Well, I just ripped off the postmans arm and had a quick go, so here’s what I think (I’ve played up to level 3 opening on arrange and a bit of level 1 on Saturn mode)
Arrange mode changes
Dragon model much improved (as we’ve all seen already)
True transparencies used where meshes are in the original
Anti aliasing used throughout
Options menu gives you the choice of both Japanese and US difficulty settings from the start.
Instrument mode available from the start
Picking Saturn mode “resets” the console, and starts back up with the Saturn Sega copyright screen. Apart from being able to use the analogue sticks and an “EXit” option on the main menu (to get you back to the Arrange/Saturn screen), this seems identical to the original release.
So then… I’m disappointed right now. Not with the game, which is obviously the same PD that we all love, but with the arrange mode. Having the new dragon model is nice, but as none of the other enemy models are different (not even just the bosses), it stands out like a sore thumb. The utterly flat, endless desert was acceptable 10 years ago, and is still acceptable in the Saturn version, but it wouldn’t have killed them to put a few bumps in the landscape, or even just stuck a few rocky mountains in the background.
Instrument mode is not a patch on PDZweis version either. It looks like a cheap programmers tool as it does nothing more than track the enemies on screen/total shot down and shot down ratio, all in some plain text stuck in the top corner.
They left the flaming pop up in the same places too, FFS…
Before anybody has a go, I wasn’t expecting some Orta looking wonder-remake, and I already have 14 other games from the Sega Ages PS2 range, so I’m familiar with the usual standards. It’s a shame that the attention lavished on the ports of Dragon Force and Gunstar Treasure box, as well as the remakes of Phantasy Star 1 and 2, weren’t used here.
EDIT: - Just finished the game - completing the game on Normal unlocks the Rolling/Laser/Shot/Rider/Dragon only options.
Actually, I believe that the PD remake is the first of the Ages lineup that was developed either internally at SOJ, or was controlled directly by it.
That being said, the issue with the Ages line of games up until this point was that a lot of the fans of the originals were complaining that the remade versions didn’t even feel like the originals (Golden Axe is a good example). So, I think (emphasizing the word here) that the goal was to redo the originals with upgrades, without significantly changing the game.
That being said, it seems like the upgrades that were done to this version were a bit inconsistent, which is likely what’s causing the issue.
[quote=“Abadd”]Actually, I believe that the PD remake is the first of the Ages lineup that was developed either internally at SOJ, or was controlled directly by it.
That being said, the issue with the Ages line of games up until this point was that a lot of the fans of the originals were complaining that the remade versions didn’t even feel like the originals (Golden Axe is a good example). So, I think (emphasizing the word here) that the goal was to redo the originals with upgrades, without significantly changing the game.
That being said, it seems like the upgrades that were done to this version were a bit inconsistent, which is likely what’s causing the issue.[/quote]
The biggest trouble with the old SEGA Ages PS2 range was that they wasn?t a Perfect port on the original onthe disc too , that’s the port that always wound me up and the fact that 3d Ages couldn?t program to save their lives.
I should get my copy tomrrow and I’m so glad SEGA have messed with the game much (still my fav game of all time) I was hoping so some Artwork on the making of the classic Saturn game and that the FMV would now be full screen and much high res (still the best intro )
It is the inconsistancy that is my main gripe. The new dragon model is lovely, but it’s done IMO without any consideration for the game that it sits in. To me, it makes the game look unfinshed - as though they started it full of euthusiasm and then got lazy halfway through.
I was probably expecting too much, but I think I’d rather they have left it at just the original game than tack on a so-called “upgrade”. At least I can put the music through an optical cable now, sounds great!
I was playing it in widescreen, rather than the correct aspect ratio so I can’t give you a derfinitive answer right now. It may have been a larger image (slightly) but it certainly wasn’t in a higher resolution.
I just wish SEGA woke up to its Arcade classics more.
I’ll pay top money (hell I’ll ?100 or Daytona alone) for a Racer pack with the likes of Daytona, Scud Race, Le Mans , or a shooter pack with the likes of Lost Wold (still the best gun game ever) , HOTD, GunBlade NY , Line Of Fire all one one disc .
High Time SEGA done a Arcade pack that the likes of Midway , Capcom and Tatio been doing of late. SEGA Arcade back Catalogue is miles ahead of anybody else
Oh and with luck VGI should be getting thier stock intomorrow
Problem is that a lot of the games you mention have licenses attached to them, and any licensing payments required in classic packs like that flush profitability down the drain.
Gehpnaet: Well, it all depends on whether or not you are the target market for a budget title like that.
[quote=“Abadd”]Problem is that a lot of the games you mention have licenses attached to them, and any licensing payments required in classic packs like that flush profitability down the drain.
[/quote]
Yeah I can see that being a problem for Scud Race (cars) and the Likes of Lost World, and of Corse Daytona USA would need a name change .
But really SEGA could still do a retro pack it’s going more than enough IP of its own onthe System 32, 16, Model 2,3 Boards, Though I guess Model 2 ,3 games would need a fair bit of work .
Treasure should do the same a collection of ther N64 and Satrun efforts all on one disc would sell like there’s no tomorrow in my view
You also have to take into consideration that there is some licensed music in certain games, some of them were actually developed by external developers (but managed internally), etc.
You’d be surprised at how hard it is for publishers to put together compelling retro packs that make fiscal sense.
Incedentally, it is considered highly likely that Sin & Punishment: Successor to Earth will be available worldwide on the Wii’s virtual console. It was in a list of games in an official survey a while back.
You almost wonder if they should have left it even more alone, maybe just have a 60 frames-per-second refresh, high res screen def, anti-aliasing, remove pop-in, but kept the actual art contents identical, so at least it felt like the old game displayed as well as it could.
At least it would be consitent, and not cost them any art budget- like the definitive version of PD1.
[quote=“lagi_webmaster”]You almost wonder if they should have left it even more alone, maybe just have a 60 frames-per-second refresh, high res screen def, anti-aliasing, remove pop-in, but kept the actual art contents identical, so at least it felt like the old game displayed as well as it could.
At least it would be consitent, and not cost them any art budget- like the definitive version of PD1.[/quote]
I would have been happy with that. It’s basically what they did with Virtua Racing, which I think is an excellent port.
I understand the budget-ness of the SA label, but what I don’t understand is that some games are completely remade (for better or worse), some are arcade rather than console ports (a good thing), some are enchanced but kept as close to the original as possible (Gunstar)… I wish they had a single vision of what they wished to do with the series!
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