《孔雀王2 幻影城》（Peacock King 2 Phantom Castle /Mystic Defender）是由SEGA於1990年在Mega Drive平台上推出的動作冒險遊戲，改編自日本著名的漫畫《孔雀王》。這部漫畫融合宗教元素和奇幻題材，講述主角孔雀王對抗邪靈與惡魔的冒險故事。

採用橫向捲軸移動，主角孔雀穿越各種充滿幻象與陷阱的關卡，與各種妖怪、惡魔對抗。背景音樂和畫面品質在當時的水準被認為是相當出色的，營造出緊張與神秘的氛圍，與宗教和超自然主題非常契合。畫面充滿濃厚的日本漫畫風格，並且沿用不少原作中的角色設計和故事背景，讓喜歡漫畫的粉絲們感受到熟悉感。

故事圍繞著幻影城這座神秘的城堡展開。幻影城是一個由邪惡力量操控的巨大迷宮，充滿各種危險的生物和複雜的機關。主角孔雀受命進入這座城堡，企圖救出被第六道天魔王織田信長擄走的阿修羅，阻止邪靈復活讓世界免於黑暗的吞噬。在海外版的故事情節，復活古代邪神的獻祭品，年輕女子亞歷山卓被巫師澤雷綁架，這時候邪神的住所從水中升起。魔法師大和喬需要救出被綁走人質並阻止惡靈再現。

在操作方面，以簡單直觀的控制方式為主。孔雀可以移動、跳躍、攻擊和施展法術。擁有多種攻擊方式，除基本的近戰武器外，透過儲力會發射強大的氣波，若召喚三頭龍就可消滅畫面上所有敵人，共有四種不同的法術來對抗敵人。法術的使用與漫畫中的宗教背景密切相關，收集符咒和道具來強化法術，從而在不同的關卡中解決各種敵人和障礙。此外，還有一些需要解謎的元素，需要在某些關卡中找到特定的道具或符號，才能解鎖新的區域或打開隱藏的門。

畫面充滿宗教儀式、神秘符號以及與各種妖魔對抗的情節，整個劇情充滿濃厚的東方神秘主義色彩。共有八個關卡，有多個風格各異的場景，從黑暗的地牢、神秘的寺廟到充滿機關陷阱的迷宮，每個場景都有獨特的挑戰和敵人。關卡設計十分具有挑戰性，要不斷地克服平台跳躍和陷阱，同時還要應對成群結隊的敵人。每個關卡的最後都有一個BOSS戰，這些BOSS通常是強大的妖怪或邪靈，擁有各自的攻擊模式和弱點。要觀察其動作並找出擊敗它們的策略。整體的難度在當時的標準來說屬於中等偏高，尤其是後期的關卡對於玩家的操作和反應速度都有較高的要求。

在市場上收到褒貶不一的評價。支持者認為遊戲的畫面、音效以及忠於原作的劇情是其亮點，尤其對於其粉絲來說，是讓人彷彿身入漫畫世界的作品。法術系統和關卡設計也被部分玩家認為是創新之處，為傳統的橫向捲軸動作遊戲增添更多的策略性。

然而，批評的聲音也不少。部分玩家認為操作系統過於僵硬，角色的動作反應不夠流暢，特別是在應對快速變化的敵人攻擊時，可能會感到吃力。此外，難度有時過高，部分關卡中的陷阱設計過於困難，導致玩家反覆受挫，降低整體的可玩性。也有評論指出，雖然劇情不錯，但過關過程中的敘事不夠清晰，導致新玩家難以理解故事的推進和角色的動機。

總的來說，《孔雀王2 幻影城》作為以奇幻與神秘主義為主題的動作冒險遊戲，雖然在操作性和難度上存在部分問題，但其獨特的故事背景、豐富的法術系統以及富有挑戰性的關卡設計仍然使其在部分玩家心中佔有一席之地。對於喜愛挑戰和東方奇幻題材的玩家來說，提供一次穿越漫畫中幻影城的冒險旅程。

"Peacock King 2: Phantom Castle" (Mystic Defender) is an action-adventure game released by SEGA in 1990 for the Mega Drive platform. It is based on the popular Japanese manga Peacock King, which combines religious elements with fantasy, following the protagonist, Peacock King, in his quest to battle evil spirits and demons.

The game features side-scrolling movement, where the protagonist, Peacock, traverses various levels filled with illusions and traps while fighting against demons and monsters. The game's music and graphics were considered top-notch for the time, creating a tense and mysterious atmosphere that aligns well with the religious and supernatural themes. The visuals are heavily influenced by the style of Japanese manga, incorporating many of the characters and settings from the original work, giving fans of the manga a sense of familiarity.

The story is centered around Phantom Castle, a mysterious fortress controlled by dark forces, filled with dangerous creatures and intricate traps. The protagonist is tasked with entering this castle to rescue Asura, who has been kidnapped by the Sixth Demon King, Oda Nobunaga, and to stop the resurrection of evil spirits, thereby saving the world from being consumed by darkness. In the overseas version of the story, the plot revolves around a young woman, Alexandra, who is kidnapped by the sorcerer Zareth as part of a sacrificial ritual to resurrect an ancient evil god. A sorcerer named Joe Yamato must save her and prevent the return of the dark forces.

In terms of gameplay, it offers simple and intuitive controls. Peacock can move, jump, attack, and cast spells. There are multiple attack methods available, including basic melee weapons and a powerful energy wave that can be unleashed by charging power. Players can also summon a three-headed dragon to wipe out all enemies on the screen. The game offers four different types of spells to combat enemies, each tied closely to the religious themes of the manga. Collecting talismans and items strengthens these spells, allowing players to overcome various enemies and obstacles across different levels. Some levels also incorporate puzzle-solving elements, requiring players to find specific items or symbols to unlock new areas or open hidden doors.

The game is rich in religious rituals, mysterious symbols, and intense battles against demons, all set within a plot filled with Eastern mysticism. The game consists of eight stages, each with its own distinct environment, ranging from dark dungeons and mysterious temples to mazes filled with traps. Each area presents unique challenges and enemies, with a boss battle at the end of each stage. These bosses are often powerful demons or evil spirits, each with its own attack patterns and weaknesses, requiring players to study their movements and develop strategies to defeat them. The overall difficulty of the game is considered moderately high by the standards of the time, with later levels demanding quick reflexes and precise control.

The game received mixed reviews in the market. Supporters praised its graphics, sound, and faithfulness to the original manga, particularly its ability to immerse players in the world of Peacock King. The spell system and level design were also seen by some as innovative, adding a strategic layer to the traditional side-scrolling action genre.

However, there was also criticism. Some players found the control system too rigid, with the character's movements lacking fluidity, especially when responding to fast-paced enemy attacks, which could make the gameplay feel cumbersome. Additionally, the difficulty was considered excessive at times, with some trap designs being overly challenging, leading to repeated frustrations and detracting from the overall enjoyment. Critics also pointed out that while the story was interesting, the narrative during gameplay was not always clear, making it difficult for new players to follow the plot and understand the motivations behind the characters' actions.

Overall, Peacock King 2: Phantom Castle stands as a unique action-adventure game with a focus on fantasy and mysticism. While it has some issues with control responsiveness and difficulty spikes, its distinct storyline, rich spell system, and challenging level design have earned it a place in the hearts of some players. For fans of challenging games and Eastern fantasy themes, it offers an adventurous journey through the haunted halls of Phantom Castle, reminiscent of its manga origins.