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Post by bishopcruz on Feb 4, 2007 2:26:56 GMT -5
Also, no other of the Metroidvanias has had castle design that is anywhere NEAR as good as the design in Symphony. The thing I loved in SoTN was that you had so many options in where to go, and what to do that it was great. Yes, later vanias got more challenging, but in level design, SotN spanks it's younger siblings.
The castle design was so intuitive I played through it in the original Japanese and had no real problems (outside of a bug in the Japanese version that kicked in if you entered a dialogue scene with Maria from the wrong side.)
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Post by FM-77AV on Feb 4, 2007 5:17:42 GMT -5
SOTN lacked challenge, yes. So did all the others. In fact, I think the others are EASIER than SOTN. And shorter. Much shorter. Short and challengeless = five hour gameplay. Not good.
Not saying easy is bad. I like easy. I need more easy. Easy is good.
Five hour gameplay is not good, though. Not in any way.
Oh! I disagree with Wyrdwad. Useless items are NOT a bad thing! I love useless items! That's what makes SOTN so interesting! You can walk around and explore, but unlike the other Metroid clones, the exploring is not useless, in SOTN you can find lots of weird treasure. Good or not. THAT is interesting. When there's five items in the whole game (Super Metroid) and you know exactly what they're for, the adventuring element gets lost right there. Boring!
Also: here's the Metroid Castlevania master list of doom. Best to worst.
1. Symphony of the Night (perfection) 2. Circle of the Moon (great in every department, except for the awful music) 3. Dawn of Sorrow (nice castle design, fun Julius mode, horrible music) 4. Harmony of Dissonance (nice castle design, fantastic music, ugly graphics) 5. Portrait of Ruin (bad castle design, interesting map system, bad music) 6. Aria of Sorrow (abysmal in every department)
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Grave
Othclos
We are the new FOXHOUND.
Posts: 190
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Post by Grave on Feb 4, 2007 7:17:11 GMT -5
4. Harmony of Dissonance (nice castle design, fantastic music, ugly graphics) I mean, I don't agree with your list at all, but... but... wow!
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Post by FM-77AV on Feb 4, 2007 7:19:50 GMT -5
NES music rules! It sounds like NES music, therefore: it rules. It's not scratchy and crap like your standard GBA music. Ugh, your standard GBA music.
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Post by FM-77AV on Feb 4, 2007 15:38:23 GMT -5
I have no nostalgic feelings for SOTN, I didn't try it until I had played and finished Circle of the Moon and Harmony of Dissonance back in 2002. When I played SOTN shortly after HOD, I was blown away and it is the only Metroid clone that actually has some replay value to me (I've tried to replay the others, but I just can't stand them).
I have nothing negative to say about SOTN. Nothing at all. To me it's pretty much the perfect game in every single aspect.
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Post by FM-77AV on Feb 4, 2007 15:46:06 GMT -5
The interface isn't too great, but I don't think they've improved it either. I was very confused when I got new items in POR, for example. Never knowing whose equipment I found, and what category it ended up in, etc.
I don't see how the difficulty level can be a problem. I personally like easy games, and I don't think SOTN is any easier than any of the later games in the series.
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Post by FM-77AV on Feb 4, 2007 15:52:56 GMT -5
I powerleveled near the end of COTM. But yeah, it was a little harder than the other games. But not much.
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Post by FM-77AV on Feb 4, 2007 16:42:10 GMT -5
I am. Been playing it for several hours today. I was just going to play it some more before going to bed.
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Post by FM-77AV on Feb 4, 2007 18:21:23 GMT -5
I love it! I didn't remember anything from the story whatsoever, I guess I simply didn't understand it last time. Great work on this, thanks a lot once again! Super enjoyable game, I can't get enough of it, because after all... Ys IV rules!
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Post by Falcom Director of Fanservice on Feb 4, 2007 20:57:10 GMT -5
Oh Seldane, what you won't say to go against popular opinion.
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Post by FM-77AV on Feb 4, 2007 21:10:08 GMT -5
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Post by Red Hairdo on Feb 5, 2007 13:02:19 GMT -5
The question is: Which SOTN version will be ported? PS1 or Sega Saturn? The Saturn is the best version for sure. XD I just hope they could cut off the load times though. >_>
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Post by Red Hairdo on Feb 5, 2007 13:52:17 GMT -5
Well, all you said is true.
But putting it basically, the only bad points are the load times and the lack of the transparency effect and other minor visual effects. The load times could make the game more boring, and when you turned into Mist (for example), well...I admit it looked weird. XD
Still, I can hang up with those issues, thanks to the extras. Some of them are just nice to have. Others are awesome. The bonuses I really enjoyed are: - Maria Renard is playable. (It's amazing to play as her.) - The Jewel Sword gets stronger if you wear one of those Jewel Rings (like Turquoise, Diamond, etc.). It gives those rings some utility. Before they were just for selling. =/ - Sound Test available. Also there's an extra song or two. (Nothing big though) - Some new and short areas with some new enemies. (Again, nothing big, but a nice add = )
Also I found more familiars in the game, but...I don't know if that's also available or not in the JAP PS1 version too.
Still, I agree that those are not an excuse for the load times and minor visual effects downgrade. But I would change these for the bonuses. xD
Uhm, but what I really meant with my last post was: They could port the Saturn version. But also make the load times exactly as long as the PS1's and improve the visual effects too. I'm sorry I didn't say that in the first place...
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Post by Red Hairdo on Feb 5, 2007 14:58:47 GMT -5
Yep, that's it. = )
About Maria, I'm sure she's a monster in both games, gameplay-wise. xD
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Post by sideshow on Feb 10, 2007 18:40:09 GMT -5
That would be cool if they add the content of the Sega Saturn version of SOTN to the PSP version. That would be well worth playing again.
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Leroy
Zinoyd
I ♥ Gurumin!
Posts: 310
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Post by Leroy on Feb 10, 2007 19:27:06 GMT -5
That would be cool if they add the content of the Sega Saturn version of SOTN to the PSP version. That would be well worth playing again. On another forum I had said that it wouldn't hurt but I wouldn't miss it (re: Saturn extras). Now that I have booted up the Saturn version to remind myself of the extras I've changed to say that it's better left OUT. The new areas are crappy, the new monsters in those areas are crappy and playing as Maria is fun for maybe three minutes (the same uselessness as playing with Richter essentially). In particular the new monster don't even look like they're from the same game.. they're horrible. Now there WAS a cool new cape that slowly cycled colors while it was equipped and there was a new relic that enabled running (double tap forward) but that's all that I can think of that's worth mentioning from the Saturn version.
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Post by Inochi 命 on Feb 11, 2007 0:06:58 GMT -5
I've been reading around about the Saturn version lately... is it true that there is something different about the soundtrack too? Some added tracks? Is the Master Librarian's music actually better in the Saturn version? I've only heard the PSONE version of Master Librarian and I've never cared for it.
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Post by ParanoiaDragon on Feb 11, 2007 18:30:30 GMT -5
Is that big band version of Begining in the Saturn version? I can't recall, but I know I love that version, it's just....cool! I know some or most hate it, but, I enjoy it!
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