Policenauts/Snatcher

[SuperDanX]

How playable are these for determind non-japanese speakers/readers? Im guessing not very:-( Has anyone had any joy with these games?

[Sketcz]

I had the Sega CD version of Snatcher. English all the way. Having tried it in English, I can safely say this... put off getting it in Japanese. You'll miss a lot. Snatcher is an amazing graphic adventure game, but you really do want it in English.

You miss even more in Policenauts, but there's no other way to play it. I enjoyed Policenauts, though maybe not as much as I could have. I'm still holding out for a decent localisation, even if it's a fan job (there is a current fan translation in the works, but it may take years).

It's sad, since in Policenauts, there's an encyclopedia that explains everything about the world in minute detail, and there's plenty to read that explains background info. I managed to stumble through a few of these with a Japanese friend, and it does flesh out the world more. It could in fact be one of the greatest point-and-click style adventure games ever made, purely for it's depth. Kojima spent more time on it, I believe than any of his other projects to date.

Avoid Snatcher unless it's the English Sega/Mega CD version, and pick up Policenauts if reasonably priced, but be aware you might need a guide, and you will miss out on a lot. But it's fun, if only to think, "Hmm, what if Konami weren't so screwy with which games they localise..."

[SuperDanX]

Thanks for that, can i ask your opinion on konamis speed king on the ps1 as you seem to know your onions, sadly snatcher/policenauts are jpn only on the ps1 and i dont have a mega cd, pleased to hear its possible to muddle your way through even though id miss out on the story,shame really.

[vertigo]

Yeh I'd love to get my hands on a PAL Snatcher but I'm not prepared to pay silly money for it.
Is it true it's a Kojima game then? I'm sure I read somewhere else on here that it is. I hadn't realised.

[SuperDanX]

They both are.

[vertigo]

Yeh I knew Policenauts was but I wasn't aware Snatcher was. Don't tell all the MGS fanboys, they'll all want one.

[SuperDanX]

They already know, hence the high prices :-/

[Duddyroar]

Thanks for that, can i ask your opinion on konamis speed king on the ps1

Stinker! It was released as Road Rage over here, I believe. A sad, shambling effort of a Wipeout clone if ever I saw one.

[Sketcz]

I haven't actually played Speed King tbh, though the fact that it's supposed to be set in Neo Kobe peaks my interest. Probably the kind of thing I'd pick up if I saw for a fiver or less.

As for playing the Sega CD version of Snatcher, it does run in a PC emulator. Depends of course if you're someone who likes emulating games on a PC. I played Snatcher in front of the TV in winter, huddled up in a blanket at night. It was quite creepy.

[SuperDanX]

Didnt know it got a pal release thanks if you dont compare it to wipeout is it really that bad? Have you played it? The reason i asked was because the game is connected to the Snatcher game as its set in the same fictional city (Neo keobe?). Did kojima have anything to do with it?

[Duddyroar]

I had no idea that it was connected to Snatcher, it's still terrible regardless. I bought it when it was released because it had the konami name on it, it does play like Wipeout but it's a terribly sluggish and shoddy game. Not even worth a fiver, IMO.

However if you're interested in how the game links to Snatcher, have a look here. It was actually titled 'Neo Kobe 2045 Speed King' in Japan. As you can see the links were pretty strong, but I'm unsure if Kojima had anything to do with it.

BTW, Road Rage on the PSX is not to be confused with Road Rage 3 on the PS2, which is by Atlus and is a port of some Japanese racing game (the name of which esacpes me).

This is the biggest cover scan I could find:

[SuperDanX]

Very intresting stuff, thanks i wonder if theres any differences between the pal vs jpn? If you still have it Duddy (i doubt it) i'll take it off your hands.

[Duddyroar]

Sorry mate, it got traded the week I bought it!

[Team Andromeda]

Stinker! It was released as Road Rage over here, I believe. A sad, shambling effort of a Wipeout clone if ever I saw one.

It was a bit sh8t inthe Arcades too . Great for a one go laugh but that's all .

[m0nk3y]

I'm certainly looking forward to getting PAL Snatcher for the M-CD. Apparetly you can use the Konami Justifier gun for the shooting parts. Which would also be pretty damn handy for both Lethal Enforcers games on CD too

I've heared of Policenauts, but never really come across any info on it. Which platform is the fantranslation for? Sounds like a very interesting game.