Saiyuki: Journey West is a PlayStation strategy RPG adaption of the Chinese novel, Journey to the West. The Japanese name is Saiyuki (西遊記) which is the Japanese pronunciation of the novel's title. The character designer is Akihiro Yamada.
Due to the open gender of Xuanzang commonly found in Japanese translations of the original novel, the hero can either be male or female. Choosing to play as either gender does not change the overall story, though causes minor alterations to the dialogue.
Plot[]
Genjo, a 16-year-old monk raised in Gold Temple, dreams of Lady Kannon bestowing a staff to him. She is appointed as the temple's representative and takes on the monk's name, Sanzo. Along the way, she frees Goku from a boulder prison and guards the staff.
Gameplay[]
Overview[]
Saiyuki: Journey West is a game similar to Fu-Qi's Fengshen Yanyi, with a 3D isometric map and animated 2D sprites. Players choose their destination and battle on a 3D isometric map. Treasure boxes offer items and interact with the environment. However, the ability to shape the land has been removed, replacing it with new features.
Elemental Attributes[]
Each character has one assigned element. This attribute determines the strengths and weaknesses for the individual, as well as their proficiency with spells of a particular elemental attribute for spells and other abilities. The five elements are Fire, Wood (Life in game), Metal (Gold in game), Earth (Dirt in game) and Water. Taking advantage of an element's weakness can increase or decrease the damage a party member can deal, and may additionally award more experience for each character. The following lists the element chain present in the game.
- Dirt defeats Water;
- Water defeats Fire;
- Fire defeats Gold;
- Gold defeats Life;
- Life defeats Dirt.
Wereform and Guardians[]
Sanzo, a party member, can shapeshift into a Wereform, a massive beastial form. The Wereform's duration is determined by the Were Gauge's length. Players can level up the Were Gauge to increase its size and unlock more powerful abilities. Wereform attacks can reveal hidden treasures and new paths, while transformed characters gain life points and immunity to negative status effects. Sanzo can summon Guardians, each with unique abilities, which last for three turns.
- Mother - Life element, can attack in a two square radius; restores party HP per turn;
- Warrior - Gold element, can attack in a two square radius; increases physical defense;
- Fool - Fire element, has a linear attack; increases physical offense;
- Luna - Dirt element, attacks with a bow's range; restores party MP per turn (except for Sanzo's);
- Cavalier - Water element, hits in a one square area near Sanzo; increases movement and allows Sanzo to float;
- Emperor - No element, attacks in a three square radius from Sanzo; grants the passive effects from all the other Guardians.
Towns and Equipment[]
Towns offer stores, chemists, and training sessions for equipment and spells. Players can improve weapons by visiting blacksmiths in certain towns, except for Sanzo, who can only acquire Guardians. Posts in larger cities provide part-time jobs and monetary awards, with side-quests involving fighting. Posts also offer a card mini-game, where players can buy medals and exchange them for unique prizes.
Extras and Localization differences[]
Game extras include Sanzo's diary and bonus section. Japanese version has limited audio clips, staff roll movie, and voice omission in English.
Characters[]
Main Party[]
Optional Party Members[]
Guardians[]
- Sei Oubo - Mother
- Hei Reiko - Warrior
- Nata Taishi - Fool
- Kano Usenko - Luna
- Jiro Shingun - Cavalier
- Kyuten Raitei - Emperor
Taurus's Allies[]
Eight Devils[]
Others[]
Related Media[]
A two volume novelization of the game was authored by Akira Nanao in 1999. The covers of both books were illustrated by the game's illustrator and they can be combined to form one image.
Image Song[]
- Magic Goku
- Performed by Yukihide Takekawa from GODIEGO.
Allusions[]
- All of the Guardians are characters from Fengshen Yanyi. King Zhou, Huang Feihu and Chi You receive small references in the game. Some of the game's rarest equipment were items used by the characters in the novel.
- Buddha, Heilong, and other mystical/religious figures in Chinese culture form the names of some the game's equipment. The Eight Devils are all based on Hindu gods.
External Links[]
- Official English site
- Official Japanese site
- Screenshot intensive Let's Play by Azure_Horizon
- Saiyuki opening movies
- Japanese gameplay footage with female Sanzo
Fengshen Yanyi
|
|---|
| Fengshen Yanyi • Magical Fengshen • Fengshen Yanyi 2 • Mystic Heroes |
| Characters |
| Fengshen Yanyi |
| Taigong Wang • Huang Feihu • Yang Jian • Huang Tianxiang • Nezha • Li Jing • Su Hu • Zheng Lun • Wei Hu • Huang Tianhua • Leizhenzi • Deng Chanyu • Wu Ji • Tu Xing Sun • Long Xu Hu • Yang Ren • Longji Gongzhu • Chong Heihu • Jinzha • Muzha • Zhao Gongming |
| Magical Fengshen |
| Sora • Saiten • Marin • Myao |
| Fengshen Yanyi 2 |
| Ziya • Bai Chang • Lilan • Wen Zhong • Hualing • Haitang |
| Major Recurring Characters |
| King Zhou • Da Ji • Hu Ximei • Concubine Wang • Yuanshi Tianzun • Baihe Tongzi • King Wu • Zhuogong Dan • King Shou • Chun Lei • Lingya Xian • Xuqiu Xian • Wuyun Xian • Tianbao Daoren |
| Other Information |
| Fengshen Yanyi (novel) • Saiyuki: Journey West |