Overview
Climax Entertainment carved a unique niche with isometric action-adventures that combined Zelda-style exploration with tricky platforming. Their distinctive visual style and challenging puzzle design created passionate followings, even as their perspective choice frustrated players struggling with depth perception.
Fast facts
- Founded: 1990.
- Location: Japan.
- Speciality: Isometric adventures.
- Notable series: Landstalker lineage.
Key releases
| Title | Year | Platform |
|---|
| Landstalker | 1992 | Mega Drive |
| Lady Stalker | 1995 | Super Famicom |
| Dark Savior | 1996 | Saturn |
| Time Stalkers | 1999 | Dreamcast |
Design philosophy
| Element | Approach |
|---|
| Perspective | Isometric throughout |
| Puzzles | Complex environmental |
| Combat | Real-time action |
| Exploration | Rewarded thoroughness |
Technical challenges
| Issue | Response |
|---|
| Depth perception | Shadow positioning |
| Jump precision | Player adaptation |
| World rendering | Efficient tile systems |
Sega partnership
| Aspect | Relationship |
|---|
| Publishing | Primarily Sega |
| Platforms | Multi-generation support |
| Exclusivity | Most titles Sega-only |
See also