R.I.P. Takashi Iwade
Showing posts with label Panzer Dragoon. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Panzer Dragoon. Show all posts
Friday, August 23, 2019
Monday, January 14, 2019
Return of the Dragon
Happy New Year!
So here we are: Another year, and another series of posts to fill up a blog that flat out refuses to die.
So to kick things off for 2019, this was something that caught my eye during the holiday period: Panzer Dragoon 1 and 2 will be getting a remake.
This is good news for me. Whilst it does present hope that the fabled Saga may be following suite (admittedly however slim), the real treat is that Sega have made a big step in acknowledging their post-Megadrive history and are making some of their lesser-known/overlooked classics in a new light. I heard rumours that Sega were considering dusting off some old IP and here, we have some proof to back it up
So, there's some hope for 2019. So lets see if that potential is met....
Monday, October 22, 2018
Friday, May 4, 2018
Voices from the Wilderness
Here's something that caught my eye recently: With this year being the twentieth anniversary of Panzer Dragoon Saga's (limited) release in the U.S., someone tracked down various figures of developer Team Andromeda and got their recollections on making the game.
This was a fascinating read to me. The trials and tribulations the development team is an engaging read on it's own. But what makes it for me is that these people finally have their voice. They finally have a platform to talk about the experience - moreso when one considers that hearing the people behind Final Fantasy VII talk about their experiences would certainly generate a lot more interest.
Of course, Panzer Dragoon Saga was a game that was crushed by the runaway success of FFVII but i find this article for more interesting: they are talking about a game that was cobbled together, on a system that was a nightmare to work for, to challenge the opposition but ultimately crashed and burned in spectacular fashion - leaving only a game that has reached legendary status as a true lost gem.
Sometimes it's the losers who have the more interesting stories to tell.
This was a fascinating read to me. The trials and tribulations the development team is an engaging read on it's own. But what makes it for me is that these people finally have their voice. They finally have a platform to talk about the experience - moreso when one considers that hearing the people behind Final Fantasy VII talk about their experiences would certainly generate a lot more interest.
Of course, Panzer Dragoon Saga was a game that was crushed by the runaway success of FFVII but i find this article for more interesting: they are talking about a game that was cobbled together, on a system that was a nightmare to work for, to challenge the opposition but ultimately crashed and burned in spectacular fashion - leaving only a game that has reached legendary status as a true lost gem.
Sometimes it's the losers who have the more interesting stories to tell.
Wednesday, October 18, 2017
Beginnings of a saga
Ive talked up Panzer Dragoon Saga a lot in this blog but I haven't; given much attention to the other games in the franchise. Recently however I decided to rectify this....
...by watching a LongPlay of Panzer Dragoon 1 and 2 (Zwei) on YouTube.
Seriously though, it's the only way I could ever see these games in action other than shelling out a fortune for a working Saturn and the games in question. I have memories of playing a single-level demo of Zwei in a store but that's pretty much my extent with this series. But considering how a dramatic change it was for Saga to be an RPG, there must've been something there originally, right?
Okay, so let's start with Panzer Dragoon.
From the looks of it, this game isn't that remarkable from a gaming standpoint: It's short, it's working off of an arcade mentality (as in it's longevity is based on how quickly the player can do everything required), it requires quick actions and reflexes, the player is running on a set path (such is the nature of a 'rail shooter') and success is measured by how well the player did by doing the same old thing.
But what truly got my interest was the aesthetics of this game. Oh. My. God. The Aesthetics. If the game part of it was kinda weak then it's the way the game is presented that makes up for it. We have fascinating settings with sunken ruins, deserts, caves, canyons and forests. There is a language made up especially for the game. There are mech devices and ancient tech. There are airships that looked like they came straight out of Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind. There is art based off of the illustrations of the French artist Moebius. There are bosses that collapse into pieces as they are destroyed. There are Sandworms that look like they came straight out of Dune. And the music is both atmospheric and brilliant.
But what strikes me the most about this game is the world in which it's set: It's intriguing yes but it's also very vague. The opening text makes clear that this is a post-apocalyptic setting, wherein human civilization has crumbled. But the humans are living in fear of 'cyber genetic warfare' (huh?). So the humans find, and excavate, an ancient Tower and turn the tables. This in turn makes all surrounding nations (Huh?) turn on each other while fighting a 'Dark Dragon'.
It's an intriguing setup that raises a lot of questions: How did humanity survive the many years since the collapse of civilization? What the hell is this cyber genetic warfare? Who is responsible for it? If civilization collapsed then what are the other nations? Who is in them? If civilization has long collapsed shouldn't everything be a lot more disorganized? What does the Tower do? And how does the Dark Dragon fit into all of this?
Of course none of these questions are answered over the course of the game but playing the game raises even more questions: Who was the original rider of the Blue Dragon? We get his mission was to destroy the Tower but why? Who was the rider of the Other Dragon that keeps reappearing throughout the game? What was his/her story? And as for the mission to destroy the Tower, did the Blue Dragon know? Did he even need the human PC?
With such questions, it's fair to say that Panzer Dragoon delivers half a story - and still, saying it's half still feels generous. There are some ideas that certainly have some potential but most likely it is confined to the restrictions imposed by fifth-generation gaming.
So how about Panzer Dragoon Zwei?
Well clearly the game is like any true sequel: It offers more of the same but enough new additions to make it stand on it's own two feet. The graphics are better, the boss fights are just as gripping, the targeting system works better and the first two levels are ground based. There's also a berserk mode added and the PC's dragon can upgrade based on the progress the player makes.
Other than that, the game's aesthetics still prove to be the series' strength: the art direction is still beautiful, the soundtrack is still great the settings are interesting, the enemies are varied, and the designs are still as inventive as Zwei's predecessor.
Unfortunately, the setting is as vague as before. The opening text indicates that 'Many millennia have passed since the fall of the old age'. Okay, so does the old age refer to when human civilization was in flower? And if that was a thousand years ago as the first game declared, does that that mean Zwei is set so many thousand years since?
We are then told that people are living in terror of a weapon created from gene reconstruction and it's use is robbing the humans of their strength. Okay so is this the cyber genetic warfare that was mentioned in the first game? Did it replace the Tower? Is in any related to the Tower?
And speaking of the Tower it is then revealed that other nations are following the humans' lead and digging up ancient weapons to fight wars. Okay seriously, who are these 'Other Nations'? Are they humans? If they are populated by humans why are they fighting the....well... other humans?
But again, none of these questions matter because, once again, when the game gets underway, more questions arise. Why does this place hate dragons and kill them on sight? I can understand that different places may have different perceptions but the Dragons and humans were getting along so well in the last game. And for that matter, how did the PC get Lagi (the Dragon) out of the village? Someone would've surely noticed a dragon of that size. Who destroyed the village? Why did they destroy the village? Who is this Empire? Are they connected to the 'humans'? Who is the Mecchania? Why are they after the ship?
And then there's the ending: ......I.....um....what? It was abrupt, bizarre and confusing - as if my head wasn't already loaded with enough questions. Once again however it does give the indication that the story the makers had wasn't the kind that could fit onto a single CD.
Confusion aside, the world that Panzer Dragoon and Panzer Dragoon Zwei clearly had potential. Potential that could not be confided to a singular game on a singular disc. hence we got sequels in the form of Saga and Orta. Indeed, it should be noted that Orta came with it's own encyclopedia resolving many of the questions inspired by this game series.
Still, none of these questions were actually resolved in-game - like how questions relating to the game should be. I can understand Saga going out it's way to resolve such issues but that game remains, alas, out of reach.....
...by watching a LongPlay of Panzer Dragoon 1 and 2 (Zwei) on YouTube.
Seriously though, it's the only way I could ever see these games in action other than shelling out a fortune for a working Saturn and the games in question. I have memories of playing a single-level demo of Zwei in a store but that's pretty much my extent with this series. But considering how a dramatic change it was for Saga to be an RPG, there must've been something there originally, right?
Okay, so let's start with Panzer Dragoon.
From the looks of it, this game isn't that remarkable from a gaming standpoint: It's short, it's working off of an arcade mentality (as in it's longevity is based on how quickly the player can do everything required), it requires quick actions and reflexes, the player is running on a set path (such is the nature of a 'rail shooter') and success is measured by how well the player did by doing the same old thing.
But what truly got my interest was the aesthetics of this game. Oh. My. God. The Aesthetics. If the game part of it was kinda weak then it's the way the game is presented that makes up for it. We have fascinating settings with sunken ruins, deserts, caves, canyons and forests. There is a language made up especially for the game. There are mech devices and ancient tech. There are airships that looked like they came straight out of Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind. There is art based off of the illustrations of the French artist Moebius. There are bosses that collapse into pieces as they are destroyed. There are Sandworms that look like they came straight out of Dune. And the music is both atmospheric and brilliant.
But what strikes me the most about this game is the world in which it's set: It's intriguing yes but it's also very vague. The opening text makes clear that this is a post-apocalyptic setting, wherein human civilization has crumbled. But the humans are living in fear of 'cyber genetic warfare' (huh?). So the humans find, and excavate, an ancient Tower and turn the tables. This in turn makes all surrounding nations (Huh?) turn on each other while fighting a 'Dark Dragon'.
It's an intriguing setup that raises a lot of questions: How did humanity survive the many years since the collapse of civilization? What the hell is this cyber genetic warfare? Who is responsible for it? If civilization collapsed then what are the other nations? Who is in them? If civilization has long collapsed shouldn't everything be a lot more disorganized? What does the Tower do? And how does the Dark Dragon fit into all of this?
Of course none of these questions are answered over the course of the game but playing the game raises even more questions: Who was the original rider of the Blue Dragon? We get his mission was to destroy the Tower but why? Who was the rider of the Other Dragon that keeps reappearing throughout the game? What was his/her story? And as for the mission to destroy the Tower, did the Blue Dragon know? Did he even need the human PC?
With such questions, it's fair to say that Panzer Dragoon delivers half a story - and still, saying it's half still feels generous. There are some ideas that certainly have some potential but most likely it is confined to the restrictions imposed by fifth-generation gaming.
So how about Panzer Dragoon Zwei?
Well clearly the game is like any true sequel: It offers more of the same but enough new additions to make it stand on it's own two feet. The graphics are better, the boss fights are just as gripping, the targeting system works better and the first two levels are ground based. There's also a berserk mode added and the PC's dragon can upgrade based on the progress the player makes.
Other than that, the game's aesthetics still prove to be the series' strength: the art direction is still beautiful, the soundtrack is still great the settings are interesting, the enemies are varied, and the designs are still as inventive as Zwei's predecessor.
Unfortunately, the setting is as vague as before. The opening text indicates that 'Many millennia have passed since the fall of the old age'. Okay, so does the old age refer to when human civilization was in flower? And if that was a thousand years ago as the first game declared, does that that mean Zwei is set so many thousand years since?
We are then told that people are living in terror of a weapon created from gene reconstruction and it's use is robbing the humans of their strength. Okay so is this the cyber genetic warfare that was mentioned in the first game? Did it replace the Tower? Is in any related to the Tower?
And speaking of the Tower it is then revealed that other nations are following the humans' lead and digging up ancient weapons to fight wars. Okay seriously, who are these 'Other Nations'? Are they humans? If they are populated by humans why are they fighting the....well... other humans?
But again, none of these questions matter because, once again, when the game gets underway, more questions arise. Why does this place hate dragons and kill them on sight? I can understand that different places may have different perceptions but the Dragons and humans were getting along so well in the last game. And for that matter, how did the PC get Lagi (the Dragon) out of the village? Someone would've surely noticed a dragon of that size. Who destroyed the village? Why did they destroy the village? Who is this Empire? Are they connected to the 'humans'? Who is the Mecchania? Why are they after the ship?
And then there's the ending: ......I.....um....what? It was abrupt, bizarre and confusing - as if my head wasn't already loaded with enough questions. Once again however it does give the indication that the story the makers had wasn't the kind that could fit onto a single CD.
Confusion aside, the world that Panzer Dragoon and Panzer Dragoon Zwei clearly had potential. Potential that could not be confided to a singular game on a singular disc. hence we got sequels in the form of Saga and Orta. Indeed, it should be noted that Orta came with it's own encyclopedia resolving many of the questions inspired by this game series.
Still, none of these questions were actually resolved in-game - like how questions relating to the game should be. I can understand Saga going out it's way to resolve such issues but that game remains, alas, out of reach.....
Wednesday, September 21, 2016
T-20
They say that nostalgia happens in chunks of twenty years. If that is the case, then the nostalgia goggles will be aimed at the the mid-to late nineties - also known as the Fifth Console generation.
I've said it once and I'll say it again: This was a great period for the PC Gamer with them being spoiled for choice with the likes of Baldur's Gate, Doom, Warcraft, Command and Conquer, Deus Ex, Plansescape Torment and System Shock 2 among others. Sure, there was some shlock when Windows 95 rolled around but once that nonsense was sorted out, there were some real games to be found. Sure there were some interesting things happening in the console camp but they have not aged well as their PC counterparts. I remember at the time, console games of this era were being marketed as 'cutting edge' but looking at them now, they have naturally aged the worst.
This in turn presents an interesting opportunity for someone keen on nostalgia: Take a brand, fix some glaring issues with it and you'll have a certified hit. Why do you think so many have been clamoring for a remake of Final Fantasy 7? When you have a hugely successful game you have a hit guaranteed purely on brand recognition - but when you fix some of the problems the critics have pointed out, you win on both a commercial and critical level.
I myself aren't really that interested on nostalgia as, for me, it stifles progress (how can you move forward when you have eyes on the past?). But I will admit, however grudgingly, that there's something to be said for making classic games readily available, accessible without dragging some aging tech out of the deepest corner of the bedroom cupboard and in a state of preservation.
That being said, has anyone tried to resurrect some of the lost classics from the Saturn? Someone must've played the likes of Panzer Dragoon Saga and Shining Force 3 - So surely they must've been hit with inspiration strong enough to make something similar so what they enjoyed two decades ago can be enjoyed by people of the present. If anything, I'd rather play a RPG that involves traveling across on a desolate, post-apocalyptic world with minimal NPCs atop a flying, customisable beast, encountering Moebius-inspired monsters and discovering lost ancient tech than a retread of Advent Children any day....
I've said it once and I'll say it again: This was a great period for the PC Gamer with them being spoiled for choice with the likes of Baldur's Gate, Doom, Warcraft, Command and Conquer, Deus Ex, Plansescape Torment and System Shock 2 among others. Sure, there was some shlock when Windows 95 rolled around but once that nonsense was sorted out, there were some real games to be found. Sure there were some interesting things happening in the console camp but they have not aged well as their PC counterparts. I remember at the time, console games of this era were being marketed as 'cutting edge' but looking at them now, they have naturally aged the worst.
This in turn presents an interesting opportunity for someone keen on nostalgia: Take a brand, fix some glaring issues with it and you'll have a certified hit. Why do you think so many have been clamoring for a remake of Final Fantasy 7? When you have a hugely successful game you have a hit guaranteed purely on brand recognition - but when you fix some of the problems the critics have pointed out, you win on both a commercial and critical level.
I myself aren't really that interested on nostalgia as, for me, it stifles progress (how can you move forward when you have eyes on the past?). But I will admit, however grudgingly, that there's something to be said for making classic games readily available, accessible without dragging some aging tech out of the deepest corner of the bedroom cupboard and in a state of preservation.
That being said, has anyone tried to resurrect some of the lost classics from the Saturn? Someone must've played the likes of Panzer Dragoon Saga and Shining Force 3 - So surely they must've been hit with inspiration strong enough to make something similar so what they enjoyed two decades ago can be enjoyed by people of the present. If anything, I'd rather play a RPG that involves traveling across on a desolate, post-apocalyptic world with minimal NPCs atop a flying, customisable beast, encountering Moebius-inspired monsters and discovering lost ancient tech than a retread of Advent Children any day....
Monday, December 14, 2015
It took ten years to get here
It is well documented in this blog that whilst I have had an interest in gaming over the years, it is only since late 2005 that it really took off and entrenched itself like it has now.
What really triggered this interest was tumbling across a list by IGN on the 100 Greatest Games of all Time. Curious, I sat down and read through all of it. As i did so, i found myself recognizing games I was familiar with, games I knew of and games that were completely new to me. In any case, it became clear to me that I had been missing out on a lot. So I made it my goal to track down all of these games and give them a shot.
That was a full decade ago.
So where are we now?
Well I am pleased to say that, out of the hundred games listed, I have managed to obtain all but five.
Not a bad effort if I say so myself. Many of these games have been obtained as physical copies whilst others as digital downloads (through the Virtual Console and later GoG).
So which are the five that eluded my grasp? Well:
This project of obtaining the (then) Hundred Greatest Games of All Time has really been my stepping stone into the wonderful world of gaming.
What originally started out as a goal of hundred games has ballooned into (according a Raptr) a collection of just under three hundred games (!).
I have played, and enjoyed, games I have originally missed out on.
I have found much to love within games I originally never thought possible.
I have got off my arse and got my true first console the PS2 - and later, the Wii and 360.
I have stepped into the world of gaming and have made many friends through doing so
And I have started this blog and have been rambling on it ever since.
They say that it often pays to acknowledge one's roots and to never forget where you've come from. And I acknowledge that this list sent me down a path that was bewildering but at the same time lot's of fun. In fact, now that I think of it, the original list pretty much functioned, to me at least, as a way to acknowledge gaming's past and to salute the pioneers that brought us all here to then then present state of 2005. And that's what I've done with this collection process: I have collected games, many of which I've never played before, and I've seen how they've managed to shape and inspire those which have followed in their wake. I've found material that have been completely new to me and it's interesting to see where certain ideas have originated from.
So where do we go from here?
Through obtaining, and playing, these games I have gained a sense of history and, like any gamer, built up some treasured memories to call my own. Indeed, one could say that I have forged my own identity as a gamer and have seen many more new places emerge before me. But that wouldn't have happened it it not been for those magical 95 games.
Okay so yeah a fair number of those 95 games have gone unplayed but i reiterate: It's important to know where you've come from. Why, recently IGN has released a new list of the 100 Greatest Games of all Time. And I found this new list places a lot of emphasis on more recent titles - but it means little to me as it seems more a celebration of the previous generation than a salute to the pioneers that the 2005 list was. Maybe it's a generational thing?
But no matter: This post marks the endpoint of a ten year journey so where do we go from here?
I have no idea but I tell you: It's going to be a lot of fun :)
What really triggered this interest was tumbling across a list by IGN on the 100 Greatest Games of all Time. Curious, I sat down and read through all of it. As i did so, i found myself recognizing games I was familiar with, games I knew of and games that were completely new to me. In any case, it became clear to me that I had been missing out on a lot. So I made it my goal to track down all of these games and give them a shot.
That was a full decade ago.
So where are we now?
Well I am pleased to say that, out of the hundred games listed, I have managed to obtain all but five.
Not a bad effort if I say so myself. Many of these games have been obtained as physical copies whilst others as digital downloads (through the Virtual Console and later GoG).
So which are the five that eluded my grasp? Well:
- Star Wars Arcade (no idea how I'm going to obtain that game)
- Pokemon Red/Blue (Pokemon has a massive fanbase. It scared me off)
- Advance Wars (truly worth getting a GBA for?)
- Super Smash Bros Melee (Somehow owning Brawl made owning Melee redundant)
- and Panzer Dragoon Saga (and good luck finding a copy of that).
This project of obtaining the (then) Hundred Greatest Games of All Time has really been my stepping stone into the wonderful world of gaming.
What originally started out as a goal of hundred games has ballooned into (according a Raptr) a collection of just under three hundred games (!).
I have played, and enjoyed, games I have originally missed out on.
I have found much to love within games I originally never thought possible.
I have got off my arse and got my true first console the PS2 - and later, the Wii and 360.
I have stepped into the world of gaming and have made many friends through doing so
And I have started this blog and have been rambling on it ever since.
They say that it often pays to acknowledge one's roots and to never forget where you've come from. And I acknowledge that this list sent me down a path that was bewildering but at the same time lot's of fun. In fact, now that I think of it, the original list pretty much functioned, to me at least, as a way to acknowledge gaming's past and to salute the pioneers that brought us all here to then then present state of 2005. And that's what I've done with this collection process: I have collected games, many of which I've never played before, and I've seen how they've managed to shape and inspire those which have followed in their wake. I've found material that have been completely new to me and it's interesting to see where certain ideas have originated from.
So where do we go from here?
Through obtaining, and playing, these games I have gained a sense of history and, like any gamer, built up some treasured memories to call my own. Indeed, one could say that I have forged my own identity as a gamer and have seen many more new places emerge before me. But that wouldn't have happened it it not been for those magical 95 games.
Okay so yeah a fair number of those 95 games have gone unplayed but i reiterate: It's important to know where you've come from. Why, recently IGN has released a new list of the 100 Greatest Games of all Time. And I found this new list places a lot of emphasis on more recent titles - but it means little to me as it seems more a celebration of the previous generation than a salute to the pioneers that the 2005 list was. Maybe it's a generational thing?
But no matter: This post marks the endpoint of a ten year journey so where do we go from here?
I have no idea but I tell you: It's going to be a lot of fun :)
Friday, June 5, 2015
The System is Down
Lately I've been playing a lot of System Shock 2.
This is an interesting game to approach on two fronts: Firstly it has a fearsome reputation in that is home to one of the greatest gaming villains (I am of course referring to SHODAN). And secondly, this is game I have come to to having played Bioshock, a game that has been made abundantly clear that it is the successor to System Shock 2.
It is that notion of System Shock 2 being a predecessor to Bioshock that is, to me, inescapable. I see so many similarities that it isn't funny. The weapons are the same, items are obtained via vending machines, there are turrets and security cameras everywhere, there are chambers that resurrect the player when they die, health and power-ups are provided via syringes, there's characters from both games running parallel to each other, there's hacking, weapon upgrades, cybermodules are ADAM, and Psionics fill in for plasmids.
Indeed, when comparing the two, one can't shake the feeling that Bioshock is just System Shock 2 with a new coat of paint (along with a steampunk aesthetic). And even then System Shock 2 started life as a completely different game before it was attached to the System Shock franchise for the sake of pushing sales.
Such is the similarities that I wonder if this is what gaming is going to be: a mere case of dusting off an old game and giving it a new coat of paint. I suppose that may make for an interesting solution to games that are lost to time and unable to played any more *coughPanzerDragoonSagacough* but at the same time, it does suggest that gaming progression is facing something of a standstill. I will concede that revamping an old game may be a way buck the system, generate interest in the father title and give new IP a fighting chance. But it makes me wonder how many people played Bioshock and then went to Steam to check out this System Shock 2 game....
This is an interesting game to approach on two fronts: Firstly it has a fearsome reputation in that is home to one of the greatest gaming villains (I am of course referring to SHODAN). And secondly, this is game I have come to to having played Bioshock, a game that has been made abundantly clear that it is the successor to System Shock 2.
It is that notion of System Shock 2 being a predecessor to Bioshock that is, to me, inescapable. I see so many similarities that it isn't funny. The weapons are the same, items are obtained via vending machines, there are turrets and security cameras everywhere, there are chambers that resurrect the player when they die, health and power-ups are provided via syringes, there's characters from both games running parallel to each other, there's hacking, weapon upgrades, cybermodules are ADAM, and Psionics fill in for plasmids.
Indeed, when comparing the two, one can't shake the feeling that Bioshock is just System Shock 2 with a new coat of paint (along with a steampunk aesthetic). And even then System Shock 2 started life as a completely different game before it was attached to the System Shock franchise for the sake of pushing sales.
Such is the similarities that I wonder if this is what gaming is going to be: a mere case of dusting off an old game and giving it a new coat of paint. I suppose that may make for an interesting solution to games that are lost to time and unable to played any more *coughPanzerDragoonSagacough* but at the same time, it does suggest that gaming progression is facing something of a standstill. I will concede that revamping an old game may be a way buck the system, generate interest in the father title and give new IP a fighting chance. But it makes me wonder how many people played Bioshock and then went to Steam to check out this System Shock 2 game....
Wednesday, August 20, 2014
Kick Start This
Lets talk Kickstarter: It seems that anyone can resurrect a long-forgotten franchise and give it a new lease of life through the backing of an enthusiastic audience. It seems that if anyone can update abominations like Shaq-Fu and Night Trap, then it seems anything is possible.
So why isn't there a kickstarter for Panzer Dragoon Saga?
True Sega are known for hanging onto their trademarks like any other company, true Panzer Dragoon Saga was a poor seller and true it was on a system that crashed and burned in spectacular fashion, but why not? If we are so intent on preserving games for future generations then this may be the way to go. Furthermore, one can;t deny that "the rarest and most valuable game of all time!" would make a decent selling pitch.
Come on, if there is a audience for Shaq-Fu and Night Trap then we can at least Kick-Start a resurrection of something...you know...good
So why isn't there a kickstarter for Panzer Dragoon Saga?
True Sega are known for hanging onto their trademarks like any other company, true Panzer Dragoon Saga was a poor seller and true it was on a system that crashed and burned in spectacular fashion, but why not? If we are so intent on preserving games for future generations then this may be the way to go. Furthermore, one can;t deny that "the rarest and most valuable game of all time!" would make a decent selling pitch.
Come on, if there is a audience for Shaq-Fu and Night Trap then we can at least Kick-Start a resurrection of something...you know...good
Monday, June 30, 2014
To be this good takes Ages
Following on from an earlier post, today I downloaded Radiant Silvergun and had a bash at it. I didn’t last long, which is unsurprising for an arcade shooter, but I was impressed with the number of shooting abilities on offer. Needless to say, this warrants further investigation.
What is of particular note is that with the purchase of Radiant Silvergun, the number of Sega games (as in either made by Sega or originated on a Sega console) on my XBLA account now reaches eight. It joins the likes of Sonic Adventure, Sonic CD, Ikagura, Soul Calibur, Daytona USA, Nights into Dreams and Guardian Heroes. Now whilst it may not sound like much it still represents a third of the games I have downloaded from XBLA.
I suppose having a particular empathy for the Sega games is a holdover from my days as a Sega fanboy. I guess once you’re a fanboy you’re one for life and you can never truly escape such a fate. However other reasons behind such an empathy exist in the form of:
But what are the odds of the happening, amIrite?
What is of particular note is that with the purchase of Radiant Silvergun, the number of Sega games (as in either made by Sega or originated on a Sega console) on my XBLA account now reaches eight. It joins the likes of Sonic Adventure, Sonic CD, Ikagura, Soul Calibur, Daytona USA, Nights into Dreams and Guardian Heroes. Now whilst it may not sound like much it still represents a third of the games I have downloaded from XBLA.
I suppose having a particular empathy for the Sega games is a holdover from my days as a Sega fanboy. I guess once you’re a fanboy you’re one for life and you can never truly escape such a fate. However other reasons behind such an empathy exist in the form of:
- Perhaps playing Sega games on the Xbox it is a firm indication of Microsoft's replacing of Sega in the Console race
- Or maybe it is more of a case of finally playing games that I have previously only been able to admire from afar.
But what are the odds of the happening, amIrite?
Monday, October 22, 2012
Keep Dreamin'
I've said it once and I'll say it again: Sega are really doing themselves by not making their back catalogue of non-Megadrive/Genesis games readily available. Sure there have been a few games on the Master System/Saturn/Dreamcast slipping through the cracks on PSN and XBLA but what about the rest? Whilst Sega may have had more than few failed consoles to their name, I can still think of some games in Sega's back catalogue that could benefit from a second look.
I could see some reluctance on Sega's part namely a) the difficulty of obtaining rights of certain games with certain gaming studios scattering elsewhere b) an unwillingness to release something that has no guarantee of decent sales and c) the idea that maybe Sega's failed consoles is something they would like to forget. Reasonable claims I will admit but I've heard of such games being spoken of in near mythical terms and needless to say my curiosity is piqued.
I can think of several games on the Mega CD that may be worth dusting off and preserving for gamers both now and in the future, namely Eternal Champions, Lunar, Popful Mail, Robo Aleste, Shining Force CD, Silpheed, Snatcher and Vay (and who says it was all Sonic CD?)
And on the Saturn front, I would certainly like to play the likes of DragonForce, Astal, Shining the Holy Ark and Panzer Dragoon Zwei. I know of games that may benefit from a proper translation like Assault Suit Leynos 2, Shining Force 3, Magical Knight Rayearth and Grandia. And need I mention how many people want to see a proper rerelease of the Holy Grail of gaming Panzer Dragoon Saga?
Of course I've gathered this laundry list of titles through research - I've heard all of these titles spoken highly of both Sega fans and (general) gamers alike so it makes me interested in checking them out. One problem though: How do I do it? This in turn goes back to Sega not taking action to preserve their gaming catalogue and make it readily available. Listen to me Sega: Would you rather people get to these games through using emulators and denying you of some actual money?
The recent arrival of Nights Into Dreams to the XBLA provides new, solid evidence to suggest otherwise that Saturn games may be difficult to emulate or even revamped to stunning effect. Sure Nights was also ported to the PS2 but the presence of other Saturn games on XBLA, Guardian Heroes, Radiant Silvergun, could be another reason for, right?
But alas if the spectacular revamp of Nights will prove anything, it will be proof fifth generation gaming can be rebuilt in such a manner. And thus yielding another excuse for those wanting a new Final Fantasy 7 to persue their tireless crusade (fingers in the ear and all). Okay but how about we ask for something we HAVEN'T played?
I could see some reluctance on Sega's part namely a) the difficulty of obtaining rights of certain games with certain gaming studios scattering elsewhere b) an unwillingness to release something that has no guarantee of decent sales and c) the idea that maybe Sega's failed consoles is something they would like to forget. Reasonable claims I will admit but I've heard of such games being spoken of in near mythical terms and needless to say my curiosity is piqued.
I can think of several games on the Mega CD that may be worth dusting off and preserving for gamers both now and in the future, namely Eternal Champions, Lunar, Popful Mail, Robo Aleste, Shining Force CD, Silpheed, Snatcher and Vay (and who says it was all Sonic CD?)
And on the Saturn front, I would certainly like to play the likes of DragonForce, Astal, Shining the Holy Ark and Panzer Dragoon Zwei. I know of games that may benefit from a proper translation like Assault Suit Leynos 2, Shining Force 3, Magical Knight Rayearth and Grandia. And need I mention how many people want to see a proper rerelease of the Holy Grail of gaming Panzer Dragoon Saga?
Of course I've gathered this laundry list of titles through research - I've heard all of these titles spoken highly of both Sega fans and (general) gamers alike so it makes me interested in checking them out. One problem though: How do I do it? This in turn goes back to Sega not taking action to preserve their gaming catalogue and make it readily available. Listen to me Sega: Would you rather people get to these games through using emulators and denying you of some actual money?
The recent arrival of Nights Into Dreams to the XBLA provides new, solid evidence to suggest otherwise that Saturn games may be difficult to emulate or even revamped to stunning effect. Sure Nights was also ported to the PS2 but the presence of other Saturn games on XBLA, Guardian Heroes, Radiant Silvergun, could be another reason for, right?
But alas if the spectacular revamp of Nights will prove anything, it will be proof fifth generation gaming can be rebuilt in such a manner. And thus yielding another excuse for those wanting a new Final Fantasy 7 to persue their tireless crusade (fingers in the ear and all). Okay but how about we ask for something we HAVEN'T played?
Wednesday, October 17, 2012
Signing up
During my travels on the net i came across this: A petition to remake Panzer Dragoon Saga in HD.
I have little faith in web-petitions. I'm am uncertain whether or not they get heeded and make a difference - unless of course they're signed by Star Wars fans. Still this is a cause I'm all for so I signed it. It may not make a difference but at least I get my voice heard.
I have little faith in web-petitions. I'm am uncertain whether or not they get heeded and make a difference - unless of course they're signed by Star Wars fans. Still this is a cause I'm all for so I signed it. It may not make a difference but at least I get my voice heard.
Monday, October 15, 2012
You're an all star
I recently heard that a follow up to Sonic and Sega All Stars Racing is currently in development.
I've played the first game and I thought it was all right. Sure I bear the scars of having lived through years when everyone was making their own karting game in an attempt to match the success of the original Super Mario Kart, but Sonic and Sega All Stars Racing was good fun - and a great way to put one's friendships on the line just to notch up a win (although it is bit puzzling as to why the super fast Sonic needs a car....).
A look at the character list reveals some familiar faces: Vyse of Skies of Arcadia, Nights from Nights into Dreams, Gillius Thunderhead from Golden Axe and Joe Musashi from Shinobi. Much like the first game, the character roster seems spread across Sega's history with some classic figures stepping back into the light and some lesser-known faces getting a second shot. The titular character from the upcoming movie Wreck it Ralph is also present (nice tie-in there), real life racing driver Danica Patrick is also in, and the racing tracks will be inspired by the likes of Outrun, Panzer Dragoon and Afterburner.
Whilst it is nice to see Sega dust off some of their other IP, it does make one wonder if they may have something up their sleeve. Years earlier Nintendo did the same thing with Super Smash Bros Brawl - notably with the presence of the character Pit which eventually led to a new Kid Icarus game - twenty years since the last one.
Could this be a sign a change may be afoot? Considering that Sega finally released Nights into Dreams on the XBLA with a new HD remakes one would think that Sega may be trying some market research to see if some old IP may be worth something.
It maybe too early to call but for the romantics among us, it would be nice to think that Sega may finally be moving past their Megadrive/Genesis glory days and digging up some lost treasures to preserve. The Saturn games have built a reputation for being notoriously difficult to emulate but the presence of Nights (even if it was also on the PS2) is a step in the right direction.
If so, how about Panzer Dragoon Saga eh?
I've played the first game and I thought it was all right. Sure I bear the scars of having lived through years when everyone was making their own karting game in an attempt to match the success of the original Super Mario Kart, but Sonic and Sega All Stars Racing was good fun - and a great way to put one's friendships on the line just to notch up a win (although it is bit puzzling as to why the super fast Sonic needs a car....).
A look at the character list reveals some familiar faces: Vyse of Skies of Arcadia, Nights from Nights into Dreams, Gillius Thunderhead from Golden Axe and Joe Musashi from Shinobi. Much like the first game, the character roster seems spread across Sega's history with some classic figures stepping back into the light and some lesser-known faces getting a second shot. The titular character from the upcoming movie Wreck it Ralph is also present (nice tie-in there), real life racing driver Danica Patrick is also in, and the racing tracks will be inspired by the likes of Outrun, Panzer Dragoon and Afterburner.
Whilst it is nice to see Sega dust off some of their other IP, it does make one wonder if they may have something up their sleeve. Years earlier Nintendo did the same thing with Super Smash Bros Brawl - notably with the presence of the character Pit which eventually led to a new Kid Icarus game - twenty years since the last one.
Could this be a sign a change may be afoot? Considering that Sega finally released Nights into Dreams on the XBLA with a new HD remakes one would think that Sega may be trying some market research to see if some old IP may be worth something.
It maybe too early to call but for the romantics among us, it would be nice to think that Sega may finally be moving past their Megadrive/Genesis glory days and digging up some lost treasures to preserve. The Saturn games have built a reputation for being notoriously difficult to emulate but the presence of Nights (even if it was also on the PS2) is a step in the right direction.
If so, how about Panzer Dragoon Saga eh?
Monday, August 6, 2012
An open letter to those who want an FF7 remake
An open letter to those who want an FF7 remake:
We need to talk.
I have seen your constant demand for a Final Fantasy 7 remake. I have seen you being inspired ever since SqueeEnix put out that PS3 tech demo. I have seen you being passionate, like no other, about a game made fifteen years ago. I have seen you go the effort of trying to convince SqueeEnix it can be done. I've seen you put forth technical arguments challenging the claims made by SqueeEnix. And I have seen you refute the arguments of any nay-sayers.
And I give you credit: I've been interested in computer and video gaming since the late eighties and I have never seen people get so passionate about a game before or since (well maybe the fiasco over the Mass Effect 3 ending but still). I admire that you love something so much that you're willing to stand by it with the passion of a religious zealot. And I'm impressed that you still admire a game made fifteen years and two generations ago when countless other games have been ditched and forgotten by the passage of time.
But I simply have to ask the following question: Why do you want a remake of Final Fantasy 7?
No really: Why DO you WANT a remake of your favorite game?
A lot of arguments I have for the FF7 remake seem to be largely based on technological and economic knowledge and the argument of "JUST SHUT UP AND DO IT!!". These are all claims that suggest that it can be done therefore it should be done but why? You must really want a FF7 remake so badly that you'll go to the effort of challenging any nay-sayer but is the effort really worth all this trouble?
The economic argument suggests that people will buy it because it will be a huge seller, justify any enormous production cost and save SqueeEnix from any potential financial calamity. But this is more or less speculative. And like any company, SqueeEnix decides the movements they make for themselves - meaning you, the consumer, have no say in whatever they do (sad but true).
Besides, would you really buy anything with the Final Fantasy 7 logo? Saying so seems to suggest that people would buy a game where Sephiroth runs through a field on a sunny day throwing flowers everywhere but we know this is not the case.
I have seen a lot of challenges to the technical effort involved stating that, despite what's being claimed, it can be done and it is feasible - regardless of factors such as updating a technology fifteen years old, the necessity of motion capture, the implementation of voice acting and building 3d environment from scratch.
That may be the case but really the originally FF7 did what it set out to do on the tools it had available. I mean, you may dismiss the original character models for looking like they do, but consider this: They somehow do work in the game’s favor. The goofy looking character models make the goofier moments in the game easier to swallow. I mean come on: Do we really want to see an Advent Children-esque Cloud wearing a dress?
No really: do you WANT to see an Advent Children-esque Cloud in a Dress?
Last time I checked Final Fantasy 7 is still available on the PSN so it isn't like it's NOT getting played. And it's not like a FF7 remake will give the PS3 the hit it needs - if anything it will place Sony in the rather uncomfortable position on relying on past hits rather than forging new ground. A position that is currently occupied by Nintendo and subsequently earned them a lot of scorn.
And who on earth would WANT to be in that position?
Again: Why do you want a remake of Final Fantasy 7? The offical stance from SqueeEnix is that they are far more interested in trying to make something that reaches, or even surpasses, Final Fantasy 7's achievements. However such a statement can be easily taken as a fool's errand. So, tell me: Are SqueeEnix not allowed to at least try? I know every Final Fantasy that has followed 7 has split a opinion like no other so it seem that people would rather that they give up. True FF7 was a combination of the right talent in the right areas that came at the right time that it will most likely never happen again but do you want a remake over any new material so badly? And, as is often the case with game remakes, do you want to see a game you enjoyed as a child tarnished and ruined beyond comprehension?
So it seems doubtful that SqueeEnix will ever match, let alone eclipse, the glorious heights achieved by Final Fantasy 7. It would be like, by way of comparison, Weezer releasing an album on par with the Blue Album and Pinkerton and it's widespread knowledge that such a thing is never going to happen.
And again: Why do you want a remake of Final Fantasy 7? I've heard so much demand for one but no real reasoning for it. It was a great game yes but the be-all-end-all of Final Fantasy/JRPGS/Playstation/games in general? Surely not.
I can understand if this intense demand was utilized in order to preserve games from the ravages of time *coughPanzerDragoonSagacough* but Final Fantasy 7 isn't really going away anytime soon. And if SquareEnix aren't interested in touching their Golden Goose again, then they should be left be.
So in conclusion may I state a reiteration from an earlier post:
We need to talk.
I have seen your constant demand for a Final Fantasy 7 remake. I have seen you being inspired ever since SqueeEnix put out that PS3 tech demo. I have seen you being passionate, like no other, about a game made fifteen years ago. I have seen you go the effort of trying to convince SqueeEnix it can be done. I've seen you put forth technical arguments challenging the claims made by SqueeEnix. And I have seen you refute the arguments of any nay-sayers.
And I give you credit: I've been interested in computer and video gaming since the late eighties and I have never seen people get so passionate about a game before or since (well maybe the fiasco over the Mass Effect 3 ending but still). I admire that you love something so much that you're willing to stand by it with the passion of a religious zealot. And I'm impressed that you still admire a game made fifteen years and two generations ago when countless other games have been ditched and forgotten by the passage of time.
But I simply have to ask the following question: Why do you want a remake of Final Fantasy 7?
No really: Why DO you WANT a remake of your favorite game?
A lot of arguments I have for the FF7 remake seem to be largely based on technological and economic knowledge and the argument of "JUST SHUT UP AND DO IT!!". These are all claims that suggest that it can be done therefore it should be done but why? You must really want a FF7 remake so badly that you'll go to the effort of challenging any nay-sayer but is the effort really worth all this trouble?
The economic argument suggests that people will buy it because it will be a huge seller, justify any enormous production cost and save SqueeEnix from any potential financial calamity. But this is more or less speculative. And like any company, SqueeEnix decides the movements they make for themselves - meaning you, the consumer, have no say in whatever they do (sad but true).
Besides, would you really buy anything with the Final Fantasy 7 logo? Saying so seems to suggest that people would buy a game where Sephiroth runs through a field on a sunny day throwing flowers everywhere but we know this is not the case.
I have seen a lot of challenges to the technical effort involved stating that, despite what's being claimed, it can be done and it is feasible - regardless of factors such as updating a technology fifteen years old, the necessity of motion capture, the implementation of voice acting and building 3d environment from scratch.
That may be the case but really the originally FF7 did what it set out to do on the tools it had available. I mean, you may dismiss the original character models for looking like they do, but consider this: They somehow do work in the game’s favor. The goofy looking character models make the goofier moments in the game easier to swallow. I mean come on: Do we really want to see an Advent Children-esque Cloud wearing a dress?
No really: do you WANT to see an Advent Children-esque Cloud in a Dress?
Last time I checked Final Fantasy 7 is still available on the PSN so it isn't like it's NOT getting played. And it's not like a FF7 remake will give the PS3 the hit it needs - if anything it will place Sony in the rather uncomfortable position on relying on past hits rather than forging new ground. A position that is currently occupied by Nintendo and subsequently earned them a lot of scorn.
And who on earth would WANT to be in that position?
Again: Why do you want a remake of Final Fantasy 7? The offical stance from SqueeEnix is that they are far more interested in trying to make something that reaches, or even surpasses, Final Fantasy 7's achievements. However such a statement can be easily taken as a fool's errand. So, tell me: Are SqueeEnix not allowed to at least try? I know every Final Fantasy that has followed 7 has split a opinion like no other so it seem that people would rather that they give up. True FF7 was a combination of the right talent in the right areas that came at the right time that it will most likely never happen again but do you want a remake over any new material so badly? And, as is often the case with game remakes, do you want to see a game you enjoyed as a child tarnished and ruined beyond comprehension?
So it seems doubtful that SqueeEnix will ever match, let alone eclipse, the glorious heights achieved by Final Fantasy 7. It would be like, by way of comparison, Weezer releasing an album on par with the Blue Album and Pinkerton and it's widespread knowledge that such a thing is never going to happen.
And again: Why do you want a remake of Final Fantasy 7? I've heard so much demand for one but no real reasoning for it. It was a great game yes but the be-all-end-all of Final Fantasy/JRPGS/Playstation/games in general? Surely not.
I can understand if this intense demand was utilized in order to preserve games from the ravages of time *coughPanzerDragoonSagacough* but Final Fantasy 7 isn't really going away anytime soon. And if SquareEnix aren't interested in touching their Golden Goose again, then they should be left be.
So in conclusion may I state a reiteration from an earlier post:
Really, the more I look at this notion of remaking Final Fantasy 7 the more it become clear that people are after the same experience they had when they were ten years old. That being said, let me tell you something kids: When I was ten years old, I played Pool of Radiance on the Commodore 64. I played it, loved it, and was my gateway drug to the worlds of both RPGs and Dungeons & Dragons. Years later it got a remake - but it was one many people would rather forget.
Friday, July 13, 2012
Nightfall
Some exciting news: The Sega Saturn classic Nights into Dreams is coming to PSN and XBLA as a HD revamp:
Well this is good news: I've played a bit of Nights in the past and have enjoyed so having it in HD is welcome in my book.
But personally this is indeed a welcome move on Sega's part: I've said before they were doing themselves a disservice through not having Saturn games readily available on a downloadable service. Sure not everything on the Saturn was crash hot but there were a few diamonds in the rough that indeed worthy of preservation for generations of gamers to come.
I just hope that Nights may be the spark that inspires Sega to revamp more Saturn titles *coughShinginForce3coughPanzerDragoonSagacough*
Well this is good news: I've played a bit of Nights in the past and have enjoyed so having it in HD is welcome in my book.
But personally this is indeed a welcome move on Sega's part: I've said before they were doing themselves a disservice through not having Saturn games readily available on a downloadable service. Sure not everything on the Saturn was crash hot but there were a few diamonds in the rough that indeed worthy of preservation for generations of gamers to come.
I just hope that Nights may be the spark that inspires Sega to revamp more Saturn titles *coughShinginForce3coughPanzerDragoonSagacough*
Monday, March 19, 2012
Saturn V
This weekend, I was at AI-Con - Tasmania's prestigious anime convention. As well as engaging in the usual convention trappings such as cosplay, gameshows and talking to other nutters, I did spend some time in the games room - where lo and behold I stumbled across a Sega Saturn.
I've said a lot about the Sega Saturn before - mostly wondering why Sega aren't doing anything with the games that came on it. I've heard no concrete evidence as to why: some say source codes for certain games were lost and others say the Saturn's complex technology is too difficult to emulate.
But I digress: Over the course of the weekend I got to play Nights and Panzer Dragoon for the first time in a long time.
I've said it before and I'll say it again: Many of the games of the fifth generation may have looked impressive at the time but now they seem to have aged rather horribly. Granted there are one or two exceptions (Castlevania: Symphony of the Night being one such example - and maybe Final Fantasy IX) but many fifth generation games, I find, don't look great at all - to the point one can only wonder what the big deal was originally. And the same can be said of my experience playing the Saturn. I have been interested in Panzer Dragoon series for it's ideas, art direction and Saga's status of being the holy grail of gaming - playing it, the graphics look too pixelated that was often hard to see what was happening. And Nights didn't fare much better: The lack of the 3d controller made it had to get into grips with and the game graphics looked pixalated, again, and nowhere near the intro I feel in love with back in 1996.
Mind you, I've always wondered why Sega doesn't dust off the Saturn titles like they have done with the Megadrive and the Dreamcast but I think I see why: I've seen firsthand that many Saturn titles look like arse now - when compared to the Dreamcast and even some Megadrive titles. It's equally possible that maybe Sega would like to forget about the consoles that didn't work out for them.
Funny how things seem daft the further you get from your teens.....
But here's a thought: The Virtual Console, PSN and XBLA have really gone to an effort of making old games accessible to many people - some of whom may not have played the titles in question, It makes me wonder how many other games have been passed over for release and will thus forever remain unplayed.....
I've said a lot about the Sega Saturn before - mostly wondering why Sega aren't doing anything with the games that came on it. I've heard no concrete evidence as to why: some say source codes for certain games were lost and others say the Saturn's complex technology is too difficult to emulate.
But I digress: Over the course of the weekend I got to play Nights and Panzer Dragoon for the first time in a long time.
I've said it before and I'll say it again: Many of the games of the fifth generation may have looked impressive at the time but now they seem to have aged rather horribly. Granted there are one or two exceptions (Castlevania: Symphony of the Night being one such example - and maybe Final Fantasy IX) but many fifth generation games, I find, don't look great at all - to the point one can only wonder what the big deal was originally. And the same can be said of my experience playing the Saturn. I have been interested in Panzer Dragoon series for it's ideas, art direction and Saga's status of being the holy grail of gaming - playing it, the graphics look too pixelated that was often hard to see what was happening. And Nights didn't fare much better: The lack of the 3d controller made it had to get into grips with and the game graphics looked pixalated, again, and nowhere near the intro I feel in love with back in 1996.
Mind you, I've always wondered why Sega doesn't dust off the Saturn titles like they have done with the Megadrive and the Dreamcast but I think I see why: I've seen firsthand that many Saturn titles look like arse now - when compared to the Dreamcast and even some Megadrive titles. It's equally possible that maybe Sega would like to forget about the consoles that didn't work out for them.
Funny how things seem daft the further you get from your teens.....
But here's a thought: The Virtual Console, PSN and XBLA have really gone to an effort of making old games accessible to many people - some of whom may not have played the titles in question, It makes me wonder how many other games have been passed over for release and will thus forever remain unplayed.....
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
31 Songs (addendum)
And so the month that was the Planet of Sound series, comes to an end. And I can tell you: Choosing the thirty one songs that made up the serial was not an easy task - let alone writing a paragraph each to go with them! There were so many other great video game tunes I wanted to include but to cut the selection down to thirty one was a tough call - as such many other tunes I liked had to be discarded.
But having said, there's no reason why the one's that didn't make the cut shouldn't get their moment in the sun. So, to wrap this serial up, I present some of the tunes that didn't make the list. Some of them were victims of my self-imposed restrictions and others had to be cut out for slack of room.
So, for the final part of the serial, may I present the rank outsiders:
Xenon 2: Megablast
For the unfamiliar, Xenon 2: Megablast was a game that, for it's day, was a big hit on the Amiga. It was put together by the legendary Bitmap Brothers who, at the time, pushing the idea of software developers into the public eye and incorporating well-known musicians into their works. Of course, this sounds old hat now but it was unique at the time (late eighties). And thus the theme for Xenon 2 was an accurate recreation of the song Megablast done by Bomb the Bass - which is in itself a remix of the theme to Assault on Precinct 13.
Of course, it seems quite unfair to have commercially available tracks in my list so thus it didn't make the cut. But damn, what a rockin' theme this - somehow perfect for gunning down enemies by the hundreds.
Shadow of the Beast - Title theme
Another lost treasure from the Commodore Amiga. I must admit I never played this game (thus automatically preventing it from making the cut) and it's only in recent years, through the magic of youtube, that I came across this theme. But what a stunning theme it is: It's a freaky theme that sounds genuinely scary with it's odd percussion and shrilling flutes. It's truly the sound of an evil forest wherein beasts lie and evil acts are being committed.
And it would seem that if you go to down the woods today you're in for a BIG surprise.....
Truxton - Far Away
Another theme I remember fondly from my childhood. It's a rocking theme and somehow fitting for flying through space and gunning down anything dumb enough to stand in your way.
I know I've been critical of the musical capabilities of the Megadrive before but you know what? I think this is actually much better then it's original arcade counterpart. Somehow, the original comes across as being a bit stiff whilst this seems much more energetic.
So why didn't this make the cut then? That's a very good question. Either space was limited or I didn't think of it at the time. Oh well, it get's it's own place here then!
ActRaiser - Filmore
This should've made the cut but alas, space was limited. Nevertheless, here it is in all it's sword-swinging, demon-smiting glory.
It's a rockin' theme driven entirely by the bass line. Indeed the latter deserves particular theme as it really grabs the attention of the listener and really delivers a sound that one wouldn't think possible on the SNES. The bass makes the tune rumble and drives it forward in a manner that would've made Cliff Burton proud.
Other than that, this is a grandiose theme perfectly fitting for a god. And for smiting demons with a huge sword.
Oh No More Lemmings - Ingame 4
This too should've made the cut: Oh No More Lemmings is loaded to the gills with maddeningly catchy tunes (again all sounding much better on the Amiga than anywhere else) so it was difficult to choose one. That and it was hard to find on youtube. But no matter: It's for the reason of making these tunes heard that this addendum was created.
As mentioned above, the music in Oh No More Lemmings have to be amazingly catchy. It sounds goofy but even now I see such a simple catchy melody - not unlike a children's nursery rhyme - and a load of colours laid on top of it. It may sound simple but really there is a lot of complexity being put to work. Indeed, I think that years later I can still recall these tunes and catch myself unwittingly humming them.
Thus it is hard for me to choose one because they're all so damn memorable. But I think this is the I like the best. Not sure why but I fear that if I try to explain it, it may lose significance. So lets move on shall we?
Daytona USA
Sure nowadays we may laugh at the bad Engrish and the unrelenting refrain of "Daytooooooonnnnnnnaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!!" but I think that's the key to the theme's success. The refrain commands attention - which is exactly what an arcade game must do in order to reap the change from any passerby's. As a selling point it works a treat as people can remember the theme years later. It also doesn't that the theme is a fantastically energetic and rockin' theme - perfect for a racing game.
Again, I'm not sure why this made the cut. Maybe the fact that the refrain is the only part people remembering held it back. Maybe, again, I didn't think of it at the time - cut no matter. With this post, I now provide an excuse to shout out "Daytooooooonnnnnnnaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!!"
Panzer Dragoon - Flight
Another tune from a game I never played. True I've played Zwei (however briefly) but the first Panzer Dragoon game eluded me. Thus, it didn't make the cut. Sure there were some tunes from games I've never played that did make the cut (ie Chrono Cross and Shining Force 3) but for me they work just as well outside the game - which is rarer than one would think.
Still, this addendum was written to give those that didn't make the cut some attention so, lets talk Flight:
As time marches on, the series that is Panzer Dragoon will keep descending into a legendary status. It had some great ideas and wonderful art direction but sadly, it wasn't played by enough people. Sure there have been attempts to remake it but Team Andromeda has since folded and scattered - thus ensuring that there will never be another quite like it. Sure Panzer Dragoon Saga may endure as gaming's Holy Grail with the passing of time, it;s looking increasingly clear that the Panzer Dragoon series will never reappear to satisfy the longing of those who want to play it (like me!).
Yet scraps of information on the series remain on youtube: not least this wonderful theme. I love the orchestral arrangement in this theme and it fits perfectly the mood of flying across deserts on the back of a majestic dragon. Not much else I can say bar I love this theme - even if I never have (and probably never will) played the game it's from.
And with that, this serial comes to a conclusion. I hope you enjoyed reading this and you've come away from it having discovered something new. Until next time, may the music last forever. Cheers!
But having said, there's no reason why the one's that didn't make the cut shouldn't get their moment in the sun. So, to wrap this serial up, I present some of the tunes that didn't make the list. Some of them were victims of my self-imposed restrictions and others had to be cut out for slack of room.
So, for the final part of the serial, may I present the rank outsiders:
Xenon 2: Megablast
For the unfamiliar, Xenon 2: Megablast was a game that, for it's day, was a big hit on the Amiga. It was put together by the legendary Bitmap Brothers who, at the time, pushing the idea of software developers into the public eye and incorporating well-known musicians into their works. Of course, this sounds old hat now but it was unique at the time (late eighties). And thus the theme for Xenon 2 was an accurate recreation of the song Megablast done by Bomb the Bass - which is in itself a remix of the theme to Assault on Precinct 13.
Of course, it seems quite unfair to have commercially available tracks in my list so thus it didn't make the cut. But damn, what a rockin' theme this - somehow perfect for gunning down enemies by the hundreds.
Shadow of the Beast - Title theme
Another lost treasure from the Commodore Amiga. I must admit I never played this game (thus automatically preventing it from making the cut) and it's only in recent years, through the magic of youtube, that I came across this theme. But what a stunning theme it is: It's a freaky theme that sounds genuinely scary with it's odd percussion and shrilling flutes. It's truly the sound of an evil forest wherein beasts lie and evil acts are being committed.
And it would seem that if you go to down the woods today you're in for a BIG surprise.....
Truxton - Far Away
Another theme I remember fondly from my childhood. It's a rocking theme and somehow fitting for flying through space and gunning down anything dumb enough to stand in your way.
I know I've been critical of the musical capabilities of the Megadrive before but you know what? I think this is actually much better then it's original arcade counterpart. Somehow, the original comes across as being a bit stiff whilst this seems much more energetic.
So why didn't this make the cut then? That's a very good question. Either space was limited or I didn't think of it at the time. Oh well, it get's it's own place here then!
ActRaiser - Filmore
This should've made the cut but alas, space was limited. Nevertheless, here it is in all it's sword-swinging, demon-smiting glory.
It's a rockin' theme driven entirely by the bass line. Indeed the latter deserves particular theme as it really grabs the attention of the listener and really delivers a sound that one wouldn't think possible on the SNES. The bass makes the tune rumble and drives it forward in a manner that would've made Cliff Burton proud.
Other than that, this is a grandiose theme perfectly fitting for a god. And for smiting demons with a huge sword.
Oh No More Lemmings - Ingame 4
This too should've made the cut: Oh No More Lemmings is loaded to the gills with maddeningly catchy tunes (again all sounding much better on the Amiga than anywhere else) so it was difficult to choose one. That and it was hard to find on youtube. But no matter: It's for the reason of making these tunes heard that this addendum was created.
As mentioned above, the music in Oh No More Lemmings have to be amazingly catchy. It sounds goofy but even now I see such a simple catchy melody - not unlike a children's nursery rhyme - and a load of colours laid on top of it. It may sound simple but really there is a lot of complexity being put to work. Indeed, I think that years later I can still recall these tunes and catch myself unwittingly humming them.
Thus it is hard for me to choose one because they're all so damn memorable. But I think this is the I like the best. Not sure why but I fear that if I try to explain it, it may lose significance. So lets move on shall we?
Daytona USA
Sure nowadays we may laugh at the bad Engrish and the unrelenting refrain of "Daytooooooonnnnnnnaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!!" but I think that's the key to the theme's success. The refrain commands attention - which is exactly what an arcade game must do in order to reap the change from any passerby's. As a selling point it works a treat as people can remember the theme years later. It also doesn't that the theme is a fantastically energetic and rockin' theme - perfect for a racing game.
Again, I'm not sure why this made the cut. Maybe the fact that the refrain is the only part people remembering held it back. Maybe, again, I didn't think of it at the time - cut no matter. With this post, I now provide an excuse to shout out "Daytooooooonnnnnnnaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!!"
Panzer Dragoon - Flight
Another tune from a game I never played. True I've played Zwei (however briefly) but the first Panzer Dragoon game eluded me. Thus, it didn't make the cut. Sure there were some tunes from games I've never played that did make the cut (ie Chrono Cross and Shining Force 3) but for me they work just as well outside the game - which is rarer than one would think.
Still, this addendum was written to give those that didn't make the cut some attention so, lets talk Flight:
As time marches on, the series that is Panzer Dragoon will keep descending into a legendary status. It had some great ideas and wonderful art direction but sadly, it wasn't played by enough people. Sure there have been attempts to remake it but Team Andromeda has since folded and scattered - thus ensuring that there will never be another quite like it. Sure Panzer Dragoon Saga may endure as gaming's Holy Grail with the passing of time, it;s looking increasingly clear that the Panzer Dragoon series will never reappear to satisfy the longing of those who want to play it (like me!).
Yet scraps of information on the series remain on youtube: not least this wonderful theme. I love the orchestral arrangement in this theme and it fits perfectly the mood of flying across deserts on the back of a majestic dragon. Not much else I can say bar I love this theme - even if I never have (and probably never will) played the game it's from.
And with that, this serial comes to a conclusion. I hope you enjoyed reading this and you've come away from it having discovered something new. Until next time, may the music last forever. Cheers!
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
Return of Saturn
Megadrive emulators are now a dime a dozen aren’t they? Frist there was the Megadrive Collection and then the Sonic Mega Collection and now, more recently, there’s Sega Megadrive Ultimate collection and the Sega Gold Classics Collection.
I was already suspicious with the presence Sega Megadrive Ultimate collection: Whilst the presence of a Hi-Def revamp is welcome enough, it begged the question of why the collection needed to exist: Many of these games are available for download on the Virtual Console, XBLA and the PSN and many of them appeared on the previous collection. But if the existence of the Sega Megadrive Ultimate collection is a puzzling one then what is the purpose of the Sega Gold Platinum Diamond Classics Hall of Fame Whatever the hell it’s called Collection? Many of the games featured on this monstrosity are already available elsewhere (and without much difficulty) and the actual differences to it and it’s predecessors are minor. So the question remains: why does this latest compilation exist?
Personally, I’m growing tired of Sega’s old games reappearing in these collections. True we can all agree that Sega’s defining moment came in the form of the Megadrive but the continual presence of these collections is more than beating a dead horse. Don’t get me wrong: I loved Sonic and the Megadrive when I was a kid but I don’t want the same games being churned out in a factory-like fashion. I don’t want the lesser moments of Sega trying to pass themselves off as a highpoint. I don’t want Sega to keep telling me: “Remember when we used to be good?!?!?”
Sure we may all agree that the Megadrive was Sega’s finest hour but this is what disturbs me the most: Anything else simply doesn’t matter. Now I can understand that re-releasing old games and making them readily available can inspire both old-timers, like myself, and entice the curious but why is this move confined to the Megadrive? Sega made other consoles but they are being shunned – but even before I complete typing this sentence I can already think of the reason why: The Megadrive sold and the others didn’t. Thus it seems possible that Sega isn’t willing to take such risks and, most likely, would rather their past mistakes remained buried. True the Dreamcast got a collection of it’s own on the 360 but most likely the console itself was a decent enough seller to warrant it (a worthy achievement in itself seeing how much vile is reserved for other failed consoles in the history of gaming).
But personally I would like to see Sega’s other consoles given a new lease of life: I want to see the Mega CD brought back into the light and maybe given the respect that eluded it the first time around. Forget the lousy FMV that plagued the system and one will find the system had some worthy games that are indeed worth a second chance: Android Assault, Eternal Champions, Final Fight, Lunar Silver Star, Popful Mail, Vay, Silpheed, Shining Force and Snatcher. Who knows? If you focus on the strengths, people may be willing to forget the faults.
And what about the Saturn? Some may claim that Sega maybe unwilling to touch it because of Saturn’s infamous complexity in programming the games for it. But most likely Sega may not be willing to return to a rather black spot in their history. However I think otherwise - I can think of some highlights that may surely warrant a second look: Burning Rangers, Deep Fear, Dark Seed, Dragon Force, Guardian Heroes, Radiant Silver gun and Shining in the Holy Ark. If they did a new version of NiGHTs for the Wii why not dust the original off? Who wouldn’t want to see the two unreleased chapters of Shining Force 3 finally see the light of day? And how many of you want the play the fabled Panzer Dragoon Saga (I know I do!)?
Hey if people can come with an emulator for the Saturn then it is possible to circumnavigate the complexity of the system, right?
Alas, as I said before, it seems that whilst the Megadrive was a big seller the other consoles in Sega’s history weren’t. Thus it seems clear that Sega aren’t prepared to take such a risk. And the mention of risks seems a bit strange since the Sega I grew up with wasn’t the kind to play it safe. Sure many of those risks didn’t exactly pay off but who was it that shrugged off the Mortal Kombat fatalities when Nintendo balked out? Sega. Who had the audacity to permanently bump off a character partway through their flagship RPG series before Aerith Gainsborough? Sega.
Okay so maybe Sega aren’t exactly in a position where they once were able to take chances but dammit, I would rather see a collection of Mega CD or Saturn games than yet another attempt to convince me Altered Beast, Bonanza Bros, Gain Ground and the Megadrive Virtua Fighter were any good.
And hey, I would’ve gladly played Knuckles Chaotix appear on the Sonic Gems Collection, as opposed to the lousy Game Gear games, any day
I was already suspicious with the presence Sega Megadrive Ultimate collection: Whilst the presence of a Hi-Def revamp is welcome enough, it begged the question of why the collection needed to exist: Many of these games are available for download on the Virtual Console, XBLA and the PSN and many of them appeared on the previous collection. But if the existence of the Sega Megadrive Ultimate collection is a puzzling one then what is the purpose of the Sega Gold Platinum Diamond Classics Hall of Fame Whatever the hell it’s called Collection? Many of the games featured on this monstrosity are already available elsewhere (and without much difficulty) and the actual differences to it and it’s predecessors are minor. So the question remains: why does this latest compilation exist?
Personally, I’m growing tired of Sega’s old games reappearing in these collections. True we can all agree that Sega’s defining moment came in the form of the Megadrive but the continual presence of these collections is more than beating a dead horse. Don’t get me wrong: I loved Sonic and the Megadrive when I was a kid but I don’t want the same games being churned out in a factory-like fashion. I don’t want the lesser moments of Sega trying to pass themselves off as a highpoint. I don’t want Sega to keep telling me: “Remember when we used to be good?!?!?”
Sure we may all agree that the Megadrive was Sega’s finest hour but this is what disturbs me the most: Anything else simply doesn’t matter. Now I can understand that re-releasing old games and making them readily available can inspire both old-timers, like myself, and entice the curious but why is this move confined to the Megadrive? Sega made other consoles but they are being shunned – but even before I complete typing this sentence I can already think of the reason why: The Megadrive sold and the others didn’t. Thus it seems possible that Sega isn’t willing to take such risks and, most likely, would rather their past mistakes remained buried. True the Dreamcast got a collection of it’s own on the 360 but most likely the console itself was a decent enough seller to warrant it (a worthy achievement in itself seeing how much vile is reserved for other failed consoles in the history of gaming).
But personally I would like to see Sega’s other consoles given a new lease of life: I want to see the Mega CD brought back into the light and maybe given the respect that eluded it the first time around. Forget the lousy FMV that plagued the system and one will find the system had some worthy games that are indeed worth a second chance: Android Assault, Eternal Champions, Final Fight, Lunar Silver Star, Popful Mail, Vay, Silpheed, Shining Force and Snatcher. Who knows? If you focus on the strengths, people may be willing to forget the faults.
And what about the Saturn? Some may claim that Sega maybe unwilling to touch it because of Saturn’s infamous complexity in programming the games for it. But most likely Sega may not be willing to return to a rather black spot in their history. However I think otherwise - I can think of some highlights that may surely warrant a second look: Burning Rangers, Deep Fear, Dark Seed, Dragon Force, Guardian Heroes, Radiant Silver gun and Shining in the Holy Ark. If they did a new version of NiGHTs for the Wii why not dust the original off? Who wouldn’t want to see the two unreleased chapters of Shining Force 3 finally see the light of day? And how many of you want the play the fabled Panzer Dragoon Saga (I know I do!)?
Hey if people can come with an emulator for the Saturn then it is possible to circumnavigate the complexity of the system, right?
Alas, as I said before, it seems that whilst the Megadrive was a big seller the other consoles in Sega’s history weren’t. Thus it seems clear that Sega aren’t prepared to take such a risk. And the mention of risks seems a bit strange since the Sega I grew up with wasn’t the kind to play it safe. Sure many of those risks didn’t exactly pay off but who was it that shrugged off the Mortal Kombat fatalities when Nintendo balked out? Sega. Who had the audacity to permanently bump off a character partway through their flagship RPG series before Aerith Gainsborough? Sega.
Okay so maybe Sega aren’t exactly in a position where they once were able to take chances but dammit, I would rather see a collection of Mega CD or Saturn games than yet another attempt to convince me Altered Beast, Bonanza Bros, Gain Ground and the Megadrive Virtua Fighter were any good.
And hey, I would’ve gladly played Knuckles Chaotix appear on the Sonic Gems Collection, as opposed to the lousy Game Gear games, any day
Friday, August 5, 2011
Degeneration (no.5)
And here we go with the next installment in this series. And what a time the fifth console generation was: A new contender stepped into the field and everything was turned upside down. How did this affect me? Funny you should ask…
Sony Playstation
Well there was no getting around it. If anything, the fifth console generation will be best remembered by the arrival of Sony in the console race. And unlike other would-be contenders, like the 3DO or the Jaguar, the PlayStation had the support of a major electronics company behind it and a cunning marketing plan clearly aimed at young adults. Right from the word go Sony had become a force that was pretty much here to stay.
For much the mid-nineties I was in high school and as a result, my interest in video games waned – true I did get abreast of what was happening but other times my focus was elsewhere. Yet even with my aloofness there was really no escape the Playstation juggernaut. I was surprised to see familiar franchises like Castlevania and Metal Gear get a new lease of life. I recall seeing ads for Final Fantasy 8 on TV and I was equally surprised to see PS1 games appear in my local music store. But even if my interest in PS1 was limited at the time, I do recall visiting friends (again) and playing Tekken and Loaded. I also recognised conversions of favourite arcade games (Darkstalkers), Windows 95 games (Return Fire) and adaptations of ace anime (Ghost in the Shell).
True my interest in video games had hit a low point but I knew what Playstation was and it was reason enough to get excited. I recall thinking what games I’d get if I got one (although I’d only actually play them in the next generation…..more on that later) so that must make for a positive sign. I remember seeing some of the stunning game cinematic and being blown away.
In retrospect though, there is something about the Playstation that doesn’t sit well with me. Remember in my SNES review how people will struggle to come with a best game that wasn’t made by Square or Nintendo? Well, it’s the same problem here.
Allow me to elaborate: One of the key reasons behind the success of the Playstation is that it was able to offer a home to a lot of third-party developers who were angry at Sega’s missteps and annoyed Nintendo’s restrictions. Thus, it’s clear to me that whilst a lot of familiar IP got a new lease of life many attempts to come up with something new didn’t go anywhere.
Ask anyone which was the best PS1 game and they’d say either Castlevania Symphony of the Night, Final Fantasy 7 or Metal Gear Solid. Beyond those big three it’s a struggle to come up with something else. Aside from Gran Turismo and maybe Tomb Raider it’s a struggle to come up with any real franchise starters. Sure the afore-mentioned ‘Big Three’ may have gone their own direction but they still started from somewhere else nonetheless. Granted Sony may have at least tried to say something new with their blitzkrieg marketing campaign but in the end, what put them on the map was a bunch of old faces given a facelift.
But whatever misgivings I may have about the Playstation, there was no denying it was a hit and was here to stay. It got me excited and changed gaming forever. And that is indeed an achievement that can’t be ignored.
Sega Saturn
And thus the honeymoon ended….
Like most people, my status as a Sega fanboy pretty much died with the Saturn. As mentioned above, my interest were being diverted elsewhere and Sony was proving to be an attractive prospect. Plus I was aware of Sega’s failed add-ons, the Mega CD and the 32X, that didn’t really go anywhere. But even when I saw Saturn games in the stores, there was a part of me that realised that the Sega of then was different one to the Sega that gave us Sonic and the Megadrive.
Nevertheless I still kept an eye on things that were happening in the Sega camp. And in retrospect the Saturn did have some potential. Aside from the prospect of having conversions of then popular arcades (Virtua Cop 1+2 come to mind), at least Sega tried to bring new IP to the table. Sure not all of them were successful (ie Bug and Clockwork Knight) but in some cases it worked in their favour. I recall seeing Nights into Dreams and thinking it had a degree of beauty unlike anything I had seen before. I was also impressed with the creative designs that went into the Panzer Dragoon games.
Indeed much has been written about how complex it was to program games for the Saturn but it is only recently that I found out how many of the unique designs for some games came about only because the programmers were working within the limitations that faced them. And it’s interesting to see, in retrospect, the contrast between the Playstation and Saturn. Whereas the former favoured sci-fi-esque landscapes (Final Fantasy 7+8 and, to a lesser extent, Metal Gear Solid), the latter seemed to go in a direction leaning to fantasy/steampunk (ie Panzer Dragoon and Shining Force 3). This was indeed an idea, and an identity, that had potential so it’s indeed a disappointment that it wasn’t pushed further.
Ultimately, there isn’t a lot I can say about the Sega Saturn. I didn’t buy one and in retrospect, it proved to be a wise move. True it may have turned me off Sega for a long time, like most people, but it was more a natural progression of life than a betrayal. But now, like many historical revisionists, I have to give Sega some credit: They were trying something new. Through the complexity of the Saturn’s programming, they realised the necessity to build new IP and tried to say something new and unique with the tools they had at their disposal. True, a move like that would prove horrifically risky for any company – more so when said company is losing vital ground and left withering in uncertainty. But in the end, the Saturn ended up with a truly unique game library and that in itself is worth some credit.
N64
I hear people say today that the N64 wasn’t as big a seller as its predecessors. But most likely those people were from the US. During the late nineties I remember knowing many people who owned one of these – In fact now that I think about it, the people who owned an N64 outnumbered those who owned a PS1.
For many people, the N64 was another turning point in the history of gaming: It was the epitome of the fifth generation and many people today can recite tales of their childhood spent playing Super Mario 64 and Ocarina of Time. But I personally have a different perspective of the N64 – you see it represents me the things I didn’t like about the fifth generation.
Don’t get me wrong: I have fond memories of going to friends’ places and playing against each other in Goldeneye 007 and Diddy Kong Racing. I also played Super Mario 64 too. But for me the 3d age was here in full effect and the N64 represented the unease I felt at the time.
I recall playing Super Mario 64 for the first time and found it hard to get into grips with – the wonky camera didn’t really help much either. Most of the time I spent playing Mario 64 involved me running Mario around like headless chook wondering what the hell I was supposed to do next. During this time I played other 3D games, some before Mario 64, and at times I found them unwieldy and no fun at all to play. And such a disgust did indeed influence my playing of Mario 64.
Secondly, whereas I felt the SNES had beautiful graphics (and still do), much of the 3D graphics took a lot of getting used to. Compared to it’s predecessor, the models on the N64 looked hideous! They were badly constructed and looked less like proper graphical models and more like a bunch of random squares thrown in together. To me, this seemed an awful step backwards to what the SNES had accomplished and made me feel put off by the fifth generation and wondering if things had truly taken a turn for the worse.
Of course now, in 2011, such a contemptuous view has been softened (somewhat): Sure we can whinge about the camera on Super Mario 64 but at that point many of the developers were trying new things and coming into grips with this new technology. Indeed, it is interesting to see many of the things they tried in Super Mario 64 get reworked, and improved, with Ocarina of Time. And in a way, it could be said that both Nintendo and Sega were going through an experimental phase at this point in time, trying to find what works. But in that case, Nintendo proved more successful.
So in the end, despite my initial mistrust, I can now use the Virtual Console to download games for the N64 and can play them with fresh eyes. And despite my annoyance with wonky cameras, I can see there was some beauty within the beast.
If this write up seems a bit bland that’s because during the fifth generation my youthful enthusiasm for gaming consoles was in a period of remission. Sure much of it comes in the form of unease towards the innovations of the fifth generation (as with any new technology) but ultimately, it was more a natural progression of life: You find new things, you embrace them for so long until you then move onto other new things. And this case, the real world demanded attention: I had left secondary school and ahead lay college and, eventually, University.
And in retrospect, gaming of the fifth generation represented, for me, a transitional period. The seemingly untouchable Nintendo was beginning to try out new ideas and technology and, as before, everyone was taking note. The former heavyweight Sega had been crippled but was also in an experimental phase, trying out new ideas and ways to get the point across. And the newcomer Sony welcomed in many giants in from the previous eras to ride all the way to the top. The once, two-horse race had now opened up to three and, by the generations end, had revealed three very different outcomes for each contender.
But as I said it was a transitional period: Many of these changes I remained oblivious to with my attention being diverted elsewhere. Thus I went off gaming for a number of years. But little did I know, gaming itself wasn’t going to give up on me that easily….
Sony Playstation
Well there was no getting around it. If anything, the fifth console generation will be best remembered by the arrival of Sony in the console race. And unlike other would-be contenders, like the 3DO or the Jaguar, the PlayStation had the support of a major electronics company behind it and a cunning marketing plan clearly aimed at young adults. Right from the word go Sony had become a force that was pretty much here to stay.
For much the mid-nineties I was in high school and as a result, my interest in video games waned – true I did get abreast of what was happening but other times my focus was elsewhere. Yet even with my aloofness there was really no escape the Playstation juggernaut. I was surprised to see familiar franchises like Castlevania and Metal Gear get a new lease of life. I recall seeing ads for Final Fantasy 8 on TV and I was equally surprised to see PS1 games appear in my local music store. But even if my interest in PS1 was limited at the time, I do recall visiting friends (again) and playing Tekken and Loaded. I also recognised conversions of favourite arcade games (Darkstalkers), Windows 95 games (Return Fire) and adaptations of ace anime (Ghost in the Shell).
True my interest in video games had hit a low point but I knew what Playstation was and it was reason enough to get excited. I recall thinking what games I’d get if I got one (although I’d only actually play them in the next generation…..more on that later) so that must make for a positive sign. I remember seeing some of the stunning game cinematic and being blown away.
In retrospect though, there is something about the Playstation that doesn’t sit well with me. Remember in my SNES review how people will struggle to come with a best game that wasn’t made by Square or Nintendo? Well, it’s the same problem here.
Allow me to elaborate: One of the key reasons behind the success of the Playstation is that it was able to offer a home to a lot of third-party developers who were angry at Sega’s missteps and annoyed Nintendo’s restrictions. Thus, it’s clear to me that whilst a lot of familiar IP got a new lease of life many attempts to come up with something new didn’t go anywhere.
Ask anyone which was the best PS1 game and they’d say either Castlevania Symphony of the Night, Final Fantasy 7 or Metal Gear Solid. Beyond those big three it’s a struggle to come up with something else. Aside from Gran Turismo and maybe Tomb Raider it’s a struggle to come up with any real franchise starters. Sure the afore-mentioned ‘Big Three’ may have gone their own direction but they still started from somewhere else nonetheless. Granted Sony may have at least tried to say something new with their blitzkrieg marketing campaign but in the end, what put them on the map was a bunch of old faces given a facelift.
But whatever misgivings I may have about the Playstation, there was no denying it was a hit and was here to stay. It got me excited and changed gaming forever. And that is indeed an achievement that can’t be ignored.
Sega Saturn
And thus the honeymoon ended….
Like most people, my status as a Sega fanboy pretty much died with the Saturn. As mentioned above, my interest were being diverted elsewhere and Sony was proving to be an attractive prospect. Plus I was aware of Sega’s failed add-ons, the Mega CD and the 32X, that didn’t really go anywhere. But even when I saw Saturn games in the stores, there was a part of me that realised that the Sega of then was different one to the Sega that gave us Sonic and the Megadrive.
Nevertheless I still kept an eye on things that were happening in the Sega camp. And in retrospect the Saturn did have some potential. Aside from the prospect of having conversions of then popular arcades (Virtua Cop 1+2 come to mind), at least Sega tried to bring new IP to the table. Sure not all of them were successful (ie Bug and Clockwork Knight) but in some cases it worked in their favour. I recall seeing Nights into Dreams and thinking it had a degree of beauty unlike anything I had seen before. I was also impressed with the creative designs that went into the Panzer Dragoon games.
Indeed much has been written about how complex it was to program games for the Saturn but it is only recently that I found out how many of the unique designs for some games came about only because the programmers were working within the limitations that faced them. And it’s interesting to see, in retrospect, the contrast between the Playstation and Saturn. Whereas the former favoured sci-fi-esque landscapes (Final Fantasy 7+8 and, to a lesser extent, Metal Gear Solid), the latter seemed to go in a direction leaning to fantasy/steampunk (ie Panzer Dragoon and Shining Force 3). This was indeed an idea, and an identity, that had potential so it’s indeed a disappointment that it wasn’t pushed further.
Ultimately, there isn’t a lot I can say about the Sega Saturn. I didn’t buy one and in retrospect, it proved to be a wise move. True it may have turned me off Sega for a long time, like most people, but it was more a natural progression of life than a betrayal. But now, like many historical revisionists, I have to give Sega some credit: They were trying something new. Through the complexity of the Saturn’s programming, they realised the necessity to build new IP and tried to say something new and unique with the tools they had at their disposal. True, a move like that would prove horrifically risky for any company – more so when said company is losing vital ground and left withering in uncertainty. But in the end, the Saturn ended up with a truly unique game library and that in itself is worth some credit.
N64
I hear people say today that the N64 wasn’t as big a seller as its predecessors. But most likely those people were from the US. During the late nineties I remember knowing many people who owned one of these – In fact now that I think about it, the people who owned an N64 outnumbered those who owned a PS1.
For many people, the N64 was another turning point in the history of gaming: It was the epitome of the fifth generation and many people today can recite tales of their childhood spent playing Super Mario 64 and Ocarina of Time. But I personally have a different perspective of the N64 – you see it represents me the things I didn’t like about the fifth generation.
Don’t get me wrong: I have fond memories of going to friends’ places and playing against each other in Goldeneye 007 and Diddy Kong Racing. I also played Super Mario 64 too. But for me the 3d age was here in full effect and the N64 represented the unease I felt at the time.
I recall playing Super Mario 64 for the first time and found it hard to get into grips with – the wonky camera didn’t really help much either. Most of the time I spent playing Mario 64 involved me running Mario around like headless chook wondering what the hell I was supposed to do next. During this time I played other 3D games, some before Mario 64, and at times I found them unwieldy and no fun at all to play. And such a disgust did indeed influence my playing of Mario 64.
Secondly, whereas I felt the SNES had beautiful graphics (and still do), much of the 3D graphics took a lot of getting used to. Compared to it’s predecessor, the models on the N64 looked hideous! They were badly constructed and looked less like proper graphical models and more like a bunch of random squares thrown in together. To me, this seemed an awful step backwards to what the SNES had accomplished and made me feel put off by the fifth generation and wondering if things had truly taken a turn for the worse.
Of course now, in 2011, such a contemptuous view has been softened (somewhat): Sure we can whinge about the camera on Super Mario 64 but at that point many of the developers were trying new things and coming into grips with this new technology. Indeed, it is interesting to see many of the things they tried in Super Mario 64 get reworked, and improved, with Ocarina of Time. And in a way, it could be said that both Nintendo and Sega were going through an experimental phase at this point in time, trying to find what works. But in that case, Nintendo proved more successful.
So in the end, despite my initial mistrust, I can now use the Virtual Console to download games for the N64 and can play them with fresh eyes. And despite my annoyance with wonky cameras, I can see there was some beauty within the beast.
If this write up seems a bit bland that’s because during the fifth generation my youthful enthusiasm for gaming consoles was in a period of remission. Sure much of it comes in the form of unease towards the innovations of the fifth generation (as with any new technology) but ultimately, it was more a natural progression of life: You find new things, you embrace them for so long until you then move onto other new things. And this case, the real world demanded attention: I had left secondary school and ahead lay college and, eventually, University.
And in retrospect, gaming of the fifth generation represented, for me, a transitional period. The seemingly untouchable Nintendo was beginning to try out new ideas and technology and, as before, everyone was taking note. The former heavyweight Sega had been crippled but was also in an experimental phase, trying out new ideas and ways to get the point across. And the newcomer Sony welcomed in many giants in from the previous eras to ride all the way to the top. The once, two-horse race had now opened up to three and, by the generations end, had revealed three very different outcomes for each contender.
But as I said it was a transitional period: Many of these changes I remained oblivious to with my attention being diverted elsewhere. Thus I went off gaming for a number of years. But little did I know, gaming itself wasn’t going to give up on me that easily….
Friday, February 18, 2011
Go you good thing go
Those who follow my blog will note I have been a champion for the Virtual Console for, if anything, providing me the opportunity to try out substantial games that I missed out on the first time around. But the thing is I've recently been disappointed with releases for the VC.
To me, there are a lot of great games available on the VC, but they share space with a lot of other games that are just rubbish - thus leaving a lot of more deserving games out in the cold. If the VC is offering gamers like myself a second chance why doesn't this prospect extend to the other side of the console? If the VC is built on the promise of gaming preservation, why have a lot of good games been overlooked?
What bothers me is that Nintendo have a lot of great games on the VC but an equal amount of crap games - that and the N64 games conspicuously the only console of it's generation available. It begs the question: If Nintendo have a wide access to games on obsolete consoles, why not take it further? I for one would like to see some of the Sega Saturn games released for the VC, namely DragonForce, Nights into Dreams and Panzer Dragoon Saga (sure demand will never end for a re-release of PDS but if it can be done, even if it is a straight up emulation, THEN DO IT). Sure the Saturn was a disaster in it's day but, as time tends to heal old wounds, maybe it is time to look at what did work with new eyes.
Granted the video game industry is driven by profit (like any other form of entertainment) but why not take some risks? Sure the original Final Fantasy can't compete on a technical level to it's successors, but the fact that it's appeared on the VC bestseller list says something. As the saying goes, fortune favors the brave. And the worst thing a gaming company can do is shut itself off from it's fanbase.
All in all, Nintendo have got something great going with the Virtual Console, in gaming preservation and offering second chances. It would be shame to have such potential squandered with decisions not being seen through out of timidness.
To me, there are a lot of great games available on the VC, but they share space with a lot of other games that are just rubbish - thus leaving a lot of more deserving games out in the cold. If the VC is offering gamers like myself a second chance why doesn't this prospect extend to the other side of the console? If the VC is built on the promise of gaming preservation, why have a lot of good games been overlooked?
What bothers me is that Nintendo have a lot of great games on the VC but an equal amount of crap games - that and the N64 games conspicuously the only console of it's generation available. It begs the question: If Nintendo have a wide access to games on obsolete consoles, why not take it further? I for one would like to see some of the Sega Saturn games released for the VC, namely DragonForce, Nights into Dreams and Panzer Dragoon Saga (sure demand will never end for a re-release of PDS but if it can be done, even if it is a straight up emulation, THEN DO IT). Sure the Saturn was a disaster in it's day but, as time tends to heal old wounds, maybe it is time to look at what did work with new eyes.
Granted the video game industry is driven by profit (like any other form of entertainment) but why not take some risks? Sure the original Final Fantasy can't compete on a technical level to it's successors, but the fact that it's appeared on the VC bestseller list says something. As the saying goes, fortune favors the brave. And the worst thing a gaming company can do is shut itself off from it's fanbase.
All in all, Nintendo have got something great going with the Virtual Console, in gaming preservation and offering second chances. It would be shame to have such potential squandered with decisions not being seen through out of timidness.
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