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Post by wyldephang on Nov 20, 2012 1:26:33 GMT -5
I thought it'd be a fun idea to start a thread that we can use to keep each other updated on our retro gaming conquests. I suppose we'd need to eliminate Vectrex games from the mix because there's a separate board. As I mentioned in my introductory post, I tend to gravitate toward story-based games--adventure games, RPGs, and the like. Lately, I've been collecting games for the Super Nintendo, and my most recent acquisition is Chrono Trigger (1995), one of the great RPGs published at the tail end of the 16-bit generation. In many ways, this title is a swan song for Squaresoft in the Super Nintendo era, though it technically preceded Super Mario RPG by a year. Chrono Trigger was unique in that it combined the efforts of Squaresoft's developmental team and Enix's (makers of Dragon Quest) intellectual team. So, the two rival companies joined forces and produced one of the finest story-driven efforts of the 1990s, a fitting way to pay tribute to a generation of high-quality, memorable RPGs. After Chrono Trigger and Super Mario RPG, Squaresoft would make its well-publicized leap to the PlayStation and produce a marvelous run of RPGs for Sony. But for the die-hards, the 16-bit era will always be remembered as a special time in RPG history. If you're familiar with the premise of an RPG game, then my basic rundown will be nothing new. In Chrono Trigger, you assemble a party consisting of any three of the available characters. At certain times, one or two characters may be required to be present for a segment of the story, but by the end of the game, the party is totally customizable from the first member to the last. With every change in the party's lineup comes a change in battle dynamics, as each character possesses his or her own affinities; some characters utilize elemental magic while others rely on brute strength. The cast is designed by Akira Toriyama of Dragon Ball fame, and includes a steampunk-inspired robot, a tribal chief from prehistoric times, and a sword-wielding frog who speaks in an Elizabethan tongue! In case you're wondering how the game pulls off such an eclectic cast of characters, it's the presence of time travel that allows these warriors from different eras to come together. It's also the driving force behind the story, as time becomes a constant factor throughout the narrative. I've had fun playing through it, so Chrono Trigger is highly recommended. It's available on the Nintendo DS and Wii Virtual Console, and a version exists on a Squaresoft compilation set for the PlayStation.  |
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Post by wyldephang on Dec 1, 2012 19:48:10 GMT -5
I've recently finished my second playthrough of Chrono Trigger and I can easily recommend it to anyone who enjoys classic Japanese RPGs. The next game I'm attempting to tackle is Lufia & the Fortress of Doom for the Super Nintendo. It's an RPG in the styling of Dragon Quest, borrowing the battlefield layout and frequent random encounters. For a game that wasn't produced by Squaresoft or Enix, the two largest RPG publishers, Lufia easily holds it own among the better-known RPGs of the generation. It's not perfect, however. It's a good game, but the story feels a bit loose and contrived. For the first portion of the game, the unnamed hero is simply sent on a succession of search-and-retrieve quests. The end goal is in sight, but when an important story arc occurs, it's presented with the most forgettable dialogue. Perhaps this wouldn't have been as noticeable if the game had used more sprite animations to bring those 16-bit characters to life. Instead, they stand plainly while the drama unfolds before their eyes. A little more attention to detail would have made the game more engaging. The turn-based battle system is basic, but it works well. The player controls up to four characters in the party, each with their unique skills and attributes. The obligatory tropes are present--warrior, mage, healer, and so forth--but the "jobs" are distributed among the characters. For example, the main hero wields a sword and gains access to support and healing magic, while another character attacks with a bow and elemental spells. It reminds me of Final Fantasy IV, where every character has a class, but isn't necessarily confined to the skills associated with it. My only complaint with the battle system is that characters will not refocus their attack after a targeted enemy dies. If two characters are commanded to attack the same enemy and the first one manages to vanquish it in one strike, the next character will inexplicably swing at the air. It's even more comedic when a spell-caster summons a lightning bolt into a patch of nothing on the battlefield; it brings new meaning to the word "fail." These annoyances occur once in a while, but it's easy enough for the player to make the necessary adjustment for the next battle. And in Lufia, the "next battle" will always come soon because the random enemy encounter rate is ridiculously high. It's not uncommon to finish a grueling battle, take three steps forward, and get ambushed by more enemies. The player learns to heal almost compulsively after every battle, as the encounters can ramp up in difficulty without a moment's notice. The player can use an item to reduce the amount of random encounters--I generally keep them stocked in my inventory--but if anything, the presence and availability of such items are an indication that the developers knew the encounter rate was a bit steep. Overall, I've been enjoying Lufia, but my first playthrough was doomed by a glitch in the game. A few days ago, I progressed five hours into the quest and saved my game, only to be greeted the next afternoon by a message that claimed no save files were found. Sure enough, the file slots were blank, leaving me with only the option to start a new game! I haven't been able to figure out the source of the problem, but my best guess is that it has something to do with a failed boot-up attempt. I've been playing the game since yesterday, and I confirmed that the battery still works and holds saves. Still, as a preventative measure, I'm going to leave Lufia docked into the Super Nintendo until I've played through it. I've got a solid connection with the pins, after all, so why risk another failure? I'm looking forward to finishing this one and hopefully tracking down a copy of Lufia II.  |
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Post by VectorX on Dec 1, 2012 20:23:14 GMT -5
My only complaint with the battle system is that characters will not refocus their attack after a targeted enemy dies. If two characters are commanded to attack the same enemy and the first one manages to vanquish it in one strike, the next character will inexplicably swing at the air. It's even more comedic when a spell-caster summons a lightning bolt into a patch of nothing on the battlefield; it brings new meaning to the word "fail." That's funny! I know what you mean, as that happens with Sorcerer's Kingdom on the Genesis. However, for Shining in the Darkness, if something's killed, the rest of your team will automatically go after the next monster in the group. Believe it or not, I actually can't contribute to this thread since I need a new tv, as a connection's gone out, so with whatever RF box I use for it the picture will roll, no matter what the system. If I knew anything about tvs (in case the connection just needs to be recleaned, soldered, or having something replaced) I'd definitely fix it, but I don't, and I'm not much into emulators. So I'm just playing the Vectrex and online games for now  |
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Post by TrekMD on Dec 1, 2012 20:53:55 GMT -5
Right now I'm playing a number of Intellivision titles as I'm writing reviews for them:
- Chirstmas Carol and the Ghost of Christmas Presents
- Stonix
- Popeye
- Minehunter
- Thin Ice
- Carnival
- Yogi's Frustration
- 4-Tris
- SameGame & Robots
- Space Patrol
VectorX, what kind of TV? I just bough a used 19" CRT TV because the Intellivision refuses to play nice with my LCD TV's.
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Post by VectorX on Dec 1, 2012 21:33:57 GMT -5
Just some little 13" non-LCD tv, I don't recall what brand it is. I only need a 17" for my small room, so anything larger than 13" is fine with me. 19" is too big, as it was with my first tv.
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Post by TrekMD on Dec 1, 2012 21:37:26 GMT -5
Some systems don't play nice with LCD TV's. I had a 13" CRT but decided I wanted something bigger to play games. |
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Post by wyldephang on Dec 1, 2012 21:50:53 GMT -5
Right now I'm playing a number of Intellivision titles as I'm writing reviews for them Do keep us updated on your progress. I'd be interested in reading them! Darryl, it's good to know that you're familiar with the Shining series. It and Phantasy Star are often considered the best RPG franchises on the Genesis. I'll admit that I was spoiled when I played my first Genesis RPG, Phantasy Star IV. In my opinion, it's the best RPG on the console, and it easily measures up to my favorite Final Fantasy and Dragon Quest games. The battle mechanics are different from Final Fantasy standards, but they work incredibly well. And at no point did I feel a need to grind away at random encounters for experience points; the levels I gained through adventuring and item collecting were sufficient enough. After about 40-50 hours of gameplay, I decided to wrap things up and take on the final boss. It's a bit depressing to know that the battery will fail one day, and my save files will disappear. |
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Post by TrekMD on Dec 1, 2012 21:52:17 GMT -5
Right now I'm playing a number of Intellivision titles as I'm writing reviews for them Do keep us updated on your progress. I'd be interested in reading them! Thanks! When they are posted, I'll let you know. |
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Post by VectorX on Dec 1, 2012 22:42:38 GMT -5
Darryl, it's good to know that you're familiar with the Shining series. BARELY though, considering there's been literally about 10 Shining games across multiple platforms! I'm pretty familiar with Shining in the Darkness, but only rented Shining Forces I and II and didn't really see the big deal in them. I bought the Shining CD for the CD system and couldn't believe how you just went straight from one battle to another! Another no big deal there to me. And that's as far as my knowledge for the series goes. Shining can also be very frustrating but also a bit rewarding though, if you ask me. I severely don't agree with an online review of the game I know of where the guy gave it a 3 out of 10  That was an early, yet fairly long game for back then that still can be hard to this day. It and Phantasy Star are often considered the best RPG franchises on the Genesis. I still wouldn't mind diving into a Phantasy Star game or two, although THE only RPGs I own are Shining and the only RPG for the Atari 2600 back in the day called Dragonstomper. I think that says a lot though It's a bit depressing to know that the battery will fail one day, and my save files will disappear. You can hunt around to see what game places will replace those. I know Funcoland used to but I don't even know if they're still around. I'd check around with well-established places that sell games from that era, you could get lucky when the time comes. |
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Post by wyldephang on Dec 2, 2012 2:21:08 GMT -5
FuncoLand was absorbed into the GameStop empire, I believe. There are stores that held on to the FuncoLand logo, but as far as I know, every one of them has been gutted from the inside out and features GameStop merchandise, signs, and prices. Besides, I'm sure my inquiry into cartridge game batteries would solicit many a blank stare from the average GameStop employee whose earliest memory of a video game involves a PlayStation 2 controller. Thankfully, when an older game cartridge loses its ability to store data, one can perform a quick do-it-yourself fix to replace the battery and restore the game to its original working condition. I'm not adept with a soldering iron, but only the slightest operation is required to break the old battery free and attach a new one to the board with electrical tape. And, of course, I'll jump at any opportunity to bypass the collective incompetence that is modern video game retail!
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Post by VectorX on Dec 2, 2012 10:21:01 GMT -5
Oh, that's good that you'll probably have it under wraps and the hell with the middle man!
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Post by sj on Dec 2, 2012 12:22:15 GMT -5
A couple of years ago I won an eBay auction for a crt tv that I wanted to play my 2600 on. I got it for .99p. When I went to collect the owner said 'Just take it. I can't take 99 pence off you'. Result.  |
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Post by VectorX on Dec 2, 2012 12:51:30 GMT -5
That's great! Free stuff can be the best during the (probably) rare times that you can obtain them  |
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Post by TrekMD on Dec 5, 2012 7:58:17 GMT -5
My additional Intellivision game reviews have been posted. You can check them out here: RVG Game Reviews |
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Post by wyldephang on Dec 5, 2012 23:23:12 GMT -5
My additional Intellivision game reviews have been posted. You can check them out here: RVG Game ReviewsWow, that was fast! Thanks for the heads-up. Your reviews are written well. I always struggle when I sit down to review a video game; by the time I feel I've penetrated the surface of the story or mechanics, I start to think that I've lost the reader. ;D |
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That was an early, yet fairly long game for back then that still can be hard to this day.
