|
Post by imokay on May 14, 2012 14:32:57 GMT -5
I thought I could get a hold of a copy through the PC98 images website but the guy never responded. If anyone does have access to a copy that'd be swell!
|
|
|
Post by Trickless on May 14, 2012 16:32:05 GMT -5
I don't doubt this, but can you really say all that without ever playing the PC88VA version?
Also, you shouldn't really bunch this together with other PC88 games. This was released on the PC88VA, and was a very capable machine (16 bit!).
|
|
|
Post by nickz on May 14, 2012 17:31:26 GMT -5
PC88VA was 16 bit? That's pretty cool! All this time I thought it was a minor upgrade or an add on. I probably should have done more research on the machine before talking about how technically impressive it was. If you want, I can talk to someone about revising the paragraph and maybe see about other PC88VA games and how Alantia stacks up in terms of graphics, sound, and speed. I know there's Shinra Bansho. It's pretty similar to Alantia and is conviently on the PC88VA. I'll have to look into that one.
|
|
|
Post by apachacha on May 15, 2012 1:15:06 GMT -5
PC88VA was 16 bit? That's pretty cool! All this time I thought it was a minor upgrade or an add on. I probably should have done more research on the machine before talking about how technically impressive it was. If you want, I can talk to someone about revising the paragraph and maybe see about other PC88VA games and how Alantia stacks up in terms of graphics, sound, and speed. I know there's Shinra Bansho. It's pretty similar to Alantia and is conviently on the PC88VA. I'll have to look into that one. It's much easier, but if you'll play it, pick the default guy, otherwhise you won't be able to get to the last level.
|
|
|
Post by Trickless on May 16, 2012 12:56:11 GMT -5
If you want, I can talk to someone about revising the paragraph and maybe see about other PC88VA games and how Alantia stacks up in terms of graphics, sound, and speed. If anything, I think you should be comparing it with other PC98 games - It was originally released for the PC98, not to mention it's the only version you've played. If i'm not mistaken, Alantia VA Special came out a bit later (possibly a few months after the original). I don't think anyone has come across a working dump of it yet.
|
|
|
Post by apachacha on May 16, 2012 13:11:52 GMT -5
If you want, I can talk to someone about revising the paragraph and maybe see about other PC88VA games and how Alantia stacks up in terms of graphics, sound, and speed. If anything, I think you should be comparing it with other PC98 games - It was originally released for the PC98, not to mention it's the only version you've played. If i'm not mistaken, Alantia VA Special came out a bit later (possibly a few months after the original). I don't think anyone has come across a working dump of it yet. Special ? Was it just a port or something else ?
|
|
|
Post by Trickless on May 16, 2012 13:19:21 GMT -5
It's the name of the PC88VA version My guess is that it's mostly the same, but who knows
|
|
|
Post by azazel on Nov 5, 2012 7:38:55 GMT -5
Thanks for this article. I absolutely love this kind of billboard 3D shooters and Alantia looks sheer awesome. I have never seen artwork in this style before anywhere.
I am trying to emulate it and am a bit stuck (I am new to PC-98 emulation). I could source this game in the form of FDD files. I assume these are disc images. I tried to emulate this with Neko Project but apparently it doesn't run FDD files.
Could someone point me to a place where I can download the disc images in a format that is acceptable to Neko Project (if this is allowed here in the forums)? Or alternatively, what emulator do I use for FDD files - or do I need to convert these somehow?
|
|
|
Post by kal on Nov 5, 2012 10:49:18 GMT -5
If you've managed to find FDD's you're most of the way there, you'll need THIS program to convert FFD's. It's pretty self explanatory once you open it. Just select FDI format then drop the FFD into the program. For Atlania itself the 3 boot options are the games Menu, Story Intro and Music test. Just keep in mind the game itself is really, really horrible. Make sure you enable Save States in Neko Project 2 or you're in for a nightmarish run.
|
|
|
Post by azazel on Nov 5, 2012 17:28:43 GMT -5
Thanks kal! The Virtual Floppy Image Converter Tool is super and I think it will come in handy in the future as well. I can emulate Alantia without problems now.
About the game. Yes, as a game it's awful because of the weird control scheme. You can only shoot up, up-left, up-right and down, and this only when moving; besides it's impossible to precisely position the character. I have no idea what they were trying to do here.
Also what's funny is that even if I don't move, these knee-high walls come zooming in nevertheles...
It's a real pity because this could have been such a fantastic Space Harrier - like game. There is a very good game hidden beneath the awful control. I especially like the idea of enemy waves that can be memorized, something I haven't experienced in this genre before, at least not with this particular feeling.
The engine is technically very well executed. Although there are not as many sprite scaling effects as on other platforms of that era with similar games, the engine creates a very good 3D effect. The PC-98-esque artwork is excellent, also the color choices. Music soundtrack is worth mentioning too.
Several ways how the control could have been better immediately come to mind. They could have made it like Jinmu Denshou on PC Engine. Or, they could have made it like in the little-known Arcade prototype RIOT, or like in Cabal, i.e. your character can be hit and would move left or right but the shot is controlled with an independent crosshair. Or, they could have given the character the ability to fly and just made it a Space Harrier clone.
What's crazy is that according to the box the game was 8,800 Yen in 1988 which I think is really a lot of money for a game. Though I rememember that games used to be much more expensive than they are today (also in other countries like Germany).
|
|
|
Post by kal on Nov 5, 2012 18:40:59 GMT -5
Yeah a lot of PC98 games seem to have retailed at 7800 Yen (I think that was the number) so it makes sense that a title of Alantia's caliber in terms of polish to go for that much. The later Space Harrier stage is one of the better stages which makes the core game more ridiculous since they COULD have made a great game.
|
|
|
Post by Trickless on Oct 14, 2013 12:36:32 GMT -5
I've been meaning to ask, where is this mentioned? (in-game? website?)
It seems overly sci-fi for it to be set in Sword World, and I can't find any info about its connection.
|
|
|
Post by nickz on Oct 14, 2013 17:02:45 GMT -5
|
|
|
Post by Trickless on Oct 15, 2013 12:01:40 GMT -5
No need to be sorry, but it definitely needs clarifying.
|
|