Xanadu Next, PC

Xanadu Next was developed by Falcom and published for Windows PCs in Japan in 2005. It is a continuation of the Dragon Slayer series and a spin-off from Xanadu: Dragon Slayer II. The game remained untranslated into English until a worldwide release by XSEED Games in 2016. And I have to say: it’s a wonderful game, and is arguably the pinnacle of the long-running franchise.

You play a knight who is escorting a young female scholar (called Char) to an island called Harlech, so they can investigate a mysterious castle that only appears when thick fog descends upon Lake Orwell. Not only that, but the castle – Castle Strangerock – disappears whenever anyone tries to approach it. So your task is to explore the various ruins on the island and try to unlock the castle’s secret and gain entry to it.

Xanadu Next is a fully-fledged, feature rich RPG, created in 3D, with real-time combat (in the style of Diablo), and a rich, symphonic soundtrack. The game may not be presented in high definition (in fact the resolution is locked at 640×480), but it is beautifully-designed, very playable, and totally absorbing. It also has lots of great little touches that elevate it above the norm.

The game uses mouse controls for movement, combat and item manipulation, and also a small number of keys for quick item use. Locations (or rooms) are connected by entrances, and a map in the top left-hand corner of the screen shows any you’ve previously visited, plus your current location and orientation. You can also expand this map to the middle of the screen as an overlay if you need a better view of it.

The game’s viewpoint is overhead, shown from an isometric angle, and pushing the mousewheel will rotate the view as required.

Monsters appear in some rooms and are fought by left-clicking on them when in range. You can also fire ranged magic at them by right-clicking, with the appropriate magic spell selected. Special attacks can also be used the same way as magic, by selecting them, and right-clicking on nearby enemies. Defeated monsters award Experience Points (EXP) and drop money, which you must then pick up by running over it. As a bonus, killing the last monster in a room or location will make a chest appear with either money or an item inside it.

Combat in Xanadu Next is relatively challenging and stays that way as you encounter new monsters, and bosses. If you’re complacent, you can easily find yourself overwhelmed, or dead, so you have to keep and eye on your health and heal when necessary. Dodging enemy attacks (with deft mouse movement) also becomes a necessity. You can save the game at special stone pillars, and using one of these will also replenish your health and magic energy, so it’s wise to re-visit them often.

Your character has five main statistics that affect their abilities, including what weapons and armour they can equip. Strength, Intelligence, Reflex, Constitution, and Mind govern everything from hit strength, to dodge ability, to the Hit Points (HP), Special Points (SP), and Magic Points (MP) that you have. To increase these vital statistics you must first level up, then go to a Spirit Sanctum and spend the bonus points you get by talking to a priest. You can also level down at a Spirit Sanctum, which allows you to re-level – while keeping any abilities earned – in order to give yourself an edge going forward.

Another addition to your character, and booster to your stats, is the ability to carry a Guardian with you. These Guardians are acquired by collecting special cards as you progress, and they level up as you gain experience, increasing their boosting ability as they level up. You can switch your Guardian at a Spirit Sanctum too, which allows you to choose what area you want a boost in.

Shops sell weapons, armour, healing items, and keys. Keys are particularly important as they’re used to unlock doors inside dungeons, and you either have to buy or make them to progress. As you buy them, their price increases due to “supply and demand”, but you can keep the price down by selling bones to merchants.

Your female friend, Char, is helpful to you in a number of ways, and she’s available to talk to in your hotel room in town. Char can store items and money for you (so you don’t lose any if you die); she translates tablets and documents for you (sometimes revealing clues for your quest); makes packed lunches for you (free healing items), and will even save you if the story demands it. Another companion who you befriend, and who helps you out, is Agnes – a female adventurer who you meet in various places in the wild, and who will sell you useful items or give you clues if you need them. And there are other interesting NPCs in the story too, who may at first be hostile, but eventually turn to help you.

Overall, the story and characters in Xanadu Next are well-written and endearing. There’s no voice acting in the game, so everything is text that must be read, but I think the game benefits from that, because there are no badly voice-acted characters, and the game’s great soundtrack is allowed to shine through. The combat in the game is excellent, and the puzzles are pretty good too. The game rations new equipment to you as you progress, which allows you to do more things, in true Zelda style.

Xanadu Next took me by surprise. I didn’t expect much from it, and was stunned by how good it was. It’s still available on Steam and GOG.com, and I highly recommend it to anyone who likes JRPGs. You don’t have to have played any of the other Dragon Slayer games to enjoy it – you just have to appreciate it for what it is. And that is: a real hidden gem of a game that more people should play and enjoy. I think Xanadu Next is tremendous!

Dragon Slayer series on The King of Grabs:
Dragon Slayer (MSX), Dragon Slayer (Game Boy), Xanadu: Dragon Slayer II (MSX), Faxanadu (NES/Famicom), Romancia: Dragon Slayer Jr. (MSX), Romancia: Dragon Slayer Jr. (NES/Famicom), Dragon Slayer IV: Draslay Family (MSX), Legacy of the Wizard (NES/Famicom), Sorcerian: Dragon Slayer V (PC), Sorcerian: Dragon Slayer V (MSX), Dragon Slayer: The Legend of Heroes (PC Engine), Xanadu Next (PC).