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Forgotten Worlds, known as Lost World (ロストワールド Rosuto Wārudo?) in Japan, is a vertical scrolling shoot 'em up arcade game released in 1988. The player takes control of a team of flying soldiers that combat the forces of the self-claimed "Celestial Emperor" Bios, a mysterious entity hell-bent on destroying all of civilization. Enemies drop money called Zenny, which players can use to upgrade their weapons and satellites in the store.

Due to concerns over copyright, the game's title was changed to Forgotten Worlds in Japan for its releases on Mega Drive (フォゴットンワールズ Fogotton Wāruzu?) and PC Engine (フォゴットンワールド Fogotton Wārudo?).

This is the third and final game in Capcom's "jet-pack" shooter series, following Section Z and Hyper Dyne Side Arms. The game was also included on the Capcom Classics Collection for PlayStation 2 and Xbox in 2005.

Gameplay[]

Forgotten Worlds can be played by up to two players simultaneously. The player controls a flying muscle-bound soldier armed with a rifle with unlimited ammo. The Player 1 character is equipped with a long-range automatic rifle, while Player 2 has a short-range wide shot.

The controls in the original coin-op version consists of an eight-way joystick for moving the character in the air while flying and a unique rotatable button known as the Roll Switch (ローリングスイッチ Rōringu Suitchi?). Rotating the switch left or right allows the player to adjust their character's aim in one of sixteen directions, while pressing it causes the player character to shoot his gun. This allows for the player to move their character anywhere while keeping their aim in one direction. Pressing the switch rapidly will cause the character to perform a Mega Crush (メガクラッシュ Mega Kurasshu?) attack which will destroy all on-screen enemies, but at the expense of a portion of their vitality gauge. While on a 2-player game, if the two players stand close to each other an Aura Spark (オーラスパーク Ōra Supāku?) will be initated: a spark will appear between them and their weapons' rate of fire will be increased for as long as the spark remains active.

The player character is accompanied by a satellite module orbiting near him that will provide backup firepower every time the player fires their gun. Like the main character, the satellite can also be rotated with the roll switch. Rotating the character while firing will only rotate the aim of the satellite, while rotating the character without firing will not only rotate the satellite's aim, it will also move its relative position around the player.

The player can obtain blue-colored coins known as "zennies" from defeating enemies throughout the game. The zennies are used as currency to obtain new power-up items from shops located at certain points in each stage. When the player enters an item shop, they are given a choice of the items available and a limited time to make any purchase they wish. These items consists primarily of new weapons for the satellite module, but also includes a health kit to restore lost vitality, an armor that allows the player to sustain additional damage before it gets completely destroyed, and even tips on how to defeat the boss awaiting at the end of the current stage.

Forgotten Worlds consists of nine stages set in three larger areas or "worlds", each with its own boss. The player will lose if their vitality gauge runs out, but will be given a chance to continue. The Master System version cuts down on the stages and bosses down to five, fusing some stages together into a single one.

Story[]

Bios, a mysterious unnatural entity of unknown origin possessing the power of Creation[1], appeared suddenly one day and set about to destroy all of civilization. Creating 8 powerful evil gods to do his bidding and claiming the title of "Celestial Emperor", he went on to attack worlds across the universe. A city built by humans fought valiantly against the invasion, but was eventually defeated and the city became a desolate ruin known as the "Dust World".[2][3]

Several years go by since then. The aura of regret from the human survivors, however, give form to two warriors on this world[2][3]. Encouraged by the words of the mysterious merchant Sylphie to become the "people's hope" and save the worlds from Bios' unstoppable assault, the two men pick up their weapons and take on the challenge, traveling across three areas or "worlds" in order to eliminate the 8 Evil Gods and their twisted creator once and for all.[4]

  • Dust World (ダストワールド Dasuto Wārudo?): A proud city built by humanity, a flexible civilization dreaded on the universe for possessing the fastest development. The city was assaulted by the War God and his army of Reptilians under Bios' orders, in what is called the "Dust World Campaign". The city resisted the invaders fiercely but finally were defeated and the city destroyed. Turned into ruins covered by scrap metal and garbage, it was renamed "Dust World"[1]. It remains under control of the War God. Also known as The Dust Planet.[5]
  • Pyramid World (ピラミッドワールド Piramiddo Wārudo?): A massive palace inhabited by the gods of Ancient Egypt. It is said to house inmense treasures within its walls, and while this has attracted thousands of adventurers, it is also a known fact no one has ever returned alive. This area is under control of the resurrected pharaoh Tutankhamen[1]. Also known as The Pyramid of Terror.[5]
  • Sky World (天空界 Tenkū-kai?): The realm of the gods high above the clouds. The Tower of Babel, Bios' final residence, stands in this realm[4]. Also known as The Cosmic World.[5]
  • The Ocean Floor: A single-area location exclusive of the Master System port, found between Pyramid World and Sky World. Set underwater inside the ruins of an ancient palace, the Unknown Soldiers fight against merfolk and seahorse enemies and finally face a Giant Crab. Movement speed is impeded due to the water, but this can be fixed by buying the "Aqua Stone" from Sylphie.

Characters[]

Forgotten Worlds art

Promotional artwork.

  • Player 1 - One of the two nameless soldiers, wearing blue armor and short blonde hair.
  • Player 2 - One of the two nameless soldiers, wearing red armor and a mohawk.
  • Sylphie - A mysterious merchant who appears to be able to transport herself and her shop to any location she desires. She begs the Unknown Soldiers to "become the people's hope" and rid the world of the evil gods, and assists by selling them different weapons, armor, items and information for a cost of zenny.

Stage Enemies[]

  • Reptilian Thug (レプティリアン Reputirian?) - Humanoid reptile creatures under the service of the War God, and now inhabit Dust World. Main enemy force in the first 3 stages, they come in a variety of forms.[1]
  • Zipper Worm (ビッグマウス Biggu Mausu?, lit. Big Mouth) - Large earthworms that hid under shallow water and spring up to attack when flying over them.[1]
  • Spydrobot (ダクト Dakuto?) - A spider creature that travels in groups. They creep along the ground and spit fire balls.[3]
  • Glyph (イムル Imuru?) - Egyptian warriors wielding bows.[1]
  • Wolf-Faces (ビッグガーン Biggu Gān?) - Floating faces.[1]
  • Flower Worm (フラワーワーム Furawā Wāmu?) - Large flowers that sprout on the walls of the Pyramid World.[1]
  • Grau (グラーウ Gurāu?) - Amoeba creatures from Pyramid World.
  • Barrier Ball (バリアボール Bariabōru?)
  • Sky People (天空人 Tenkūbito?) - Martial artist enemies in stage 7 and 8. They use ki attacks and can fly.
  • Cloud Dragon (雲竜 Unryū?) - Large serpentine dragons made of blue clouds.
  • Giant Monk (巨大な僧侶 Kyodaina Sōryo?) - A large, zombified monk that attacks from below.
  • Battle Knight (バトルナイト Batoru Naito?)
  • Mobile Suit (モビルスーツ Mobiru Sūtsu?) - Small robot-like enemies resembling the Mobile Suits from Side Arms.
  • Vajra (ヴァシュラ Vajura?) - Flying cannon drones that attack in group. This is actually an enemy from Side Arms, appearing in Stage 1.
  • Giant Crab - The boss from the Master System version's exclusive Ocean Floor level. A disgusting giant crustacean, it attacks by throwing its claws forward, jumping up, shooting projectiles and releasing eggs that hatch into enemies. Its weakpoint is on top of its "head".

Bios & the 8 Evil Gods[]

  • Celestial Emperor Bios (天帝バイオス Tentei Baiosu?) - A mysterious being whose origins are a complete mystery, also called the God of Destruction (破壊神 Hakai-shin?) and Creator of Devils (魔の創造主 Ma no Sōzōnushi?)[2][3]. Claiming the title of "Celestial Emperor", Bios takes over or eliminates all gods that existed before him, and after creating a group of 8 evil gods, proceeds to destroy all of civilization to impose a new order of violence across the universe[1]. He appears as a powerful blue demonic figure with featherly white wings, and can attack by projecting large array of beams. Whenever he's about to attack he will sprout six arms and a face will appear on his chest.
  • 8 Evil Gods (8邪悪神 Hachi Jaaku-shin?): 8 powerful entities given life by Bios in his bid to rule the universe.
    • Paramecium (パラメシウム Parameshiumu?) - An amorphous blob-like monster in charge of the nervous system of Dust World. Completely rooted in the gear area and incapable of moving, Paramecium remains in place seeking out any abnormality. It attacks by using its psychic powers to levitate and throw scrap metal, as well as by shooting fireballs from its "mouth".[1]
    • Dust Dragon (ダストドラゴン Dasuto Doragon?) - A survivor of a clan of dragons that actively participated in the Dust World Campaign, seen in the game's intro attacking the city. Now an old and decaying dragon unable to move, it is found lying on its back with its chest rotten away and wide open. It can attack by extending its stomach rib bones, breathing fire or releasing Reptilians from its body. Its exposed heart is its weakpoint.[1]
    • War God (武神 Bushin?) - A large deity that was granted life by Bios' hand. Given the order to destroy the Dust World, he led the Reptilian army and eventually eliminated all opposition, becoming the master of the now barren city. Hidden away within the Great Temple, the War God's gargantuan size means only his chest and head are visible during battle. He attacks by punching with both arms and shooting eye beams. As the battle goes on, his armor breaks apart.[1]
    • Mesketit (メスケテト Mesuketito?) - The flying boat of the Egyptian Sun God Ra, who had his once-kind heart sealed away by Bios, becoming a servant of the Celestial Emperor. He protects the mural area of the Pyramid World, attacking the player with several weapons installed on his boat. Its weakpoint is a red jewel found in his head, which he reveals at short intervals.[1]
    • Sphinx (スフィンクス Sufinkusu?) - A former god of humanity, Bios liked his cruel nature and breathed new life into him as one of the 8 Evil Gods, found protecting the stone statue area of the Pyramid World. His true body is that of the Centipede (センチピード Senchipīdo?), a large blue roundworm that lurks within the statue of the Sphinx, which is the form he presents himself in myths. The Sphinx head attacks at first on its own, and once destroyed the Centipede comes out of the body, slithering around as he shoots projectiles.[1]
    • Tutankhamen (ツタンカーメン Tsutankāmen?) - A young deceased Pharaoh from Ancient Egypt, Bios used his negative aura to grant him new life. Defeated the other two gods to become the ruler of the Pyramid World. Possessing many lives, he can regenerate any time he is destroyed. Tutankhamen attacks by releasing projectiles from its face. When damaged enough, his coffin breaks apart revealing his organic core, which must be struck in order to destroy him[6]. This boss has also been called Cleopatra (クレオパトラ Kureopatora?) and listed as female[7], although possibly by mistake.
    • Iceman (アイスマン Aisuman?) - A large ice monster protected by eight sharp ice blocks surrounding its body. Due to its transparent surface, laser weapons are ineffective against it. Attacks by shooting ice bullets and by ramming.[6]
    • Laidin & Whodin (雷神と風神 Raijin to Fūjin?) - The gatekeepers of the Tower of Babel, two large giants said to be the gods of thunder and wind. They are capable of attacking with electricity and by performing flying kicks with their massive bodies. Their souls are said to be the key to access the tower, and the door will only open when they are combined into one.[6]

Stages and bosses[]

World Stage Boss
Dust World 1 - Gear Zone (歯車地帯 Haguruma Chitai?)[1]
Empty Metropolis[5]
Paramecium
2 - Submerged Zone (水没地帯 Suibotsu Chitai?)[1]
Doomed Harbor[5]
Dust Dragon N2
3 - Great Temple (大神殿 Dai-shinden?)[1]
Wastelands[5]
War God
(Iron Warlord[5])
Pyramid World 4 - Mural Area (壁画エリア Hekiga Eria?)[1]
Stone Corridors[5]
Mesketit N2
5 - Stone Statue Area (石像エリア Sekizō Eria?)[1]
Inner Sanctum[5]
Sphinx
6 Tutankhamen N1 N2
The Ocean Floor N3 Giant Crab N3
Sky World 7 - Miasma[5] Iceman N2
8 Whodin and Laidin N1 N2
9 - Tower of Babel (バベルの塔 Baberu no Tō?)[4]
Tower of Dread[5]
Celestial Emperor Bios
(War Tyrant[5], Winged Wraith)

Notes:

  • N1: Boss not featured in the Mega Drive/Sega Genesis port
  • N2: Boss not featured in the Master System port
  • N3: Exclusive of the Master System version

Trivia[]

  • Zenny, Capcom's monetary denomination, is used in many of their games besides Forgotten Worlds, including Gaia Master, Black Tiger, Mega Man Legends and Mega Man Battle Network series.
  • The Stage 8 bosses Whodin and Laidin are references to the twin guardians of Cassandra Raiga and Fuga from the manga and anime series Fist of the North Star. The gods create electricity between their hands in a similar way the twins use invisible cutting wires to kill people. Similarly, the War God's appearance resembles Raoh's armor.
  • The War God (Bushin in Japanese) inspired the name of Guy's Bushinryu style in Final Fight[8]. Nods to this origin have been done in later games, including a War God statue in Guy's ending from Capcom Fighting Evolution and in the back of old Zeku's clothes in Street Fighter V.
  • Mesketit is a misspelling of the Egyptian word Mesektet, the name of the solar barque used by Ra during the night.
  • The Final Fight enemy Two P is designed after the 2P/red Unknown Soldier, with his name being a reference to him ("Two Player" or Player 2). His character bio on the Shadaloo C.R.I. character encyclopedia website provides further references to him and Forgotten Worlds, implying the two are one and the same, with Two P suffering from amnesia and having no memories of his identity.
  • Some of the game's bosses have made cameo appearances in other games:
    • The Dust Dragon is one of the three legendary dragons in Adventure Quiz: Capcom World 2.
    • The stage "Headquarters of Evil" From Marvel vs. Capcom: Clash of Super Heroes appears to be set in the Tower of Babel, the setting of the final stage. As such, statues of Laidin, Whodin and Bios can be seen in the background. Bios also makes a brief appearance in the game's Secret File.
    • A 3D rendition of the Dust Dragon appears on the background of Chapter 44 in Namco x Capcom, having been teleported all the way from the Dust World. It simple acts as background element. The characters also mention Bios a few times, as the Unknown Soldiers were still on their quest to defeat him before being pulled into the game's plot.

Credits[]

Arcade version[]

Game Designer: Akiman, Nin Nin, Poo, Mr. Kihaji
Soft programmer: Youichi, Noriko, Takɐno, Nouchi
Object Designer: Kurichan, Takata, Shinsyudon, Sintan, Emetaro
Scroll Designer: Mikichan, Hanachan, Kuramoyan, Fukumoyan, Nonochan, Black Man
Sound: Tamasan, Yukichan no Papa
Hard Ware: Kuchino
Mechatronics: Kamimori
Special Thanks: Hustler Bam, Rattchan, Kakkun, Poochan, CBX.Yukio, Ota, Ito
June 1988

Additionally, Forgotten Worlds, like many other games during this era of gaming, credited its staff in its default Score Ranking Table, which is as follows:

  • 1st 10000 NIN
  • 2nd 9000 EGW
  • 3rd 8000 KOJ
  • 4th 7000 TAK
  • 5th 6000 MIK

Genesis/Mega Drive version[]

Planner: Mino, Mu.Kondo
Soft Programmer: Taku.Ayu, K.Koba
Designer: Stresteles, Hide, D.Minow
Sound: Ippo
Game Check: Works Nishi, Gottochan
Special Thanks to: Capcom

Master System version[]

Planners: Tommy, Yukino
Programmers: Kimrom, Yone
Designer: Tommy, Yukino
Sound: Ippo
Special Thanks to: Capcom
Presented by: Sega

TurboGrafx-16 version[]

Director: N.Okada
Programmer: M.Wada
Producer: Taka.Ozama
Executive Producer: S.Ishihara
Graphics Convert: K.Tsubokura, K.Nakada, A Wave (T.Hirabayasi, F.Koakutsu)
Graphic: K.Eto
Sound: K.Hayashi
Cast: H.Tanaka, M.Ikemizu, E.Hara, Y.Yamamoto
Supervisor: M.Iriguchi, T.Tabeta
Manual Editor: M.Morita, S.Ueno
Special Thanks: T.Miyokawa, S.Kuroda, Y.Masuko, Y.Myoga, F.Suzuki, Capcom

Gallery[]

Box art and merchandise[]

Videos[]

References[]

  1. 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 1.11 1.12 1.13 1.14 1.15 1.16 1.17 1.18 Yamakawa, Yuri (July 1988). "Lost World". Gamest (24). Pg. 2-5.
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 Capcom (July 1988). Lost World Arcade flyer (Japanese)
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 Senji (June 1988). "Lost World". Gamest (23). Pg. 93.
  4. 4.0 4.1 4.2 NEC Avenue (March 1992, PC Engine). Forgotten Worlds (Japanese/English). Manual, pg. 2-8
  5. 5.00 5.01 5.02 5.03 5.04 5.05 5.06 5.07 5.08 5.09 5.10 5.11 Forgotten Worlds - Megadrive Manual, pages 13-16
  6. 6.0 6.1 6.2 Staff (July 1991). "Readers Choice Best 30: Lost World". Gamest (60). Pg. 52-53.
  7. Gamest Staff (October 15, 1992). "Capcom Game Character Encyclopedia". Gamest Extra: All Capcom (81). Pg. 133-148.
  8. Akiman's Homepage


External links[]

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