More crazy Japanese stuff

After sometime without touching my beloved Saturn (been busy lately with my 360), I decided to try another obscure Japanese game, this time a dungeon crawler much like Diablo (did I ever mention that Diablo II is my favourite game of all time?), or so I was told. The fact is this game is much more similar to Evolution, a series of RPG's for the Dreamcast, which is not that bad, since I kind of liked Evolution 1 and 2...until I got bored to death with the repetitive gameplay.

(Diablo II: I wuv it so...)

But let's talk about this particular game. The game in question has one of the longest/weirdest titles I've ever seen, it's name being (breath in): Waku Waku Puyo Puyo Dungeon Limited (breath out). My first thought was that this was some kind of strange mix between Waku Waku 7 and the Puyo Puyo series in a dungeon-style setting, but although I've never played Waku Waku 7, I didn't see any reference to it.


Well, maybe this is because I can't understand a fucking word of Japanese, and this game is full of it! Yeah, yeah, I know, what else could I expect from an import, but there are some games that have a lot of english between the kanji. Unfortunately this is not one of those, and although I don't care for the story, it's really hard to manage your inventory like this. I bet I'm still using my beginner's rusty sword while my inventory is full of "great swords of the greatest greatness +5".

(beware of killer puyos!)

At least the gameplay is really basic. You start the game in what seems to be some sort of crazy fun park, with the typical horror house along the not so typical puyo dungeon (WTF?). It doesn't really matter what area you choose, because they all end up like being the same thing, only the background is different. Just like in Evolution, you have to explore a maze-like dungeon, fighting enemies (oh noes, killer puyos!), collecting items and exploring the dungeon until you find the stairs to the next level. The worst thing about this game, and about all others of the same genre, is that this is all you do, and you have to repeat it ad nauseam (I like to show off the little latin I know :D). Combine this with my short attention span and you have a game that will only be in the console for 1 or 2 days.


Anyway, in case anyone really digs this kind of games, this is a good choice and not a too expensive one (you can usually buy it for, like, $30 or something).


Puyos, aren't they cute...(and deadly!)

All hail the princess!

With all the expectation around my Metal Slug 3D post everybody seems to have forgotten about that little Japanese gem I talked about a couple of times. Anyway, here I am to remind you all and, of course, write something about that title.

The game in question is Princess Crown, a lovely action-RPG in the vein of Sword of Vermilion (or so I've been told, I've never played that game).


But unlike other games of the same genre, like Legend of Oasis for example, the gameplay of Princess Crown is a bit different. Instead of going from a scenario to another, killing the countless monsters you see in the way, here the battles are way more scarce but each one is much more intense because it all happens in a way that reminds me of a 2D fighter, making for a really unique game in that aspect.



Another highlight of the game are the gorgeous graphics. Believe me, you've never seen anything like this. It's not just the big detailed sprites, it's also the fluid animation and the backgrounds that seem to be hand-painted. Overall Princess Crown's graphics are a sheer example of what the Saturn was capable of in the 2D department. Let a picture demonstrate:

There's one big downside to this game, though. All the text is written in Japanese and since this game as a lot more text than your average action-RPG (it seems almost like a traditional oriental RPG in this aspect, for there is tons of dialogue) it's really difficult for a non-japanese reader to make the most out of this game. Hell, it's even hard to know what to do or where to go next! Of course there are a couple of walkthroughs on the web and there's even a translation page I found (which at some point uses this beautiful expression: "she thinks she's all-that-and-a-sack-of-dreamcasts"), but it's just no the same thing.



Even as it is, if you really like this kind of game s you should definitely pick this game up and in case you don't want to waste your whole bank account on the original Saturn version there's always the more accessible PSP port. And in case you didn't know, there's also some kind of spiritual sequel on the PS2 called Odin Sphere (I'm yet to try this one).



Since I've played little of this game, mainly because I hate when I can't understand what the characters are saying and I hate even more when I have to check my pc for the walkthrough every 5 minutes, here's a better review.

More 2D fighting goodness

Since X-Men kind of left me hooked into 2D fighting games for the Saturn, when I saw the chance to play a rather obscure import title, I didn't think twice. The game in question is World Heroes Perfect, a game that I doubt many of you will recognize. After a little research I found out that this game is actually the 4th title in the World Heroes series and this Saturn version is in fact a port of the original Neo Geo release, although a little improved.



The story of this title (not that a beat'em up needs one) is rather interesting, actually, because it revolves around time travelling and that explains some characters based on real historical figures and some of backgrounds, like Ancient Egypt or Ice Age. But the core of any fighting game is the gameplay, and the one present in WHP is a little different from what most players are used to (I had a hard time getting used to it after playing X-Men for some time).


There's the usual punch and kick attacks, divided into the light, medium and hard variations, but unlike X-Men, for example, you just have buttons assigned to the light and medium attacks (X, Y for punches, A, B for kicks). In order to do a Hard kick you have to press A+B and for Hard punches the combination is X+Y, and because I really used this attacks a lot I ended up playing not with my thumb but with my...hmm...what do you call the 2 fingers next to the thumb? My english sucks... Anyway, you get the idea. Remember that dude in the Soul Calibur documentary? It's something like that.



The point is, it would be a lot better if you could just use the Z and C buttons for Hard attacks, but I guess that complicated controls suit well for a game with such a complex gameplay. Besides the regular attacks and combos you also can do taunts, ABC specials (special moves that vary from character to character and aren't always offensive, so don't expect 25-hit combos), projectile kills, defense blows, air counter attacks, projectile deflects and supers.

Oh, and in case you haven't noticed there's also a "Hero" meter in the bottom of the screen, and when this fills up, well, guess what...


But don't be fooled by the Perfect in the title, for this game is a little far from that. It lacks gameplay modes (there's only the regular arcade-style mode and a VS mode) and unlockable goodies (the final boss is selectable from the start!), so you probably won't come back many times; the graphics, although nice, are a little below other fighting games for the Saturn; and the gameplay is not going to appeal to everyone.

But hey, this is afterall a fighting game for the elite, the hardcore fans, not the masses, and those guys should definitely have a look at this game, while the others play a bit more of Virtua Fighter.

X Men: Children Of The Atom!

There are few Saturn games that are really stunning to behold in 2007. Sure, with rose coloured spectacles and the nostalgic affection of recollection, some Saturn games can really still bowl you over. But in terms of looks, the graphical presentation of most Saturn games seems somewhat pixellated and blocky.

Fortunately, 2D fighters produced for the Saturn by Capcom and SNK, still look as fresh today as they did in 1996. Be it the Street Fighter series, or case in point X Men: Children Of The Atom, the choice of animation, and the classic animated background, 2D characters and bright vibrant colours, have stopped them from looking as ancient as say, Virtua Fighter or Virtua Fighter 2.

The 2D beat 'em up still has many fans today, myself included. Be it SNK's King Of Fighters franchise for the PS2, or the Marvel vs. Capcom franchise for the Dreamcast, the games were pretty much formulaic and similar in appearance. The Saturn's six button control pad, allowed for the maximum combination of special moves for the game's fighters, reminiscent of the six button/joystick format of the arcade original.

And talking about special moves, what turbo charged stunners those moves are! Characters 'power up' and unleash a torrent of damage to their opponents, which is one of the most satisfying elements of the game.

But what about plot and storyline... Well it's X Men, so you'd be right in thinking the ultimate goal is to beat Magneto. But you've got to get through an army of foes before you get to the old spoon bending evil mutant! Let's compile a list of 'good guys' and 'bad guys' shall we?

Batting for 'Team Good' are... Cyclops, Psylocke, Wolverine, Storm, Colossus and Iceman.

Batting for 'Team Bad' are Omega Red, the mutant hunting android Sentinel, Spiral (lackey of Mojo), and Silver Samurai as well as Juggernaut.

What's nice for all you evil types out there, is that rather than just playing as the X Men, you can play as the villains. I don't of course... It would be wrong for a 'man of the cloth' like myself to side with the forces of darkness... LOL! :)

I'd be a liar if I said I was any good at this game, however. I just mash buttons and hope for the best! But what I do enjoy, time after time, is how luscious the graphics and animations are; even in the 21st century with the graphic spleandour of the 360 and PS3...

Remember people, this game is based on the original Marvel Comics 'X Men', not the Halle Berry Hollywood film crossover... Therefore the characters look very different from the current perception of the black-suited 'beautiful people'...

In order to keep the title close to its roots, the game features voice acting from the actors in the original animated series, which appeared on American TV.

As usual, one of the best features about this game for me, was it's price! I picked it up for the paltry sum of £1.50! (from Gamestation) Sure the box is falling apart and the manual is missing, but hey! It's got immense pick 'up and play' potential and if you like 2D fighters, then its a reson in its own right to go out and buy a Saturn!

For a fantastic review of other Saturn games that still have the WOW! factor today, look here. For a much better review of this game look here. For the definitive history of this game look here, and for a much under appreciated review of an X Men title for the DS, look here.

On a side note, my youngest 'Ginger', Ted (9), has decided he wants to follow in his Father's footsteps and have his own gaming blog... Its called 'Ted's DS Page' and if you'd be kind enough to nip over and leave a comment on his launch post, (a review of Pokemon Diamond & Pearl), I'd really appreciate it...

Cheers! FK