About the Xak Series

So what is Xak and why do you like it so much?

Xak is an action-adventure-rpg series that had gameplay similar to the Ys series and Zelda franchise that originally came out for various computer/platform systems that were released only in Japan.
 ASCII/Microsoft MSX 
  NEC PC8801
  
   NEC PC9801
Fujitsu FM-Towns  
  Sharp x68000

 

Updated versions were later released on consoles such as the Super Famicom and NEC PC-Engine.
  Super Famicom (SNES)  
NEC PC-Engine (Turbo Grafx16 CD)

Because these earlier systems were computer platforms, most of the Xak games were played on disks and had to be switched in and out during course of gameplay. Fortunately for us, we live in a age of emulation and we can play every single one of these games perfectly using an emulator designed for the specific computer system you wish to have emulated.

In that regard, since each and every single one of the Xak series games were originally only released in Japan for these various computer consoles and the Japanese Super Famicom and PC-Engine systems, the series remained solely in Japanese. It was only until recently that any of the Xak series games were translated and released outside of Japan. Looking back, this was kind of a shame because it would mean that the Xak series would have a very hard time for Xak fans and “would-be Xak fans” to know of its existence if they lived outside of Japan.

 The Xak series might have been lost to us for many years, but it was not forgotten. Fortunately, the series had at least a cult following primarily based in the European import gaming markets that sparked an interest in translating many of the games for some of these older computer console systems. This site is a tribute to the work they have done in bringing translated versions of many of the Xak games so that they will hopefully give information and insight to more of today’s gamers as to this series’ existence and a chance to play through the games.

 

The Xak series focuses on a main character named Latok Kart, (Although some translators sometimes translate his name as Ratok Kurt, however the name Latok Kart is going by how most of the translated Xak games reference his name in English) who under certain circumstances has been given a seemingly impossible task, one that was originally meant for his father. However since his father has been missing for quite some time, Latok is informed about his family’s legacy of being direct descendants from one of the ancient gods of old, Duel, the God of War. This legendary god fought against a powerful demon named Badu 250 years ago and sealed it away within a great wall of solid ice.
The start of this adventure takes place directly after events that are set in motion leading to Badu’s resurrection. Latok, as a descendant of the only being powerful enough to have ever stood against Badu and his demonic forces, must now face his destiny. And so Latok sets out into the world beyond the village gates leaving behind the only life he ever knew, uncertain of what awaits him in his quest and to hopefully find his missing father along the way.

Along his path of becoming a strong warrior like his father was, Latok will gain levels just as in any RPG, better equipment and items as well as the option of increasing the performance of his equipment by getting it magically enchanted. In each game Latok is able to level up a maximum of 25 experience levels. The next game in the series will pick up pretty much right where Latok left off at level 26-50, and ultimately level 51 and on by Xak III. This makes the Xak series sequels actually feel like a real sequel, as it picks up the story right where the last game left off. Even the spinoff games or “gaidens” of the series such as “Fray In Magical Adventure” and “Xak The Tower of Gazzel” still uniquely tie the entire Xak story together.
The above image is a collection of the entire Xak series including the Xak Gaiden: Fray in Magical adventure and Microcabin's Tower of Cabin which also features various Xak characters.
The gameplay of each of the Xak games differs a bit from game to game, but they are all relatively the same. The first Xak game for the earlier computer consoles plays almost exactly like anYs game, meaning you’ll hold a button down to draw Latok’s sword and literally run into enemies and depending on the angle of which you land your attack as well as your current strength, equipment and level of the enemy will determine the outcome of damage. And vice versa, not holding down the sword button will allow you to use your shield so that when you make contact with the enemy you will be at your full defense/armour value. You also have to play to an enemy’s strategy in how you decide to attack them and use the terrain as an advantage in possibly pinning them and damaging them as the phrase goes “like a buzzsaw”. The later Xak games focus more on actually stabbing or slashing the enemy by use of an designated attack button when the enemy is within range of the attack and also focus on a strategy of using magical projectile shots.

They are really fun games with interesting characters, bosses and story, so if you like this type of genre, you may be amazed at what you’ve been missing all this time. It is a series definitely worth playing. Some of the elements that I love about the Xak games that are also unique to the series is the ability to enchant your weapons and armour to have different effects depending on the item; the fact that the enemy sets treasure chest traps if you are not careful and will sometime disguise themselves as human characters only as a means of getting close enough to Latok to kill him in close range; and my personal favorite, boss enemies that recognize Latok’s strength and literally allowing you to choose an alternate ending should you choose to join forces with them to lay waste to the human kingdoms.

For this little relatively unknown game series it sure packs a punch in terms of originality, concept and story for its time and is certainly worth playing through, hence this site’s goal:

To once again spark interest in gamers of the Adventure-Action-RPG genre to relive a classic series and hopefully lead to future translation projects for some of the Xak games left untranslated.

-SkyeWelse