Description

"Sol Divide" is an intriguing hybrid of shoot 'em up and fantasy action game that was originally released in arcades in 1997 by Psikyo, a Japanese game developer known for its challenging shooting games. Unlike typical shooters that primarily feature spacecrafts or aircrafts, "Sol Divide" uniquely combines elements of horizontal scrolling shooter gameplay with hack-and-slash mechanics, set against a rich, dark fantasy backdrop. Players choose one of three characters, each with distinct magical and melee combat capabilities, to navigate through various levels filled with both airborne and ground-based enemies. The game is distinguished by its detailed pixel art graphics and a narrative driven by a quest to defeat an evil emperor who seeks to unleash a demonic power.

Although "Sol Divide" never saw a release on the Sega Saturn, it did appear on other consoles such as the PlayStation and Sega Dreamcast. The game’s mix of genres was relatively unusual for its time and received a mixed reception due to its challenging nature and deviation from typical shoot 'em up conventions. Each character in the game could use a variety of spells and attacks, which provided a strategic layer typically not found in shooters of that era. Additionally, "Sol Divide" incorporated RPG elements, as players could collect items that enhanced their abilities or provided new spells, enhancing the depth and replayability of the game. This blend of styles along with its Gothic art aesthetic and branching story paths made "Sol Divide" a unique experience, albeit a niche one, in the landscape of arcade and console games from the late 90s.