Master of Darkness

From Sega Retro

n/a

  • Master System
  • Sega Game Gear
    JP
  • Sega Game Gear
    US
  • Sega Game Gear
    EU

MasterofDarkness title.png

MasterofDarkness GG JP Title.png

MasterofDarkness GG US Title.png

MasterofDarkness GG EU Title.png

Master of Darkness
System(s): Sega Master System, Sega Game Gear
Publisher:
Sega Master System
Sega (Europe)
Sega Game Gear
Nintendo 3DS Virtual Console
Sega (US, Europe)
Sega Game Gear
Nintendo 3DS Virtual Console
SIMS (Japan)
Developer:
Genre: Action[2][3][4][5]

















Number of players: 1
Release Date RRP Code
Sega Game Gear
JP
¥4,5004,500 T-44047
Sega Game Gear
US
2437
Sega Game Gear
EU
2437
Sega Game Gear
UK
£29.9929.99[8] 2437
Sega Game Gear
GR
Sega Game Gear
TR
Sega Game Gear
BR
075140
Sega Master System
EU
7107
Sega Master System
EU
(Classic)
7107-50
Sega Master System
PT
Sega Master System
UK
£44.9944.99[12] 7107
Sega Master System
AU
Sega Master System
BR
025110
Nintendo 3DS Virtual Console
JP
¥286 (300)286 (300)[13]
CERO: B
Nintendo 3DS Virtual Console
US
$4.994.99[14]
ESRB: Everyone 10+
Nintendo 3DS Virtual Console
EU
€4.994.99[16]
PEGI: 12+
Nintendo 3DS Virtual Console
DE
€4.994.99[16]
USK: 6
Nintendo 3DS Virtual Console
UK
£4.494.49[16]
PEGI: 12+

Master of Darkness, known in Japan as In the Wake of Vampire (イン ザ ウエイク オブ バンパイア) and in the United States as Vampire: Master of Darkness, is a Sega Game Gear action platform game developed by SIMS. Highly derivative of the 1986 Konami game Castlevania, it was first published in Japan by the developer themselves in October 1992 (a week before Halloween), and was brought to the United States, Europe, and Brazil the following year. Later in July 2012, developer M2 ported the Game Gear version to the Nintendo 3DS' Virtual Console service.

In 1993, the same developer ported Master of Darkness to the Sega Master System, where it retained its original name.

Story

In 19th century London, the young psychologist Dr. Ferdinand Social has been investigating paranormal activity and believes that the vampire Count Dracula is behind a series of killings that have been attributed to Jack the Ripper. However, Jack the Ripper is indeed responsible, for he is using the victim's bodies and fresh blood for sacrificial offerings, as part of a dark ritual being performed by Count Massen to resurrect Dracula. Also taking some part in the murders and the dark ritual is a mysterious Psychic Girl, who is possessed by an evil Skull Spirit. Dr. Social must traverse through Victorian England to locate and defeat the vampire, fighting many monsters along the way.

Gameplay

Master of Darkness SMS, Cutscene.png

Cutscene

The game is an action platformer derivative of Konami's popular Castlevania series. The player controls a psychologist named Dr. Ferdinand Social as he investigates a series of killings in Victorian England. He battles supernatural monsters through five rounds, which are divided into three stages each. At the end of each round is a boss, a person with connection to the murders and a dark ritual, who must be defeated. The story is progressed through short cutscenes between each round. Dr. Social walks with Left or Right and kneels with Down. He can move while kneeling with Down-left or Down-right. He walks up staircases with Up-left or Up-right and down staircases with Down-left or Down-right.

Enemies the player must fight include zombies, bats, dogs, wolves, poltergeists, skeleton knights, magical sword-wielding wizards, owls, and ghost maidens. Enemies respawn frequently. Dr. Social's primary attack is a close-combat weapon such as a knife or a saber, which is used with 1. The primary attack can be done while kneeling or jumping. He can also use secondary weapons, which are long-range weapons such as pistols or bombs with limited ammunition, by pressing Up+1. Secondary weapons can also be used while in midair. The player can only possess one type of primary and secondary weapon. Picking up a new weapon means it automatically replaces the previous weapon in the player's inventory. Picking up the same type of secondary weapon gives more ammunition; picking up a different weapon loses any ammunition for the previous weapon.

Dr. Social has eight health globes, which are diminished as he takes damage from enemies. If he loses all of his health, he loses a life and must start the stage over from the beginning. Each stage is timed, and Dr. Social loses a life if he runs out of time as well. The game ends if he loses all of his lives, but the player has unlimited continues. He can collect items that restore his health or give him extra lives. Some walls are destructible and reveal hidden items or pathways.

Weapons

Primary

Master of Darkness, Weapons.png
Dagger
The starting weapon. Short reach and only does 1 point of damage.
Master of Darkness, Weapons.png
Saber
Long reach and does 2 points of damage.
Master of Darkness, Weapons.png
Stake
Long reach and does 3 points of damage.
Master of Darkness, Weapons.png
Axe
Medium reach but does 4 points of damage.

Secondary

Master of Darkness, Weapons.png
Pistol
Shoots silver bullets horizontally. Comes with 16 rounds.
Master of Darkness, Weapons.png
Bomb
Bombs that are thrown parabolically. Comes with 8 bombs.
Master of Darkness, Weapons.png
Boomerang
Boomerangs that attack enemies coming or going (but can only attack once per throw since it disappears after hitting an enemy). Comes with 15 boomerangs.
Master of Darkness, Weapons.png
Projectile
Shoots a horizontal projectile that does 4 points of damage. Comes with 8 projectiles.

Items

Master of Darkness, Items.png
Mask
Destroy to release an item or weapon.
Master of Darkness, Items.png
Bonus Globes
Provide bonus points: pink gives 300 points, grey gives 500 points, red gives 1,000 points, and black gives 2,000 points.
Master of Darkness, Items.png
Emerald
Destroys all enemies on the screen.
Master of Darkness, Items.png
Life Potion
Restores four health points.
Master of Darkness, Items.png
Voodoo Doll
Gives the player an extra life.

Rounds

Master of Darkness SMS, Stage 1-1.png

Master of Darkness SMS, Stage 1-2.png

Master of Darkness SMS, Stage 1-3.png

Master of Darkness SMS, Stage 1-3 Boss.png

  • Master of Darkness SMS, Stage 1-1.png

  • Master of Darkness SMS, Stage 1-2.png

  • Master of Darkness SMS, Stage 1-3.png

  • Master of Darkness SMS, Stage 1-3 Boss.png

Thames River
Maps: 1️⃣ | 2️⃣ | 3️⃣ 
Boss:
Jack the Ripper

Master of Darkness SMS, Stage 2-1.png

Master of Darkness SMS, Stage 2-2.png

Master of Darkness SMS, Stage 2-3.png

Master of Darkness SMS, Stage 2-3 Boss.png

  • Master of Darkness SMS, Stage 2-1.png

  • Master of Darkness SMS, Stage 2-2.png

  • Master of Darkness SMS, Stage 2-3.png

  • Master of Darkness SMS, Stage 2-3 Boss.png

The House of Wax Dolls
Maps: 1️⃣ | 2️⃣ | 3️⃣ 
Boss:
Psychic Girl

Master of Darkness SMS, Stage 3-1.png

Master of Darkness SMS, Stage 3-2.png

Master of Darkness SMS, Stage 3-3.png

Master of Darkness SMS, Stage 3-3 Boss.png

  • Master of Darkness SMS, Stage 3-1.png

  • Master of Darkness SMS, Stage 3-2.png

  • Master of Darkness SMS, Stage 3-3.png

  • Master of Darkness SMS, Stage 3-3 Boss.png

Epitaph
Maps: 1️⃣ | 2️⃣ | 3️⃣ 
Boss:
Count Massen
The stage is a cemetery that leads to the Castle of Count Massen.

Master of Darkness SMS, Stage 4-1.png

Master of Darkness SMS, Stage 4-2.png

Master of Darkness SMS, Stage 4-3.png

Master of Darkness SMS, Stage 4-3 Boss.png

  • Master of Darkness SMS, Stage 4-1.png

  • Master of Darkness SMS, Stage 4-2.png

  • Master of Darkness SMS, Stage 4-3.png

  • Master of Darkness SMS, Stage 4-3 Boss.png

Laboratory
Maps: 1️⃣ | 2️⃣ | 3️⃣ 
Boss:
Count Massen
The stage is a laboratory within Count Massen's Castle.

Master of Darkness SMS, Stage 5.png

Master of Darkness SMS, Stage 5 Boss 1.png

Master of Darkness SMS, Stage 5 Boss 2.png

  • Master of Darkness SMS, Stage 5.png

  • Master of Darkness SMS, Stage 5 Boss 1.png

  • Master of Darkness SMS, Stage 5 Boss 2.png

In the Wake of Dracula
Map: 1️⃣ 
Boss:
Count Dracula
The stage is a dungeon-like labyrinth within Castle Dracula, inside a forest of Transylvania.

Versions

Localised names

Also known as
Language Localised Name English Translation
English Master of Darkness Master of Darkness
English (US) Vampire: Master of Darkness Vampire: Master of Darkness
Japanese イン ザ ウエイク オブ バンパイア In the Wake of Vampire

Production credits

  • Concept Manager: Sats King
  • Programmer: Yen
  • Main Graphic: Super Punch
  • Graphic Support: Matsutokujo, Ryuichi, Nagyawo, Mori
  • Graphic Adviser: Yama, Enjyoh, Manma
  • Sound: Fumi, Nasu Bi
  • Program Adviser: Kou, T Asano, Danna, S Kawa
  • Special Thanks to: All the People There
  • Presented by: S E G A
Source:
In-game credits
Master of Darkness SMS credits.pdf
[19]

Magazine articles

Main article: Master of Darkness/Magazine articles.

Promotional material

Logo-pdf.svg
Print advert in (ES) #11: "Marzo 1993" (1993-xx-xx)
also published in:
  • (ES) #18: "Marzo 1993" (1993-xx-xx)[20]
Logo-pdf.svg

Physical scans

Master System version

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
{{{{{icon}}}|L}} Division by zero.
Based on
0 review
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
(FR) PAL
74
[21]
(UK)
92
[22]
(UK) PAL
92
[23]
(DK) PAL
41
[24]
(ES)
72
[25]
(FR)
84
[26]
(FR) PAL
82
[27]
(FR) PAL
86
[28]
(FR) PAL
70
[29]
(ES) PAL
50
[30]
(UK) PAL
92
[12]
(FR) PAL
45
[31]
(BR)
75
[32]
(CZ) PAL
51
[33]
(UK) PAL
76
[34]
(UK) PAL
80
[35]
(UK) PAL
70
[36]
(UK) PAL
79
[37]
(FR)
86
[38]
(DE)
49
[39]
Sega Master System
72
Based on
20 reviews

Master of Darkness

Master System, EU
MasterofDarkness SMS EU Box.jpg
Cover
MasterofDarkness SMS EU Cart.jpg
Cart
Master of Darkness SMS EU Manual.pdf
Manual
Master System, EU (Classic Master System)
MasterofDarkness SMS EU Box Classic.jpg
Cover
MasterofDarkness SMS EU Cart.jpg
Cart
Master System, PT
MasterofDarkness SMS PT cover.jpg
Cover
Master System, AU
Master of Darkness SMS AU Cover.jpg
Cover
Master of Darkness SMS AU Cart Top.jpg
Master of Darkness SMS AU Cart Back.jpgMaster of Darkness SMS AU Cart Front.jpg
Cart
Master of Darkness SMS AU Manual.pdf
Manual
Ozisoft Warranty Registration Card AU.pdf
Reg Card
Master System, BR
MasterofDarkness SMS BR Box.jpg
Cover
MasterofDarkness SMS BR Cart.jpg
Cart
Master System, BR (Alt)
MasterofDarkness SMS BR2 Box.jpg
Cover
MasterofDarkness SMS BR2 Cart.jpg
Cart
MasterofDarkness SMS BR2 Manual.pdf
Manual

Game Gear version

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
{{{{{icon}}}|L}} Division by zero.
Based on
0 review
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
(SA)
85
[40]
(JP) NTSC-J
58
[41]
(FR)
76
[42]
(IT)
90
[43]
(DE)
73
[44]
(JP) NTSC-J
40
[45]
(FR)
81
[46]
(FR)
81
[47]
(DE) PAL
75
[48]
(FR) PAL
65
[49]
(NL) NTSC
80
[50]
(UK) PAL
80
[51]
(UK) PAL
85
[52]
(UK) PAL
55
[53]
(SE)
83
[54]
(UK) PAL
81
[8]
(JP) NTSC-J
66
[55]
(UK) PAL
75
[56]
Sega Game Gear
74
Based on
18 reviews

Master of Darkness

Game Gear, JP
MasterofDarkness GG JP Box Back.jpgNospine-small.pngMasterofDarkness GG JP Box Front.jpg
Cover
MasterofDarkness GG JP Cart.jpg
Cart
Game Gear, US
MasterofDarkness GG US Box Back.jpgNospine.pngMasterofDarkness GG US Box Front.jpg
Cover
Vampire GG US Cart.jpg
Cart
Master of Darkness GG US Manual.pdf
Manual
Game Gear, EU
MasterofDarkness GG EU Box Back.jpgMaster of Darkness GG EU Box Spine.jpgMasterofDarkness GG EU Box Front.jpg
Cover
MasterofDarkness GG EU Cart.jpg
Cart
Master Of Darkness GG EU Manual.jpg
Manual
Game Gear, FR (Blister pack)
MoD GG FR blister front.jpg
Cover
Game Gear, BR
Vampire GG BR Box.jpg
Cover
Vampire GG BR Cart.jpg
Cart
Game Gear, GR
MasterofDarkness GG GR Box.jpg
Cover
Game Gear, TR
MasterofDarkness GG TR Box Front.jpg
Cover

Technical information

ROM dump status

System Hash Size Build Date Source Comments
Sega Master System
CRC32 96fb4d4b
MD5 8354932a7f20e84a808471b3724a56f8
SHA-1 ed3569be5d5a49ff5a09b2b04ec0101d4edfa81e
256kB Cartridge (EU)
Sega Game Gear
CRC32 7ec64025
MD5 1e068538747f6d4d99888221a50b7e06
SHA-1 14e6b1e886355d902b34acdf503eced8df88afe4
256kB Cartridge (US)
Sega Game Gear
CRC32 07d0eb42
MD5 78655dabd43e475c3b4d849c3f0c7046
SHA-1 f9eabdb7e925360f69b41f5357abcb36f893d72e
256kB Cartridge (EU)
Sega Game Gear
CRC32 dab0f265
MD5 a999c2f72c71c22be50e343e54ff4d73
SHA-1 da5116b7ed890f35506c5b33c5c9716f528169b1
256kB Cartridge (JP)
Sega Game Gear
CRC32 5856849c
MD5 92106252249ce9975386f2aeae4a593b
SHA-1 b1d808e0a444ab12145915fad920a43bd04cb669
256kB 3DS Virtual Console (US) VirtualConsole VampireMasterofDarkness 3DS US Icon.png
Sega Game Gear
CRC32 21402ffb
MD5 508f9bb8c63bbde8da3ae4a548572f5d
SHA-1 fb7f7cd933dd1d0d275faffb06c84645bfa42d5a
256kB 3DS Virtual Console (EU) VirtualConsole MasterofDarkness 3DS EU Icon.png
Sega Game Gear
CRC32 036e03f8
MD5 3dcb0e5020d6d9d650a7196fdfe8c5ac
SHA-1 2ee1aac941829ae172c4913383d14faa8acd09d5
256kB 3DS Virtual Console (JP) VirtualConsole InTheWakeOfVampire 3DS JP Icon.png

External links

  • Sega of Japan 3DS VC catalogue pages: Game Gear
  • Nintendo catalogue pages: JP, US, UK

References

  1. https://www.mtwo.co.jp/development/retrogame-2/#tab-4
  2. File:MasterofDarkness GG EU Box Back.jpg
  3. File:MasterofDarkness GG JP Box Front.jpg
  4. 4.0 4.1 http://sega.jp/fb/segahard/gg/soft_licensee.html (Wayback Machine: 2013-01-01 20:24)
  5. File:MasterofDarkness SMS EU Box.jpg
  6. Sega Visions, "June/July 1993" (US; 1993-xx-xx), page 97
  7. Sega Pro, "July 1993" (UK; 1993-06-10), page 18
  8. 8.0 8.1 Sega Force, "April 1993" (UK; 1993-03-04), page 96
  9. Sega Pro, "Juni 1993" (DE; 1993-05-28), page 57
  10. Computer Trade Weekly, "" (UK; 1994-08-15), page 10
  11. File:SundayMirror UK 1992-12-13 34.jpg
  12. 12.0 12.1 Mean Machines Sega, "December 1992" (UK; 1992-11-xx), page 114
  13. 13.0 13.1 http://vc.sega.jp:80/3ds/vampire/index.html (Wayback Machine: 2013-03-13 09:33)
  14. 14.0 14.1 http://www.nintendo.com:80/games/detail/f6jkUHw0HacOmfJPyAsEansDiGVt-pFB (Wayback Machine: 2013-07-07 01:03)
  15. https://www.nintendo.fr/Jeux/SEGA-Game-Gear/Vampire-Master-of-Darkness-774559.html (archive.today)
  16. 16.0 16.1 16.2 http://www.nintendolife.com/games/gamegear/vampire_master_of_darkness (Wayback Machine: 2017-07-04 11:40)
  17. https://www.nintendo.co.uk/Games/SEGA-Game-Gear/Vampire-Master-of-Darkness-774559.html (archive.today)
  18. https://www.nintendo.de/Spiele/SEGA-Game-Gear/Vampire-Master-of-Darkness-774559.html (archive.today)
  19. File:Master of Darkness SMS credits.pdf
  20. Hobby Consolas, "Marzo 1993" (ES; 1993-xx-xx), page 15
  21. Consoles +, "Février 1993" (FR; 1993-0x-xx), page 134
  22. Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide, "" (UK; 1993-11-18), page 144
  23. Game Mania, "May 1993" (UK; 1993-xx-xx), page 81
  24. HiScore, "15 Juli - 15 September" (DK; 1993-07-15), page 18
  25. Hobby Consolas, "Diciembre 1992" (ES; 1992-xx-xx), page 158
  26. Joypad, "Octobre 1992" (FR; 1992-10-xx), page 80
  27. Joypad, "Janvier 1993" (FR; 199x-xx-xx), page 159
  28. Joystick, "Octobre 1992" (FR; 1992-xx-xx), page 149
  29. Mega Force, "Octobre 1992" (FR; 1992-xx-xx), page 70
  30. Micromanía (segunda época), "Febrero 1993" (ES; 1993-0x-xx), page 50
  31. Player One, "Janvier/Février 1993" (FR; 1993-01-10), page 130
  32. ProGames, "Julho 1993" (BR; 1993-0x-xx), page 32
  33. Sega News, "Prosinec 1996" (CZ; 1996-1x-xx), page 33
  34. Sega Power, "December 1992" (UK; 1992-11-05), page 34
  35. Sega Pro, "May 1993" (UK; 1993-04-08), page 63
  36. Sega Zone, "December 1992" (UK; 1992-11-xx), page 64
  37. Sega Force, "December 1992" (UK; 1992-11-05), page 74
  38. Supersonic, "Novembre 1992" (FR; 1992-xx-xx), page 24
  39. Video Games, "1/93" (DE; 1992-12-16), page 104
  40. Alaab Alcomputtar, "" (SA; 1995-08-xx), page 74
  41. Beep! MegaDrive, "November 1992" (JP; 1992-10-08), page 29
  42. Consoles +, "Juin 1993" (FR; 1993-0x-xx), page 141
  43. Game Power, "Maggio 1993" (IT; 1993-0x-xx), page 97
  44. Gamers, "Oktober/November 1993" (DE; 1993-09-24), page 54
  45. Hippon Super, "December 1992" (JP; 1992-11-04), page 82
  46. Joypad, "Juin 1993" (FR; 1993-0x-xx), page 153
  47. Mega Force, "Juin 1993" (FR; 1993-0x-xx), page 106
  48. Mega Fun, "08/93" (DE; 1993-07-21), page 91
  49. Player One, "Juin/Juillet 1993" (FR; 1993-06-10), page 106
  50. Power Unlimited, "Nummer 2, September 1993" (NL; 1993-08-19), page 57
  51. Sega Power, "August 1993" (UK; 1993-07-01), page 64
  52. Sega Pro, "July 1993" (UK; 1993-06-10), page 64
  53. Sega Zone, "April 1993" (UK; 1993-03-11), page 54
  54. Sega Force, "4/93" (SE; 1993-07-08), page 22
  55. Sega Saturn Magazine, "September 1995" (JP; 1995-08-08), page 88
  56. Sonic the Comic, "24th July 1993" (UK; 1993-07-24), page 10


Master of Darkness

MasterofDarkness title.png

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