Lagoon

About

Lagoon is a classic RPG where you play as Nasir, a hero tasked with cleansing a world poisoned by the villain Zerah. The story unfolds across a series of interconnected screens where you fight corrupted creatures, solve simple puzzles, and interact with NPCs to advance the plot. Combat blends action with strategy: you can strike enemies mid-jump, dodge obstacles, and use elemental spells to clear paths. The game’s map is a grid of vertical and horizontal levels you navigate by completing objectives, gradually uncovering the story of Zerah’s pollution and Nasir’s role in stopping it. What sticks out is the tight blend of platforming and turn-based spellcasting, which feels ahead of its 1990 release date. Critics praised its non-linear design for the time, letting you return to earlier levels with stronger abilities to unlock new areas. While not widely known outside Japan, it’s a cult favorite for 90s RPG fans who appreciate its underdog charm. The SNES version runs smoother than the Sharp X68000 original, but both retain the same pixel-art grit and methodical pacing.