies the upper half of the card. The Game Genie unit floats at a three-quarter angle against a starfield, an NES cart docked into its top slot. A small lightning bolt arcs between the two, drawn in gold foil. Below, in bold sans-serif: "VIDEO GAME ENHANCER · Over 200 codes included · Compatible with every NES title." The bottom corner shows a tiny illustrated genie tipping a striped hat. Packaging includes a fold-out poster of the most popular game grid, a 64-page code book, and a registration card for the monthly mailer.]
Sample code effects bundled in the starter book:
SLXPLOVS — Mega Man 2 invincibility
SXIOPOVK — Contra permanent spread
AENXAAAX — Castlevania II no fall damage
SXSSPPVG — Ninja Gaiden 99 lives
YYKPOZGE — Zelda full heart container set
Available at finer toy and electronics retailers in time for the holiday rush. Subscribe to STAGE SELECT before December 1st to receive the official 200-code companion booklet.