Play Blue Almanac (Japan) Online

Blue Almanac is a 1991 Sega Genesis release from HAL Laboratory, a developer better known for its work on Nintendo systems. It arrived during a period when many Japanese studios were experimenting with action RPG hybrids, often with uneven localization and ambitious, if not always polished, ideas.

You choose between two protagonists, a boy or a girl, and guide them through a mix of overhead exploration and side-scrolling platforming segments. The main goal involves navigating maze-like dungeons, defeating enemies with a short-range weapon, and solving environmental puzzles to progress. A key mechanic is the ability to switch between the two characters at specific points, as each possesses unique items required to bypass certain obstacles. The pacing is deliberate, with a moderate difficulty stemming more from obscure progression clues than from intense combat. It feels like piecing together an ambitious but deeply flawed adventure from another dimension.