Neutopia (TG16) Playthrough [4K]
1"Neutopia" for the TurboGrafx-16 is an action-adventure game developed and published by Hudson Soft. It draws heavy inspiration from Nintendo's "The Legend of Zelda" series, featuring similar gameplay mechanics. The game follows the journey of the protagonist, Jazeta, as he embarks on a quest to rescue Princess Aurora and defeat the evil demon, Dirth.
The inspiration from Zelda is evident everywhere - from the overworld layout, gameplay mechanics, dungeon exploration, and even down to the enemies and items. The gameplay is non-linear, allowing players to explore the game world freely and tackle dungeons in any order they choose. The overworld is large and inhabited by NPCs offering valuable advice, selling helpful items or provide healing services. There are also shops offering useful items. Unlike Zelda, your primary weapon isn't limited to the sword, you'll quickly acquire a flame rod capable of shooting fire with soon becomes part of the primary attack pattern.
You must retrieve eight Medallions from the eight dungeons scattered across four distinct worlds, each housing two dungeons. Some entrances are hidden, requiring actions like blasting open walls, dispatching foes, moving rocks, or burning bushes to find them. Once you've obtained all the Medallions, you'll face off against the final boss. The bosses aren't excessively tough, instead, each boss offers a distinct encounter.
Overall, "Neutopia" is praised for its solid gameplay mechanics, immersive world, and nostalgic appeal to fans of action-adventure games from this era. While it pays homage to Zelda, it injects plenty of its own unique elements, making for a captivating and engaging adventure.