Faria: A World of Mystery and Danger! (1989-)

• Developer: Game Arts

• Publisher: Nexoft Corporation

• Genre: Action | Role Playing

Faria: A World of Mystery and Danger! is a role-playing game released for the NES in 1991, developed by Game Arts and published by Nexoft Corporation. Originally released in Japan under the title Faria: Kanashimi no Fantasy, it was later localized for North America to bring a mix of action and traditional RPG elements to Western audiences. While the game remained exclusive to the NES and did not see ports to other consoles, it stands out as a notable entry in early 1990s console RPGs due to its combination of overhead exploration and side-scrolling action sequences. Its design reflects influences from earlier Japanese RPGs such as the Dragon Quest series, incorporating both adventure and combat mechanics.

In Faria, players control a young hero who embarks on a quest to rescue the kingdom from an evil sorcerer. The narrative weaves traditional fantasy tropes—dragons, magical artifacts, and royal intrigue—into a world with multiple towns, dungeons, and hidden areas to explore. The game’s story is structured around quests, encouraging players to visit various villages, interact with non-player characters, and collect items necessary to advance. Unlike many RPGs of the time that relied solely on turn-based combat, Faria integrates side-scrolling action sequences for certain battles, offering a dynamic blend of genres.

Gameplay features include exploration of towns and overworld maps from a top-down perspective, inventory and equipment management, and combat that alternates between strategic turn-based encounters and real-time side-scrolling sequences. Players gain experience points by defeating enemies, which can be used to improve health, attack, and other stats. The game also includes puzzles and environmental challenges that require careful timing or specific items to overcome. The soundtrack complements the adventurous tone of the game, with melodic, looping compositions that provide both atmosphere in towns and tension during dungeon exploration and boss battles.

Faria has no known prequel, and it did not spawn any direct sequels, remaining a standalone experience within the NES library. Promotion for the North American release focused on the combination of action and RPG elements, highlighting its colorful graphics, immersive world, and unique battle system as selling points. Reception was generally positive among players who enjoyed the hybrid gameplay style, although some critics noted the difficulty of navigating the side-scrolling segments in contrast with the more traditional overhead exploration. Over time, Faria has maintained a modest cult following for its inventive blending of action and RPG mechanics on the NES platform.

Images from MobyGames