Artelius

Lore & Background

The story of Artelius takes place in a fictional solar system where an advanced civilization once flourished. A black hole appeared and transported all inhabitants into a parallel universe called Artelius, ruled by the diabolical king Sarbelor. Sarbelor controls a machine that has split the universe into spaces filled with asteroid belts. A cyborg built by scientist Dr. Rado is entrusted with the mission to defeat Sarbelor and save Artelius.

Gameplay begins with the player customizing and modifying their character's traits. Warp points allow travel across the universe. On the map, red dots indicate enemies, while blue dots represent space colonies where players can rest and stock up on supplies. Each resting spot has at least two doors or a warp point. Battles occur randomly from a first-person perspective, and winning earns experience points that increase the player's level.

Player attacks are determined by strength, defensive power by shield strength, and agility affects the success rate of fleeing from battles. The laser beam is the best weapon, and it can be upgraded to a 'hyper magnum' gun, which is stronger than a fully powered-up missile or bazooka.

Reader's Guide

Artelius is a relatively obscure Famicom title that represents Nichibutsu's attempt at a science-fiction action RPG during the late 1980s. Its significance lies in its early implementation of character customization and a first-person battle system on the Family Computer. The game's narrative, involving a black hole, a parallel universe, and a cyborg hero, reflects common themes in Japanese sci-fi media of the era. While not widely known outside Japan, Artelius is occasionally discussed among retro gaming enthusiasts for its unique blend of RPG mechanics and space-themed setting. Its legacy is primarily as a niche title within the Famicom library, with limited documentation and no official release outside Japan.

Did You Know?

• Artelius was developed and published by Nichibutsu exclusively for the Family Computer.
• The game's story involves a black hole that transported an advanced civilization into a parallel universe called Artelius.
• Players can customize their character's traits at the start of the game.
• The best weapon in the game is the laser beam, which can be upgraded to a hyper magnum gun.