{{Short description|1988 video game}} {{Infobox video game | title = Kenseiden | image = Kenseiden Coverart.png | caption = North American and European box art | developer = Sega | publisher = Sega | released = {{vgrelease|JP|June 2, 1988<ref name="Sega titles - Sega JP">{{cite web |title=Software List |url=https://sega.jp/history/hard/segamark3/software.html |website=Sega Hardware Encyclopedia |publisher=Sega Corporation |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190621034428/https://sega.jp/history/hard/segamark3/software.html |access-date=May 15, 2023 |archive-date=2019-06-21 |language=ja}}</ref>|NA|October 1988<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Availability Update |magazine=Computer Entertainer |volume=7 |issue=8 |date=November 1988 |page=13 |url=https://archive.gamehistory.org/item/c75c6f2f-c0ef-463a-a1d6-844e63c9bfd9}}</ref>|EU|November 1988<ref name="2MegaCartsD">{{cite web|title=2 Mega Cartridges |url=https://segaretro.org/images/5/5f/1988_89_SMS_UK_Catalogue.pdf|work=The Sega Master System Games Catalogue (1988/89)|publisher=Mastertronic|access-date=24 September 2024}}</ref>}} | genre = Action, platform | modes = Single-player | platforms = Master System }}
'''''Kenseiden'''''{{Efn|Japanese: 剣聖伝|group=lower-alpha}}{{Efn|The title can be roughly translated as ''Sword Saint Legend'', ''Legend of the Swordmaster'' or ''Summoning of the Sacred Sword''.|group=lower-alpha}} is a 1988 action-platform video game developed and published by Sega for the Master System. The player controls the samurai Hayato in 16th century Japan as they attempt to retrieve five scrolls and a sacred sword from evil warlocks and spirits led by Oda Nobunaga.
The game was released as '''''Sword of the Hwarang'''''{{Efn|Hangeul: 화랑의 검, Korean language: ''Hwarang-ui Geom''|group=lower-alpha}} in South Korea with multiple visual differences. Hayato is altered to look like a Hwarang warrior and the levels are changed to be set in Korea.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/kenseiden/kenseiden.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110106163137/http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/kenseiden/kenseiden.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 6, 2011|title=Kenseiden (剣聖伝) - Sega Master System (1988)|author=Kalata, Kurt|date=December 31, 2010|publisher=Hardcore Gaming 101|access-date=January 22, 2011}}</ref>
''Kenseiden'' received positive reviews from critics.
==Gameplay== [[File:KenseidenAlexKidd.PNG|thumb|left|''Kenseiden'' features a cameo of Alex Kidd in this level. Alex Kidd's face is in the lower-right corner of the screen.]]
''Kenseidan'' is a side-scrolling action-adventure game set in Japan. Each level is set in an ancient Japanese province where the player is tasked. After A certain point, the player can play levels in whatever order they choose, and can go back to previous levels at anytime except for the final level.
==Reception== {{Video game reviews | title = Kenseiden | subtitle = | state = expanded<!--Reviewers--> | CVG = 85%<ref name=cvg>{{Cite web|url=http://www.smspower.org/Scans/CVGCompleteGuideToSega-Magazine-Issue1?gallerypage=58|title = CVG Complete Guide to Sega - Issue 1 - United Kingdom Magazine - Scans - SMS Power!}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |title=Complete Games Guide |journal=Computer and Video Games |date=16 October 1989 |issue=Complete Guide to Consoles |pages=46–77 |url=https://retrocdn.net/images/9/98/CompleteGuideToConsoles_UK_01.pdf#page=46}}</ref> | IGN = 7/10<ref name="IGN2">{{cite web|url=http://retro.ign.com/articles/849/849133p1.html |title=Kenseiden Review|author=Buchanan, Levi|date=February 1, 2008|publisher=IGN|access-date =October 5, 2009}}</ref> | rev1 = ''The Games Machine'' | rev1Score = 86%<ref name=tgm>''The Games Machine'', issue 13 (December 1988), [https://archive.org/stream/the-games-machine-13/TheGamesMachine13#page/n49/mode/2up page 51] (released 17 November 1988)</ref> }} Upon release, ''Kenseiden'' received positive reviews
''The Games Machine'' gave the game an 86% score, considering it one of the best "hack-'n-slay" games because of its "simple, but highly playable action and superb presentation."<ref name="tgm" /> ''Computer and Video Games'' gave it an 85% score, describing it as a "huge" role-playing adventure with exploration, "truly superb" still screens and "plenty of brain-bending puzzles" to last "weeks on end!"<ref name="cvg" />
Retrospectively, Levi Buchanan of IGN reviewed Kenseiden. He gave the game a 7.0 and said "even though I found the choice to go grim interesting and the visuals engaging, I have discovered my appreciation for Kenseiden was more of a 'love the one your [sic] with' sentiment. Master System junkies should still seek it out and give it a go, but there are indeed better games for the console that deserve your renewed attention."<ref name="IGN2"/>
==Notes== {{notelist}}
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== {{Portal|Japan|Video games|1980s}} *{{MobyGames|id=/kenseiden}} *{{IAg|segasms_Kenseiden_1988_Sega_JP_en}}
Category:1988 video games Category:Action role-playing video games Category:Fantasy video games Category:Horror video games Category:Master System games Category:Master System-only games Category:Platformers Category:Sega video games Category:Single-player video games Category:Video games about samurai Category:Video games developed in Japan Category:Video games set in feudal Japan