Naniyue's Return to Turboland

[Naniyue]

Shooter Interlude - Toy Shop Boys

The toys gone awry theme is kind of fun, but again, it's just too difficult for me.  At best I can make it to stage 3.  I like the music of stage 2.  It sounds pleasant, but don't let that fool you into thinking the game is easy!

Stage 2 starts at roughly 4:50.

!!!! CONTEST QUESTION 3 !!!!

The Cutting Room Floor lists only one cameo in Exile, but I know of two others!  Name all three.
Hint:  They're only portraits with no onscreen characters.


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"This is NNN (Neo Nectaris News)  bringing you a live report.  It seems that the Union army has once again beaten back the Guicy, moving on to Stage 16.  While Union tactics have been good, it is disconcerting how long it takes for them to finish a mission.  Should we continue to trust those currently in command, or should we get someone who can speed their way to victory?"

I think the redness of Mars compliments the colors of the units in battle more so than the light beige color of the moon stages.

"This is NNN with an important announcement!  A gigantic bio-mechanical monstrosity has been seen on the battlefield of Saffah!  The gargantuan beast has been eliminated, but how much of it was luck versus actual strategy?  Stay tuned for further reports!"

It's funny how the monitors in factory view look like CRTs, when odds are, by the time Neo Nectaris takes place, they'd likely have better viewing technology.

I'm on the last stage!  Well, of the normal campaign anyway.  I don't remember ever playing the advanced one.  I think I was worn out by then, like I am now.  I have played a LOT better this time, though!

The last stage is a PUZZLE!!!  Soooo many monsters!  Will have to try again tomorrow!


!!!! OMEDETOU !!!!

FINALLY!  I must have started the last level twenty times!  FINALLY got it right!  Talk about cat and mouse!  I don't think I'm ever going to play that level again without cheating!
Decent enough ending.   Definitely a sequel that outdoes the original in EVERY way!  PLAY IT!!!!!

My favorite music tracks are at:

9:37
16:50
21:40
31:55
35:20

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Tengai Makyou I (PCE(S)CD), part III - Defeated the first of the 13 cultists!  My strategy actually worked: RUN from enemies to save your strength for the boss!  Problem is, in most JRPGs I've ever played, running is, more often than not, PUNISHED!  And yet, here I can, at least so far.

Got Tsunade and let her get killed, since I was in a lazy rush, yet Ziria survived and won the battle.  Apparently having any fallen party member means loss of money.  As long as we ultimately win the battle, I won't care too much.

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Shooter Interlude: Kiaidan 00

I might as well play this one again, since it's game of the month.
If you like 1970's giant robot anime, you'll feel right at home with this one!
"Rocket punch!" . . . uhh. . I mean . . . "Kiai smash!"

Alas, I am terrible at this one too, even with a shield gauge!


Stage 1:

The jets kind of look like F4 Phantoms, and can even be spared destruction if you keep the enemies off of them!
I like how the gerwalk-ish robots come in from the background.
Had to use a cheap tactic to beat the boss!

Stage 2:

Already palette swapped enemies.  Yeah, I know, memory and all that.
Interesting backgrounds!
Again, Gravity Form!!

Stage 3:

Classic cloud stage!
The green orbs barely give any shield energy back!  Talk about STINGY!!!!
The small pterodactyls remind me of Laserbeak from Transformers.
I can manage the first two stages with practice, but this one?  Sheesh!
"Breast Fire!"  Uhh ... I mean ... "Burning Wave!"

Stage 4:

"Fighting in a winter wonderland!"
Giant, robotic dust mites!  Oh my!
In Japanese video games, there seem to be a lot of enemies that are, or are inspired by, red and blue oni, or even acala/fudou:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oni
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acala

Stage 5:
How can you NOT get hit?!
Nice bio midboss!
Why do so many shooters make you go too fast?!

Stage 6:
MAN!  The bosses!

Stage 7:
FREAKING IMPOSSIBLE!!!  How do you guys and gals manage to legitimately beat these games?!  My GOD!

Conclusion:
Nice homage to Mazinger and the like, but the gameplay is TFD!  Not so much the stages themselves, but the bosses!  I'll never beat this one fair and square!


TFD = TOO FREAKING DIFFICULT!


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Requests, anyone?

Is there a particular game you would like me to (re)try, cheat, not cheat, get insanely frustrated with, or have a pleasant time playing?

Coming soon:  Ys I & II!!!!!

[Naniyue]

Tried Avenger again.  DAMN!  I can't even beat the first stage!

Okay, then.  With that failure, let's switch to something dear to all of us:

  Ys Books I & II!! 

This was the game that cinched the deal.  Valis was cool, Last Alert and Final Zone II were fun, but that opening music, the anime sequences!  Ys sold me on the Turbografx!

Actually, I've played the game in just this past year, but got no further than Darm Tower, as I just honestly prefer Ys IV.  But there's still so much I haven't seen since the turn of the century, so let's go!  From the beginning!  Or is that, "In the beginning . . ." ?

Fun fact!  When I FINALLY got my Duo and was playing Ys, I bought arms and armor, but forgot to equip them!  I was butting heads with enemies for a good couple of levels before I realized how stupid I was!

Update:
I have always sworn that Pim looks like Exedore from Macross/Robotech.
Last year and recently, I played in a hurried fashion.  This is okay for me when it comes to JRPGs, as I hate wasting time with all that grinding, but for this game I think playing at legitimate speed is worthwhile.  So, I've started over, and am actually having a good time!

Fun Fact!  I sold my English copy of Ys years ago (I REALLY needed the money!), yet I still have the Japanese one in my collection.

It's interesting how I could run away from the first boss if need be.  Most games don't have any boss you can run away from!

I usually play (action) RPGs hardcore style, meaning if I lose, I have to start over.  It's kind of a personal test of brains and/or reflexes for me.  Ys is an exception, simply because bosses can sometimes be more arcade-like and hard to defeat in such fashion.  I will, however try to get through as much as possible without dying.  I've already messed up twice and started over.  Third time's the charm, so far!

Update:
I've always hated that bat boss!
Anyway, back in Darm Tower.  Oh, goody . . .
Still one of the best soundtracks of any kind to bless your ears!
The psg music sounds very close to the original PC88, in spite of the different sound chips.

The pink bastards in Darm Tower kicked my teeth in after I lost my silver gear.  I started over, as I felt this was just bad luck.  Quickly got back again, and through white knuckled play I did better, only to die at the hands of those flaming bastards when reclaiming my silver shield.  Of course, when I redid the battle, it went easily in my favor.  OF COURSE!  Kind of like in a beat 'em up when you die just before getting a health refill.  So yeah, no more hardcore style at this point.

That unlucky loss really turned me off to playing fair.  I'll keep playing, but will make it a QoL trip.

UPDATE:
The mask of eyes doesn't just make things grayscale.  Put it on while outside the tower and there is some loss of color gradient detail at the bottom of the balconies.

The pink monster in the mirror maze looks like a face hugger.  The knight in the same maze might be a palette swap with the one in the abandoned mine, but I'm not sure.
Decided to bum rush the rest of the tower and am actually having fun.
Red and blue oni/fudou again at the end of the second mirror maze.

I swear strings bring out more emotion than any other source of music.  The music in Dark Fact's chambers is a prime example.
Dark Fact was a TOTAL PUSHOVER!  His minions were stronger!
The mid-game cinema is rewarding. Time for Book II!

Something I've never done before: changed the font!
Hmm, now I must check status to see next xp level.
The CD audio seems to pause rather than restart when transitioning between Rance Village and the ruins.
The purple monsters in Mine 2 kind of look like they are wearing bonnets.
I've always had a special memory of Jira's basement for some reason.  I know it's a good grinding spot, but this time I found a MUCH better one not that far away!
Boy does that fire spell help!!!!!!
I've NEVER noticed this before!!!  The bottom left pixel of the enemy bar outline is black instead of white!

Strange.  I'm finding the bosses easier than some of the minions!
How many other video games call the monsters "goons"?

[Naniyue]

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Here is an important announcement from NEC (Naniyue Entertainment Corporation):

The Shooter Interlude program will henceforth be titled: Shooter Failures!

Shooter Failures - Override
I like the graphics and overall feel, and of course, being able to take multiple hits!  Once again, however, my insanely insufficient shooter skills prevent me from beating this one in any legitimate fashion.  The lack of a screen clearing bomb facilitates further hardship and exasperation.  Still recommended!

Oh, and I swear the default speed is more than fast enough.  Should have given that function to a bomb!

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And now . . . back to Ys!

Well, I've made it to the ice park!  I'm finding Ys II more fun than Ys I, probably in part because of the magic.  I feel the music is better in Ys I, though I do like the mine/Jira's basement tune.

Adolbot . . .transform!

Okay, the ice park boss got me!  His pattern is simple, but I just wasn't good enough.  I did ultimately pass, though.


!!!! CONTEST QUESTION 4 !!!!

What does the yellow goon with the blue face, first encountered in Burnland West, say to Adol in monster form?

Ahh . .  the shrine.  And I thought the tower was devious.
No real combat problems, except for that boss with the damned wavy dragons.  Got me a couple times before I decided to level up twice.
I haven't heard that belfry music in forever, yet I knew how it would go almost instantly!
The parallax of the belfry background moves with the same stutter as in Ys III.
I was reminded of the song by Electric Funstuff called, "Has anybody here seen my corpse?"
"Those trains just keep chasin' . . ."  That's what happens in the shrine when adol is in monster form.  The goons stick like glue and keep talking to you!!!!  ARRGhh!

[Naniyue]

  Now THAT'S how you end a video game!

REWARD THE PLAYER WITH A CELEBRATION OF THEIR HARD JOURNEY!
Even during the credits!

None of this black screen with the misspelled word, "Congraturation" nonsense!

Well, Ys I&II is still worth the journey!  I will always prefer IV, but will play through the original again at least one more time in my life.

What's next?  I'm not sure.  I will play Ys IV eventually, as well as some other known games, but I kind of want to do something more obscure.  I'm terrible at mahjong, so that rules those games out.  I also need to continue with Tengai Makyou I.  We'll see . . .

[Necromancer]

What's next?  Hatris!

[Naniyue]

NPC (Naniyue's Puzzle Corner):

Bazaaru de gozaaru no geemu de gozaaru

"Bazaaru de gozaaaruuuuu!!!!"

Yup, it's that game.  I've never beaten it, because I always get bored with puzzle games after a while.  At least it's not another puzzle game involving blocks!
You don't really need the translation to play this one, as you can figure everything out readily enough.
With it's simple graphics, it's almost an NES game!
I like the little white dog.  It's cute.
I'll attempt to beat it this time!  I'll post the gist now and then.

Hatris will soon appear in the puzzle corner, so stay tuned!!!


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KFC (Kusoge Fudge Corner)

The games that really are, really bad!!!!!  Cheat away!!!!!!!!!!!!

Browning

  I really wanted to like this one.  The cutscenes are nice, with vocals in English for some reason, and the various mecha look cool, with sound effects straight out of mecha anime.  The gameplay, however . . .  Ohh boy.  No powerups, flight control problems, slowdown, TIME LIMIT . . . sheesh.
I can't legitimately make it past the second stage!!!!
Again, a Telenet related release with interesting music.  Now why couldn't they give the rest of the game that much attention?

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NPC - Bazaru, Part 2

Stuck on 5-10.  Also, if you buy different furniture from the same group, your previous one is replaced!

On 6-6, and starting to lose patience.  It's a nice game, and I haven't been stumped for long, but still . . .

On 7-3.  Going back to old levels to pick up money I couldn't before.  I'm hoping my mistake of buying a crate that ended up replacing the table does not prevent me from filling the house with the most expensive stuff.  I like the game, but I just don't want to start over.

Played a couple levels of the original Military Madness to get away from Bazaaru for a little while.  Also considering another entry in Shooter Failures before tackling another puzzle game.

On 7-7, and getting a headache.  Then again, I've been up almost 15 hours.
It's interesting how the physics of a particular move can make the difference in things like stopping distance or the time it takes to turn around.

8-2!  PIGS IN SPAAACEEE!!!  Uh . . . Monkey in Space!  That's it for now.  A little more British sitcom watching and then bed.

[lukester 3.0]

i beat Browning a long time ago. definitely low quality but it wasnt too difficult. helps that its a very short game.

havent played any pce in a while but i plowed through the original bonk's adventure today. still a classic. has a real unique crudeness and "vibe" to it that the other games in the series dont have, the soundtrack is a big part of the charm

[Naniyue]

You beat Browning?! I will NEVER challenge you to a game!  I will lose my @$$!!!!!

Yeah, the first Bonk is good, and I do recommend the soundtrack.  I will try to beat it again legitimately in the near enough future.


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NPC - Bazaru, Part 3 -

8-5, and taking a break!
8-10!!
Yatta!  Got through all the stages and bought all of the expensive stuff!  I didn't get every moneybag, but damn close!

The game is worth a play through, though admittedly I took a brute force approach to figuring the levels out.

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NPM (Naniyue's Platform MADNESS) - Ninja Spirit

Remember being young, and playing a game a lot because it's what you had?  That's Ninja Spirit for me!  As I've said before, Dungeon Explorer should have been the pack-in Turbochip with my Duo, but nowadays I guess it doesn't matter.  Anyway, I actually beat this one TWICE back in the day, but only in PC Engine mode.  There's NO WAY I could have done it with just one hitpoint!
The graphics are fairly faithful to the arcade.  The music is not exactly the same, but is still good.  I think I was able to win because those floaty jumps actually worked in my favor, and I got lucky with the final ninja gauntlet.

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NFT (Naniyue's Fightin' Tales) - Black Hole Assault

The cinematics are nice enough, and in English for some reason.  The acting itself is okay.  Not perfect, but much better than Last Alert or Final Zone II.  The game graphics could have used more animation frames.  As for the gameplay . . .

This IS kusoge, but still playable, at least in story mode.  My limited experience in the other modes wasn't as good.  I mostly got close and stayed close, or got the enemy into a pattern, and stuck with (jump) kicks.  There are special moves, but good luck with those!  And don't bother trying to throw, as only the enemy is good at that.  The differences between the player robot choices aren't much, but some enemies seem easier depending on which you pick.
So, yeah, I'll play it again, but with no real frequency.

!!!! CONTEST QUESTION 5 !!!!
In the third in-game cinematic of Black Hole Assault, Captain Grey stands to the left of a screen that has something in roman letters in the bottom right corner.  What does it mean?

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NSF (Naniyue's Shooter Failures!) - L-Dis
A cute'em up that's tough as nails!  I'm lucky if I legitimately pass the first stage!  But the graphics and overall silliness are still worth a look.


NPC - Tricky Kick!

I remember winning at least two scenarios many years ago, but again, I got tired of playing.  Well, since I made it through the last puzzle game, why not another!  I will take my time with this one, though, so expect more focus on other games.

NAG (Naniyue's Adventure Games) - Yuna 2

Taking a little break with something that's more an experience rather than a game.
Damn!  That intro was HARSH!
Yuna is her usual goofy self!
So far, more a typical non-interactive adventure title than something of substance.  At least every line is voiced so far, though!
Oh no!  It's the Erika 7!  The most ruthless team ever!!!
Tiny interactive segments so far.
MY GOD!  STOP IT WITH THE HIGH-PITCHED VOICES!!!
Yeah, they were there in the first game, but here, they're even WORSE!!!
Thank God for some normal voices!  I'll even take the slow talker from the first game!
So, basically, a game-long date, with minor interactive moments and silly, card based fights that tend to take too long.
Shows what the Turbo can put forth in terms of graphics and sound, but the original is definitely the better game! 

NPC - Tricky Kick! Part II
"Doctor!  My brain hurts!"
Completed nine of the first scenario, and three of the second.  It's driving me crazy, so yeah, I'm going to work on this one here and there.


NFT -  Asuka 120%
I played through this many years ago, but decided to try it again for this topic.
While not the best fighting game for the system, it is competently made and easy to play, even when using only two buttons.  My only real complaint is how lifeless the backgrounds are.

I have the most trouble against Cathy and Tamaki.  Cathy just grabs and throws you everywhere, and Tamaki can shoryuken you back and front faster than Ryu.  That is, of course, if the CPU is controlling her. 

It took me three tries to take Cathy down using Tamaki, and only because I caught Cathy in a loop.

Wow!  Went through with Kumi without continuing!  BARELY!

My favorite character is, arguably, the frog!  Though I don't really care for Karina's move set.

I like how the PCE CD ROM screen disperses in different ways.


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NAG - Private Eyedol

An adventure game shown in a JRPG style rather than first person.

Not too bad!  Nice graphics with an early psx feel, lots of voice work, and nothing too frustrating so far.  Except the raft and lily pad puzzles.  Damn those! Okay, they weren't THAT bad, but I guess I just get frustrated too easily.  I'm not done with the game just yet.

*****

Chapter 3!!!!

One keg in the first chapter says 2003, and things take place twenty years after the mansion was abandoned, so the game could be set around nowadays or a bit later.  In which case things such as the type of cell phones and the 3.5" floppy drive on brand new Navi compatible machines seem anachronistic.  I know it's an old game, so I can't expect everything to be correct, but it's still interesting.  And we are nowhere near having Oruka even now!

Oh!  And I know it's a joke, but there's a PC FX advertisement on the TV in Chapter 3.

******

Finished!  Definitely worth it!  Will play through again at least one more time in my life!

Another REWARDING experience on the Turbo!  PCE does what Sega and Nintendon't!

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NFT - Asuka, Continued

Played through with about half of the characters so far.
Currently using Karina, but that damn Cathy has me again!

That's what I get for throwing my hat into the ring . . .

[Naniyue]

NPM - Cross Wiber

I never cared for this game.  I tried it out a couple of times, but couldn't get far.  I cheated my way once through it, and it was alright.  But something told me to try again, and now, somehow, it clicked!  I kinda sorta figured out what to do!  Ultimately, using my continues, I got to Stage 6, in which the platforming and knock-back killed me quickly.  But yeah, I kind of like it now!  I looked up some cheats, and will try easy mode or infinite continues, as I want to have fun instead of frustration.

The graphics are great for a 1990 HuCard release, with plenty of variety and color.  The sound and music are okay.

So far, I think the boomerang is the best weapon, and the gun, believe it or not, the worst.

Easy mode is definitely easier!  Even the layout of stage 6 is, well, easier!  There are fewer jumps and a missing enemy!  Still can't beat it though.  F@KKIN' KNOCK-BACK!!!!  One of the many reasons I HATE Castlevania!  Yeah, I said it! Though I did beat Dracula X back in the day legitimately with both characters.  Weird, huh?

Can't seem to have easy mode and infinite continues at the same time, so I had to resort to finding my own cheat.  Fortunately, it didn't take long, as the second one on the list was correct.  So now I have easy mode AND infinite continues!

Never thought I'd say this about a video game: STOP GIVING ME THE GUN!!!!

Years ago, I remember seeing an online comic about new school and old school gamers. The new one was shown as a whining weakling, and the old one was always taking a beating but grateful they got just one screen further.  I'm in between: I like to decide my own level of challenge!

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Let's get away from platforming madness for a bit . . .


NPC - Hatris!  Part One

A fun take on the well puzzle!  The graphics are similar to the arcade, so definitely better than the NES version.  The music is cheerful, even jaunty at times.  It's fun making the wearers bald, like me!  The top hat and wizard's cap are killer, though.  I would have liked more special effects or something, since this game does not tax the system in the slightest, but it is still nicely presented and plays well.

Let's see how far I can get . . . .

[Necromancer]

Private Eyedol is a dang fine looking game.

And I'm glad you're playing (and not hating) the ol' Hatris.  I don't often play it through from base level to the end (it takes some time) but I love starting at max level and beating it.  It only takes a couple minutes and serves as a nice palate cleanser between games or when I just want to play for a short stint.

[Naniyue]

Hatris as a palate cleanser sounds like a plan!  Have you ever managed to make all the heads on a given stage bald, or is that impossible?

Slowly getting through Cross Wiber.  The infinite continues REALLY help!

I'm DONE playing fair!  The f@#$@#%#@%#$% KNOCKBACK!!!
Couple this with the difficulty in stage 10 and 12  to get powered up, and I'm DONE!
I still kind of like it, but this is just too much! So, yeah, cheats ahoy and . . . DONE!

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NRA (Naniyue's RPG Adventures!) - Cadash

I like the gameplay of this version better than the arcade!  Combine this with save states, not to cheat, but to save your progress, and you have a nice little action RPG!  I beat it once years ago hardcore style as the priestess.  Now, I'm trying as the fighter.


NRA - Tengai Makyou, Part Whatever!

Still slowly getting through this one.  It IS well done, but I can only do so much at a go.  I'll let you know once I've been through a more significant amount of the game.  I'd estimate I'm only a tenth of the way at best, having defeated Tamamohime.


Cadash part 2

I really like the colors in this one!  They really show off that gem-like quality I've come to enjoy in some 16-bit games.

Finished the game with the fighter.  It's fairly easy, though I did face a couple of tough spots, especially these two jumps near the end.  Not the jumps themselves, but the enemies almost right where I needed to land.

Not much of an ending, but the ease of play still made it a fun run.

Cadash part 3

SHOCK!! GASP!!  I'm playing a Genesis game!  How DARE I do that! 

I wanted to see the differences.  The genesis version is closer graphically and sound wise to the arcade, even in difficulty, so it's a shame it only has two characters.

Of course, nowadays, you can play any version.  I went through the arcade one with the priestess years ago, but used the infinite time cheat to make it more of a console experience.

Anyway, fun stuff!  I'm considering playing through the Turbo one with the Ninja.  I don't usually play magic users, so I'm in no rush to use the Wizard.

Interesting comparison video: