Söldnerschild Special (ゼルドナーシルト Special) is the re-release version of Söldnerschild, a collaboration title between Koei and Sega. Koei developed the original title and Sega published it for the Sega Saturn on September 25, 1997.
The PlayStation port, Special, is completely copyrighted by Koei and is branded as their last Rekoeition entry, or simulation titles which include RPG elements. The game's title is written in German and is loosely translated as "Mercenary's Buckler".
Söldnerschild is a fantasy medieval Europe game with a mercenary protagonist leading a group of mercenaries, whose actions can shape the land's government and leadership, produced by Kou Shibusawa and Ayami Kojima.
Plot[]
In Continental Year 951, the Ligurian continent, once divided by the Lahgeil Kingdom and Holy Rana Empire, is divided into six warring factions. The elderly king of Lahgeil dies, leading to chaos and the creation of the Principality of Sachsen. The Republic of Estania is created, and the Grankuhl Kingdom reclaims dominance. The civil war affects neighboring kingdoms, including the Holy Rana Empire, Fenril, and Meilard. The protagonist aims to unite the Ligurian continent under one of the six warring factions.
Gameplay[]
The game begins with a player choosing a protagonist's name and troop type, which is locked for the entire game. It follows a month-to-year format, with each action taking one month's in-game time. After the third month, the player can direct the mercenary group's actions, selecting locations based on economic status. Depending on the location's grade, the following buildings will be available:
| Name | Availability | Function |
|---|---|---|
| Shop | All | Purchase equipment for the protagonist. Changes his weapon type and equipment. Useful for preparing for duels. Presents for bar waitresses can also be bought here. |
| Training Camp | All | The protagonist can learn unique weapon techniques from a regional specialist, including swords, shields, axes, spears, and bare knuckled, at a standard fee. |
| Church | All | Lets the protagonist learn magic based on his current level. Priced with a standard fee. Magical items can be purchased as a secondary alternative to increasing the protagonist's personal stats. |
| Pub | All | Hire idle mercenaries for the group. Purchase a drink to hear the latest gossip from the barkeep. The protagonist can befriend a waitress by chatting with her and giving her presents. She may reward his kindness with unique and rare items. |
| Guild | All | The building accepts job requests based on the protagonist's level, with difficulty graded from E to A. Troops can be purchased and upgraded. |
| Inn | All | Save and load area. Once a job request is completed (with a success or failure), the group needs to rest here to end the current month. |
| Residence | E-C | Normal village residence. Visiting these places can unlock special events to obtain new companions, new weapons, and so on. This is the only way to unlock the secret two-handed sword style for the protagonist. |
| Square | C-A | Public area. Provides secondary exposition from locals. May serve as a meet and greet for special events. |
| Castle/Noble's Residence | B-A | Lets the protagonist randomly meet and greet the leading nobles/royalty of the kingdom. Characterizes the warring factions. |
| Arena | A only | Lets the protagonist participate in a monthly tournament against other mercenary groups. Maximum of five duels per tournament. Champions obtain 5,000 gold while second place earn 2,500. |
The player receives a monthly "World Report" detailing the battles between warring factions and mercenary groups, with each faction's territory color-coded for convenience.
- Principality of Sachsen -> yellow
- Grankuhl Kingdom -> red
- Holy Rana Empire -> blue
- Republic of Estania -> green
- Fenril Kingdom -> fuchsia
- Meilard Kingdom -> light blue
- Holy Kingdom of Papis -> brown
The protagonist earns favor for a faction by fulfilling job requests, earning knighthood. Their group is stationed in a country, and missions are given for unification. Knighthood leads to one of fourteen endings, determined by resistance and protagonist's responses to story events. The game's time limit is Continental Year 954. Failure to choose loyalty results in a bad ending.
Battle[]
Battles are job requests or missions in the game, with players assigning soldiers to squadrons. Troop types include cavalry, infantry, spearmen, archers, and sorcerer characters can summon golems. Players can upgrade their troops' strengths once they reach level 10 or 20, as listed in the chart.
| Troop Type | Weak against | Strong against | Other Traits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cavalry | Spearmen | Infantry | Fastest troop type. Allows army to quickly pass through plains and roads, but defenses drop in forests and mountains. Troop names include Trooper, Wing Feather, and Dragoon. |
| Infantry | Cavalry | Spearmen | Basic troop type. Increase defensive power in forests and mountains. Troop names include Fighter, Guardian, and Berserker. |
| Spearmen | Infantry | Cavalry | Increase defensive power in forests and mountains. Slightly slower than infantry. Troop names include Pike, Phalanx, and Tercio. |
| Archers | All | None | Troop names include Short Bow, Long Bow, and Sniper, but cannot be ordered to the front or last long in close-range combat. |
| Golems | Magic | All | High defense and attack power, but easily decimated by magic attacks. Can be unsummoned through enemy magic in battle. Earth or Stone Golems can be summoned. |
| Undead | Everything except Golems | Magic | Above-average defense and attack power. Slightly weaker than golems. Can be unsummoned through enemy magic in battle. Zombies or Skeletons can be summoned. |
Battles are turn-based on an overhead square grid, with allies moving first, followed by third party allies, and enemy troops. Players control ally squadrons' units based on Command Points, which are automatically generated during battles, and arrange units based on pre-determined settings.
Orders can be issued by pressing 
to open the order menu; orders pause the battle's time limit so the player can take their time to decide their action. Orders can affect all units (全軍), the front unit (前列), the middle unit (中列), or the rear unit (後列). These commands include:
- Order (命令) - opens the following sub-menu
- March (前進) - moves the selected unit(s) forward. Uses two command points.
- Defend (防御) - orders the selected unit(s) to standby and defend. Uses two command points.
- Withdraw (後退) - orders the selected unit(s) to back away. Uses two command points.
- Switch (交代) - switches the two selected units. Uses four command points.
- Volley (弓攻撃) - Only if there is an archer unit. Orders archers to fire at a selected enemy squadron within their range. Uses four command points.
- Magic (魔法) - lets the player choose a spell from one of their squadron leaders. Spells can be used to heal troops, boost their stats, decrease the enemy stats, or attack them with varying effects. Magic points cannot be restored during battle, so the player needs to use their spells carefully. Uses at least four command points.
Players can monitor troop health by using a guide. Each squadron leader is defended by their soldiers, and if they fall, the sequence ends automatically for the victor. Experience for party members is obtained through each encounter. Morale affects a squadron's fighting potential, and restoring morale with magic spells can help. Winning the conflict boosts the protagonist's reputation and earns money.
Duels[]
If the protagonist accepts a personal challenge from his foe, a duel sequence will begin. The two fighters will face one another and take turns hitting one another. The hero's performance in battle is relative to his level, special techniques, and his equipment. If he loses the duel whilst in a battle, the game will automatically end. Any other instance results in his normal defeat. The following menu is available on the hero's turn:
- Offensive (攻撃側) - opens the following sub-menu
- Attack (攻撃) - basic attack from equipped weapon.
- Shout (気合) - builds up technical points (TP).
- Special Technique (必殺) - uses allocated TP to perform a strong strike.
- Defensive (防御側) - opens the following sub-menu
- Defend (防御) - self-explanatory. Lowers damage from enemy's strike.
- Dodge (回避) - evades enemy's strike. Gain one TP for each successful dodge. Certain fail and success rate.
- Counter (反撃) - counterattacks enemy's normal attack. Uses two TP. Certain fail and success rate.
Characters[]
Over 150 characters are in the game. Only the major characters are listed below.
- Ein (name is changeable)
- The protagonist, orphaned and adopted by Anastasia's father, joins Steindorf's Tigre Mercenaries and becomes leader, valuing justice and fairness to save people and achieve peace.
- Anastasia
- Ein's childhood friend who once housed Ein at her village. She joins the Tigre Mercenaries when her father is murdered by a bloodthirsty mercenary named Cortez. She is unsure of her purpose in battle but swears to use her magic to ease the people's suffering.
- Luc
- A young man who lived in Anastasia's village. He also lost his family to Cortez and swears to one day obtain vengeance. He joined the same time as Ein and Anastasia yet was stationed at a lower rank. Luc considers Ein to be his rival for Steindorf's recognition.
- Steindorf
- Steindorf, a renowned mercenary and leader of the Tigre Mercenaries, lost his right arm in a conflict with Smilie, entrusting his will to Ein.
- Louisa
- Veteran member of the Tigre Mercenaries who abandoned her ties with nobility. She was once raised as a knight who is well studied in swordplay. She is the strict yet calm voice of reason for the group.
- Antonio
- Like Louisa, he joined the Tigre Mercenaries years ago. He left before Ein's recruitment over a trivial dispute with Steindorf. When he learns of his old friend's death, Antonio graciously offers his aid to make amends for the past. He is a flamboyantly dressed playboy who is known for his wisecracks and flirtations.
- Gilford
- Elderly master sorcerer and an old friend of Steindorf, he joins the Tigre Mercenaries to defeat Smilie. He is later revealed to be Smilie's father and mentor. He wants to stop his son's wickedness.
- Smilie
- Malevolent warrior seemingly encased in a large skeletal armor who opposes the protagonist's party with his mercenary group. He seeks to exploit the wars to conquer the continent for himself.
Special Changes[]
Special offers the following changes different from the original version.
- The original game awarded bonuses for refusing the default protagonist name and changing it to the game's secondary offer (Söldnerschild), but this feature has been omitted in Special.
- Tweaks to troop types and magic to make them balanced in battle.
- Additional music.
- Loading function.
- Additional dialogue between characters. Select scenes in the game also include voice acting.
- Profile information for more characters.
- Staff roll after viewing one of the game's good endings.
Gallery[]
External Links[]
- Product page
- Let's Play for three endings at Niconico Douga, uploaded by epicastella
