Hudson Soft’s landmark 1989 role-playing game, Tengai Makyou: Ziria—also known as Far East of Eden: Ziria—has at last become accessible to English-speaking audiences thanks to a dedicated fan translation.
This significant development brings one of the most influential Japanese RPGs on the PC Engine CD-ROM² platform to a much wider audience, overcoming a decades-long language barrier for retro gaming enthusiasts. Developed by Hudson Soft in collaboration with Red Company, Tengai Makyou: Ziria was a groundbreaking release as the first-ever RPG to launch on CD-ROM, setting new standards for video game storytelling and production values during the late ‘80s.
Released exclusively in Japan, the game wowed players with features almost unheard of at the time: extensive full-voice acting, animated cutscenes, and a sweeping soundtrack composed by the acclaimed Ryuichi Sakamoto.
These technical and artistic advances established Tengai Makyou: Ziria as a showcase title for the PC Engine CD-ROM², demonstrating both the storytelling and audio-visual potential of the new medium. Now, after years of effort, a small team known as LIPEMCO! Translations has completed a full English translation patch for Tengai Makyou: Ziria.
According to announcements on the PC Engine Software Bible Forums, the team began work in 2021 and has now released the final patch for public download.
This marks an important moment for the preservation and global appreciation of retro JRPGs that never officially left Japanese shores. The narrative of Tengai Makyou: Ziria is set in the mythical land of Jipang and follows Ziria, a descendant of the Fire Clan, on a quest to stop the sinister Cult of Daimon from reviving the demon Masakado.
While the game features the trappings of an epic adventure, longtime series fans will recognize its satirical undertone—a playful take on foreign perceptions of Japan, blending supernatural folklore, humor, and grand themes. Ziria’s influence extended well beyond its initial release, spawning a popular series that, despite its success in Japan, largely remained out of reach for international players due to the language barrier and platform limitations.
The release of this English fan translation is celebrated not just for its accessibility, but also for preserving the work of creators such as Sakamoto and highlighting the technical innovation of early CD-based gaming. For those interested in exploring additional details or learning about the technical process behind the translation, the lead hacker—known as Supper—has shared fascinating insights and discoveries on The Cutting Room Floor, a leading archival resource for video game history.
This patch opens a new chapter for Tengai Makyou: Ziria, inviting both nostalgic veterans and new players to experience a hidden gem of RPG history on the PC Engine CD-ROM².
This significant development brings one of the most influential Japanese RPGs on the PC Engine CD-ROM² platform to a much wider audience, overcoming a decades-long language barrier for retro gaming enthusiasts. Developed by Hudson Soft in collaboration with Red Company, Tengai Makyou: Ziria was a groundbreaking release as the first-ever RPG to launch on CD-ROM, setting new standards for video game storytelling and production values during the late ‘80s.
Released exclusively in Japan, the game wowed players with features almost unheard of at the time: extensive full-voice acting, animated cutscenes, and a sweeping soundtrack composed by the acclaimed Ryuichi Sakamoto.
These technical and artistic advances established Tengai Makyou: Ziria as a showcase title for the PC Engine CD-ROM², demonstrating both the storytelling and audio-visual potential of the new medium. Now, after years of effort, a small team known as LIPEMCO! Translations has completed a full English translation patch for Tengai Makyou: Ziria.
According to announcements on the PC Engine Software Bible Forums, the team began work in 2021 and has now released the final patch for public download.
This marks an important moment for the preservation and global appreciation of retro JRPGs that never officially left Japanese shores. The narrative of Tengai Makyou: Ziria is set in the mythical land of Jipang and follows Ziria, a descendant of the Fire Clan, on a quest to stop the sinister Cult of Daimon from reviving the demon Masakado.
While the game features the trappings of an epic adventure, longtime series fans will recognize its satirical undertone—a playful take on foreign perceptions of Japan, blending supernatural folklore, humor, and grand themes. Ziria’s influence extended well beyond its initial release, spawning a popular series that, despite its success in Japan, largely remained out of reach for international players due to the language barrier and platform limitations.
The release of this English fan translation is celebrated not just for its accessibility, but also for preserving the work of creators such as Sakamoto and highlighting the technical innovation of early CD-based gaming. For those interested in exploring additional details or learning about the technical process behind the translation, the lead hacker—known as Supper—has shared fascinating insights and discoveries on The Cutting Room Floor, a leading archival resource for video game history.
This patch opens a new chapter for Tengai Makyou: Ziria, inviting both nostalgic veterans and new players to experience a hidden gem of RPG history on the PC Engine CD-ROM².
