Valis: The Fantasm Soldier – A popular girl warrior game

Valis: The Fantasm Soldier (Mugen Senshi Valis, or 夢幻戦士ヴァリス in Japanese) is a foundational title in the action-platformer genre and a significant game for Japanese developer Telenet Japan (specifically its Wolf Team division). Released in 1986, it’s notable for a few key reasons, especially for its time.

Here’s a breakdown:

Overview of Valis: The Fantasm Soldier

1. Release & Platforms

Original Release: 1986, primarily for Japanese home computers like the PC-8801 and MSX.

Later Ports/Remakes: It saw various ports and remakes, most notably for the Famicom (NES in Japan), Mega Drive/Genesis, and later PC Engine (TurboGrafx-16). The Mega Drive version, often considered the definitive early version, was significantly updated from the PC-88 original.

2. Genre

Side-scrolling action-platformer. Players navigate levels, jump over obstacles, and battle enemies using their sword and magic.

3. Plot/Story

Protagonist: Yuko Asou (麻生優子), an ordinary Japanese schoolgirl.

The Conflict: Yuko is suddenly pulled into the fantasy world of Vecanti by a mystical force. She discovers that she is the chosen “Fantasm Soldier” destined to wield the legendary Valis sword.

The Goal: Her mission is to defeat the tyrannical demon emperor Rogles (ログレス) and restore peace to Vecanti. Her journey often involves battling Rogles’ minions, rescuing friends, and ultimately confronting the emperor himself.

Themes: The story blends typical fantasy elements with a unique “ordinary girl becoming a hero” narrative, which was somewhat groundbreaking for its time, especially with its anime aesthetic.

4. Gameplay

Basic Mechanics: Players control Yuko, moving left and right, jumping, and attacking with her sword.

Combat: Yuko’s sword is her primary weapon. As she progresses, she can collect power-ups that enhance her sword’s range, power, or even change its projectile attack (e.g., shooting fireballs or crescents).

Platforming: Levels are designed with various platforms, gaps, and environmental hazards that require precise jumping.

Boss Battles: Each level typically culminates in a boss fight against one of Rogles’ generals.

Difficulty: Like many games of its era, Valis: The Fantasm Soldier can be quite challenging, with limited continues and demanding platforming sections.

5. Key Features & What Made It Notable (for its time)

Anime Aesthetic & Cutscenes: This was perhaps its most defining feature. Valis was one of the earliest games to extensively use anime-style character art and cutscenes (often static images with text dialogue) to advance the story. This made it feel more cinematic and narrative-driven than many contemporaries.

Female Protagonist: While not the absolute first, Yuko Asou became an iconic figure in video games, leading a successful action series. She was a strong, active protagonist in a genre often dominated by male heroes.

Music: Telenet Japan was known for its strong soundtracks, and Valis was no exception, featuring memorable tunes that fit the fantasy atmosphere.

Series Starter: It kicked off a relatively long-running and beloved series, with Valis II, Valis III, Valis IV, and several spin-offs following.

6. Legacy

Valis holds a special place in the hearts of retro gamers, particularly those who appreciate early Japanese action games and the burgeoning anime influence in video games.

It’s celebrated for its pioneering use of anime presentation, its memorable protagonist, and its contribution to the action-platformer genre.

In recent years, the Valis series has seen a resurgence with modern collections (like the Valis Collection on Nintendo Switch and PC), allowing new generations of players to experience these classic titles.

In essence, Valis: The Fantasm Soldier is more than just an old game; it’s a piece of video game history that helped define a particular style of Japanese action-platformer, driven by strong character design and a compelling narrative, all wrapped in an appealing anime package.