Faxanadu (1987-)

• Developer: Hudson Soft

• Publisher: Hudson Soft

• Genre: Action | Role Playing

• Designer: Hitoshi Okuno, Toshiaki Takimoto

• Composer:

  Jun Chikuma

Faxanadu is an action role-playing game released for the NES in 1989, developed by Hudson Soft and published by Nintendo. It is part of the larger Dragon Slayer series, making it a spin-off of the original Dragon Slayer II: Xanadu game released in 1985 for Japanese computers. The game was exclusive to the NES during its console life and has not received official ports to other systems, though it later became available through emulation and Virtual Console services. Faxanadu blends side-scrolling action with RPG elements, offering a darker, more atmospheric experience compared to many other fantasy titles on the NES.

Set in the world of Eolis, Faxanadu casts players as a hero who returns to his home village to find it under siege by monsters and the decay of the Tree of Life. The narrative draws inspiration from classic fantasy literature and RPGs, emphasizing exploration, combat, and quest completion. Players must navigate forests, towns, and dungeons while interacting with non-player characters to gather information, obtain items, and strengthen their character. The game’s tone is darker than many contemporary NES titles, with detailed backgrounds, haunting music, and a focus on the hero’s solitary journey to restore balance to his world.

Gameplay in Faxanadu combines side-scrolling platform action with RPG mechanics. Players engage in real-time combat using swords, magic, and items, while also managing health, money, and equipment upgrades. Towns provide opportunities to buy weapons, armor, and spells, and the game includes a variety of items essential for progression, such as keys and healing potions. The soundtrack, composed by Jun Chikuma, features memorable and atmospheric pieces that heighten tension during dungeon exploration and boss encounters while providing lighter, melodic themes in towns and safe areas. The balance of action, RPG progression, and exploration creates a gameplay experience that was considered innovative for the NES era.

Faxanadu had no direct sequel on the NES, though its connection to the broader Dragon Slayer series situates it within a lineage of related games. Promotion focused on the game’s hybrid design, emphasizing both its challenging side-scrolling action and deeper role-playing elements to appeal to fans of fantasy adventures. Reception was positive, with reviewers praising its complex gameplay, atmospheric graphics, and engaging soundtrack, though some criticized its difficulty and the limited number of save points. Over time, Faxanadu has maintained a reputation as a standout NES title for players seeking a more mature, action-RPG experience on the console.

Images from MobyGames