Trap15: Staff update

2025-11-02T14:14:25Z

Staff update

Trap15: Initial bringup

2025-11-02T14:00:53Z

Initial bringup

New page

{{GameInfobox
|bordercolor = black
|title = Sol Divide
|background = #f8f8f8

|developer = Psikyo
|
|music = Masaki Izutani

|art = Katsuya Terada
|
|releasedate = 1997 May
}}

'''Sol Divide''' is a fairly unique spin on the shooting game genre developed by [[Psikyo]] in 1997. It combines elements of action RPGs, beat 'em ups, and shooting games into a package that is generally considered less than its parts, but holds merits on its unique concept and solid-if-strange design aspects.

It has multiple ports for various consoles. The Saturn and PS1 ports contain a unique "Original" mode which leans further into the RPG aspects.

{{VideoIndex}}
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{{clear}}

== Controls ==
Sol Divide's arcade version is a 3 button game, but the ported versions generally change the button layout for ease of control.

* '''A:''' Shoot. There is no charge shot, but it requires some amount of tapping, though there is a burst of shots fired per button press.
* '''B:''' Melee. Pressing this button up to 3 times performs an automatic combo, and each character has a special input for an ''extremely high'' damage 4th hit in the combo. As well, pressing '''forward-up''' or '''forward-down''' and holding '''B''' will perform unique melee attacks that do reasonably large damage and have very large range, but cannot be used in a combo.
* '''C:''' Change magic. This button will always advance the magic cursor forward to the right by one entry in the unlocked list, wrapping around the end. On most ports, there is a button to move the magic cursor backwards as well.
* '''A+B:''' Use magic. This button will use the magic selected if the magic meter is sufficiently full. If the player attempts to use magic without enough meter, the cursor will return to the first entry. Some ports have a specific button to activate magic and ''do not allow the original A+B input''.

== Characters ==
Sol Divide contains 3 playable characters, strongly categorized by their strengths. Each character has a unique first stage.

=== Kashon ===
Melee-strong, but shot-weak. Generally considered the best character due to the importance of melee in the game design, and the ease of inputting his combo finisher.

Combo finisher input: '''Forward'''

Character specific magic: '''Phoenix'''

=== Vorg ===
A reasonably balanced character between the others' extremes. Reasonably strong.

Combo finisher input: '''Up'''

Character specific magic: '''Nightmare'''

=== Tyora ===
Shot-strong, but melee-weak. Her magic is generally also considered the strongest, but her weak melee makes her likely the weakest character in the cast.

Combo finisher input: '''Down'''

Character specific magic: '''Summons'''



== Rank ==
Sol Divide ranks up primarily through survival time. Given the player never truly dies outside of a game over, there is no particular way to reduce it.

== Loops ==
Sol Divide has a second loop. Rarely for Psikyo games, it is only available if the player clears the first loop on one credit.


== Scoring ==
The original arcade version of Sol Divide provides extremely little score feedback, even avoiding putting the score on screen outside of stage intermissions.

However, there are quite a few scoring systems at play. As usual for Psikyo, collecting excess items will award score bonuses. Defeating enemies with the 3rd hit of a melee combo is worth double points, and defeating them with the special 4th hit is worth ''quadruple'' points. '''This system also applies to boss destruction points''', making it extremely important for score play.

== Strategy ==
Several magics are consumed upon use, particularly the strongest ones, but all stats and magic are reset upon entry to the second loop. As a result, it is strongly suggested to strategize which magics you will use on the second half of the game when the bosses become extremely hard.

== References & Contributors ==
<small>* This page was brought up by [[User:trap15|trap15]].</small>

@@ Line 13: / Line 13: @@
+|
 |music = Masaki Izutani
+|
--->
+|program = Shiori Saito, Toshinori Sugita, Keisuke Takagi, Kunihiko Nogomi, Kenichi Fujita
 |art = Katsuya Terada
+|
 |releasedate = 1997 May

Sol Divide - Revision history

Trap15: Staff update

Trap15: Initial bringup