Comments 10

Re: Is It Time To Change The Narrative On The Sega Saturn?

mganai77

@RetroGames In retrospect I tend to prefer tried and true yet refined to earth-shattering but rough when the latter ages like milk. Only the N64 led with analog from the start. Of the two competitors, the Saturn had the far superior pad, especially the d-pad, compared to the PS1 controller’s small baby handed grip form and split cross pad. (I’ll give it points for the dual sticks.)
2d games on PS1 needed cutbacks compared to Saturn due to its use of polygons as sprites. Thunder force V and Grandia for instance lost effects in transition, and Treasure gave up on porting Radiant Silvergun.

Re: Is It Time To Change The Narrative On The Sega Saturn?

mganai77

@RetroGames Saying Saturn “didn’t stand out” in any major way is inaccurate. Sure, N64 had z buffering, and PS1 had speedy if somewhat quick and dirty 3d capabilities while being able to cheat 2d, but the Saturn blew both of them out of the water in 2d with some of the best sprite/bitmap capabilities anywhere. The controller was and is also legendary for 2d games. Of course this means it was all wrong for the era.

Re: Square Had Huge Plans For The N64 Before It Fell Out With Nintendo

mganai77

@LowDefAl They didn’t mind Square’s decision to leave for Sony. It was when Square reacted pettily to Nintendo’s under reaction by convincing Enix, who were working on the N64 and slated to develop Dragon Quest 7 for it, to ditch Nintendo for Sony, that Nintendo were angered, and refused them dev kits for the GBA for awhile.

Re: Anniversary: Castlevania: Aria Of Sorrow Turns 20 Today

mganai77

@-wc- Personally I think SotN is a bit overrated. Too much backtracking, and it isn't any more difficult than most of the other Metroidvanias. Aria pared down the design fat for a more seamless experience (there were too many hallways and shafts in SotN, albeit not as bad as Harmony of Dissonance). Dawn of Sorrow, despite the drawing gimmick and the soul grinding, was more refined especially with the weapons.