Langrisser IV

Langrisser IV

Developer(s)	Career Soft Masaya Games
Publisher(s)	Nippon Computer Systems
Series	Langrisser
Platform(s)	Sega Saturn, PlayStation, PlayStation Network
Release date(s)	Sega Saturn ^JP August 1, 1997 PlayStation ^JP January 28, 1999 PlayStation Network ^JP November 25, 2009
Genre(s)	Tactical role-playing game
Mode(s)	Single player

Sony PlayStation screenshot of Langrisser IV - Fan Translation in English

Sega Saturn screenshot of Langrisser IV - Battle

Sega Saturn screenshot of Langrisser IV - Overhead

Langrisser IV^[1] is the sequel to Langrisser III, and has never been released outside Japan. There is a fan-translated English patch available for the PlayStation version.

Story

The story in Langrisser IV takes place directly after Langrisser II.

Two hundred years after Erwin defeated Böser and sealed Alhazard and Langrisser in the Sage's Crystal, El Sallia had returned to its usual pattern of inter-kingdom feuding. But in the western land of Yeless, a new darkness had begun.

A now aged wizard, Gizlof, already had the wheels of his great scheme in motion. Through a pact with the dark god, Gendrasil, he obtained the Sage's Crystal from the heavens. With the dark god's knowledge, he began construction of a new piloted Guyframe unit. But before his ambitions could be realized, he needed a certain young priestess.

Flash ahead to Gotahl Village, a border town in Federation territory. Three adopted siblings of the Village Elder, Randius, Ricky and Rachel, were used to the peace of small town life. One night, that peace was shattered. Gizlof arrived into town to kidnap Rachel in the night, leaving his son Kreuger to murder their father and wipe out the villagers.

Ricky and Randius's flight from the village led them straight into a federation attack on the princesses and commodore of the Caconsis Kingdom who helped them save their sister. But Gizlof's plans would not be so easily thwarted. And there were more than political forces at work behind the scenes heralded by the arrival of a sage named Jessica and "The Mysterious Mage, Faelart"...

The fate of this tale all depends on the choices Randius makes in his campaign against the Federation and demonkind.

Playable Characters

Randius: The adopted son of the Elder of Gotahl Village and the hero of the story. After Gizlof's attack on the village, Randius vows to put an end to Gizlof's ambitions of world domination. His actions will affect the future of the continent: for Light, Chaos, or for Independence. His character class growth is dependent on how you answer the questionnaire at the start of the game. Voiced by:Ryōtarō Okiayu.
Ricky: Randius' foster brother. Like his adopted kin, he vows revenge against Gizlof. A ladies' man who's a big flirt with the female characters, his heart lies with the Princess Shelfaniel of Caconsis Kingdom. He has the potential to be a sea commander, land commander or magic commander. He's available on all paths. A potential antagonist on Chaos path. Voiced by:Hideo Ishikawa.
Rachel: Foster sister of Randius and his potential love interest. Rachel is captured by Gizlof immediately after he takes the Sage Crystal. After Randius rescues her, Rachel joins the party. Her next departure is decided on the actions of her brother Randius, as well as her fate. She has class potential for healing, summoning and attack spells. Departs during the Light and Independent paths and ally to the end of Chaos path. She's a major antagonist in the Chaos and Independent stories, where she is further brainwashed by Gizlof. Voiced by:Yuko Sumitomo.
McClaine: A wandering cyborg with a grudge against Gizlof for his evil experiments and for the death of his sister Mary. McClaine joins Randius after supporting him against a Federation ambush in the second scenario of the game. A battle veteran who advises Randius during battle situations. He has a tumultuous, somewhat comical relationship with Ricky. He has the potential for sea and land fighting classes. Also available on all paths. Voiced by:Hiroshi Kamiya.
Shelfaniel: One of the twin princesses of the Caconsis Kingdom. She was sent to the Federation as part of a peace treaty over the death of her brother. She is rescued by Randius and becomes his ally for the majority of the game. A quiet, gentle counterpart to her younger sister and a potential love interest and enemy for both Randius and Ricky. She is generally a magic user type. Available as an ally on the Light and Independent paths and an antagonist on the Chaos and Independent paths. Voiced by:Junko Iwao.
Angelina: One of the twin princesses of the Caconsis Kingdom. She was sent to the Federation as part of a peace treaty over the death of her brother. She is rescued by Randius and becomes his ally for the majority of the game. A fierce tomboy counterpart to her sister Shelfaniel and a potential love interest for Randius. She has potential for air and horse classes. Available as an ally on the Light and Independent paths and an antagonist on the Chaos path. Voiced by:Houko Kuwashima.
Serena: A general of the Caconsis Kingdom and right-hand to Commodore Wiler, whom she has romantic feelings for. A battle hardened veteran with the potential for holy magic. She is a playable character on the Light path and an antagonist on Chaos and Independent path. A potential love interest to Randius. Voiced by:Yōko Asada.
Ranford: A famous young general of the Regenburg Federation. Born in aristocracy, he is a kind meritocratic leader who treats the lower class soldiers and officers like equals. Like Lance and Leon from past Langrisser games, he is a rival to the main character. He has potential for horse, air and ground class types. Ally in Light and Independent paths and a major antagonist in the normal, Independent and Chaos paths. Voiced by:Kunihiko Yasui.
Jessica: The immortal avatar of the Goddess Lushris who appears in every Langrisser installment. Also localised as "Calais" in Warsong. Jessica conspires in the politics of the Yeless Continent to reclaim the Sage Crystal and protect the world from darkness. She is a playable character in the Light path and an antagonist in the Chaos path. Generally a holy magic user. Voiced by:Ai Maeda.
Listell: A demon general of Böser, the Prince of Darkness, and a love interest for Randius. She works with her master to reclaim Alhazard and take over the world. In a certain path, however, she changes her ways after meeting Randius and works with him to create a peaceful world with humans and demons coexisting. She has the potential for demon-type classes. Ally in Chaos and Independent paths, antagonist in Light path. Voiced by:Yukiko Manaka.
Null: A taciturn demon general of Böser. Null works under Listell in all of the story paths. He seems to have feelings for her. He has the potential for demon-type classes. Antagonist in Light path, ally in Chaos and Independent paths. Voiced by:Jin Domon.
Ivar: A mercenary who's allegedly a genius strategist in warfare. In reality, he is nothing more than a conman. His allegiance varies in the story, but he finally places his faith on Böser to save the world. Only playable in the Chaos path, antagonist on other paths. He's the only character with no hidden fifth classes in the game.

Non-Playable Characters

Gizlof: The main antagonist of Langrisser IV. He is an avaricious old wizard who seeks immortality and world conquest. He manipulates the Regenburg Federation and his benefactor, the Dark God Gendrasil, to achieve his selfish dreams. At 17, he was conscripted in the military of his home country in a war against the Federation. With magical potential albeit unrefined, he cursed his fate for his poverty and the loss of his parents. It was at that time he came to learn of the secrets of ancient technology and magic from his mentor, the Devil known as Gendrasil, who is a bitter rival of Chaos. His fate is sealed in all of the three paths by Randius. He posthumously influences the events in Langrisser V. Voiced by:Hidekatsu Shibata.
Böser: One of the primary antagonists of the Langrisser series and its canonical spinoffs. Also localised as "Ganelon" in Warsong. In Langrisser III, he was Paul, Altemuller's cousin. The Prince of Darkness who takes part in the war as "Fealart" on the Yeless Continent to resurrect his master Chaos and destroy the world. In Langrisser IV, he is one of the secondary antagonists to Gizlof. If Randius swears allegiance to Böser, he becomes a supporting character in the Chaos path. Voiced by:Kaneto Shiozawa.
Chaos: The God of Darkness himself and the ultimate villain in the Langrisser series and its canonical spinoffs: Guyframe, Ethlead and Crest of Gaia. Chaos' purpose is to bring about chaos and anarchy in order to save the world from established order, which is stagnating it. His resurrection is tied to the unholy sword Alhazard. He is a secondary antagonist to Gizlof in Langrisser IV. A supporting ally in the Chaos path. Archenemy of the Goddess Lushiris, his polar opposite. Voiced by:Masaharu Satō.
Kreuger: The sorcerer Kreuger is the son of Gizlof and a major antagonist of Langrisser IV. He is very devoted to his father's dreams to prove his love for him, despite the fact that his father sees him as nothing more than a disposable pawn. In reality, however, he is revealed to be a clone experiment created from Gizlof's cells. Depending on the path, he becomes a devoted subordinate or an enemy to his father. Voiced by:Masaya Takatsuka.
Gendrasil: A sealed demon who achieved godhood from dead souls of ancient wars. He manipulates Gizlof with promises of power and conquest in order to overthrow Chaos and rule all over demonkind and the world. He also stole the Sage's Crystal from heaven, which lead to the events of Langrisser IV. In certain story paths, he manipulates Kreuger for his own ends. He is the final antagonist in the Chaos path. Voiced by:Tetsu Inada.
Wiler: Wiler is the head of the forces of Caconsis. His talent lies in strategy, not in combat. He was a colleague of Ranford during their academy days. He is a supporting character of Randius and an antagonist in the Chaos path. Voiced by:Kenji Nojima.
Emily: General Ranford's adjutant. She was adopted after her family was killed in a flood. She worked her way into the Federation Military despite her common origins. She has strong feelings for Ranford and an important connection with the hero Randius.
Valk: Valk is one of the Federation's greatest generals. Born of common origins, he has a grudge against the nobility, which changes during his relationship with Ranford. He is a minor antagonist in the story.
High King Cleoness: The High King of the Federation. He is brainwashed by Gizlof in order to enact a war against Caconsis and to secure the throne for his son Cruger.
Prince Fredrick: The son of Cleoness. He distrusts Gizlof and Kreuger. He becomes a rival to Gizlof for succession of the throne. His fate is dependent on the path you take.
Princess Rozenciel: The daughter of Cleoness. Originally engaged to General Aldan. Thanks to Gizlof's machinations, she is wed to his son Kreuger, who becomes king.
Duke Aldan: Aldan is one of the Federation generals. Born from nobility, he has little respect for the common people. Meant to be wed to his fiancee Rozenciel. His fate is sealed in a battle against Caconsis to redeem his honour, thanks to Gizlof's schemes. A minor antagonist.
Prime Minister: He conspires against Gizlof with the help from demons. He later becomes an ally of Frederick.
Russell: The Prime Minister's son and his collaborator. He conspires against Gizlof for succession of the throne.
King Caconsis: The incompetent ruler of Caconsis. Father of Shelfaniel and Angelina.
Queen Caconsis: The wife of King Caconsis and the loving mother of Shelfaniel and Angelina.
Bruno: Bruno is a general of Caconsis Kingdom. He is an ally of Gizlof due to Glaaz possessing his body.
Graaz: A demon in the service of Gizlof. He has the ability to possess the bodies of people.
Village Elder: Adoptive father of Randius, Ricky and Rachel and the head of Gotahl Village. He sacrifices himself to save Randius and Ricky from the invading Federation troops.
Belgar: Loyal adjutant to General Valk. He assists Valk in his battles against Caconsis forces. He sacrifices his life in Scenario 12 to ensure Valk's safety.
Reese: Reese is the mage commander in charge of the security of Gizlof's estate. Her fate is sealed in Scenario 4 where she fails in escaping with Rachel.
Bula: Bula is a commander in Gizlof's employ. Fought in the first and second scenario. He appears again when you fail certain scenarios in the game.
Admiral Rivaas: Supreme commander of the Federation forces. He is framed by Gizlof as a conspirator with Caconsis Kingdom against the Federation. His fate is sealed by Gizlof himself. Gizlof takes over as his successor.
Alex: Alex is the son of Rivaas. Suspecting Gizlof of murdering his father, he revolts against the Federation. He commits suicide to ensure peace and entreats Ranford to expose Gizlof's treachery.
Sieghart: The ancient hero and ruler of Ethlead is the spirit inside Langrisser. Although he doesn't directly appear in Langrisser IV, he is responsible for selecting Randius as a candidate to wield Langrisser for having the purest of hearts.
Lushiris: Lushiris is the Goddess of Light who watches over the world of the Langrisser series with her human half, the avatar Jessica. She embodies order and is the archenemy of Chaos, who is her polar opposite.

^[2]

Music

The music in Langrisser IV was composed by Noriyuki Iwadare, Makoto Asai and Yuichiro Honda.

References

↑ Some parts of the game feature "The Art of The Swords War" as a subtitle.
↑ Kalata, Kurt. "Hardcore Gaming 101: Langrisser". Hardcore Gaming 101. Retrieved 2010-02-03. External link in |work= (help)