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I used to be a Saturn collector for several years. It got so bad I was buying awful games like Mr. Bones and mediocre ones like Astal. I eventually snapped out of it, sold about half my collection, and used the proceeds to buy better games. I'm much better off now.
From what I've seen of Astal, it looks like a beautiful 2D game. Kinda makes me want a Saturn :(Quote:
Originally Posted by EmperorIng
Beautiful game; lazy, pedestrian level design. There are better platformers on the PS1 (Strider 2, Castlevania Chronicles). Don't fall for the message-board hype! =)
Those games came well after Astal, and I don't see them being comparable in presentation or gameplay. Astal's level design is pretty basic, but at least the game paces itself well, and it's varied enough to keep your interest throughout. Astal's a short arcade platformer made for console; and it does offer some limited two-player support, some gameplay twists, and that great soundtrack. I know when Astal came out, I felt a bit ripped off paying $60 for it given its length, but I definitely wasn't disappointed by the experience.Quote:
Originally Posted by EmperorIng
I'd also defend Mr. Bones, which I appreciate for all the risks it takes, though I know it's a bit clumsy to play. I think calling it awful is going too far, but I can understand if people are put off by the odd design.
Castlevania Chronicles is garbage to me. Symphony of the Night is much more enjoyable. I recently picked up a PS1 to play it and a bunch of other 2D games. Especially the fighters like Marvel vs Capcom....very nice.
SOTN is very good, yes. But Chronicles is garbage? Indefensible. It's one of the best of the classic side-scrolling CVs, up there with CV3 (which is too hard but really good), CV1, and Rondo of Blood (and Bloodlines as the honorable-mention). The only way you can dislike it is if you think it's too hard, ie you suck at the game! :pQuote:
Originally Posted by 4Runner
If you like capcom fighters the Darkstalkers games are definitely up there for me. I think i like them more than Street Fighter.
Re: Astal:
I didn't say it was a bad game, per se, but outside of the graphics nothing much really jumped out at me. Some of the later levels are nice, but I think there was definitely more effort into creating the hand-drawn graphics than crafting memorable level design (walk to the right for 2 minutes = half the levels in the game it feels like). I paid $20 and in the end I wasn't hugely thrilled. If you want good platformers on the Saturn, you are sort of out of luck. There's the Ghosts n' Goblins collection, which is also on the PS2. There is Silhouette Mirage, which is also on the PS1. There is Elevator Action Returns, which is a great game, but in the triple digits. And on the PS2 for pennies comparatively!
Just want to note that Silhouette Mirage on PSX is not the same as the Saturn game. Treasure messed with the gameplay (similar to how it changed Bangaioh when "porting" it to the 360 from the N64), and then Working Designs added its own tweaks on top of that if you're looking at the US game. I really don't like the changes one bit, and while it doesn't make them terrible games, I do see them as inferior.Quote:
Originally Posted by EmperorIng
Nice to see Elevator Action Returns mentioned. My favorite game on the system by far, and the very game which got me into Saturn importing way back when after playing the game in a bowling alley. I haven't made a point to get the PS2 version since I don't believe it offers any improvements and likely (I'm guessing here) doesn't have the redbook audio like the Saturn game. Actually, a quick on-line check says it even has worse graphics from being upscanned, so that I really don't see the point in it.
I see the point more in being the fact that Taito Legends 2 is like $12, and Elevator Action 2 on the Saturn is $140. Going into the theme of the thread, you'd have to be pretty silly to plop down the money for the game at this point. I agree that the upscale is unfortunate, but the quantity overrides the quality in this instance (one disc containing G-Darius, Darius Gaiden, RayStorm, Puchi Carat, Don Doki Don, Raimais and more). Now, there is the legitimate complaint that EAR2 has a bug in the taito collection in which the machine-gun weapon doesn't work as intended - this is very unfortunate. However, in all my playthroughs the rocket launcher is a far better offensive option, so at I usually just tell people to avoid the machine gun anyhow. ;)
Silhouette Mirage is indeed changed, but I don't think the changes are as big a deal as everyone says. The only thing that really sucks is having to unlock difficulty modes, because the game as a whole is kind of easy. You have to beat the game 5 times to unlock hard. By that point, do you really want to play more?
I can't believe i missed this one. Is there another word to describe the Icy Lake levels? Or any of the platforming levels? Or the FMV levels? There are risks, and then there are trashy games. The only FMV game on the Saturn I liked was Lunacy. It was shitty, but a fun type of shitty.Quote:
Originally Posted by Benjamin
I agree with you on Darkstalkers, those are great games. I picked up the original and 3 for PS1 and have been playing them with a buddy, Morrigan is a beast!Quote:
Originally Posted by EmperorIng
The Icy Lake is the only level I do hate. It's short enough where it doesn't sink the game, but, yeah, there's nothing redeeming there. The FMV levels are nice as the FMV only serves as a more detailed background a la Space Channel 5. There's still actual gameplay over them, like jumping over the logs and swimming through the underwater cave. The FMV levels aren't mind blowing, but it's still fairly innovative given how FMV in the past meant literally just watching video and hitting prompts to determine which segment the game would spool next.Quote:
Originally Posted by EmperorIng
The shadow monster fight is pretty brilliant; and the guitar solo, little people village, dry moat, and funny bones are all memorable enough to recommend the game. I really like how the developer told a story through the gameplay, and soundtrack is fantastic as well. Yeah, the platforming parts (which admittedly are like half the game) are pretty bland, although I do kinda like how the game ties health to your ability to keep your bones together. It's odd and doesn't really work well, but it's a nice change of pace.
The sound effects and music are what make it garbage. The music doesn't sound ominous enough for me.Quote:
Originally Posted by EmperorIng
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Originally Posted by 4Runner
How far did you make it? There are some menacing tracks, but on the whole the soundtrack is excellent Konami quality. If that's enough to make the game garbage, I don't know what to tell you other than that you are as wrong as you can possibly be about a good game. I'd recommend playing it again and getting a serious feel for the game. You'll be far better off for the fun you'll get out of it.
If you are talking about the girly arranged tracks, I can sympathize. In that regard, play Original. It's harder, the music sounds better, and Simon doesn't have pink hair.
My eyes bother me after prolonged gaming sessions; they water like crazy.Quote:
Originally Posted by MaxWar
I'm in the "probably nearly 1,500 games for various systems but am too lazy to go check" club... which is ridiculous compared to the handful of hours (or less) I spend playing them any given week. I like collecting, tho', so its fine. I especially enjoy reuniting a game with it's box and manual and etc.
Space and money (okay, and time) are my biggest issues.
It's all a matter of opinion. You like it, I don't...simple as that :)Quote:
Originally Posted by EmperorIng
That's true for anyone who collects anything :)Quote:
Originally Posted by DJ_Convoy