Here we are at the 90th thread, this time looking at Sega's true 32 bit generation contribution and the notable games that the system gave us but never managed to find life away from the system. Each of these games help to define the experience of owning a Saturn whether they were successful or not.
Entry 01 - Dark Savior
Other Formats: None
Considered by some as a sequel to Landstalker despite not sharing that much in common with it. The isometric action RPG from Climax mixed playstyles from platformers, fighters and puzzlers to create a sprawling adventure. One of the key features of the game is it's leaning towards repeated playthroughs with your journey through the game having significant changes on how the game unfolds. The design of the visual elements proved a challenge to the point that the game wasn't developed for PS1 because the team felt Sony's console wasn't capable of running it.
Entry 02 - Last Bronx
Other Formats: Arcade, PC and Playstation 2
Developed by AM3, Last Bronx took place in an alternative Tokyo where street gangs brawled in the streets. Using a similar fight system to Sega's own Virtua Fighter series, the game was a hit in Japanese arcades but it struggled to gain traction in the US thanks to it being taken as being overly similar to Sega's own fighter titles resulting in its limited appeal causing the shelving of the property.
Entry 03 - Baku Baku Animal
Other Formats: Arcade, Game Gear, Master System and PC
Heavily well received when the Saturn edition launched, the puzzler saw players line up coloured blocks to also align food types against their associated animal type who would then chomp their way through the spaces to clear up connected blocks. Despite being another Tetris style release it was a big pull for a while though Sega largely let it lie afterwards rather than exploit it as much as they did Columns.
Entry 04 - Burning Rangers
Other Formats: None
Coming in later into the Saturns life was the third person futuristic rescue action title, Burning Rangers. Controlling a team of fire fighters, players explored dangerous environments that were susceptible to explosions as they sought out survivors. The system pushed transparency and lighting effects which were typically a frowned on effect on the system as well as a vocal navigation system that was a fairy new development at the time. The game was a difficult ask from the hardware making the end result highly impressive despite some of its visual niggles. Like Panzer Dragoon Saga, Sega released the game as one of the very final titles to come to the system and as such gave it a very low distribution and marketing push. For some reason they never attempted to return to the series or to port the game elsewhere leaving BR as a Saturn jewel.
Entry 05 - Deep Fear
Other Formats: None
Coming from System Sacom and AM7, Deep Fear was Sega's attempt to cash in on Resident Evil's success after that franchise failed to stick with Sega's console past a belated port of its first entry. Using pre-rendered locations under 3D characters and objects, the game marked itself out dealing with items usage etc in real time and giving the player and oxygen limit to battle against. Stuck in a facility beneath the waves that has been overrun with mutants, you were tasked with rescuing survivors and escaping. The game was yet another that suffered from Sega's odd approach to the Saturns final days and as with Rangers, Saga and Shining Force the game was sent to die, played by remaining Saturn die hards only. It released in Japan and was the systems final European release, never launching in the US or on any other format at all despite also receiving solid reviews.
Entry 06 - Steep Slope Sliders
Other Formats: Arcade
A snowboarding game largely like others but this time moves were based on use of the face buttons rather than holding various directions during air time. It never attracted the same success that rival such as Cool Boarders did though Cave did eventually attempt a fully rebranded successor project for the PS1 that was less well received.
Share your thoughts and memories of these forgotten Saturn heroes
Entry 01 - Dark Savior
Other Formats: None
Considered by some as a sequel to Landstalker despite not sharing that much in common with it. The isometric action RPG from Climax mixed playstyles from platformers, fighters and puzzlers to create a sprawling adventure. One of the key features of the game is it's leaning towards repeated playthroughs with your journey through the game having significant changes on how the game unfolds. The design of the visual elements proved a challenge to the point that the game wasn't developed for PS1 because the team felt Sony's console wasn't capable of running it.
Entry 02 - Last Bronx
Other Formats: Arcade, PC and Playstation 2
Developed by AM3, Last Bronx took place in an alternative Tokyo where street gangs brawled in the streets. Using a similar fight system to Sega's own Virtua Fighter series, the game was a hit in Japanese arcades but it struggled to gain traction in the US thanks to it being taken as being overly similar to Sega's own fighter titles resulting in its limited appeal causing the shelving of the property.
Entry 03 - Baku Baku Animal
Other Formats: Arcade, Game Gear, Master System and PC
Heavily well received when the Saturn edition launched, the puzzler saw players line up coloured blocks to also align food types against their associated animal type who would then chomp their way through the spaces to clear up connected blocks. Despite being another Tetris style release it was a big pull for a while though Sega largely let it lie afterwards rather than exploit it as much as they did Columns.
Entry 04 - Burning Rangers
Other Formats: None
Coming in later into the Saturns life was the third person futuristic rescue action title, Burning Rangers. Controlling a team of fire fighters, players explored dangerous environments that were susceptible to explosions as they sought out survivors. The system pushed transparency and lighting effects which were typically a frowned on effect on the system as well as a vocal navigation system that was a fairy new development at the time. The game was a difficult ask from the hardware making the end result highly impressive despite some of its visual niggles. Like Panzer Dragoon Saga, Sega released the game as one of the very final titles to come to the system and as such gave it a very low distribution and marketing push. For some reason they never attempted to return to the series or to port the game elsewhere leaving BR as a Saturn jewel.
Entry 05 - Deep Fear
Other Formats: None
Coming from System Sacom and AM7, Deep Fear was Sega's attempt to cash in on Resident Evil's success after that franchise failed to stick with Sega's console past a belated port of its first entry. Using pre-rendered locations under 3D characters and objects, the game marked itself out dealing with items usage etc in real time and giving the player and oxygen limit to battle against. Stuck in a facility beneath the waves that has been overrun with mutants, you were tasked with rescuing survivors and escaping. The game was yet another that suffered from Sega's odd approach to the Saturns final days and as with Rangers, Saga and Shining Force the game was sent to die, played by remaining Saturn die hards only. It released in Japan and was the systems final European release, never launching in the US or on any other format at all despite also receiving solid reviews.
Entry 06 - Steep Slope Sliders
Other Formats: Arcade
A snowboarding game largely like others but this time moves were based on use of the face buttons rather than holding various directions during air time. It never attracted the same success that rival such as Cool Boarders did though Cave did eventually attempt a fully rebranded successor project for the PS1 that was less well received.
Share your thoughts and memories of these forgotten Saturn heroes
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