Experiences so far.....
Oct 8, 2008 11:04:54 GMT
Post by toure on Oct 8, 2008 11:04:54 GMT
I've had my first Saturn for a few weeks now and thought I would share some experiences.
Some mini-reviews of games I've played so far.
Dungeon and Dragons Collection:
This is the one I was most excited about and generally haven't been dissapointed.
Tower of Doom is the weakest of the games naturally. Graphically its very accurate with some nice big sprites and fine animation. SFX are a little underwhelming which is the only slight detraction from presentation.
Loading times, especially when navigating menu's, are strangely frequent but once you are in the games its not a problem.
Tower of Doom follows the Knights of the Round formula of coin pumping (which is fair enough). Gameplay can often be cheap and pretty random with regards to damage from a hit or collision on the hit itself. This was expected and is exactly the same as the arcade.
A solid scrolling beat-em-up that doesn't work as well at home as it does in the arcade.
Shadow over Mystara is a completely different proposition and is the star of the show.
Visually its better with more frames of animation and more detailed sprites and backgrounds. Some of the bosses are huge and truly wonderous to behold. Sonically it does the job.
The biggest difference between this and ToD is that it plays better as a home experience. While it can be cheap, it is not as downright frustrating as ToD. It is possible, with strategic play, to progress as a single player on 1cc. There is also more depth to the play with a wider range of options for each class as they progress (although some are better at solo play than others).
A great package overall and a must for any fan of Mystara.
Gradius Deluxe:
Not much to be said. Great versions of classic shooters.
Capcom Gen 2:
Same as above. Great versions of classic games and one of my top 3 platformers.
Panzer Dragoon:
This is one of the big ones I have read so much about and was very eager to play.
Graphically 3D games never age well. I remember going back to Ridge Racer many years after playing it on the PSX when it was first released and it was nothing like I remembered.
Although artistically its wonderful the textures, although probably great at the time, are not so much now (to be expected).
The feeling and atmosphere are wonderful though. It put me in mind of playing Magic Carpet on the PC which I loved.
Gameplay is straightforward and based on memory patterns. Its not rocket science and can become repetitive but the atmosphere and the feeling the game instills lifts it above the norm. Even with the low res textures some of the creations are wonderful to behold.
Xmen vs SF:
Great conversion of a fun but unbalanced fighter. Lovely sprites and animation. Will mostly play this 2-player with my son.
Virtua Fighter 2:
One of the exceptions from the aging of 3D visuals. Great representation from the Saturn and so bloody smooth.
Nothing to say about the gameplay that hasn't already been said. The best VF for me as it has perfect balance between it being perfectly playable as a casual fighter but having masses of depth if you want it.
Having a great time with my Saturn so far. I need more RPG's and Shmups though.
Some mini-reviews of games I've played so far.
Dungeon and Dragons Collection:
This is the one I was most excited about and generally haven't been dissapointed.
Tower of Doom is the weakest of the games naturally. Graphically its very accurate with some nice big sprites and fine animation. SFX are a little underwhelming which is the only slight detraction from presentation.
Loading times, especially when navigating menu's, are strangely frequent but once you are in the games its not a problem.
Tower of Doom follows the Knights of the Round formula of coin pumping (which is fair enough). Gameplay can often be cheap and pretty random with regards to damage from a hit or collision on the hit itself. This was expected and is exactly the same as the arcade.
A solid scrolling beat-em-up that doesn't work as well at home as it does in the arcade.
Shadow over Mystara is a completely different proposition and is the star of the show.
Visually its better with more frames of animation and more detailed sprites and backgrounds. Some of the bosses are huge and truly wonderous to behold. Sonically it does the job.
The biggest difference between this and ToD is that it plays better as a home experience. While it can be cheap, it is not as downright frustrating as ToD. It is possible, with strategic play, to progress as a single player on 1cc. There is also more depth to the play with a wider range of options for each class as they progress (although some are better at solo play than others).
A great package overall and a must for any fan of Mystara.
Gradius Deluxe:
Not much to be said. Great versions of classic shooters.
Capcom Gen 2:
Same as above. Great versions of classic games and one of my top 3 platformers.
Panzer Dragoon:
This is one of the big ones I have read so much about and was very eager to play.
Graphically 3D games never age well. I remember going back to Ridge Racer many years after playing it on the PSX when it was first released and it was nothing like I remembered.
Although artistically its wonderful the textures, although probably great at the time, are not so much now (to be expected).
The feeling and atmosphere are wonderful though. It put me in mind of playing Magic Carpet on the PC which I loved.
Gameplay is straightforward and based on memory patterns. Its not rocket science and can become repetitive but the atmosphere and the feeling the game instills lifts it above the norm. Even with the low res textures some of the creations are wonderful to behold.
Xmen vs SF:
Great conversion of a fun but unbalanced fighter. Lovely sprites and animation. Will mostly play this 2-player with my son.
Virtua Fighter 2:
One of the exceptions from the aging of 3D visuals. Great representation from the Saturn and so bloody smooth.
Nothing to say about the gameplay that hasn't already been said. The best VF for me as it has perfect balance between it being perfectly playable as a casual fighter but having masses of depth if you want it.
Having a great time with my Saturn so far. I need more RPG's and Shmups though.
