History Videogame / Crystalis

* WelcomeToCorneria: Using telepathy in the GBA version always gives the same message all the time. This was not the case in the NES version, where the advice changes as you progress through the game, and where one of the contacts could remotely restore your MP.

* MagicalMysteryDoors: GBA port, in the floating tower. While each floor and door does look different, the correct path is marked by broken pillars with exposed wires. The final floor is a set of three doors with no indication which one is correct.

* BossRush: At Draygon Castle, you'll have to fight all four of the Draygonian generals. It's the longest dungeon in the game, and the only one up to that point to feature multiple boss fights.

* ShoutOut: The story opens in "[[NausicaaOfTheValleyOfTheWind the Windy Valley]]" and there is a forest which is populated by giant insects. "October 1, 1997, the end day" is a shout-out to ''{{Terminator}}''.

* MagicVersusScience: The skills in the game include an array of common [[MindOverMatter psychic]] tropes but are referred to in-game as spells, seemingly an innability to decide which they are if either. This could mean that these abilities are thought of as both or it could be a ShoutOut to PsychoWarriors due to the cameos made by Athena and Kensu.

** The orbs may be another ShoutOut to Athena from PsychoWarriors.

''Crystalis'' (known as ''God Slayer: Sonata Of The Far-Away Sky'' in Japan) was an ActionRPG created by {{SNK}}. It begins [[AfterTheEnd about a century after a nuclear war that destroyed most of humanity]] and sent all of its inhabitants back to the [[MedievalStasis metaphorical Middle Ages]]. To prevent this from happening again, the survivors built a floating tower to allow people to govern from high above. However, the evil emperor Draygon, using magic and [[ScienceIsBad up-until-now-forbidden science]], has assembled an army and plans to TakeOverTheWorld by accessing the tower.

** Actually, the Crystalis sword's apparent three charge levels is the result of a [[GoodBadBugs glitch]] and the sword was always meant to have just one charge level. If you go into your inventory (or the status screen) and come back out, the "extra" levels of charge disappear. Furthermore, if you avoid going into your inventory between receiving Crystalis and the battle with [[spoiler: DYNA]], you'll find that [[GogglesDoNothing the "extra" levels do nothing.]]

* FlingALightIntoTheFuture: The Hero and Mesia.

* HeroOfAnotherStory: Kensu, right up until the point he teaches you Flight. Whereas the other wisemen dedicate themselves to helping the hero, Kensu takes on the Empire himself. If it wasn't for a lucky shot from Karmine, he might've freed the other wisemen himself after Shyron fell.

** But before you can do this, you must use a [[GenderBender polymorph spell into a female form]] to trick them into letting you in.

* MindScrew: "Wait, were [[spoiler: Azteca and Draygon the same person,]] or [[spoiler: were there minds linked somehow?]] And how does that work if [[spoiler: Azteca was really a robot the whole time? And why was he a robot any damn way?!]] I'm so confused!"

* ShoutOut: The story opens in "[[NausicaaOfTheValleyOfTheWind the Windy Valley]]", which is populated by giant insects. "October 1, 1997, the end day" is a shout-out to ''{{Terminator}}''.

* WhatCouldHaveBeen: Back when SNK though the NeoGeo might make it as a console (and not just be used as a cheap arcade machine) there were plans to remake Crystalis for that platform.

* ChargedAttack: Every sword comes with a base level 1 charge. Most can charge to a level 2 attack after you acquire an orb to go with said sword (except the Crystalis sword, which also automatically comes with this), and the four elemental swords can hit a level 3 charge when an appropriate bracelet is equipped. Given how quickly the charge happens, these are frequently AwesomeYetPractical unless you're dealing with a huge swarm of enemies.

* LadyLand: Amazones.

* AnticlimaxBoss: You'd think the actual endboss of an [=SNK=] game would be an SNKBoss, but compared to [[ThatOneBoss Those Three Or Four Bosses]] and [[NintendoHard the annoyingly hard]] [[TheVeryDefinitelyFinalDungeon stage]] you go through before the final battle, [[spoiler:DYNA]] is almost insultingly easy.
** Averted in one of the few good gameplay changes in the Game Boy Color remake - [[spoiler: Draygon]] is fought after [[spoiler: DYNA]].

* BalefulPolymorph: The "Nuper" status turns you into a slime that can't attack or use magic. The only cure is the [[RareCandy rare, expensive]] [[SdrawkcabName Fruit of Repun]].

* VideoGameCrueltyPotential: You can terrify a few NPCs in the town of LaResistance by using the Change spell to appear as a soldier of TheEmpire.

* VideoGameCrueltyPotential: You can terrify people in the town of TheResistence by using the Change spell to appear as a soldier of TheEmpire.

* SpeaksFluentAnimal: One of the side effects of the "Telepathy" spell is that it allows you to communicate with animals.

* HumansAreUgly: The elder of Oak doesn't like the smell of humans. In the GBA remake, it's one of the residents blocks the elder's house claiming he doesn't like that smell. That resident doesn't like the smell even after he accepts that humans are actually nice.

** Of course, niether Repun nor Nuper are actually, you know, ''things''.

* TheCameo: Athena and Kensou (fresh off their debuts in ''PsychoSoldier'') appear as two of the four Sages. However, Athena is called "Asina" and Kensou is rendered as "Kensu", a clear case of Engrish.

* LaResistance: Hero, Mesia, Zebu, Tornel, Asina, Kensu, Stom, and possibly Akahana. Whether [[spoiler: Azteca was truly a member of the resistance is unclear due to [[spoiler: his connection with Draygon, who also may have been his elaborate alter-ego.]]

* TheDrDolittle: One of the side effects of the "Telepathy" spell is that it allows you to communicate with animals.