English Fan Patch Revives Human Entertainment’s 'Belzerion' on 3DO

A fan translation for the 1994 adventure game 'Belzerion' has brought new life to an overlooked classic from Human Entertainment, making the title accessible to English-speaking audiences for the very first time.

The newly released patch enables players to experience 'Belzerion' on the 3DO in English, introducing one of the most intriguing and unique games from the 3DO library to a global audience more than 30 years after its original release. Developed by the renowned Japanese studio Human Entertainment—famed for influential franchises like Fire Pro Wrestling, Clock Tower, S.O.S, and Twilight Syndrome—'Belzerion' debuted on Macintosh in 1993 before being ported to the 3DO Interactive Multiplayer console a year later.

Despite its innovative gameplay and storytelling, language barriers and the niche status of the 3DO platform meant 'Belzerion' remained largely unexplored outside Japan.

Set in a dystopian future where humanity is confined to an artificial subterranean city named Shangri-La, the story unfolds under the watch of a powerful supercomputer called Vishnu.

Players take on the role of an elite investigator sheltered beneath a protective dome, embarking on a quest to unravel the secrets of Shangri-La and the mysterious artificial intelligence in control. 'Belzerion' stands out for its distinctive split between gameplay styles.

The first section is classic point-and-click adventure, requiring players to interact with environments and solve puzzles.

The second section shifts gears into a first-person shooter and dungeon crawler hybrid, arming players with a mech-suit, fists, and a pistol to tackle labyrinthine corridors and hostile forces.

This blending of genres, rare for its era, has earned 'Belzerion' cult status among retro gaming enthusiasts. The new English patch was spearheaded by prolific fan translator SnowyAria, who managed the translation and editing, with image assets handled by collaborator NicheTopic.

Their efforts now allow a wider audience to engage with 'Belzerion’s' narrative depth and gameplay variety.

The patch is available for download on the project’s GitHub page, reflecting a robust tradition of volunteer-driven game localization that continues to preserve and celebrate gaming history. The release of this fan project underscores the lasting legacy of Human Entertainment’s design philosophy, as well as the enduring enthusiasm within the gaming community to keep classic titles playable and relevant.

For collectors, retro fans, and newcomers alike, the English patch for 'Belzerion' offers a rare chance to experience one of the 3DO’s most enigmatic yet compelling games.

Xbox Series X|S 3DO English Human Entertainment Belzerion Macintosh Shangri-La Vishnu SnowyAria NicheTopic Github