Cleared December 31st, 2023 (SEGA Genesis Challenge: 41/160)
Logging this game, I didn't really expect too much. In fact, my expectations have been decreasing given my records with RPGs on the Sega Genesis so far. The only exception was Beyond Oasis (and maybe Shadowrun) which would've stood as my favorite Sega Genesis game had it not been for Alien Soldier, so to find out that Treasure developed this game, I thought it actually had a reasonable shot at being at least 7 out of 10. So, unsurprisingly, I really enjoyed it.
The premise is that the town is suffering from civilians disappearing and as it turns out, there is a crypt hidden within the town's graveyard where evil lurks threatening the summoning of a demon lord to end all existence. An interesting premise, but given the ESRB rating is K-A (E for Everyone), don't expect anything too gruesome in the way it's told. Along the way, you meet kidnapped civilians and characters among the royals that will aid you through information to help you advance the story.
The combat is also rather simple as well. It's an asymmetric POV RPG which allows you to move 8 different directions for more fluent combat although the range of your sword can feel rather scuffed. The most interesting thing about it is the elements and how you can mix and match between different elementals which include Air, Fire, Earth, and Water. And it's not as simple as equipping them because since this is the developers of Gunstar Heroes we're talking about, they are going to find a way to allow you to mix and match elementals and this time, you can mix up to all 4 of them. There's a variety from simple spells like Wind Slash and Fireball to utility based spells like Heal, Guardian, or Shield. More niche and situational spells like Turn Undead and Cure. But then there's Judgement which allows you to perform an AoE attack that damages all foes on-screen. It's really cool to be able to mix and match different elementals which adds a layer to the game's combat mechanics although the game is remarkably easy.
Not just the enemies, but the hazards in this game feel rather inconsequential because you take a small amount of damage from things like spikes and flames and you just shrug it off like it never happened. Not helped that healing items come very abundant throughout the game (including a means to revive you) and your inventory capacity is really high. Likely for the best because sometimes the asymmetrical view can make precision when avoiding hazards at least when jumping very difficult.
This unfortunately makes the bosses in the game very easy too. It's cool to fight them and see them in action, but if you're stacked on steaks and pendants, you are never going to be in danger no matter how shit you are at video games.
Even the puzzles are surprisingly much easier to figure out compared to most other RPGs that I've played on the Sega Genesis. Sure there are some real thinkers, and a few of them you will need context clues. Hell, one of them I solved in the way the developer did not intend for me to. Basically, it was at the room where the rolling stones are first introduced. You're supposed to push a barrel to the elevator, then you roll the stone underneath it after standing on the button just as the stone is rolling. Then get off and the elevator stays where it is because the stone holds it up. The way I did it was that I took the one small stone cube in the room, positioned the barrel on it so that it stops the rolling stone at a certain point, move the barrel around so that I can push the stone without rolling it onto the cube, and then push the cube towards the point where the button is and have the stone hold the button while the barrel is on the elevator. Imagine my shock when I decided to look up how other people did it out of curiosity only to realize just how simple the solution really was. That said, I do not think of this as a bad thing as it's a fun way to challenge your problem solving skills without being insanely cryptic.
But I think what really makes the game really enjoyable for me is just the presentation. Being a late Sega Genesis game, it managed to find a way to push it's graphical capabilities to the limit which allows for really colorful and diverse setpieces especially once you get to Floor 5 which has you going to all sorts of places. And the music in this game is so good. Easily one of my favorites from the Sega Genesis line-up and really adds to the experience of the game.
And I just enjoy a few little interactions like how you can work the game's physics to push the literal king down the stairs and away from his throne, push the civilians around, push the cows around, and push those two elder people in the town to make it seem like they are talking to the walls. Having to stand on the table where the item is in order to buy it is so strange, but I find it so amusing. You can even spam arena fights with 3 goblins to get around 200 gold per victory which can be as simple as pre-emptively pushing off two goblins, whack the other goblin off the arena. Collect your gold, leave the room, come back, repeat multiple times and you can have more than enough money to max out your elemental quantity.
It's just a very easy game with some puzzle challenges here and there, and it's not very long either. You might not like that about the game, but I really don't mind. I think it would make a great RPG for anyone looking to get into the genre.
Logging this game, I didn't really expect too much. In fact, my expectations have been decreasing given my records with RPGs on the Sega Genesis so far. The only exception was Beyond Oasis (and maybe Shadowrun) which would've stood as my favorite Sega Genesis game had it not been for Alien Soldier, so to find out that Treasure developed this game, I thought it actually had a reasonable shot at being at least 7 out of 10. So, unsurprisingly, I really enjoyed it.
The premise is that the town is suffering from civilians disappearing and as it turns out, there is a crypt hidden within the town's graveyard where evil lurks threatening the summoning of a demon lord to end all existence. An interesting premise, but given the ESRB rating is K-A (E for Everyone), don't expect anything too gruesome in the way it's told. Along the way, you meet kidnapped civilians and characters among the royals that will aid you through information to help you advance the story.
The combat is also rather simple as well. It's an asymmetric POV RPG which allows you to move 8 different directions for more fluent combat although the range of your sword can feel rather scuffed. The most interesting thing about it is the elements and how you can mix and match between different elementals which include Air, Fire, Earth, and Water. And it's not as simple as equipping them because since this is the developers of Gunstar Heroes we're talking about, they are going to find a way to allow you to mix and match elementals and this time, you can mix up to all 4 of them. There's a variety from simple spells like Wind Slash and Fireball to utility based spells like Heal, Guardian, or Shield. More niche and situational spells like Turn Undead and Cure. But then there's Judgement which allows you to perform an AoE attack that damages all foes on-screen. It's really cool to be able to mix and match different elementals which adds a layer to the game's combat mechanics although the game is remarkably easy.
Not just the enemies, but the hazards in this game feel rather inconsequential because you take a small amount of damage from things like spikes and flames and you just shrug it off like it never happened. Not helped that healing items come very abundant throughout the game (including a means to revive you) and your inventory capacity is really high. Likely for the best because sometimes the asymmetrical view can make precision when avoiding hazards at least when jumping very difficult.
This unfortunately makes the bosses in the game very easy too. It's cool to fight them and see them in action, but if you're stacked on steaks and pendants, you are never going to be in danger no matter how shit you are at video games.
Even the puzzles are surprisingly much easier to figure out compared to most other RPGs that I've played on the Sega Genesis. Sure there are some real thinkers, and a few of them you will need context clues. Hell, one of them I solved in the way the developer did not intend for me to. Basically, it was at the room where the rolling stones are first introduced. You're supposed to push a barrel to the elevator, then you roll the stone underneath it after standing on the button just as the stone is rolling. Then get off and the elevator stays where it is because the stone holds it up. The way I did it was that I took the one small stone cube in the room, positioned the barrel on it so that it stops the rolling stone at a certain point, move the barrel around so that I can push the stone without rolling it onto the cube, and then push the cube towards the point where the button is and have the stone hold the button while the barrel is on the elevator. Imagine my shock when I decided to look up how other people did it out of curiosity only to realize just how simple the solution really was. That said, I do not think of this as a bad thing as it's a fun way to challenge your problem solving skills without being insanely cryptic.
But I think what really makes the game really enjoyable for me is just the presentation. Being a late Sega Genesis game, it managed to find a way to push it's graphical capabilities to the limit which allows for really colorful and diverse setpieces especially once you get to Floor 5 which has you going to all sorts of places. And the music in this game is so good. Easily one of my favorites from the Sega Genesis line-up and really adds to the experience of the game.
And I just enjoy a few little interactions like how you can work the game's physics to push the literal king down the stairs and away from his throne, push the civilians around, push the cows around, and push those two elder people in the town to make it seem like they are talking to the walls. Having to stand on the table where the item is in order to buy it is so strange, but I find it so amusing. You can even spam arena fights with 3 goblins to get around 200 gold per victory which can be as simple as pre-emptively pushing off two goblins, whack the other goblin off the arena. Collect your gold, leave the room, come back, repeat multiple times and you can have more than enough money to max out your elemental quantity.
It's just a very easy game with some puzzle challenges here and there, and it's not very long either. You might not like that about the game, but I really don't mind. I think it would make a great RPG for anyone looking to get into the genre.