Gaia Master

Gaia Master (ガイアマスター) is a fantasy board game developed by Capcom and released only in Japan. The original version, Gaia Master: Kamigami no Board Game (ガイアマスター ~神々のボードゲーム~, roughly "Gaia Master: Board Game of the Gods"), was released on the original PlayStation console on April 20, 2000.

GAIA_MASTER_Jiggar — GAIA MASTER Jiggar

Gameplay

It was later ported to the Dreamcast, under the title Gaia Master: Kessen! Seiki-ō Densetsu (ガイアマスター決戦！世紀王伝説, "Gaia Master: Decisive Battle! Century King Legend"), on June 28, 2001 and later to the Game Boy Color, under the title Gaia Master Duel: Card Attackers (ガイアマスターDUEL カードアタッカーズ), on June 29, 2001.

Story

Every one hundred years, a gnome known as Gaia Master and his floating kingdom appear in the sky. This entity regards man as mere pawns to be used in a board game akin to Parker Bros' Monopoly. Apparently, medieval monopoly machinations make for much mirth.

Gameplay

As a willing participant in the game, a player chooses a hero from eight different characters including Jiggar the Treasure Hunter, who hunts for gems or Princess Tiara, she of the privileged class whose luck factor in the game awards her with bonus parcels of land.

Upon the throw of the dice, a player moves the allotted spaces on an expansive board broken up into squares. Landing on a property square opens up the option of purchasing it. Essentially, the player is joining the landlord class and may eventually build stores on his/her plots of land which doubles the rent other players have to pay if they land on it. Hoarding adjacent properties eventually helps to build up a mini-fiefdom which exacts payment from hapless opponents to build up the player's treasury.

Battles and events are also triggered when players land on certain squares, or when cards are thrown to ignite a fight. Capcom's monetary denomination is called Zenny, and it is present in games from Forgotten Worlds to Mega Man Legends. It also pays the rent in Gaia Master. At the end of the day, the player with the most Zenny wins.

Characters

Jiggar the Treasure Hunter - He is still a young boy. He is looking for a magic elixir that can cure all disease. Standard Weapon - Bowie Knife.

Meg-Meg the Warrior - She used to work at a blacksmith making weapons and then became a great warrior. However, she is still looking for a boyfriend. Standard Weapon - Battle Axe.

Princess Tiara - She has led a secluded life under her father's protection until now. She doesn't really understand the ways of the world, but she has a kind and strong heart. She becomes an angel knight in battle. Standard Weapon - Rapier.

Galahad the Paladin - He is a famous knight that wanders the land fighting evil and helping people where he is needed. He is looking for a sovereign to guide him. Standard Weapon - Claymore.

Sinbad the Bandit - He is an unknown who came from the desert. He is looking for a suitable woman who seeks adventure like he does. Standard Weapon - Jyanbya.

Samurai Warrior Yasutsuna - Yasutsuna comes from the Eastern part of the world. He is a warrior with great honor and he is looking for another great warrior to battle. Standard Weapon - Katana.

Ninja Master Hayate - Hayate comes from the Eastern part of the world. He is a mysterious Ninja and silently crept into the Gaia Master world. Standard Weapon - Kunai.

Goliath the Rogue Priest - Goliath is barely a priest. He is very devoted to three things: money, women and beer. However, he still strives for perfection--to cultivate his physique. Standard Weapon - Mace.

Agathe the Witch - Agathe is not an evil witch. She is tired of cursing people and is very lonely. She often recalls her loneliness to herself. The last time that she ventured out into the world was the Great Council of the Witches. Standard Weapon - Gypsy Tower.

Songoku - Songoku is a famous Chinese fable character. He is a clever half-monkey that travelled with a Buddhist priest. Standard Weapon - Priest's Staff.