Elemental Master

Elemental Master is a top down shoot em up game developed by Technosoft for the Mega Drive and released in 1990 in Japan and 1993 in North America.

Plot
In the kingdom of Lorelei, Gyra, the lord of darkness has taken control of the city and is in the process of capturing King Lorelei and the Elemental.

Laden, a young mage enters Gyra's throne room ready to put an end to him when Gyra reveals that he is in actual fact Roki, Laden's long lost brother, reborn as 'Gyra'. He offers Laden a chance to join him, which Laden whilst still shocked adamantly declines.

Laden in his surprise is unable to strike Gyra down, wishing for his brother to return to his senses. Gyra and his henchmen Clauss and Salome teleport from the throne room to capture both the King and the Elemental.

After Laden recovers from the shock, he proceeds to travel across the land determined to stop his brother Roki and save the kingdom.

Gameplay
The game is a vertical autoscroller similar to many shooters, only rather than controlling a space craft or some sort of combat vehicle, the player plays as Laden as he walks on foot through the barren lands of the Lorelei kingdom.

Laden will start with the ability to shoot rapid fire blue blasts from his hands but can obtain power ups as he goes along such as the ability to create a clone doubling his fire power.

Players will be able to choose which path they take as they traverse the land before eventually coming to a giant boss at the end of the stage.

After beating each stage, Laden will obtain a new special magical ability, increasing his range of attacks. These can be charged into a special shot which will create a powerful burst attack handy for taking down other bosses. He will also meet Neena, a fairy companion after defeating the first boss who will accompany him and add to his magical firepower.

Trivia

 * Laden appears as a scorecard cameo in the Nintendo Switch Sega Ages introduction