Released by Vic Tokai in 1987, Chester Field: Ankoku Shin e no Chōsen stands as a challenging hybrid of side-scrolling action and labyrinthine RPG exploration. For years, Western players found this Famicom exclusive impenetrable due to its heavy reliance on Japanese text for navigation and item management. The fan translation breathes new life into the title, allowing a wider audience to experience the quest of Knight Kane as he battles through the underground kingdom of Guld to rescue a princess. It captures a specific brand of 8-bit difficulty that prioritizes persistence and map-making over simple twitch reflexes.
Gameplay is a mix of Zelda II combat mechanics and Metroid-style exploration, though with a much steeper learning curve. The level design is intentionally confusing, featuring hidden warps and non-linear paths that can frustrate the unprepared. Combat requires precise management of hitboxes, as Kane’s initial sword range is limited, but the secondary weapon system provides necessary tactical depth as you progress. While the graphics suffer from significant sprite flickering and a somewhat muted color palette, the atmospheric soundtrack provides a haunting backdrop that elevates the sense of dread within the dark, monster-infested corridors.
Ultimately, Chester Field is a diamond in the rough that rewards the patient retro gamer while punishing those used to more linear experiences. It lacks the refined polish of its contemporaries like Faxanadu, yet it possesses a unique charm found in Vic Tokai’s early library. The translation patch is essential for understanding the cryptic clues provided by NPCs, which are vital for navigating the game's more obtuse puzzles and world-state triggers. It remains a fascinating historical curiosity for anyone interested in the evolution of the action-RPG genre on 8-bit hardware.
