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Post by Ex on Jun 2, 2021 1:16:31 GMT -5
I'm a huge fan of platformers that have a new, unique locomotion system Glad to see an open mind towards locomotive innovation. In that case, don't miss out on Drill Dozer, if you've not played it yet. DD's outstanding and criminally ignored. (Obviously I agree with Sarge that it deserves to be in his 42 list.) I do too, it's an excellent platformer series. I am particularly fond of Umihara Kawase Shun: Second Edition Kanzenban on DS. Mainly because it includes the SFC original and PS1 sequel on one cart. It's the weakest of the three core games, but it's still quite good. Also, I only recommend the NES version of GQ2, as the GB version has some considerable issues that outweigh its additional content. you can imagine how many minds this blew twenty years ago I played MGS on PS1 right when it debuted via rental. It definitely blew my mind in 1998. To call the game ambitious would be an understatement. I still think it's the most atmospheric game on PS1 with the exception of Vagrant Story. That said, the writing is amusing but amateur hour, but that's our Kojima. I've only finished MGS the one time, but I remember my time investment was around 12 hours. Which is in line with HLTB's records for main story. I am sure replaying this game with prior knowledge speeds up completion time quite a bit, especially if you aren't goofin' around with optional stuff. Edit: Also I used a DualShock. - I started Crystalis today, but only managed to get 20 minutes invested so far. I like what I've seen and played already, I'm intrigued. I've seen Crystalis compared to Zelda many times, but honestly it reminds me more of Ys at this point. Also, if I hadn't read the game manual, I would have no idea what the plot even is. So I'm glad I did that before starting the game. I am wondering if this is the only RPG that SNK ever made. What compelled SNK to go for an action-RPG, compared to their usual stables of shmups and fighters? Definitely wasn't the developer I was expecting when I researched this one.
Does anyone else besides me remember this Crystalis commercial?: I distinctly remembered this commercial when I started playing the game, and of course it was on Youtube.
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Post by Xeogred on Jun 2, 2021 1:18:12 GMT -5
So... Game Over?
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Post by toei on Jun 2, 2021 1:34:55 GMT -5
Crystalis came out in 1990. SNK wasn't known for fighters then; I don't think they were really "known" at all. So it wasn't a big deal for them to make a RPG, since RPGs were all the rage, and they didn't have much of an identity yet. They did make another RPG later (Samurai Shodown RPG!). 1990 is also the year the Neo Geo came out, and the fighting game craze soon followed, so that probably explains why Crystalis never had a sequel.
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Post by Ex on Jun 2, 2021 1:50:37 GMT -5
Crystalis came out in 1990. SNK wasn't known for fighters then That's a good point. Looking back at what all SNK made pre-1990, I primarily see shmups, run 'n' guns, and sports games, but no fighters. SNK was probably best known for their Ikari Warrior games before 1990. From 1979 to 1989, it looks like SNK had never made any other RPG before Crystalis. I imagine they were testing the waters then. It is little wonder however after the Neo Geo dropped, and SNK's fighting games took off, that they didn't bother making more RPGs for a long time. Not until Shinsetsu Samurai Spirits BushidÅ Retsuden in 1997, best I can tell. I can't think of any other RPGs by SNK other than it and Crystalis though.
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Post by Sarge on Jun 2, 2021 12:36:30 GMT -5
Yeah, even if I didn't recognize it back in the day, Crystalis owes more to Ys than anything. One thing you'll discover as you play is that your base melee attack isn't great. Erratic enemy movements and your own really quick movement speed coupled with iffy range make it much worse than doing charge shots. In that way, it's like Mega Man X RPG or something. (Or, actually, more akin to Ys II with that fireball attack you get there.)
I remembered SNK back in the day primarily for Ikari Warriors (particularly the third game) and P.O.W., which is a solid arcade game and also has a decent NES port.
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Post by toei on Jun 2, 2021 12:55:12 GMT -5
True, Ikari was their big hit, especially outside of Japan.
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Post by paulofthewest on Jun 2, 2021 19:38:12 GMT -5
I haven't heard of any other early RPG by SNK either. I do wish they made a spiritual successor to Crystalis, as it was my favorite game as a kid. I agree it is more like Ys, but not that many people who played Crystalis know about Ys.
I've never seen that commercial before today, thank you.
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Post by Sarge on Jun 3, 2021 0:34:27 GMT -5
There was a rumor (pretty sure I read it in a GameFan) that they were working on a Neo Geo sequel, but that may have just been that, a rumor. Probably didn't even get off the ground. But then again, they did do SamShoRPG, so maybe it was at least in some sort of planning or state of prototype. Wouldn't that be a kick to see!
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Post by Xeogred on Jun 6, 2021 4:13:08 GMT -5
Jumped into Valkyrie Profile today for about two hours so far. I always had a good feeling about this game and so far it definitely seems amazing. I love how unique everything is, down to the combat system and the Nordic story. Writing seems more mature than the norm for its time too. I think I can already tell this is probably one of Motoi Sakuraba's best OST's too.
Thumbs up!!!
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Post by toei on Jun 6, 2021 8:29:33 GMT -5
There was a rumor (pretty sure I read it in a GameFan) that they were working on a Neo Geo sequel, but that may have just been that, a rumor. Probably didn't even get off the ground. But then again, they did do SamShoRPG, so maybe it was at least in some sort of planning or state of prototype. Wouldn't that be a kick to see! A Neo Geo Crystalis does sound intriguing, assuming it was meant for the home market like Samurai Shodown RPG (so Neo Geo CD). Wouldn't be that surprising if the project existed at some point. So many projects never make it to market. Might have been nothing but a few meetings and some documents, though.
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