Chakan

Except for the difficulty level, there is nothing uncommon about the gameplay of Chakan. It is yet another platform game, as they were abundant at the time in arcade halls and console cartridges. What does make this game remarkable is its dark theme and the fact that it was modelled faithfully after a little known comic.

Chakan the character is the brainchild of Robert A. Kraus.

You are a tactful swordsman, so I will not renege on our wager. I grant you the kiss of eternal life, but, for your arrogance and pride I will temper my gift with this curse. Each nightfall, evils will be shown to you, and the pain of their victims will be your pain. You will never know rest as you wander this world searching to slay the horrors that haunt your sleeping world. You will suffer grievous wounds, but you will not die, and as eternity rolls on, you crave my touch. You face will bear my visage, and your eyes will burn with hellfire. Let it not be said that I am without mercy. There shall be an end to your curse, if all the beasts of the dark are slain, then you may find rest.

This is where the game picks up. To find eternal rest, Chakan must beat four bosses at the end

Chakan the game is the brainchild of Ed Annunziata, who once said about himself that he makes original games for children of all ages. Indeed none of Ed's other games has such a dark theme (compare for example Kolibri), even Mr. Bones is far more humorous than horror, in one level you have to fend off guards by telling them jokes.

Dimensions

Fire: Elkenrod

She once was a beautiful healer who cured the sick and soothed those in pain. Now on the side of darkness, she feeds off the pain and suffering of her captives. The greater their suffering, the more power she wields.

Earth: Spider Queen

Her hive is growing… burrowing deeper and deeper into the earth. And as her children are born, her power grows stronger. Nothing can stop me from reaching her lair.

Water: Mantis

From the blackness of the deepest ocean it came. The one called Mantis brought its evil army and built itself a fortress to protect itself from me. It has wasted its time. My swords shall taste your evil blood.

Air: Dragonfly King

The Dragonfly King has lived for millions of years. It hails from a prehistoric time when life on Earth was ruled by its kind. Now it is trying to regain the Earth as its kingdom. Enjoy your time, Dragonfly King. For this is your last day.

A Poem

 listen stripling, hear me tell
 of my cursed existence in eternal hell
 of how in life I was warrior borne
 and in death turned to an undead pawn
 nor man nor beast could match my skill
 all creatures bowed before my will
 in pride I even spoke the words
 that Death would fall beneath my swords
 the reaper agreed
 and offered me a prise to live eternally
 but should I fall beneath his blades
 then his slave I would be made
 toe to toe our fight began
 death himself against a man
 to and fro the battle swayed
 with fiendish spell and shining blade
 the sky flashed brightly with our might
 the earth did tremble under our fight
 then in a flash I saw my chance
 and I struck death a mortal glance
 taken aback he lost his feet
 my victory sure Death was beat
 the wager won I 
 I claimed my prize
 to live forever no more a man
 but I was tricked by Death's twisted deal
 to live forever that part was real
 but as his slave in eternal damn
 now I'm Chakan the Forever Man

An Interview

From the June/July 1993 issue of Sega Visions.

Chakan started as a character from a comicbook series called Thundermace, published by RAK graphics in Akron, Ohio. The character's "dark" edge immediately drew a following and quickly became RAK's most popular character. We recently had the opportunity to talk with Robert Kraus, the creator of Chakan, and Ed Annunziata, the Producer of the Chakan Genesis game. Here is what they had to say about this dark and unusual character.

How did the character come about?

KRAUS: I drew a picture in my sketchbook of a cowboy-looking character that looked like a cross between a zombie and Clint Eastwood. I liked it and from there I made up the story of Chakan: The Forever Man.

Where did the background from the character come from?

KRAUS: I grew up in a kind of tough neighborhood. Some of the violence in the comicbook characters is based on things that I had seen growing up. But I'm not a violent person by nature.

How did you become involved with SEGA?

KRAUS: I met Ed Annunziata a few years ago at the Gen Con gaming convention. He expressed interest in the Chakan character. We kept in touch over the next few months and eventually came to an agreement about making a game based on the character.

What are your thoughts on the finished game?

KRAUS: I couldn't believe how lifelike the character was. It was amazing how they captured the spirit and the character of the comic. I really enjoyed it.

What got you interested in Chakan?

ED: His face. Then I learned the story. I liked the fact that he was a relucant super hero. He didn't do things for the good of doing them, he did them because he had to.

You were the "champion" of this character from the start. How did you convince SEGA to do the game?

ED: Persistence.

How long was Chakan in development?

ED: About a year and a half.

How were you about to capture the essence of the character?

ED: While at Gen Con (a role-playing convention) the idea of his movements came to me. I figured out the controls and mechanics and most of them were implemented.

What are your thoughts on the finished game?

ED: Chakan was built for the real gamer, someone who enjoys and excels at difficult games. In that aspect I think we succeeded.

Any tips for the player?

ED: See question two.

What does the future hold for Chakan?

ED: No one really knows what the future holds for Chakan, but always remember…He is the Forever Man.

Another Interview

From Sega Fans, May 2001.

We recently got the chance to ask AndNow's ED Annunziata (known as "The Boss" of the studio) some questions about their upcoming Chakan sequel. There's been no press what-so-ever about the game recently, so we were wondering what was up. Ed happens to reveal a few details about the game below, which make us very excited. Look to SEGAFans for any Chakan-related updates!

SEGAFans: Has the game been canned?

ED: No it's not been canned.

SEGAFans: Was it hard bringing the original gameplay into a 3d world?

ED: Some elements are difficult (good question) but new elements are too. It's coming out very nice.

SEGAFans: Any new game elements?

ED: Several: Image flashes serve as clues to know your enemy. Chakan is alive, watch where he's looking to get a sense where danger is.

SEGAFans: Will alchemy (the mixing of potions) play as an important rule as the original?

ED: Yes, but even more. All powerups are recipes of colored viles but we're trying to have 100s of variations and BAD mixes too.

SEGAFans: Will Chakan collect anything like the four tools from the original?

ED: Yes, but he can switch from one to another instantly.

SEGAFans: When should we expect the game?

ED: When it's done. We're not making any promises.

SEGAFans: What platforms will Chakan be coming to?

ED: The question is which will be first… I don't really know right now.

SEGAFans: Any last comments for our readers?

ED: Chakan if VERY special to us. We have decided a long time ago that the only important thing about this game is that its done RIGHT. At least as far as we're concerned. Besides for the tons of email I get about Chakan, we feel no pressure to rush this game out the door. If you're anxious to see more, please be patient—it will come. Maybe this will piss off a lot of folks that have been waiting—but I hope in the end when you play the game you will agree that it was worth the wait.