A gorgeous vertical Technosoft shooter where a hero on foot battles magic hordes. Stunning backdrops, inspired soundtrack, a sorely underrated classic.
Your verdict
Category
Shooter1 player7+
Description
Knight Laden battles elemental sorcerers by casting fire and ice spells in this Technosoft shoot'em up. Published by Technosoft, released in Japan in December 1990. Vertical shoot'em up with elemental magic, spells to combine, powerful bosses and very refined visuals.
Elemental Master review
4/5
Art direction
★★★★★
"Striking"
4/5
Music
★★★★★
"Excellent"
2/5
Story
★★★★★
"Classic"
Technosoft puts a magician on foot at the heart of a vertical shooter, which changes the whole framing: the scenery becomes landscape crossed at ground level, scorched forests, ruined temples, crystal caverns. The elemental projectiles leave trails of fire, ice or lightning perfectly distinct from one another.
Technosoft's sound team applies its recipe of wide melodies carried by round bass, but tunes it to a magical register: synthetic strings, bells, motifs spiralling upward. The themes sing more than in the studio's space shooters, while keeping the same precision of writing.
Gameplay
"Excellent"
Fun
"From the very first minutes"
Addictiveness
"Engaging"
Difficulty
"Difficult"
Lifespan
"Short"
Technical info
💾0,39 MB📅21/12/1990
Published by Renovation
Elemental Master (Mega Drive) price, value & rarity
The Japanese edition of Elemental Master is the original pressing of the Technosoft shooter, distributed by Technosoft in Japan with a specific domestic cover. Its collector value comes from the fact that it is one of the most sought-after Technosoft shooters in Japan, made by the creators of Thunder Force, and that the JP cartridge remains the original before the US port.
An underrated gem
From Technosoft, this vertical shooter swaps the spaceship for a mage channeling elemental spells you aim on the fly. Released in Japan to relative indifference, it was overshadowed by the studio's headliners. Its finely honed handling and signature Technosoft music make it a gem for fans of slightly off-the-beaten-path shooters.
Is Elemental Master still worth playing in 2026?
A multidirectional vertical shoot by Technosoft, Elemental Master offers an original system where the hero throws different elemental magics depending on enemies. The polished fantasy art direction, the always impeccable Technosoft soundtrack and the original gameplay system make this title an overlooked gem of the Mega Drive shoot catalogue. Visually timeless thanks to the polished pixel art, the title keeps all of its singularity and largely deserves discovery for anyone fond of atypical fantasy shoots today still here truly.
