rhdndescriptions
1994
Game Review - originally written by Kitsune Sniper (aka Foxhack)
This game is what could be called a Shining Force clone, except that the series has been going on for a long time, spanning various consoles, and it’s quite fun. It’s also heavily story-driven, but unfortunately, I can’t make up much of it because it’s in Japanese.
It looks like Shining Force, it plays like Shining Force, but it’s much deeper, since you control whole armies using a similar interface. It can get rather tedious, but if you have patience, you can master it.
This game is what could be called a Shining Force clone, except that the series has been going on for a long time, spanning various consoles, and it’s quite fun. It’s also heavily story-driven, but unfortunately, I can’t make up much of it because it’s in Japanese.
It looks like Shining Force, it plays like Shining Force, but it’s much deeper, since you control whole armies using a similar interface. It can get rather tedious, but if you have patience, you can master it.
Game Review - originally written by Kitsune Sniper (aka Foxhack)
This is the French version of Dragon Ball Z - Buu Yuu Retsuden, which covers the Frieza and Cell sagas [which make up approximately two thirds of the main Dragon Ball Z storyline]. This is just like every other Dragon Ball Z game, with one exception - it’s actually FUN. Well to me it is!
There’s a story mode in which you use any of the game’s eleven fighters, and depending on who you choose, the battle order will be different and you will not face two characters. When the two fighters start getting far from each other, the screen splits, but you can track just how close you are to the other fighter by using the map below your energy / ki meters [all these three have been present in the Super Famicom DBZ games as well].
The premise is simple: Beat the other guy, while keeping your ki [power] above 50% [or yellow]. The ki bar doesn’t deplete unless you perform a special move that requires it, like most power blasts a la Kamehameha. No Snickers Aura needed! If your ki goes below the 50% mark, you’ll be left open to your enemy’s attacks. And that’s it, mostly. There’s no depth to the game, asides from it having somewhat awful controls, but it isn’t as bad as say, Dragon Ball GT - Final Bout on the PSX. God, that game really was trash…
This is the French version of Dragon Ball Z - Buu Yuu Retsuden, which covers the Frieza and Cell sagas [which make up approximately two thirds of the main Dragon Ball Z storyline]. This is just like every other Dragon Ball Z game, with one exception - it’s actually FUN. Well to me it is!
There’s a story mode in which you use any of the game’s eleven fighters, and depending on who you choose, the battle order will be different and you will not face two characters. When the two fighters start getting far from each other, the screen splits, but you can track just how close you are to the other fighter by using the map below your energy / ki meters [all these three have been present in the Super Famicom DBZ games as well].
The premise is simple: Beat the other guy, while keeping your ki [power] above 50% [or yellow]. The ki bar doesn’t deplete unless you perform a special move that requires it, like most power blasts a la Kamehameha. No Snickers Aura needed! If your ki goes below the 50% mark, you’ll be left open to your enemy’s attacks. And that’s it, mostly. There’s no depth to the game, asides from it having somewhat awful controls, but it isn’t as bad as say, Dragon Ball GT - Final Bout on the PSX. God, that game really was trash…
Game Review - originally written by ???
This game is kinda strange. It’s like a One-on-One fighter… However, it doesn’t take place in real time. You basically enter your commands (which are pretty either punches or special moves), then the game decides what the opponent is going to do, and decides the outcome. Unfortunately, it’s a very easy game, so don’t expect to be captivated for too long.
This game is kinda strange. It’s like a One-on-One fighter… However, it doesn’t take place in real time. You basically enter your commands (which are pretty either punches or special moves), then the game decides what the opponent is going to do, and decides the outcome. Unfortunately, it’s a very easy game, so don’t expect to be captivated for too long.
1995
Game Review - originally written by Spinner 8
You know, every once in a while, Game Gear games can be pretty damn sweet. Take this here Sylvan Tale game for example. Action RPGs (such as this one) are rare, and GOOD action RPGs are rare indeed. This is just the tip of the iceberg as to why Sylvan Tale is cool. Actually it’s pretty much the entire reason; it’s a damn fine action RPG. The music is simply awesome, especially considering the system (with one small exception!), the graphics are very well done, and the gameplay’s there. It’s ALL there. There’s a plot too, but it doesn’t matter. Who cares? Swing your sword around and kill things! That’s what life’s all about goddammit!
You know, every once in a while, Game Gear games can be pretty damn sweet. Take this here Sylvan Tale game for example. Action RPGs (such as this one) are rare, and GOOD action RPGs are rare indeed. This is just the tip of the iceberg as to why Sylvan Tale is cool. Actually it’s pretty much the entire reason; it’s a damn fine action RPG. The music is simply awesome, especially considering the system (with one small exception!), the graphics are very well done, and the gameplay’s there. It’s ALL there. There’s a plot too, but it doesn’t matter. Who cares? Swing your sword around and kill things! That’s what life’s all about goddammit!
Game Review - originally written by Shih Tzu
Shining Force Gaiden: The Final Conflict is the third in the Game Gear’s Shining Force Gaiden series, and (I assume) the stunning conclusion to the trilogy. The second game came out in English as Shining Force: The Sword of Hajya, and the first two actually had English releases as a Sega CD remake called Shining Force CD. Until 2005, however, this final chapter was Japanese-only.
So how is it? Well, like the previous Game Gear titles, it’s a series of fantasy strategy battles set to a plot in the Shining Force universe. Unlike the Genesis titles, there are no town-exploration scenes, so you spend most of your time just fighting battles or watching cutscenes. If you haven’t played the first two, be warned that you may feel like you’re being thrown into the middle of a story without any idea who anyone is, or at least I did. This seems to be more the fault of the game than the translation, though.
The gameplay itself seems like the usual solid Shining Force tactical fantasy combat, with your archers and centaurs and robots and mages. So don’t delay, finish the saga now!
Shining Force Gaiden: The Final Conflict is the third in the Game Gear’s Shining Force Gaiden series, and (I assume) the stunning conclusion to the trilogy. The second game came out in English as Shining Force: The Sword of Hajya, and the first two actually had English releases as a Sega CD remake called Shining Force CD. Until 2005, however, this final chapter was Japanese-only.
So how is it? Well, like the previous Game Gear titles, it’s a series of fantasy strategy battles set to a plot in the Shining Force universe. Unlike the Genesis titles, there are no town-exploration scenes, so you spend most of your time just fighting battles or watching cutscenes. If you haven’t played the first two, be warned that you may feel like you’re being thrown into the middle of a story without any idea who anyone is, or at least I did. This seems to be more the fault of the game than the translation, though.
The gameplay itself seems like the usual solid Shining Force tactical fantasy combat, with your archers and centaurs and robots and mages. So don’t delay, finish the saga now!
Game Review - originally written by (wraith)
SD Gundam Winning History is a … different game. It's like a strategy game in that you have various units you move around to attack your foes. However, when you actually engage your foes, the game switches to a side-view action style game, where you fly around the battlefield and attempt to shoot your opponent into smithereens. Which would seem to kind of eliminate the whole strategy part.
SD Gundam Winning History is a … different game. It's like a strategy game in that you have various units you move around to attack your foes. However, when you actually engage your foes, the game switches to a side-view action style game, where you fly around the battlefield and attempt to shoot your opponent into smithereens. Which would seem to kind of eliminate the whole strategy part.
1992
Game Review - originally written by (wraith)
This isa fun little role-playing game. It is a side-story (hence the word ‘Gaiden') based on the very popular Phantasy Star series (The ass-kicken-est RPG series ever, I might add =]). If Phantasy Star is as Nostalgic for you as it is for me, I suggest you grab the game right now. It plays so remarkably similar to the actual PS games it is uncanny.
This isa fun little role-playing game. It is a side-story (hence the word ‘Gaiden') based on the very popular Phantasy Star series (The ass-kicken-est RPG series ever, I might add =]). If Phantasy Star is as Nostalgic for you as it is for me, I suggest you grab the game right now. It plays so remarkably similar to the actual PS games it is uncanny.
Game Review - originally written by (wraith)
This game is kinda like what would happen if Shadowgate were set in the universe of Phantasy Star. Except it's a little more complicated than Shadowgate because there's more interaction, there's shops and stuff, and you don't have a torch that kills you every time it decides to sputter out. And the puzzles are niftier. But stop reading and everyone go play. This is a helluva fun game.
This game is kinda like what would happen if Shadowgate were set in the universe of Phantasy Star. Except it's a little more complicated than Shadowgate because there's more interaction, there's shops and stuff, and you don't have a torch that kills you every time it decides to sputter out. And the puzzles are niftier. But stop reading and everyone go play. This is a helluva fun game.
1995
Game Review - originally written by Spinner 8
A riveting tale of a boy and his penguin, it starts out kind of RPG-ish, but has an all-out fighting game for its battle engine. Pretty crazy little game.
A riveting tale of a boy and his penguin, it starts out kind of RPG-ish, but has an all-out fighting game for its battle engine. Pretty crazy little game.
Game Review - originally written by (wraith)
This is a collection-based game. You know, the genre that revitalized Gameboy. I’d use the P-word, but calling this game a Pokémon clone tends to get Megaman X’s panties in a bunch.
Anyway, unlike Pokémon, you acquire monsters in this game by buying them out of a vending machine, or winning them (I think). I didn’t get very far, though, because the battle engine is too slow for my liking. It’s one of those dealies where when you fight, it switches over to a rather uninpired-looking grid, where you try to outmaneuvre your opponent’s monsters and beat them into oblivion. It’s almost as slow-paced as Gameboy Wars.
Can’t tell you much about the plot or such things due to the excessive amount of the game which is still in Japanese, but it involves rescuing your friend’s souls from some guy named Kaiba who awaiting at the top of an evil tower. Yeah.
This is a collection-based game. You know, the genre that revitalized Gameboy. I’d use the P-word, but calling this game a Pokémon clone tends to get Megaman X’s panties in a bunch.
Anyway, unlike Pokémon, you acquire monsters in this game by buying them out of a vending machine, or winning them (I think). I didn’t get very far, though, because the battle engine is too slow for my liking. It’s one of those dealies where when you fight, it switches over to a rather uninpired-looking grid, where you try to outmaneuvre your opponent’s monsters and beat them into oblivion. It’s almost as slow-paced as Gameboy Wars.
Can’t tell you much about the plot or such things due to the excessive amount of the game which is still in Japanese, but it involves rescuing your friend’s souls from some guy named Kaiba who awaiting at the top of an evil tower. Yeah.
Game Review - originally written by ???
Perman: Enban wo Torikaese!! is an action platformer for the Nintendo Entertainment System. The game is based on a Japanese comics and has an animated television show.
Birdman’s space saucer was stolen by Dr. Mad and its up to Perman to recover it and save the day.
The game features standard platforming and has two playable characters, Perman and Booby the monkey. There is also the boss battle that resembles a boardgame.
Perman: Enban wo Torikaese!! is an action platformer for the Nintendo Entertainment System. The game is based on a Japanese comics and has an animated television show.
Birdman’s space saucer was stolen by Dr. Mad and its up to Perman to recover it and save the day.
The game features standard platforming and has two playable characters, Perman and Booby the monkey. There is also the boss battle that resembles a boardgame.
1991
Game Review - originally written by ???
The game that started it all! Super Robot Wars is a mecha crossover strategy/RPG. You get units from various Mazinger, Getter Robo, and Gundam TV shows all joining together to battle the evil Girgilgun, a world-destroying monster. There's really not much more to it than that, although interestingly SRW1 is one of the few SRW titles to support multiplayer.
The game that started it all! Super Robot Wars is a mecha crossover strategy/RPG. You get units from various Mazinger, Getter Robo, and Gundam TV shows all joining together to battle the evil Girgilgun, a world-destroying monster. There's really not much more to it than that, although interestingly SRW1 is one of the few SRW titles to support multiplayer.
Game Review - originally written by (wraith)
Rantou Hen (or if you like saying a mouthful, Nekketsu Kouha Kunio-Kun: Bangai Rantou-Hen), is one of those usually-ingenious Technos games. Technos. You know. The River City Ransom people.
Anyway, this is the classic-formula beat-em-up. In fact. it plays a lot like River City Ransom. Excpet there's less plot, and there's no weapons for you to pick up. And it's not very challenging. You can probably beat it in one sitting, actually. You see, the enemy never really warms up to the 2-on-1 strategy. You know, the strategy where Thug B sends Thug A after you (usually because Thug A owed him some Colt 45 or something). While you're beating on Thug A, Thug B picks up a bike chain or something and whacks you with it. Unfortunately, the Thugs in this game never get that smart. But, the game makes up for its easiness with ultra-violence. For Christ's sake, you can jump on people's throats. How many beat-em-ups let you jump on somebody's throat? Everyone go play!
(editor's note: this game was localized into Double Dragon II with a new coat of paint, in an effort to deceive kids into thinking it was a port of the NES game with the same title)
Rantou Hen (or if you like saying a mouthful, Nekketsu Kouha Kunio-Kun: Bangai Rantou-Hen), is one of those usually-ingenious Technos games. Technos. You know. The River City Ransom people.
Anyway, this is the classic-formula beat-em-up. In fact. it plays a lot like River City Ransom. Excpet there's less plot, and there's no weapons for you to pick up. And it's not very challenging. You can probably beat it in one sitting, actually. You see, the enemy never really warms up to the 2-on-1 strategy. You know, the strategy where Thug B sends Thug A after you (usually because Thug A owed him some Colt 45 or something). While you're beating on Thug A, Thug B picks up a bike chain or something and whacks you with it. Unfortunately, the Thugs in this game never get that smart. But, the game makes up for its easiness with ultra-violence. For Christ's sake, you can jump on people's throats. How many beat-em-ups let you jump on somebody's throat? Everyone go play!
(editor's note: this game was localized into Double Dragon II with a new coat of paint, in an effort to deceive kids into thinking it was a port of the NES game with the same title)
1996
Game Review - originally written by ???
Go and play this game. I am serious. I took a look at this game when I was working at Emucamp (which was rare since I hardly ever tested anything), and I had to add the news the next day, because I was so busy playing it. :) My roommate wondered what the hell I was doing, so I sent him the rom and got him hooked, and my friend walked in on the two of us playing it and HE got hooked, and even started making a PC version of his own, which didn’t last very long. Yes, it is that cool. Everyone go play. There’s even an in-game tutorial, so shut up about not knowing how to play.
Go and play this game. I am serious. I took a look at this game when I was working at Emucamp (which was rare since I hardly ever tested anything), and I had to add the news the next day, because I was so busy playing it. :) My roommate wondered what the hell I was doing, so I sent him the rom and got him hooked, and my friend walked in on the two of us playing it and HE got hooked, and even started making a PC version of his own, which didn’t last very long. Yes, it is that cool. Everyone go play. There’s even an in-game tutorial, so shut up about not knowing how to play.
Game Review - originally written by (wraith)
This is a mediocre platform game, you know the kind, where it constantly scrolls to the right, whether you want it to or not, and one hit from ANY object instantly kills you. Great stuff. Anyways, this is notable for its being developed and released completely in Germany, and the nice kiddies at the Matrix Arcade Division were kind enough to provide us with a translation of this riveting tale of an elephant in search of his “honk”.
This is a mediocre platform game, you know the kind, where it constantly scrolls to the right, whether you want it to or not, and one hit from ANY object instantly kills you. Great stuff. Anyways, this is notable for its being developed and released completely in Germany, and the nice kiddies at the Matrix Arcade Division were kind enough to provide us with a translation of this riveting tale of an elephant in search of his “honk”.