The software house Hikaru has finished their highly anticipated action RPG called "Children of the Night". This new game comes as a boxed cartridge for 45 euro and is now available for pre-order.

Earlier we anxiously reported about Children Of The Night, a wonderful new MSX game in the making from Hikaru. The software house who we know from the platformer "Chaos Begins", winner at MSXDev'07. Today, Children of The Night, an Action Role-Playing Game in which you impersonate Lord Drakul, finally starts its pre-order.

Your goal is to unravel the mystery of his unholy resurrection in the dawn of World War II and find out the true story behind an ancient god that threatens humankind. During your quest, you will explore many dangerous areas across a huge map, encounter friends and foes and solve all kind of puzzles that will test all of your abilities. You will increase in experience and power as you collect items and weapons.

This game is a 2 Mega Bit cartridge and is presented in a high quality box, including a full color 16 pages manual and a little surprise! It has improved graphics when played on MSX2 and newer generations and uses PCM samples when played on MSX Turbo-R machines. The cartridge has built-in NVRAM and password system to save your journey. It needs a minimum of 64KB RAM on your machine.

Children of the Night is published by Micromancers, and will be sold at the price of 45 euro at the coming RetroMadrid (Madrid, April 28th and 29th) and the 53 RU (Barcelona, June 9th) MSX meetings. If you cannot attend at any of these fairs, Children of the Night can be pre-ordered by contacting Micromancers.

Can the most unlikely hero save us from Eternal Darkness? Find out for yourself, get your copy asap!

Relevant link: Micromancers website.
Relevant link: Video 1
Relevant link: Video 2

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  • Children of the Night, new action RPG by Hikaru games
  • Children of the Night, new action RPG by Hikaru games
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  • Children of the Night, new action RPG by Hikaru games

Comments (57)

By Coyote

Rookie (31)

Coyote's picture

20-04-2018, 15:19

45 € is like... ouch! Crying

By meits

Scribe (6571)

meits's picture

20-04-2018, 15:26

Not a gamer anymore myself, but this has the looks, moves and sounds like I remember from the big houses... Quite impressive... I'll keep it with watching the playthrough on youtube though Wink

By Grauw

Ascended (10820)

Grauw's picture

20-04-2018, 15:28

It looks great!

By Coyote

Rookie (31)

Coyote's picture

20-04-2018, 16:29

Yes, indeed.

By santiontanon

Paragon (1831)

santiontanon's picture

20-04-2018, 17:01

Looks really good! I hope there is an digital version in the future though, so I can play (even if the digital copy requires us to buy the physical one, I'd definitively get it Smile)

By Imanok

Paragon (1200)

Imanok's picture

20-04-2018, 18:55

I helped with the testing and I honestly think you shouldn't miss this game. It's REALLY worthy! Wink

By sd_snatcher

Prophet (3675)

sd_snatcher's picture

20-04-2018, 21:34

It really looks very good!

By Victor Setúbal

Supporter (6)

Victor Setúbal's picture

21-04-2018, 11:36

Very nice! I'll buy a cartridge next month. Congrats to all the team involved on this project. Smile

By DanySoft

Champion (452)

DanySoft's picture

21-04-2018, 12:00

Good game.
But the flicker of the sprites I can not see myself so ...
It should be in screen 4 or screen 5, and use enemy as image not sprite!

The game reminds me of game ... Avenger - 1986
Goodbye
DanySoft

By Manuel

Ascended (19678)

Manuel's picture

21-04-2018, 13:53

Looks and sounds very impressive!

By ray2day

Paladin (752)

ray2day's picture

21-04-2018, 14:22

From what I see great graphics, good music, lot of action, influences from games like King Kong 2, Golvellius and Higemaru... sounds my kinda game! Cool

By Sebbeug

Champion (405)

Sebbeug's picture

22-04-2018, 13:47

Sounds like a great game but 45 euros +10 euros shipping + PayPal fees... a little bit too much for me...

By valkyre

Paladin (698)

valkyre's picture

22-04-2018, 16:47

Ordered mine! Quite happy to pay this sort of money for quality products.

By FiXato

Scribe (1743)

FiXato's picture

22-04-2018, 17:26

Story-wise, do you really *impersonate* Vlad, or do you just play the role of him? Smile
The game looks great; sadly I just don't play enough (retro-)games anymore to buy this.

By Juanmi

Master (155)

Juanmi's picture

22-04-2018, 18:41

Ordered mine too! 45 € for a professional game like this it´s a gift Big smile

By max_iwamoto

Paladin (673)

max_iwamoto's picture

22-04-2018, 20:04

Sent preorder email...

By MISXTOR

Champion (390)

MISXTOR's picture

22-04-2018, 20:51

Amazing:

I was looking forward to the MSX version and here it is, at last!!!!. I can´t wait to play it. Sent preorder and paid.
I wanna be Dracula, LOL.

Congratulations to Hikaru Games....

By Sandy Brand

Champion (309)

Sandy Brand's picture

25-04-2018, 00:21

This looks like a really fun game! Well done Smile

By Manuel

Ascended (19678)

Manuel's picture

27-04-2018, 22:04

Anyone in the Netherlands ordering and willing to share shipping costs?

By OeiOeiVogeltje

Paragon (1438)

OeiOeiVogeltje's picture

28-04-2018, 11:03

Manuel count me in for one

hmmm
wait a few, i do not like those paypal fees

By Manuel

Ascended (19678)

Manuel's picture

28-04-2018, 11:01

That's 2 Smile Anyone else?

By Manuel

Ascended (19678)

Manuel's picture

28-04-2018, 11:49

PayPal fees will also be split up into amount of participants, of course. And maybe I can convince them to accept a normal bank transfer...

By Latok

msx guru (3960)

Latok's picture

29-04-2018, 13:38

Opened the box and got a nice surprise. A letter from Lord Drakul Smile Can't wait until September 7th!

By wyrdwad

Paladin (934)

wyrdwad's picture

04-05-2018, 10:11

Aaaah, this game is REALLY good. But I'm also REALLY stuck.

I'm currently trying to get to the opera house to meet with The Phantom, but can't progress any farther north due to trees, rocks, and rivers in my way. I got the Ogre Shield, which I thought would allow me to go through the water (since there's that sign saying "water is no obstacle for those who protect flesh with flesh," which made me think that meant if I got the armor made out of a person's body, I'd be able to cross the river), but it didn't. And I got the Ogre Shot, but that doesn't seem to do anything anywhere other than just make my shots more powerful (but make me much slower in the process). I also found the tree that says "I am dying observed by four," but haven't been able to figure out what that means -- after I talk with that tree, I'm able to hear a voice at another conspicuous tree nearby, and at a gravesite nearby, but if there's a fourth location, I haven't found it.

I've gone back to literally every spot I can think of, talked to every NPC I could think of, leveled up and released ghosts on every screen I could manage, even explored the forest as best as I could (I don't think I'm supposed to go there yet!)... but I just can't seem to figure out where to go or what to do next, and I'm pretty much out of options.

Anyone here playing the game and have any suggestions as to what I might be missing?

-Tom

By wyrdwad

Paladin (934)

wyrdwad's picture

04-05-2018, 11:26

Thanks to Toni from Micromancers, I was able to figure out what I'd missed, and can now progress the game. All I'll say to anyone else playing is: pay VERY CAREFUL attention to the hints you read along the way, and don't ever assume you can just "come back later" to get into areas you can see but not access. Chances are, you can access them a lot sooner than you think!

-Tom

By taezou

Supporter (6)

taezou's picture

05-05-2018, 05:06

I must be an idiot, because I'm already stuck just after getting out into the overworld. I can't get across the bridge in Bran because I need "Fenrir's power" which I thought I already got in the crypt, but trying to run against the bridge doesn't help. I explored around in all of the different places I could access, but no go there either. There seems to be some sort of riddle in the lich's graveyard, but it also seems to want me to have the soul ripper to progress. I am hoping what I'm missing is something more than just killing enough enemies or leveling up on a specific screen, but I suppose that's my last ditch effort unless someone can toss me a hint.

By Gabbiani

Supporter (13)

Gabbiani's picture

06-05-2018, 08:12

You need the second part of Fenrir's power: the Wolf Fang.

Just go to the graveyard east of Drakul's Castle. When you read the sign, a voice will ask you to release its soul. Do it, and you will receive the Wolf Fang as a reward.

By wyrdwad

Paladin (934)

wyrdwad's picture

06-05-2018, 11:46

Just beat the game! Really fantastic experience. Got pretty intense, too! The last few dungeons in particular were really crazy -- particularly since I didn't get the best weapon in the game, the Death Bringer, until AFTER I beat the last dungeon, even though you're actually able to get it beforehand. Whoops!

This is definitely a must-play for MSX fans, though, and is a welcome addition to what I'd consider the "upper echelon" of homebrews (which includes games like Ghost, Tina's Adventure Island, Sword of IANNA, Pumpkin Adventure 3, and Kyokugen).

Don't miss out of this -- it's worth every penny of its price!

-Tom

By taezou

Supporter (6)

taezou's picture

07-05-2018, 04:13

Gabbiani wrote:

You need the second part of Fenrir's power: the Wolf Fang.

Just go to the graveyard east of Drakul's Castle. When you read the sign, a voice will ask you to release its soul. Do it, and you will receive the Wolf Fang as a reward.

Thanks. I realized that soon after. I started to understand the game's logic a bit after that and it's been smooth sailing, until now.

I'm at the swamp and I'm able to hit the center white switch, which makes a northeastern switch appear, and that one makes a southwestern switch appear. But then there's no more switches that show up, and no new things besides. There's two signs that talk about gold and wooden locks, but I haven't figured out what those are for. I've tried several combinations of switches and looking at those signs, to no avail. Does anyone want to nudge me in the right direction?

By wyrdwad

Paladin (934)

wyrdwad's picture

07-05-2018, 06:20

taezou wrote:
Gabbiani wrote:

You need the second part of Fenrir's power: the Wolf Fang.

Just go to the graveyard east of Drakul's Castle. When you read the sign, a voice will ask you to release its soul. Do it, and you will receive the Wolf Fang as a reward.

Thanks. I realized that soon after. I started to understand the game's logic a bit after that and it's been smooth sailing, until now.

I'm at the swamp and I'm able to hit the center white switch, which makes a northeastern switch appear, and that one makes a southwestern switch appear. But then there's no more switches that show up, and no new things besides. There's two signs that talk about gold and wooden locks, but I haven't figured out what those are for. I've tried several combinations of switches and looking at those signs, to no avail. Does anyone want to nudge me in the right direction?

Check for exits to other parts of the swamp. Once you hit all three switches, you may find that there's now a rock missing along one of the side walls, allowing you to progress somewhere you couldn't go before.

-Tom

By taezou

Supporter (6)

taezou's picture

08-05-2018, 03:31

wyrdwad wrote:

Check for exits to other parts of the swamp. Once you hit all three switches, you may find that there's now a rock missing along one of the side walls, allowing you to progress somewhere you couldn't go before.

-Tom

Thanks a bunch.
I'm at the end of the game now, with two item slots open. I know where the final one is, but I have no idea where the prerequisite for that item is, which seems to be the "tidal shot." I've scoured the world but I feel like I've got to be forgetting something.

I guess I should also ask if anybody knows what the g.prayer actually does, because I haven't figured it out.

By wyrdwad

Paladin (934)

wyrdwad's picture

08-05-2018, 06:09

taezou wrote:
wyrdwad wrote:

Check for exits to other parts of the swamp. Once you hit all three switches, you may find that there's now a rock missing along one of the side walls, allowing you to progress somewhere you couldn't go before.

-Tom

Thanks a bunch.
I'm at the end of the game now, with two item slots open. I know where the final one is, but I have no idea where the prerequisite for that item is, which seems to be the "tidal shot." I've scoured the world but I feel like I've got to be forgetting something.

Heh. I had the same problem! That item is ALSO in Cthulhu's Swamp, and is ALSO sealed away in an area where flipping a switch makes a random rock around the edge of the swamp disappear, allowing you to access a screen you couldn't before.

You definitely want to get these items, too, because that final weapon -- the Death Bringer -- is ridiculously cool. (Tidal Shot is interesting too, but since you'll get Death Bringer almost immediately after acquiring it, it's kind of useless, since you'll never NOT use Death Bringer once you've gotten it!)

Quote:

I guess I should also ask if anybody knows what the g.prayer actually does, because I haven't figured it out.

I asked Toni from Micromancers the very same question, and here's what he said:

"If I remember correctly, it randomly removes damage when Drakul is hit. Or maybe it randomly kills an enemy with a single shot. I have to check."

So it's not particularly useful, really.

-Tom

By Pablibiris

Paragon (1834)

Pablibiris's picture

08-05-2018, 11:01

Played and endend last week.
Is THE BEST game of homebrew I ever played.
Congratulations Ikaru Games!!!

By journey

Hero (577)

journey's picture

08-05-2018, 11:38

I'm playing the game in these days.
Liv.59
4 Powers
I'm a little confuse about what to do and where to go... Question

By journey

Hero (577)

journey's picture

08-05-2018, 14:05

journey wrote:

I'm playing the game in these days.
Liv.59
4 Powers
I'm a little confuse about what to do and where to go... Question

4 POWERS:
WOLF PAW
WOLF FNG
DARKCTRL
B.RIPPER

By taezou

Supporter (6)

taezou's picture

08-05-2018, 14:56

I finished the game, although I guess I got the bad ending (are there different endings?). I still really, really enjoyed the game. Definitely one of the best MSX games, homebrew or not.

journey wrote:
journey wrote:

I'm playing the game in these days.
Liv.59
4 Powers
I'm a little confuse about what to do and where to go... Question

4 POWERS:
WOLF PAW
WOLF FNG
DARKCTRL
B.RIPPER

If you have these items, then you should be able to get past one of the pillars in the area north of Drakul's castle now.

By journey

Hero (577)

journey's picture

08-05-2018, 15:47

taezou wrote:

4 POWERS:
WOLF PAW
WOLF FNG
DARKCTRL
B.RIPPER

If you have these items, then you should be able to get past one of the pillars in the area north of Drakul's castle now.

with the B.RIPPER, right?
I'll try, thanx!

By wyrdwad

Paladin (934)

wyrdwad's picture

08-05-2018, 17:06

taezou wrote:

I finished the game, although I guess I got the bad ending (are there different endings?). I still really, really enjoyed the game. Definitely one of the best MSX games, homebrew or not.

Yes, there's a bad ending and a good ending. You can still continue and get the good ending, you just need to talk to one specific person before ascending that staircase in Drakul's Castle.

Here's a hint: is there anyone you've met so far who might be capable of helping you recover your memories from your long slumber? Maybe through hypnosis?

-Tom

By journey

Hero (577)

journey's picture

09-05-2018, 13:41

journey wrote:
taezou wrote:

4 POWERS:
WOLF PAW
WOLF FNG
DARKCTRL
B.RIPPER

If you have these items, then you should be able to get past one of the pillars in the area north of Drakul's castle now.

with the B.RIPPER, right?
I'll try, thanx!

Ok, i've crossed the 3 blue pillars zone, but what do do here?

And the box here (left of the castle) , could i open it in some way?

By wyrdwad

Paladin (934)

wyrdwad's picture

09-05-2018, 17:03

Have you been reading all the signs? This entire game is all about puzzles, and the solution to its puzzles can usually be found on the many signs scattered around the world. So for that first picture, go one screen left of there and read the sign, and that boulder you see in the screenshot will vanish... for a short time. During that time, you have to get Drakul aaaaall the way over to where he's standing in the screenshot, which means you're going to have to RUN... which means you're going to have to use your Wolf Paw ability as best as you can!

For the second picture, if you read the sign one screen south of there, it says the body of the person buried there will turn to a shield in time. The key words are "in time" -- if you come back to this point later in the game, the treasure chest will be accessible.

-Tom

By journey

Hero (577)

journey's picture

10-05-2018, 07:09

Thanx Tom Smile

By wyrdwad

Paladin (934)

wyrdwad's picture

10-05-2018, 08:57

SHUre thing, journey! Wink

...I'll show myself out. Heheh.

-Tom

By OeiOeiVogeltje

Paragon (1438)

OeiOeiVogeltje's picture

10-05-2018, 12:58

so where is the first save oppertunity?
i havent seens one yet?

By journey

Hero (577)

journey's picture

10-05-2018, 14:32

OeiOeiVogeltje wrote:

so where is the first save oppertunity?
i havent seens one yet?

Just outside the Drakul Castle, on the right (blue stairs icon)

By Gabbiani

Supporter (13)

Gabbiani's picture

10-05-2018, 17:19

Quote:

so where is the first save oppertunity?
i havent seens one yet?

This is even explained in the manual ;-)

Tips and hints: "To get your first savegame interface, look for a blue stairway located next to the entrance of Drakul's Castle, once you escape the crypt".

By hashem

Expert (65)

hashem's picture

11-05-2018, 17:30

hi,

im stuck in the building with too much red signs..so what i do,,,i only have 1 weapon i think wolf paw

By Gabbiani

Supporter (13)

Gabbiani's picture

11-05-2018, 20:40

hashem wrote:

hi,

im stuck in the building with too much red signs..so what i do,,,i only have 1 weapon i think wolf paw

I guess this building is the big house in Bran. If you only have the Wolf Paw, you should probably look for the Wolf Fang. East of Drakul's Castle there is a graveyard with a sign. When you read the sign, you hear a voice asking to release a soul. Just release the soul and the Wolf Fang will be yours.

Also... this game is an RPG. It cannot be played blindly. When I played it I had some difficulties solving all the puzzles and so, but there are clues everywhere. Read the signs, talk to people, follow the story. Smile

By Manuel

Ascended (19678)

Manuel's picture

11-05-2018, 22:46

Note that I stopped reading this, because it seems to be full of spoilers... Perhaps move the discussion to a forum topic marked "spoiler alert"?

By Gabbiani

Supporter (13)

Gabbiani's picture

11-05-2018, 23:36

You are right, Manuel. Sorry.

By journey

Hero (577)

journey's picture

23-05-2018, 13:36

Just beated! Smile

I think with the "Good Ending".
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
**** SPOILER ALERT ****
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

All relics
All powers
Spoken with Estabrooks before the Drakul Castle and with Van Helisng at the end scene.

By Grauw

Ascended (10820)

Grauw's picture

13-06-2018, 21:46

A second batch was announced!

https://twitter.com/semagurakih/status/1006941702937030658

Quote:

Pre-orders for the second batch of Children of the Night will be open until June 30th. This is your last chance to know the truth behind Lord Drakul... will you miss it? Visit http://www.micromancers.com and send us an e-mail to pre-order your copy of #CotN #MSX

Better not miss my chance this time :).

By AbrahamCas

Expert (84)

AbrahamCas's picture

23-04-2019, 09:14

Gabbiani wrote:

You need the second part of Fenrir's power: the Wolf Fang.

Just go to the graveyard east of Drakul's Castle. When you read the sign, a voice will ask you to release its soul. Do it, and you will receive the Wolf Fang as a reward.

Hi,
I have only the power of Wolf Paw, i have readed all the signs, have level 52 and travelled arround the map but i'm stucked. Please can somebody tell me how to release the soul?
Also i've tried to access Shu temple activating the entrance and running to south-east but...i cant find the entrance. I need the bone riper to broke the column? where i can get it?
As you can see i'm not very experienced on this type of games and need to practice, hehehehe

Thanks

By AbrahamCas

Expert (84)

AbrahamCas's picture

23-04-2019, 23:58

Jejeje, ok i have founded the way, It is critical to read ALL the signs.

By sunn

Expert (105)

sunn's picture

31-01-2020, 04:42

So, does anyone who already completed the game want to sell their cart? It’s currently sold out and I’d like to complete it too.

By usuariodemsx

Resident (39)

usuariodemsx's picture

30-03-2020, 14:07

when will there be a new sale of the game? I don't understand how such a good game doesn't sell yet Crying

By dan

Master (248)

dan's picture

30-03-2020, 20:00

me too i'm begging for a new batch Smile

By hamlet

Scribe (4106)

hamlet's picture

30-03-2020, 20:15

For all of those who have to wait I recommend to pass the time with another game of this developer:
Caos Begins put me under his spell from the very beginning. The gameplay and especially the catchy music will not let you go. It is available in the MSX Cartridgeshop as a physical release and on the MSXdev07 homepage as a free download.