ActRaiser © 1991 Enix America Corp.
North American release. Game developed in Japan. For more information about the game itself, please see the original Japanese release entry; "ActRaiser [Model SHVC-AR]".
Description from the USA back cover:
ACTION & SIMULATION GAME
This sensational game combines pulse-stopping action sequences with an intelligent Simulation Mode, allowing the player to forge a new civilization.
Finally......experience a game that fully utilizes the advanced capabilities of the Super NES.
RESTORE PEACE AND ORDER TO YOUR PEOPLE'S WORLD!
Long ago, you and your people built a peaceful land.
Since then, your world has been taken over and inhabited by the evil Tanzra and his Guardians. Your once-tranquil land has become a breeding ground for monsters. Injured, you have retreated to your Sky Palace and have fallen into a deep sleep.
Now, many years have passed and you have recovered from your injuries and slumber. You must punish Tanzra and restore the world to your people or lose their faith forever.
ACTION MODE
Breathe life into the statue modeled after your likeness to cleanse the land and defeat the monsters who have conquered.
SIMULATION MODE
Help your people develop a new land from that which has been purified and build towns with your powers.
Game ID: SNS-AR-USA
ActRaiser was released in November 1991 in North America.
There are significant differences between the original Japanese game and the American version. First of all, the original Japanese antagonist of the game is Satan and the player essentially helps God (or plays as God) to restore peace in the world. All this religious context was naturally removed from the American and European versions - Satan became Tanzra (the Evil One) and the player is referenced as The Master. Surprisingly, various sections from the action phases have also been modified - parts (yet rare) of the layout were changed and several enemies feature completely different designs. The game has also gone through a few musical changes and some stages feature new and original music tracks. Finally, and not the least important, the difficulty level went down a notch and the Japanese version is overall much more difficult. There are less enemy encounters in both the action and simulation portions of the game. Moreover, the action sequences have less traps.
Enix America Staff: Keiji Honda, Paul Bowler, Cherie Hasson
Game's ROM.
Game's Trivia by Laurent Kermel; http://www.videogameden.com