Arkista's Ring/Gameplay

Controls

 * : Use the direction pad to control the player to move in four directions. During item select, use left and right to choose the item to use.
 * : Press the A button to shoot arrows, or decide to use an item.
 * : Press the B button to pause and select an item from your holding bag, or cancel selection.
 * : Press the start button to pause and select an item from your holding bag, but it cannot cancel selection.
 * : During stage intro (announcing stage number), press to bring up status screen.

Player
You control Christine the elf throughout the game. Your mission is to recover the stolen Arkista's Ring from the Evil Shogun and his army. Your armament includes bow and infinite arrows, which can be improved in power and range. You may also find items dropped by various enemies. At game start you only have 5 hit points, which can be improved with armors. You also start with 2 extra lives.

Items
At random enemies will leave behind item pouches when they are killed. The items obtained through these pouches are also random. Players can collect several upgrades to their bow and arrows, which increase shot distance, and damaging strength respectively. Players may also find other beneficial items such as armor, ninja stunners and health potions.
 * Weapon Upgrades
 * These can only be confirmed in status screen between levels. Upgrade bows to have longer range and arrow speed, and upgrade arrows to have stronger power. The upgrade is as follows: Short -> Cross -> Middle -> Long -> Giant -> Great -> Elf -> Ultimate


 * Armor
 * Although there are five different armor pieces, they all act as one extra hit point each. You always collect armor in this order: Leather armor, Shield, Gauntlet, Helmet, and Mantle.


 * Holding Bag Upgrades
 * You start with 4 item slots. some of the pouches can give an extra slot, up to a total of 7.


 * Consumables
 * These items are single used and have different effects.
 * Cure Potion
 * Restore your hit points to full.
 * Fire Wand
 * Your shots become stronger fireballs which go through walls and enemies (if this shot kills them). Effect lasts for the entire stage.
 * Thunder Wand
 * Damage all enemies in the stage. Only works on enemies which can be defeated with arrows, and the effect grows weaker outside the first loop.
 * Magic Stick
 * Destroy certain types of enemies in the stage. Basically works on those enemies immune to arrows and fireballs.
 * Ninja Stunner
 * Cause all ninjas in the stage to be stunned, rendering them harmless, for a few seconds. Has no effect on other enemies.


 * Special Items
 * These items are very hard to find.
 * Arkista's Ring
 * The titular item is obtained from the Evil Shogun of first loop. While holding this, you recover one hit point for every 10 steps.
 * Wealth Amulet
 * While holding this, each step adds 100 points.
 * Elf Mirror
 * This item makes you immune to all projectiles, including the Evil Shogun's lightning.