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11-04-2004, 11:51 PM
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#2 |
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Olé!
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Denver, Colorado
Posts: 20,144
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Space Harrier
8/10 Sega 32X  When I bought this box, I naturally assumed that a 32X version of Space Harrier would be inside. I was right! Back in the day when Space Harrier arrived for the Sega 32X at my local WaldenSoftware store, I was MAJORLY excited. Never before had I played a version that was so close to the arcade. I didn't care what the game cost, I handed over a large sum of cash, accepted the change and headed for home. I still don't remember what the total was. Oh well. I played the game and was in gaming heaven. This made the purchase of the 32X completely worthwhile for me... until the Saturn Sega Ages version came out anyway. Story: 3/10 The story is about a dude who flies through the air to save the land of dragons. There has never been a better story written in the history of all mankind. OK yes, it is lame. But who cares? Graphics: 8/10 The graphics are very colorful, exactly like the arcade except for a very slight loss of resolution due to the mandatory use of the composite video cable. I know of no one who plays their 32X in RGB or S-Video. The screen area is also slightly smaller than the arcade and Saturn versions and is letterboxed, but this does not detract from gameplay. The scaling is all there and I have not seen much, if any flicker. Lots of stuff on the screen and the inhabitants of this world are very well drawn. The Genesis is responsible for ONLY the backgrounds (multiple scrolling layers of mountains, etc. but NOT the smooth colors behind these layers), the ranking score text, the start/option text, and the option screen text. The 32X itself handles the rest of the graphics. This can be proved by wiring the Genesis directly to the TV via the composite cable instead of routing the video through the 32X first. Usually the 32X is barely used at all in most games.  Yes, the game is letterboxed. It helps the 32X run the game a bit smoother, but still not 100% perfect. Sound: 10/10 100% exactly like the arcade. All of the voices from the arcade are here. Normally people like to pick on the sound capabilities of the Genesis, but with the right amount of memory it can sound very good. All of the voices sound real, not like scratchy digitizations the Genesis is known for. I don't know if the 32X had a part in this or if it is the Genesis doing all of the work, but it sounds great! Of course, the voice used in Space Harrier II sounded completely real as well, and that was only a 4 Meg Genesis cart (this version is 24 Megs). The music is some of my favorite ever used in a game, but that's because it was some of the first videogame music I was ever exposed to. It basically has one long track with various sections. As the stages advance, the track begins from a different segment. There are a few different boss tunes as well as a bonus stage tune that is catchy. Gameplay: 8/10 Fly around and shoot stuff! There is very little strategy required... all arcade skill! Not everything can be destroyed, however. And some things can only be injured when they open up or are in a certain position. When fighting the bosses, some of them will fly away if you don't beat them fast enough. But most of the bosses are especially designed for each stage, and they will stick around until you beat them. Unfortunately there is some slowdown that occurs quite often when the screen fills up. I had to deduct some points for this. The Saturn version eliminated this slowdown. Overall it is a fun game and I play it again and again, and I'm sure I will for years to come. Wrap up: Space Harrier for the 32X is a hit! If you have a 32X I highly recommend it. The Saturn version is slightly better, but you can't go wrong here. You don't get to play as a spaceship like in the Master System version, nor is there a final boss and extra music like the Master System version, but it still is a great arcade game! Last edited by Joe Redifer; 11-24-2004 at 04:42 PM. |
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11-04-2004, 11:52 PM
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#3 |
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Olé!
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Denver, Colorado
Posts: 20,144
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Out Run 2
8/10 Xbox When I learned that Out Run 2 was a new game in the arcade, my first thought was "What the hellz? Arcades still exist? NO WAY!" Then I learned that Sega had built the game on Xbox technology, their Chichiro board (or something just as stupidly named) which is basically an Xbox with twice as much RAM and no DVD Drive. Then I saw the game screens. My thought after all of this was "Oh man dat's mad tight yo! I can'tz wait for da perfect Xbox version!" But there was no word from Sega on a home port of the game. Then it was announced that Out Run 2 would be ported exclusively to the PS2. That whole week I was on the toilet with constant explosive diarrhea. Sega finally came around and said "Hey man we were just f*ckin' with ya. Out Run 2 would look like ass on the PS2. It's coming to the Xbox fully intact, we've got our best sumo's on the project!". My diarrhea suddenly went away and I was all better. Fortunately the game arrived on the Xbox pixel perfect. Mostly. Story: 37/10 The story in Out Run 2 is beyond belief. It makes crappy games like Final Fantasy 7 and Chrono Trigger pale by comparison. Those two games were written by Japanese nerds fresh out of high school. But the story of Out Run 2 was collaborated upon by the likes of Dean Koontz, Stephen King, Michael Crichton, Tom Clancy, Mark Twain, Charlie Kaufman, Yu Suzuki, and Agatha Christie. It simply does not get better than this. You will be immensed at every moment by the drama, suspense, thrills, and romance. The interpersonal lives of the game characters is an amazing tale to behold indeed. Graphics: 9/10 If you are a graphics whore, and don't even try to tell me that you are not, then you will be very pleased with Out Run 2. The draw distance is amazing. It doesn't look real but it looks awesome. It's like a great painting that runs at 60fps most of the time. There are a couple of spots where the framerate drops briefly, but it's not too bad. The game isn't quite pixel-perfect to the arcade. "OMG! What are the differences?" you ask. I guess I'll answer that since you asked somewhat nicely. Keep that in mind the next time you ask me a question as well. Well the home game is capable of running in 16:9 widescreen, which lets you see more of the race area. The arcade does not run in this mode. So in effect, the home version's graphics are better if you have a 16:9 TV. This game also supports 480p. The slowdown I talked about earlier may be the result of running in widescreen, as I have noticed that games like Ninja Gaiden don't update the screen as smoothly when in widescreen mode, being that it has more to process. But I am too lazy to play Out Run 2 in 4:3 mode just to find out. Bottom line: graphics are very, very good. Much better than those of Burnout 3.  Out Run 2 has awesome graphics. Check out the awesome drawing distances. Sound: 7/10 This game has some really good music, and that can't be denied. But it also has some really BAD music. Tunes from the original Out Run were arranged years and years ago and were released on a CD. Sega has taken these exact tunes, changed them a wee bit (but not much) and included them in Out Run 2. There are also 2 new instrumental guitar-themed tunes that are pretty good as well. Then there are the 2 "songs". Listening to these will make you shoot yourself, rise from the grave and shoot yourself again just to be sure. They're that bad. Instrumental versions of these 2 "songs" can be unlocked in the Mission Mode. You can also unlock versions of the original tunes redone by Sega Europe musician Richard Jacques (no relation to Jacque Cousteau). Richy was responsible for the music in Sonic R, Sonic 3D Blast, Jet Set Radio (Present and Future) among others. But these "Euro Remixes" don't amount to too much in the way of new and different, but they are a nice change of pace. You can also unlock the original 1986 arcade chiptunes.  Musician Richard Jacques says "I once shared an e-mail with Joe Redifer long ago". Yes, it's true. You can believe him. Gameplay: 8/10 I hate rating gameplay because it's the part of the game that nobody cares about. Oh well, I guess I should do it. The game is great fun, and most of the time you are racing aganst the clock. You don't drive around in circles forever (eg: lap races), but instead you need to make it to the checkpoint before your time runs out. That kicks ass. Most people downplay Out Run 2 because you can't tweak the differentials, shocks, or whatnot. Also you don't drive around in circles or do "takedowns". Out Run 2 has no desire to be Gran Turdismo or Burnout. It is a pure arcade racer. And that's why it shines. I am sick of games that take themselves so damn seriously. Out Run 2 also has an insane Mission Mode where you can unlock stuff like cards. Everyone love cards. It's usually either exceedingly easy or frustratingly hard. The Maximum Speed contests are the missions that hate me and my life the most. This is way tougher than anything in Burnout 3. Included in Out Run 2 are a few tracks from 2 Sega arcade games that nobody knows about, Daytona 2 and Super GT (aka SCUD the Disposable Assassin). The tracks must be unlocked in the Mission Mode or via a password. It is definitely cool that these tracks are in the game, but they are certainly not meant to exist in Out Run 2's world. Since Out Run 2 controls like Sega Rally, which controls differently than Daytona or that other game, these end up not being very good tracks to race on. The graphics of the bonus tracks are about 59% of the quality of the regular Out Run 2 tracks. They almost look cartoonish and lack much detail. Unfortunately they did not include the music from the original game's tracks. Racing these tracks it's easy to see why Daytona 2 and that other game (whatever it's called) barely even made arcade appearances (I think only like 10 arcades in all the world got both games... combined) and also easy to see why they never showed up on a home console. Here's a hint: the tracks are rather... well... mundane. Neat to see additional tracks in the game though.  You can unlock the arcade version of the original Out Run by beating all 5 tracks in the Arcade Mode. Controlling this game with the Xbox controller really sucks big time. Stick with the Saturn version. Online: Yes, this game is Live compatible, if anyone cares (I really don't). Up to 8 racers can race each other, and the rooms have been full each time I've tried. It works pretty well, but the framerate takes a hit quite often (and quite noticably) in the online mode. Wrap Up: Out Run 2 for your Xbox is a must have, especially at 40 bucks. I would have liked to see an arranged version of the musical track that was exclusive to the Genesis version included, but no such luck. Regardless, it is a phenomenal game. I hope that the 15 new tracks of the Out Run SP arcade game is offered as a download. This game does support downloadable content, so I am getting my hopes up! Last edited by Joe Redifer; 11-24-2004 at 04:43 PM. |
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11-05-2004, 02:48 AM
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#4 |
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Deal with it.
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 12,548
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Of course Space Harrier deserves a high rating; that goes without saying. You said that there are some rules to your thread, and then posted #s 1, 2 and 4. What's rule #3?
P.S. Your writing skills strike me as being sort of like Maddox's. Though his style is pretty easy to mimic, are you intentionally trying to sound that way? It's hard to argue otherwise with quotes such as this ~ "All reviews are final. If you don't like them, I recommend suicide (for you, not me)." P.P.S. About freakin' time Joe! (These reviews sound a helluva lot different than your Annette Again review.)
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11-05-2004, 03:26 AM
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#5 |
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Olé!
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Denver, Colorado
Posts: 20,144
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There has been more than one person who thought I was actually Maddox. I have had a similar sense of humor since high school (before Maddox was even accidentally conceived) and have written/talked that way since. But he gets all of the credit. Someday the world will be mine. If not, I'd settle for a piece of pie.
Rule #3 is not for public viewing. |
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11-05-2004, 03:44 AM
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#6 |
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I'm D-E-D, Dead!
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Apopka
Posts: 1,471
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Even more reviews from different people, keep up the good work Joe. As for the Chihiro arcade system:
System : X-Box based configuration. CPU : Intel Pentium III 733MHz (133MHz FSB) Graphics : nVidia XChip 200MHz (based on the nVidia GeForce 3) Sound Hardware : 1. Cirrus Logic CS4630 Stream Processor (20-bit DAC, programmable to handle 3D sound streams, 2D sound (including DLS-compatible MIDI), MP3 acceleration, Sensaura environmental effects, and other functions) 2. Other sounds may be generated by the CPU via software engines. 3. nVidia nForce (Real time Dolby Digital 5.1 encoding) RAM : Upgradable Module, from 64MB upwards (Outrun 2 has 512MB) Media : Sega GD-Rom Polygons : 125M Polys/sec (Theoretical Maximum) Rendering Speed : 4.0 G pixel/sec Features : Programmable vertex and pixel shading, hardware Transform & Lighting engine, Quincunx FSAA, Anisotropic filtering, bump mapping, hardware lighting, particle effects, other standard 3D features). Source: www.System16.com |
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12-06-2004, 09:13 PM
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#7 |
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Olé!
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Denver, Colorado
Posts: 20,144
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Street Fighter
1/10 Arcade  OMG it's STREET FIGHTER 1!!! Notice nobody is playing the game in this picture. Here it is, the game that started it all in 1987! It must be an amazing game to warrant so many sequels and spin-offs. In fact, how can it NOT be outstanding? Let's put a quarter in and play this incredible game. Ah OK. Press Start. Select my country (I choose USA because I am a patriot and not a traitor). OK. I guess I am Ryu. Round 1. Oh.... my. What happened? Am I actually playing or is this just the demo? Oh wait I am actually playing! Well... not anymore.  This game takes place back when Ryu and Ken were complete stoners, so their moves are very slow. Graphics: 4/10 Compared to all of it's sequels, Street Fighter really doesn't hold a candle. It has two layers of scrolling, floaty sprites, good color, no line scrolls (floor "warping") and that's about it. The backgrounds do look nice and that's why I give the graphics as much as I do. Capcom usually does very well with that aspect in the arcades. But the sprites are unacceptable! Ryu is now a red-head. In fact I think I'm playing as Adol from the Y's series instead of Ryu. Except Adol is a hell of a lot easier to control than Ryu is in this game. The animation is horrible. Complete choppiness. When you jump, the sprites just kind of float slowly. It's bad. Oh yeah, there are some familiar characters in this game, like Birdie. We all remember Birdie from the Alpha series, right? Well Birdie must be the ultimate "wigger" because in this game he is actually white. He has "Reverse Michael Jackson Disease" I guess.  It's M.Bison, known here as "Mike". Apparently Ryu bumped his knee and now he's hopping around in pain. I did the same thing after kneeing the arcade for being so damn cheap and frustrating! Sound: 4/10 The sound is worse than the graphics, by far. The music is screechy and abrasive sounding. The actual composition of the music is good, but the sound quality used just destroys it. So why did I rate the sound the same as the graphics if the sound is so bad? Because it is also absolutely HILARIOUS! Every single character in the game has the same exact voice which sounds like a drunk Japanese guy trying to speak English with a mouthfull of Play-Doh?... yes even Mike who just happens to be black. Every character has a witty line that they speak when they win. With Mike it's "I'm strong!". When Retsu wins he tells you to "Go to heaven!". So polite. If you win, each character will say to you the same exact high-quality phrase in the same exact high-quality voice each time. Can you understand what is being said? Fortunately this phrase also exists in text-form in the game, but I'll let those of you who haven't played the game try and guess! I don't know where they found this guy.  This stage looks cool. However it plays like ass just like all the other stages. Gameplay: 1/10 This is a Street Fighter game? Daaaaaamn! Well let's see... it weighs in at 40 megabits. You can play as Ryu or Ken. That's it. You both have the same exact moves. You can do your favorite moves like the Hurricane Kick, Dragon Punch, or Fireball. Good luck trying to do those moves at critical moments, though. Control is EXTREMELY unresponsive to say the least. It doesn't help that the characters are floaty and only about 5 hits are required to win (or lose). You start out by selecting a country, and you have to defeat the two dudes there. Once you beat all 8 characters from all 4 countries, Thailand opens up and you have to then deal with Adon and final boss Sagat. Both will piss you off tremendously with their super cheap gameplay. To be honest, it is easier (and definitely more fun) to see how many papercuts you can give yourself all over your body than to play this "game". It is worth a quarter just to say that you've played the elusive "Street Fighter 1" and to laugh at how bad it is, but beyond that it is sheer torture.  Ryu is a redhead and I don't know what Ken did to piss off his barber so much. The only home conversion This game only has one version for home consoles thankfully, and it's called "Fighting Street" (for the same reason the Gamecube is called "GCN"... stupidity) and it exists only for the TurboGrafx-16 CD-ROM system. Not only that, but Fighting Street was the first CD game released in the USA for a home video game system EVER! Capcom decided it would be best to put it on the system where the game would be least likely to sell since they were so ashamed of it. The conversion of the arcade is actually quite good. The graphics are a bit worse and it lost the second layer of scrolling. The sprites are all pretty close and the game is still just as fun testicle surgery. Even the voices are just as ridiculous. However the music is now CD quality and nearly worth listening to. The gameplay has been reduced to only two buttons, but you won't care as it's like trying to control the game with a box of sand in either version. I would rate Fighting Street the same as I rated Street Fighter here, but with a higher score for "sound".  After many tries and much patience, Ryu is finally able to throw a fireball. Wrap up: I can't believe that this game generated enough revenue to warrant a sequel. I'd rather urinate acid. |
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12-07-2004, 01:21 AM
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#8 |
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Deal with it.
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 12,548
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I actually have those voices memorized.
 "What strength, but don't forget there are many fighters like you all over the world!" & "You've got a lot to learn before you beat me. Try again kid! Eh-heh-heh-heh-heh!!"
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12-07-2004, 01:32 AM
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#9 |
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Olé!
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Denver, Colorado
Posts: 20,144
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Close. In the first line, swap the word "guys" for "fighters". The second line is correct, but the text in the game insists it is saying "kiddo". I don't hear it.
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12-07-2004, 01:36 AM
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#10 |
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Deal with it.
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 12,548
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Yeah, that's right. So my memory is a little sketchy, that's all. Wouldn't yours be after playing that nightmare on a disc oh so long ago? I already reviewed the TurboCD version and decimated it. I'm sure you understand why from firsthand experience.
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12-07-2004, 11:28 AM
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#11 |
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Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2002
Posts: 9,321
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Hey JR you were not so right in the review of Street Fighter, the game was BIG in Asia, attracted crowds when it first came out in 1987. The graphics were considered good at that time. A lot of people were amazed that Ryu/Ken can pull out those "magic" moves (aka dragon punch and fireball and so on). I'd say the game worths at least a 6.
I played the TurboCD version, the best part of the game is the stereo CD music, it was pretty nice at that time when all other consoles were using mono music. |
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12-14-2004, 07:49 PM
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#12 |
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RAWR!!!
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Five min from Sinful Sam
Posts: 4,805
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JJJJOOOOOOEEEE!!!!!.......review Gunvalkyire please
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__________________
For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.-Ephesians 2:8-9 The above post wasn't checked for: spelling or grammatical errors, comma splices, awkward phrases, run-on sentences, subject-verb agreement, and other errors in the English language. PSN=MrBear14518 XboxLive=Teaching Bear |
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12-14-2004, 10:54 PM
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#13 |
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Olé!
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Denver, Colorado
Posts: 20,144
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Ahhh good choice! I will accept the Gunvalkyrie challenge!
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12-14-2004, 11:51 PM
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#14 |
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Deal with it.
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 12,548
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Sorry if this is a wasted post but once you've finished reviewing Gunvalkyrie I'd like to make a special request of my own. ;)
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Turn on the difference. |
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12-15-2004, 12:40 AM
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#15 |
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I'm D-E-D, Dead!
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Apopka
Posts: 1,471
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Man, I've really gotta get back to reviewing some games, I still have like eight games that I havent finished or reviewed yet.
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Awsome bands to listen to: The Mars Volta, Dir en Grey, At the Drive in, D'espairs Ray, Ayabie, Panic Channel, Gazette, Psycho le Cemu |
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