Valis IV is a 1991 action-platform video game developed and published by Shin-Nihon Laser Soft for the PC Engine CD-ROM² console.[1] Released on August 23 in Japan, it serves as the fourth main installment in the Valis series of fantasy action-platformers, featuring side-scrolling gameplay where players control sword-wielding protagonists battling demonic enemies across multiple stages.[2][3]The game is set fifteen years after the events of Valis III, with protagonist Lena Brande—granddaughter of the legendary warrior Yuko—taking up the mantle of the Valis sword to combat the resurrected evil king Galgear and his generals, who have broken their ancient seal to conquer the human world and the realm of Dreamland.[4] Players can switch between three playable characters—Lena, her sister Amu, and Asfal (Galgear's father)—each with unique weapons, spells, and abilities, such as Lena's balanced sword attacks, Amu's rapid projectile shots, and Asfal's powerful magic bursts.[2] The title incorporates animated cutscenes, Japanese voice acting, and a soundtrack composed by Shingo Murakami, Junta Sakata, and Wakame, emphasizing its anime-inspired aesthetic.[5]Originally exclusive to Japan, Valis IV received a localized port titled Super Valis IV for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System in 1992 (Japan) and 1993 (North America), published by Atlus, though it features simplified gameplay with only Lena as playable and altered stages. The game has been re-released digitally on modern platforms, including Windows in 2007 and Nintendo Switch in 2022–2023 via Edia, preserving its challenging difficulty and cult following within retro gaming communities.[6][7] Critics have praised its visuals and music but noted frustrations with controls and enemy placement, rating it as a solid if uneven conclusion to the Valis saga.[8]
Gameplay
Core Mechanics
Valis IV employs a side-scrolling action-platforming structure across nine stages, each comprising multiple sub-stages with linear progression through enemy-filled environments. Players advance by moving horizontally, jumping to navigate platforms and gaps, and dodging attacks via character-specific maneuvers like sliding, which provides brief invincibility frames. This foundation emphasizes precise timing to avoid instant-death pitfalls and environmental hazards while confronting waves of foes.[9][10]The combat system features character-specific attacks, including melee swings for some and ranged projectiles for others, with directional aiming. Attack power is upgradable up to five levels via red spheres collected from enemies and environments to extend reach and damage. A chargeable magic meter, replenished automatically and divided into three levels, enables powerful special attacks that fill the screen at maximum charge but reset upon taking damage; the meter's maximum level is upgraded via blue spheres.[9][11][8]Power-ups enhance survivability and offensive capabilities, with red spheres permanently boosting attack strength and maximum HP up to level 5, while scattered items like heal leaves restore 2 HP and medical herbs recover 8 HP. One-up icons grant extra lives to extend play sessions.[8][10][11]Boss encounters feature multi-phase battles against large adversaries, demanding pattern recognition to evade barrages of projectiles and melee strikes while exploiting vulnerabilities through targeted attacks. The health and lives system uses a depletable HP bar that refills partially at checkpoints; depleting it costs a life, with unlimited continues available but resetting power levels to baseline. A password system enables stage selection for resuming progress.[9][8]
Characters and Abilities
Valis IV features three playable protagonists—Lena Brande, her sister Amu Brande, and the warrior Asfal—each with distinct attributes, weapons, and abilities that encourage strategic switching to navigate platforming challenges and combat encounters.[11][2] These characters draw from the series' tradition of multi-hero gameplay introduced in Valis III, but with enhanced differentiation in movement, attack styles, and elemental spells to suit various stage sections.[9] Players can switch between them by pausing the game and selecting from the menu, except during boss fights, allowing mid-stage adaptation without shared health bars, as each maintains independent hit points and magic points that can be upgraded via collectible spheres.[9][11]Lena Brande serves as the balanced protagonist, wielding the short-range Valis sword for close-quarters combat and emphasizing agile, precision-based platforming.[12] Her key ability is a sliding dash that provides brief invincibility frames, enabling her to traverse narrow passages, cross pits, and dodge hazards effectively.[11] Lena's spells are thunder-elemental and upgrade through three levels by collecting enhancement items: at level 1, she fires a single thunder ball forward; level 2 adds an orbiting thunder ball for defensive coverage; and level 3 unleashes a screen-wide thunder smash that clears all on-screen enemies.[11][2]Amu Brande, Lena's younger sister, is the high-speed, lightweight option optimized for quick traversal and ranged crowd control, using a bird-shaped cutter boomerang that can be thrown in multiple directions for extended reach.[13] Her double-jump ability allows access to high or distant platforms that others cannot reach, making her ideal for exploration and evasion in fast-paced sections.[11][2] Amu's fire-elemental spells progress similarly: level 1 launches two fireballs toward the ground; level 2 fires three fireballs in forward and diagonal patterns; and level 3 deploys four rotating fireballs that sweep the screen.[11]Asfal, the armored heavy-hitter, prioritizes raw power over speed, swinging a lancetrident with wide range but slow recovery, suiting him for boss battles and durable enemy waves.[14] His bulk renders him immune to certain environmental traps like spikes and lasers, and his projectiles glide along the ground for low-threat targeting.[11][2] Asfal's ice-elemental spells include: level 1, three forward wolf-head projectiles; level 2, a rounding wolf-head that circles back; and level 3, dual energy walls that extend forward and backward to freeze and damage foes.[11] This elemental system ties directly to each character's kit, with charged attacks enabling area-of-effect blasts, though upgrades are character-specific and reset upon switching in some contexts.[9]
Plot
Setting and Backstory
The universe of Vecanti serves as the central setting for Valis IV, depicted as a dream-like realm encompassing three interconnected worlds: the human world of everyday reality, the monstrous domains inhabited by dark forces, and the divine sphere governed by benevolent entities. This tripartite structure maintains a delicate balance between light and darkness, with threats from the monster world periodically encroaching upon the human and divine realms, necessitating intervention to preserve harmony.[15][16]Set 15 years after the events of Valis III, the story unfolds in a timeline where Yuko Asou has ascended to the status of a goddess, overseeing the protection of Vecanti and its inhabitants from her divine vantage. In this capacity, Yuko safeguards the legendary Valis Sword, an ancient artifact that has played a pivotal role throughout the franchise as the key instrument for empowering chosen warriors—known as Valis Soldiers—to combat existential threats across the realms, without delving into specific prior conflicts.[9][17][15]Central to the lore are ancient prophecies that foretell cycles of peril, such as the rising of the Red Moon, which signals the resurgence of darkness and the emergence of a new guardian to wield the Valis Sword. These prophecies underscore the ongoing struggle for equilibrium, where artifacts like the magical Titan Ring amplify malevolent powers, tipping the scales toward chaos if unchecked. The primary antagonist's origins trace back to Prince Galgear, a demonic figure long imprisoned within Vecanti for his tyrannical ambitions; his empowerment stems from acquiring the Titan Ring, which grants him dominion over dark forces and enables his bid to shatter the realms' balance.[16][15]
Main Narrative
The story of Valis IV unfolds fifteen years after the events of Valis III, in a time of fragile peace across Vecanti and the Dream World. The inciting incident begins when Prince Galgear, son of the Dark World's King Asfal, escapes from a crystal prison where he had been sealed for his madness induced by a powerful magical ring inherited from his father. Driven to insanity by the ring's corrupting influence, Galgear swiftly conquers Vecanti, overthrows the ruling order, and kidnaps Queen Valna—now a central figure in the realm's governance—to execute her publicly as a warning against rebellion. This act shatters the peace and draws the attention of a nascent resistance led by the warrior Cham, setting the stage for a desperate counteroffensive.[9]In response, the heroines Lena Brande, a young and determined Vecanti woman, and her tomboyish sister Amu Brande join the resistance to infiltrate Galgear's fortress, Castle Vanity, and attempt Valna's rescue. They confront and defeat one of Galgear's key generals, Dhalgen, but are gravely injured in the process by Galgear himself, who reveals the depth of his ring-fueled rage. Asfal, Galgear's father and a reformed demon lord, intervenes at this critical moment, teleporting the sisters to safety and allying with them despite his familial ties. Recognizing the need for greater power, the group seeks out Yuko Asou, the legendary former Valis warrior elevated to divine status; she tests Lena's worthiness and bestows upon her the sacred Valis sword and armor, officially recruiting her as the new Valis Soldier while Amu and Asfal provide complementary support in the fight ahead.[18][19]The major acts of the narrative follow the trio's perilous journey through surreal dream worlds and corrupted realms of Vecanti, battling Galgear's monstrous forces in a series of escalating confrontations. As they progress, revelations emerge about the magical ring's insidious corruption, which not only warped Galgear's mind but also amplifies his tyrannical ambitions to invade the human world. Key encounters highlight character arcs, such as Asfal's internal conflict over confronting his son and Amu's growing resolve to protect her sister. The story is advanced through anime-style full-motion video (FMV) cutscenes featuring voice acting and expressive dialogue, which depict pivotal moments like the kidnapping, the sword's bestowal, and emotional exchanges among the allies, blending cinematic storytelling with the game's action-platforming progression.[9][8]The climax builds to a desperate assault on Galgear's fortified crystal base in Valhalla, the heart of his domain beneath the ominous Red Moon. Amid intense battles, Amu makes a profound sacrifice to shield Valna from Galgear's lethal strike, underscoring themes of familial loyalty and selflessness that permeate the narrative. Empowered by the Valis sword, Lena and Asfal press forward for the final confrontation, defeating Galgear and destroying the corrupting ring, which restores balance but at great personal cost. In the resolution, peace returns to Vecanti as Lena honors Amu's memory at her grave, solidifying her role as the enduring guardian in the Valis lineage and hinting at future threats in the series' continuity. The epilogue reflects on the cycle of heroism, with Yuko's oversight ensuring the sword's legacy endures.[18][19]
Production
Development
Valis IV was developed by Laser Soft, a subsidiary of Telenet Japan focused on optical media games for the PC Engine, with Telenet Japan handling publishing duties.[20] The project was directed by Mitsuo Nakamura and produced by Masami Hanari.[5] Development began following the success of Valis III in 1990, aiming to leverage the PC Engine CD-ROM²'s capabilities for superior audio-visual presentation compared to prior entries.[21]The team exploited the CD-ROM format to incorporate full-motion video cutscenes, which featured animated anime-style sequences between stages to advance the narrative and enhance immersion.[9] Additional technical innovations included parallax scrolling in backgrounds to create depth in environments.[10]Design decisions emphasized evolving the series from single-protagonist action-platformers by introducing multiple playable characters—Lena Brande, Amu, and Asfal—each with unique abilities like sliding, double-jumping, and hazard immunity, respectively, to promote strategic switching and increase replayability.[9] This shift built on the multi-character elements introduced in Valis III, allowing levels to be tailored to individual strengths for varied gameplay approaches.[22]Key challenges involved balancing the difficulty curve, as enemies often had specific weaknesses tied to particular characters, which could frustrate players unfamiliar with optimal switching.[9] The integration of anime production with core gameplay also required careful synchronization, ensuring cutscenes aligned seamlessly with platforming mechanics without disrupting pacing.[9]
Soundtrack
The soundtrack for Valis IV was composed by Shingo Murakami, Junta Sakata (credited as Junta), and Wakame.[5] These composers handled the music production, with Junta Sakata and Shingo Murakami additionally credited for sound and recording.[5] The game's PC Engine CD-ROM format enabled the use of Redbook audio tracks, delivering high-fidelity CD-quality music streamed directly during gameplay, a notable technical feature for 1991 console titles.[23]The score blends orchestral elements with synthesizer-driven rock arrangements, drawing from magical girl anime aesthetics through soaring melodies and dramatic flourishes that underscore the game's fantasy themes.[24] Leitmotifs recur to represent key characters like protagonists Lena Brande and Amu, as well as distinct realms such as the dream world and enemy domains, enhancing narrative immersion. Key tracks include the opening "TITLE" theme, which sets an epic tone with its sweeping synth orchestration; intense boss battle themes like "BOSS" and "FINAL BOSS," featuring pulsating rhythms and escalating tension; and the ending credits song for emotional closure.[25]Technically, the soundtrack spans over 20 minutes across multiple tracks tailored to gameplay segments, with dynamic audio layering that varies intensity by stage—such as building crescendos during action sequences—and seamless integration of sound effects, including crystalline chimes for spell casts that complement the music without overpowering it. Production involved studio recording overseen by the composers, incorporating synthesized instrumentation to evoke a live orchestral feel while syncing with the game's anime-style cutscenes, which feature full voice acting by talents like Hiromi Tsuru as Lena.[5][26]
Release
Original PC Engine Version
Valis IV was first released on August 23, 1991, exclusively in Japan by Telenet Japan for the PC Engine CD-ROM² system.[27][28] Developed by Laser Soft, the game marked the culmination of the main Valis storyline and leveraged the CD format to deliver expanded content beyond the cartridge-based predecessors.[29]The title was distributed in standard CD-ROM format and priced at ¥6,780 upon launch.[27]Packaging included the jewel case with artwork featuring protagonists Lena Brande and her sister Am, alongside a Japanese manual detailing controls, story, and character abilities, though no special anime booklet was standard.[30] Initial sales were modest, aligning with the niche appeal of the PC Engine's CD library in the Japanese market, where the add-on had sold over 1 million units by 1991 but competed against emerging 16-bit consoles.To play, users required a PC Engine console paired with the CD-ROM² peripheral, released in 1990 to enable CD-based games with superior audio and storage capacity.[31] This setup allowed Valis IV to incorporate high-quality CD audio tracks for its soundtrack and animated cutscenes with voice acting, providing cinematic sequences that highlighted the advantages of the medium over the series' earlier MSX and Famicom entries.[10]The release was localized solely in Japanese, with text, dialogue, and menus in the native language, and no international distribution or translation efforts were announced by Telenet Japan at the time.[30] Marketing efforts focused on the PC Engine fanbase through gaming periodicals, positioning the title as an enhanced finale with improved visuals and narrative depth to attract series enthusiasts.[32]
Ports and Re-releases
The Super Valis IV adaptation for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System was released in Japan on March 27, 1992, and in North America in February 1993 by Atlus.[33][34] This cartridge-based version simplified the original PC Engine CD-ROM² game's graphics and removed its full-motion videos (FMVs) to fit hardware constraints, while altering plot elements to focus on a single protagonist, Lena (localized as Valna). Gameplay changes included eliminating the sliding maneuver, magic bar system, and HP/MP recovery items, reducing the number of playable characters to Lena only, shortening cutscenes, and featuring fewer stages overall, with different controls emphasizing faster running via button tapping and sword enhancements from special items.[33][35]Digital re-releases of the original PC Engine version appeared in Valis: The Fantasm Soldier Collection II for Nintendo Switch, launched digitally in Japan on September 22, 2022, and in the West on February 23, 2023 by Edia.[36][37] This compilation emulates the TurboGrafx-CD original via built-in software, adding modern features such as rewind functionality, save states, customizable sound and visual modes (including HD filters), and improved menus for accessibility. The SNES adaptation was later included in Valis: The Fantasm Soldier Collection III for Switch, released digitally in Japan on December 7, 2023, and in the West on January 18, 2024, with physical editions produced by Limited Run Games in 2024.[38][39]Earlier PC ports of the PC Engine version were bundled in compilations like Valis Complete, released in 2006 and reissued in 2011 by D4 Enterprise, using emulation for Windows. A broader Steam port of the Valis collections, encompassing the original PC Engine edition of Valis IV, was released by Edia on October 29, 2024.[40][41] No official mobile ports or additional major console adaptations beyond the SNES exist.As of 2025, Valis IV remains available digitally through the Nintendo eShop via the aforementioned collections, with the Steam version expanding accessibility. These re-releases preserve the TurboGrafx-CD emulation while incorporating quality-of-life updates like save states and HD filters to address original hardware limitations.[36]
Reception
Contemporary Reviews
Upon its 1991 release for the PC Engine CD-ROM² in Japan, Valis IV garnered mixed reception from critics, who praised its impressive visuals and narrative depth while noting challenges with gameplay balance. Famitsu awarded the game a score of 25 out of 40, highlighting the strong anime-style cutscenes and story progression as standout elements, though the reviewers pointed to abrupt difficulty spikes that could frustrate players.[42]European outlets were more enthusiastic; Génération 4 gave it 90 out of 100, commending the fluid character animations, vibrant graphics, and CD-quality soundtrack that enhanced the fantastical atmosphere.[42] Joypad echoed this sentiment with a 92 out of 100, emphasizing the engaging boss designs that integrated seamlessly with the anime-inspired aesthetic.[42] However, common criticisms included repetitive level structures and occasional control responsiveness issues during intense action sequences.[9]The game achieved modest commercial success within the niche PC Engine market, appealing primarily to fans of action-platformers and anime tie-ins without breaking into mainstream sales charts.[9]The 1992 Super Famicom port, Super Valis IV, received mixed reviews upon launch in Japan, with scores reflecting its more accessible design but significant content omissions from the original. Famitsu rated it 20 out of 40, faulting the reduced cutscenes and elimination of multiple playable characters, which streamlined the experience but diminished narrative richness compared to the PC Engine version.[43]Electronic Gaming Monthly provided a 28 out of 40 in its 1993 North American coverage, lauding the improved controls and easier difficulty curve that made it more approachable for console audiences, though reviewers noted the repetitive stage layouts and simplified boss encounters as drawbacks.[43] French magazine Joystick scored it 84 out of 100, appreciating the anime integration in remaining cinematics and solid platforming fundamentals, but critiqued the control scheme for feeling less precise in vertical sections.[43]In North America, the 1993 SNES release expanded its reach to a broader audience beyond the import scene, though it maintained the mixed critical response focused on its streamlined yet truncated content.[44]
Retrospective and Modern Views
In retrospective analyses, Valis IV has been praised as one of the stronger entries in the series despite not surpassing its predecessor, Valis III, with reviewers highlighting its narrative evolution through a new protagonist and multiple playable characters that add variety to the action-platforming gameplay.[9] The game's story, which shifts focus to Lena Brande while incorporating series staples like the Valis sword and interdimensional threats, is noted for refreshing the formula after three installments, though its drab stage designs and uneven music mix somewhat dilute the atmospheric immersion compared to earlier titles.[9]Modern re-releases have renewed interest in Valis IV, particularly through the Valis: The Fantasm Soldier Collection III for Nintendo Switch (released December 7, 2023 in Japan and January 18, 2024 in the West), which emulates the PC Engine original competently alongside ports of related titles, earning positive remarks for preserving the series' anime-inspired visuals and voice acting without major glitches in the core gameplay.[45] The collection's inclusion of bonus content like galleries and soundtracks has been appreciated for enhancing accessibility, though some emulation quirks in peripheral systems like PC-88 were noted as minor drawbacks.[45] The 2024 PC port of Valis: The Fantasm Soldier Collection via Steam, released on October 15, 2024, has provided broader availability for Western audiences long denied an official release, with mixed user reception (approximately 60% positive based on 38 Steam reviews as of late 2024) noting improved controls alongside emulation aspects.[41]Fan discussions and aggregate user ratings underscore Valis IV's enduring appeal through its challenging boss designs and nostalgic magical girl tropes, with MobyGames users averaging around 3.1 out of 5 for the related Super Valis IV port, reflecting a solid but flawed retro experience.[33] The PC Engine version is frequently regarded as superior to the SNES port in completeness, retaining full character-switching mechanics, hidden stages, and extended cutscenes that the console adaptation streamlined at the expense of depth.[35] In broader retrospectives on the magical girl genre, Valis IV contributes to the lineage of schoolgirl protagonists wielding transformative powers against otherworldly foes, influencing perceptions of anime-style platformers in 1990s gaming.[46]Recent coverage of the 2024 Limited Run Games physical edition for Valis: The Fantasm Soldier Collection III emphasizes its collectibility, featuring a premium box, triple-disc soundtrack, and art prints that appeal to retro enthusiasts seeking tangible preservation of the series' legacy.[47]
Legacy
Series Impact
Valis IV marked the conclusion of the mainline Valis series, wrapping the core narrative arcs established in Valis I-III by resolving Yuko Asou's transformation into a goddess and her oversight of the dream world Vecanti, while introducing new protagonists Lena Brande, Amu, and Asfal to carry forward the fight against evil forces. This shift provided narrative closure to Yuko's storyline, emphasizing themes of generational legacy and the ongoing duty to protect multiple realms from threats like the demon lord Galgear.[9]The game's retention and refinement of the multi-character switching system from Valis III, featuring three playable heroes with distinct combat styles and abilities, represented a key design evolution that highlighted varied gameplay approaches within the action-platform genre. Although no direct sequels followed, this mechanic contributed to Telenet Japan's broader experimentation with character-driven dynamics in later titles, underscoring the series' role in advancing interactive storytelling on CD-ROM platforms.[9]Valis IV's utilization of the PC Engine CD-ROM²'s capabilities for enhanced cinematic sequences and audio bolstered Laser Soft's reputation for polished, media-rich productions, facilitating ports such as the Super Nintendo Entertainment System version and inclusion in retrospective collections. These efforts shifted the franchise toward anthology releases amid evolving market conditions in the early 1990s, prioritizing preservation over new mainline entries. The themes of legacy and protection central to Valis IV's resolution continue to resonate in modern remakes like the Valis: The Fantasm Soldier Collection series, which repackages the early games to maintain the saga's emphasis on heroic succession and world guardianship.[9][46][48]
Cultural Recognition
Valis IV has garnered a niche cult status within retro gaming communities, particularly for its innovative blend of magical girl tropes with action-platforming mechanics, setting it apart from more conventional titles of the era. Fans appreciate the game's anime-inspired narrative, where protagonist Lena Brande wields the mystical Valis sword to battle otherworldly threats, echoing the empowerment themes common in 1990sJapanese media. This has led to its inclusion in various "hidden gems" compilations, highlighting its underappreciated status among PC Engine and SNES enthusiasts.[49][50][51]The game has appeared in media discussions bridging anime and gaming, often cited in explorations of how magical girl archetypes influenced early video game storytelling. For instance, podcasts dedicated to retro titles have analyzed the Valis series' role in evolving these tropes, praising Valis IV's cinematic cutscenes and character designs that prefigured broader crossovers between the mediums. Such references underscore its influence on perceptions of female-led action games in Japanese pop culture.[52][46]Preservation efforts have played a key role in sustaining interest, with community-driven projects uncovering hidden features like debug modes accessible via specific button codes (e.g., D, D, L, II, I, L, R for stage select and sound tests). Fan translations, including a full English patch released in 2024, have made the original PC Engine CD version more accessible to non-Japanese players. The title is also featured in official emulation-based collections, such as the Valis: The Fantasm Soldier series on modern platforms, ensuring its gameplay and audio assets remain playable without original hardware. In 2024, Valis: The Fantasm Soldier Collection III was released, including Super Valis IV and other related titles, further bolstering the series' legacy.[53][54][48][38]Despite its primary Japanese origins, Valis IV achieved limited Western exposure through the 1993 SNES port, Super Valis IV, which introduced the game to North American audiences via Atlus. Its global reach has since expanded through import markets and digital re-releases, including ports to Nintendo Switch and other services, fostering a dedicated international fanbase. This has culminated in appearances at retro gaming conventions, where enthusiasts showcase imports and discuss its legacy. Themes of female heroism and interdimensional conflict in Valis IV have been examined in analyses of 1990s Japanese platformers, noting their hybrid RPG elements and contributions to genre evolution.[55][56][57][49]