Seikima II/Gameplay

In action

 * : Use the direction pad to direct Demon Kogure across the screen. Press left and right to make Demon run in either direction.  Press down to descend through one of the open pits in the floor to another area.
 * : Press the A button to jump. The longer you hold A, the higher you will jump.  If you jump straight up, you can initiate some forward momentum on your way up, but this will start to slow you down and cause you to fall.  If you press left or right while you press A, you will instead perform a long, but low horizontal jump.  Note: The MSX version of the game, Seikima II Special, uses a more traditional jumping control.
 * : Press the B button to throw a weapon in the direction that Kogure is facing.
 * : Press Start to begin a new game, or the pause and unpause the action mid-game.

In the shop

 * : Press to cycle through the available items for sale.
 * : Buy the selected item.
 * : Leave the shop.

Demon Kogure
You control Demon Kogure throughout the game. His mission is to rescue his fellow band mates from their imprisonment, and defeat the Greek god Zeus. In order to rescue the band, Kogure must enter each of the 8 Areas in the 4 Zones, and collect every item in the Area. Kogure passes from one area to another by dropping down the pits which will only open when every item in the Area has been collected. The trap door to Area 8 will not open unless items from the other 7 areas have been completely collected. In order to accomplish this task, Kogure has two abilities at his disposal; the ability to jump, and the ability to toss weapons at his enemies. Tossing a weapon is straightforward, but jumping in Seikima II take a little practice. Kogure can either jump really high, or really far, but not both. If you hold left or right, Kogure will jump far in either direction with a low hop. To jump high, Kogure must be standing still. Once the desired altitude has been reached, Kogure can then begin to move to the left or right so as to land on an adjacent ledge. Kogure begins the game with 999 life points, and they deplete at a rate of one per clock tick, as well as whenever Kogure gets hit by an enemy. Kogure can replenish his life by finding Potions or Elixers, or by purchasing Potions from stores. If his life ever reaches 0, he dies and the game is immediately over.

The band
The other four band mates only play supporting roles, as they must be rescued one at a time from each Zone by Demon Kogure.

Collection Items
Each Zone has a set of four items that you must collect the entire amount of from each Area. Other than money, they cannot be used for any purpose other than to clear an area and gain access to the other areas that are connected to the one you are currently in.

Weapon upgrades
Each weapon upgrade doubles the damage done to the enemies. The enemies in the next stage will have twice the duration as those in the current stage. You may not skip over any upgrades, and you can only purchase an upgrade that is equal to or less than your current zone. So you can not go straight from the starting weapon to the ax without first purchasing the knife, nor can you purchase the ax until you reach Zone 2.

Instruments
Purchasing the instruments will be a hefty drain on your wallet, but they are important if you want to receive the best ending in the game. After all, how can a band rock without their instruments?