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Post by Ex on Mar 10, 2019 0:47:47 GMT -5
I used to have a cartridge with Hang-On and Astro Warrior on it. I really enjoyed both of those games, but they never end. They just loop forever. While spelunking tonight I came across some interesting articles. These are from 1986, with a journalist first reviewing the NES. (This is actually one of the oldest English NES reviews out there.) This guy clearly enjoyed the Master System better at that point in time: Of course times changed soon after, but hey it's nice to see the Master System thrown some love back then. |
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Post by Sarge on Mar 10, 2019 1:15:34 GMT -5
Good ol' Ed Semrad! He did reviews for EGM, of which I have quite a few mags. Fascinating to see how the NES was viewed by someone that was in that moment. I can see the controls messing folks up that were used to the joysticks, but I'd say that d-pad ended up being a game changer, and so did Super Mario Bros.. Indeed, I'd argue much of the launch lineup was lackluster, but sometimes all it takes is that one killer app. Heck, the Dreamcast had one of the best launch lineups I've ever seen, and that didn't exactly pan out.
He really, really hated those controllers, though, didn't he?
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Post by Ex on Mar 10, 2019 1:37:17 GMT -5
He really, really hated those controllers, though, didn't he? Yeah weird, because even as an SMS kid, I'd have easily admitted the NES pad killed the SMS pad. - I finished the first half of Sonic Chaos tonight. So far it has been impressive, quite an improvement over the first two SMS Sonic games. You can finally spin dash! |
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Post by Sarge on Mar 10, 2019 8:45:23 GMT -5
Land of Illusion is legit, y'all.
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Post by toei on Mar 10, 2019 18:30:52 GMT -5
I beat Golvellius. I don't feel too eloquent today, so I'll just say that it's an interesting game, and I can see how it was big deal back in the day, as it does feel like a unique adventure. It's a bigger game than I expected, the way the game is divided into mostly (but not entirely) self-contained regions is more my style than Zelda, and there's a real variety to the different areas and how they're built. I also liked the idea of replacing the dungeons with those two types of action levels - side-scroller and top-down auto-scroller - and the levels are pretty fun, even though it's pretty weird how there are dead-ends that force you to restart the level if you end up taking the wrong path. I guess it's not much worse than missing a jump and dying instantly in almost every platformer ever, and it didn't happen to me all that often (for the most part, you always want to take the higher platform in the side-scroller levels, and the top-down levels don't have that many real dead-ends), but it's frustrating when it does. Most of the bosses are surprisingly easy, though. Only one of them ever gave me enough trouble that I had to try it a second time. The biggest flaw is that a lot of the enemy types on the overworld are extremely annoying, being much faster and more mobile than you are. The rule of thumb is that those that walk can be fought fairly, while those that fly are a pain. This is a game where you're constantly taking a lot of damage, and you have to keep the location of the nearest healers you've found in mind. I died quite a few times. Generally I just took the loss in Gold and kept playing. I'd give the game a 7, but it's an interesting 7, rather than a decent-but-unremarkable one, and I'm glad I played it. I do consider it a good game.
The ending announced a sequel that never came; too bad, cause it could have been excellent with some improvements. The game I thought was called "Golvellius 2" on the MSX2+, is actually Shin Golvellius, a remake of this one story-wise, with all maps and levels replaced with new ones and a new intro chapter where you walk around town and perform a few fetch quests before you really get started. It has better controls - you're a bit faster and can walk diagonally on the overworld - and more manageable enemies, but unfortunately the only English version you can find floating around is borderline gibberish. Apparently there was another, presumably better translation available commercially on woomb.net, but it's probably vanished from the Internet along with the site (if anyone knows different, let me know!)
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Post by Sarge on Mar 10, 2019 21:35:29 GMT -5
Well, I've found my favorite retro title of the year so far, and it's Land of Illusion Starring Mickey Mouse. Don't let the Disney name fool you! Much like some of the best of Capcom's work on NES, Sega did a fantastic job creating a platformer that has some nice puzzling as well as some mild exploration elements to be able to proceed through certain stages on the overworld map.
Graphically, things look very clean and well-presented. I won't say the soundtrack was great, but it wasn't obnoxious, and that's an absolute win. It felt like it fit the game. Challenge-wise, I think folks would be surprised what the game is willing to throw at you. There are a few auto-scrolling sequences in particular that have very tight timing, including a Quick Man-esque descent down a shaft (that thankfully doesn't sport one-hit kills).
You'll unlock a few powers along the way, like being able to shrink to half the normal size, climbing equipment for scaling walls, and boots that will let you walk on clouds. These add just a touch of depth that is greatly appreciated, and while perhaps the cloud boots are more of a gate item, the other two will continue to be used through the game to solve various platforming challenges.
Mickey has two ways to attack enemies: either by lifting and throwing blocks, or the good ol' signature butt stomp. Unlike Mario, you have to hit the attack button to trigger the stomp animation or you'll take damage from the enemy you hit. Most bosses are pretty easy, and most can be taken out by the stomp, but the crab in particular requires block-tossing, which can be tricky since he blocks your throws most times and finding a gap proves quite tricky.
Level design showed me some real ability to surprise. None of what I saw was necessarily original, but I appreciated the variety that was on hand. I thought it was really interesting that the last level actually gives you a choice of three different routes to get deeper into the castle, in an almost Super Mario World Bowser's Castle way. And you even get to do some inverted castle shenanigans. Works for me!
I was really hoping that I'd find a game along the way that I'd glom onto as a true hidden gem (at least to me), and this is the one. I'd say it's at least an 8/10 experience, and if you enjoy platformers, you'll enjoy it, even if you don't much care for Disney.
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Post by Ex on Mar 10, 2019 22:04:14 GMT -5
13. Sonic the Hedgehog Chaos | Master System | 1993
"Sonic the Hedgehog Chaos" is a Master System platformer developed by Aspect and published by SEGA in 1993. The Master System version was published in Europe and South America. A Game Gear port was published a month later in Japan. The plot of "Chaos" involves Dr. Robotnik stealing the Red Chaos Emerald, which he plans to use to create terrible weaponry. Sonic and Tails choose to chase after Robotnik. They plan to defeat him by finding and using the power of the other five Chaos Emeralds against their foe.
"Sonic Chaos" was the third series entry to appear on the Master System. Compared to the first two Sonic games on SMS, "Chaos" is quite the improvement. Hit detection is good, controls are responsive, level designs are excellent, and finally Sonic can spin dash. The player can also choose to play as Tails if they prefer. Bonus stages are accessible if the player reaches the end of the stage with 100 coins in tow. Within the bonus stages Sonic can find Chaos Emeralds. "Sonic Chaos" looks and sounds outstanding on the SMS; this game truly shows off the power of the Master System. We're talking vivid colors, strong animation, well rendered sprites, transparency effects, and even parallax scrolling."Sonic Chaos" is a powerhouse of technical wizardry for SEGA's old 8-bit machine.
+Outstanding graphics and audio.
+You can finally spin dash.
+Fun and fast level designs.
+You can actually play as Tails.
+No more fields of spikes everywhere.
-Cakewalk easy.
-Very short level lengths.
-Only one boss battle is against Robotnik.
-Not a lot of enemy variety.
-The true ending is kinda disappointing.
If I had to levy one big complaint against "Sonic Chaos", it'd be that this game is too easy. Even the pushover 16-bit Genesis games were not this easy. Compared to the challenging first two SMS entries, "Sonic Chaos" stands in stark contrast with its lack of teeth. "Sonic Chaos" is also incredibly short. But despite being such a breezy play, "Sonic Chaos" is still a high quality platformer. For anyone who enjoys platformers and the Master System, I'd consider "Sonic Chaos" to be a must play. Notice I said Master System, not Game Gear. The Game Gear version lowers the resolution and crops the field of view. While "Sonic Chaos" may not quite capture the grandeur of the Genesis entries, as an 8-bit experience it's a Master System tour de force.
Ex's time to beat: 37 minutes Ex's rating: 8/10
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Post by toei on Mar 10, 2019 22:33:29 GMT -5
Sarge Do you plan to play Castle of Illusion and Legend of Illusion next? You might like Asterix as well. It's probably the closest thing to Mario on a Sega system, you've got the same type of blocks and even an equivalent to the pipes. And you might want to check out the Genesis Illusion games eventually, they're entirely different games.
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Post by Sarge on Mar 10, 2019 22:37:23 GMT -5
Yeah, I actually played a bit of Castle, so it's on my list. I saw where Asterix looks like it falls into that camp, so I definitely will try it before the month is up as well.
I have played through Castle on Genesis, which is a much more straightforward game than the SMS one. Honestly, I'm pretty sure I prefer the SMS game. I've played the Genesis followup as well, and I'm not entirely sure how I feel about that one yet. It looks really nice, but I'm not sure I like some of the gameplay changes.
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Post by Ex on Mar 11, 2019 1:07:34 GMT -5
SargeI watched some videos of Land of Illusion starring Mickey Mouse for Master System. It does indeed look really well made. I still think you should check out Sonic Chaos though! If I had the frivolous time to spare, it'd be interesting to research who exactly made which Mickey games on the Master System versus the Genesis. As in the exact level designers and directors and such. How much crossover exists, or doesn't exist. toeiI played some of Golvellius, and it was better than I remembered. I'm not a fan of the overworld parts, but the side-view platforming and shmup-esque bits seemed pretty decent. - Personally I'm aiming to beat at least ten games for this Club Retro theme. Normally I wouldn't beat that many (I'm good for 3-5 theme-beats typically), but the Master System is so very dear to my heart. There's still a bunch of ROMs in my candidates bucket, eventually I'll branch out to longer SMS games, but for now a few more short action titles are in the wing.
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