Le Roi
Saturn Gamer
Joined: April 2016
Posts: 231
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Post by Le Roi on Jun 26, 2016 17:37:40 GMT
Finally got around to playing Burning Rangers this weekend. This game is one of the main reasons I bought a Saturn console, so I thought I'd post my thoughts, especially since there's a chance of getting a discussion going... From the minute I loaded up the game , I absolutely loved its presentation. The TV cartoon-style intro movie and theme song are perfect, The professionally cheesy voice-acting, graphics (lighting effects) and atmosphere all fit with each other brilliantly for a 1998 action game. As soon as the gameplay starts, though, Burning Rangers' main problem is obvious: Dat camera The game really does feel unplayable at times and is nausea-inducing. I completed the game's underwater mission and felt like I'd been through astronaut training -- I physically couldn't continue. (For the uninitiated, making your way through the game requires listening out for auditory warnings of imminent explosions, then pressing Down on the D-Pad to perform a back-flip and avoid taking a hit.) The gameplay is unfortunately fundamentally flawed: half the time, your character will back-flip into a wall, get stuck on the scenery, and become engulfed by a series of blasts until you die a few seconds later. Not that the game is particularly difficult; it's just sometimes uncontrollable. It's been a very long time since I played Tomb Raider or other late-'90s action titles, but now I desperately want to, so that I can decided whether they share these frustrating elements as products of their time, or if this Saturn game is a tad overrated. On the plus side, I really enjoyed the overall 'experience' of Burning Rangers. Its style and concept are unique, which is what attracted me to it, and I can totally understand its cult appeal. My curiosity is well and truly satisfied, but when the time is right, I won't hesitate to sell it on. 5/10 would still bang.
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Post by thewhitefalcon on Jun 26, 2016 17:43:40 GMT
BR controls much better than Tomb Raider, IMO. Particularly since it has analog support.
I liked it but found the Japanese version ultimately not fun due to the language barrier.
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Post by bultje112 on Jun 26, 2016 18:05:18 GMT
play with 3d controller. to me the controls were excellent and never had any problems with the camera and I'm very sensitive in my balancing organs so I get sick quite quickly from close camera angles
tomb raider controls 10x worse at least
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sych
"Living for the fantasy" -NIGHTS INTO DREAMS- The Classic Saturn Gem!!!
Joined: July 2009
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Post by sych on Jun 26, 2016 18:23:01 GMT
The camera doesn't effect me either but I will echo that it is better with the analogue controller. It's a good game but I was never blown away by it.
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Post by The Elite MYT on Jun 26, 2016 18:53:14 GMT
BR controls a million times better than TR. TR is virtually unplayable, BR is fine when you get used to it. I play using D pad, with few issues, but apparently 3D controller controls really well. The camera has caused a couple of issues, but isn't too bad. I actually think it gets better once you know the level layout as you know where stuff is. That's obviously not great but it's not too bad imo. Anyway, this post is quite timely. I booted up BR earlier for the first time since I originally beat it in order to record a LP. I'm in the process of editing it all at the moment
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Post by linkt101 on Jun 26, 2016 19:29:32 GMT
The game plays better with 3D controller. Except when you're trying to speedrun it, as you need to constantly double-tap directions and jump to optimize movement.
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Post by barryburton on Jun 26, 2016 20:03:15 GMT
I always thought the controls were really good once you've got the hang of them, after perhaps one mission. You need to practice clicking the L and R triggers when you turn a corner. Have you got used to flying sideways as well? That helps avoid flames. Granted the under water sequences can be frustrating. If you still dislike BR after some more practice, please don't play any of the old Tomb Raiders with any breakable objects or pets in the vicinity as they will be taking a beating as the controls are much much more difficult
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Le Roi
Saturn Gamer
Joined: April 2016
Posts: 231
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Post by Le Roi on Jun 26, 2016 20:34:49 GMT
Ok I haven't practiced flying sideways, maybe that will help.
I forgot about TR's tank controls actually, I would probably throw it out the window if I played it now.
Will update this post if BR grows on me.
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NeoGeoNinja
Shadow Warrior
Joined: August 2011
Posts: 6,616
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Post by NeoGeoNinja on Jun 26, 2016 20:47:56 GMT
It's been a very long time since I played Tomb Raider or other late-'90s action titles, but now I desperately want to, so that I can decided whether they share these frustrating elements as products of their time, or if this Saturn game is a tad overrated.This. Basically. It's a late Saturn exclusive western release made by Sonic Team. It's VERY MUCH subject to unnecessary fanboy hype and rose-tinted, overlooking-the-flaws SEGA bias. Nothing wrong with having an objective opinion of the game my friend. You're just calling it purely as you see it. As with MANX TT and SEGA Touring Car (which are BOTH shit btw) you're always going to be subjected to the "You did play it with the analog controller... didn't you??" and the "it's a COMPLETELY different game with the analog controller... BELIEVE ME!?!"... but take it from someone who owns all 3 titles AND (gasp!) an analog controller. It IMPROVES the game's, slightly, but doesn't change the experience anywhere near enough to justify the revelations and comments people make. Will probably bring your experience to a 6/10
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Post by thewhitefalcon on Jun 26, 2016 21:24:45 GMT
I feel it's nice from a technical standpoint, which seems to apply to several "great" titles (though certainly not all).
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Post by xDerekRx on Jun 27, 2016 3:26:21 GMT
Burning Rangers is tough to discuss in 2016 especially if you are only playing it for the first time.
I went through a lot of different emotions with this game when I first played it not long ago. It was one of the games I always wanted to play back in 1998.
My first time playing BR there were things, like you, that irked me. Controls, some graphical things, but mostly some of the controls.
After I mastered flight, I discovered how brilliant the engine was and the programming. To me when you see how fluid and extensive the flight abilities are, you really see beauty of the game. You start to master the levels and most of the frustrations are gone in my opinion.
I don't think you can compare Tomb Raider and BR whatsoever as far as controls go. BR is more free flowing and fluid once mastered. TR is a bit more tank like (although even I must admit I mastered TR controls last play through)
Burning Rangers graphics are something that I absolutely love. They will feel dated like a lot of 3D stuff these days but for the Saturn there are so many cool effects that I love that maybe you won't notice in your first play. The polygons are tighter than most Saturn 3D games, not huge and bulky. I love that. The explosions and bosses are top notch look especially the final boss stage. Its easy to get caught up looking at some of the glitchy stuff with BR but I personally can overlook that because of the impressive stuff they were able to do on the Saturn.
Like I said Burning Rangers is a tough game to play for the first time now especially with all of the expectations you will likely have put on it. However once you get comfortable with it and not put so much hype on it, you'll start to see the beauty of the game.
To me the pluses of the game are too great and outweigh the bit of roughness. You also have to remember Yuji Naka only had a year to make this game. Because of his commitment to Dreamcast projects, he only got to do 50% of what he wanted to with BR (he says this in an interview). The game wasn't 50% complete, just he had to leave alot of stuff out like the 2 player mode. Its too bad they didn't have the time to fully finish the game because the idea was awesome and original. The anime story that builds is also great. If he had been able to add say 3-4 more levels with more storyline it would have been absolutely fantastic.
As it stands its a good quick blast of original fun with great graphics IMO. A rough gem if you will. The randomly generated levels with people to rescue were a great idea to extend the life of the game.
I think people put too much hype on the game so when they play it they expect a 10/10 title. If just taken for what it is, I think people will settle in the 7.5 range. I myself am more in the 8 range.
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Post by atolm on Jun 27, 2016 3:34:55 GMT
I thought the game was awesome back in 1998, other than being fairly short.
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Post by bultje112 on Jun 28, 2016 7:18:10 GMT
It's been a very long time since I played Tomb Raider or other late-'90s action titles, but now I desperately want to, so that I can decided whether they share these frustrating elements as products of their time, or if this Saturn game is a tad overrated.This. Basically. It's a late Saturn exclusive western release made by Sonic Team. It's VERY MUCH subject to unnecessary fanboy hype and rose-tinted, overlooking-the-flaws SEGA bias. Nothing wrong with having an objective opinion of the game my friend. You're just calling it purely as you see it. As with MANX TT and SEGA Touring Car (which are BOTH shit btw) you're always going to be subjected to the "You did play it with the analog controller... didn't you??" and the "it's a COMPLETELY different game with the analog controller... BELIEVE ME!?!"... but take it from someone who owns all 3 titles AND (gasp!) an analog controller. It IMPROVES the game's, slightly, but doesn't change the experience anywhere near enough to justify the revelations and comments people make. Will probably bring your experience to a 6/10 how can you say manx tt is shit? did you play it with 3d controller or steering wheel? also in general, you can move the camera's in burning rangers and it works fine imo
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Post by The Elite MYT on Jun 28, 2016 7:44:25 GMT
I think the key thing in BR is getting used to the movement. Platforming with the Jetpack is pretty tough. It is possible to get used to in order to improve things, but it's tricky even then.
I'd stick with it. It's not a very long game, but hopefully you should have a handle on it by the time you beat it for the first time. Same with the camera. Just get used shifting it as you move around corners.
One thing I found useful whilst walking across the narrow platforms in the last two stages was to walk to the corner, press the shoulder button to rotate 90 degrees and then just move forward. All the turns are 90 degrees so doing this makes these parts a lot easier than trying to just run through it.
Good luck, and I hope it grows on you!
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NeoGeoNinja
Shadow Warrior
Joined: August 2011
Posts: 6,616
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Post by NeoGeoNinja on Jun 28, 2016 9:15:21 GMT
As with MANX TT and SEGA Touring Car (which are BOTH shit btw) you're always going to be subjected to the "You did play it with the analog controller... didn't you??" and the "it's a COMPLETELY different game with the analog controller... BELIEVE ME!?!"... but take it from someone who owns all 3 titles AND (gasp!) an analog controller. It IMPROVES the game's, slightly, but doesn't change the experience anywhere near enough to justify the revelations and comments people make. how can you say manx tt is shit? did you play it with 3d controller or steering wheel?- [Burning Rangers is] a late Saturn exclusive western release made by Sonic Team. It's VERY MUCH subject to unnecessary fanboy hype and rose-tinted, overlooking-the-flaws SEGA biasalso in general, you can move the camera's in burning rangers and it works fine imo LOL! You flew right into these flames, didn't you, my little furry SEGA Moth-like friend. So predictable...
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