Retro|Spective 211: The Final Tour of Sega Saturn

[Asura]

I really wish I'd played this at the time.

I was a kid during the Saturn's era. I only actually owned ~12 games throughout its entire existence outside of game demos, along with borrowing a few from a couple of Saturn-owning friends. That meant I only got to play the big hitters, along with taking a punt on a few outsiders like Gungriffon and Guardian Heroes.

JRPGs were totally outside my area of experience at the time. Being a UK-based formerly-Megadrive owner pretty much did that. I hadn't even played a Zelda title (putting aside whether they're RPGs or not).

I finally got to play it in around ~2003 and I enjoyed it, but I find that time hasn't been kind to many RPGs and I remember that try as I might, I just couldn't get into it.

[Neon Ignition]

It's been and remains on my 'want to play' list for quite some time, it never even registered but the more I heard about it in later years the more interesting it sounds

[Neon Ignition]

Game 08 - Deep Fear
Survival horror titles were big and despite being multiformat Resident Evil had made a very clear home for most on PlayStation and so Sega put together their own exclusive effort. The game takes place on an underwater research station as an outbreak spreads amongst the workers, the player trying to survive and find a means to stop the outbreak and escape. The game scored good reviews in Japan and slightly less strong ones in Europe due to the comparions outlets made to RE. It would be the final first party release for the Saturn and as such it was buried with the system meaning few played it to the point that the American release never ended up happening, its makers feeling that tying it to the Saturn was the real culprit in its demise.




One to Fear?

[Neon Ignition]

Still not played Deep Fear, it was one of the last Saturn releases that I never managed to get around to trying but like Dark Savior I intend still to sort that one day

[Neon Ignition]

Game 09 - Gungriffon
The first in the franchise arrived for the Saturn where it remains today. The mech battling games began with this highly reviewed entry that for its time was considered a finely balanced and good looking title that was a little on the short side.




Worth Meching Time For?

[Asura]

Game 08 - Deep Fear

Definition of "hidden gem, trapped on the Saturn" this one.

Game 09 - Gungriffon

One of my fave games. I'm certain everyone's bored of this story but I got this on a whim; as a kid I got Die Hard Trilogy from a shop, but it was defective; when taking it back they didn't have any more, but they had a sale on some titles, and I exchanged it for both of Guardian Heroes and Gungriffon).

I had both this and Virtual On for the Saturn, because as a kid, I loved anything remotely like Mechwarrior or Gundam. This was just fantastic, effectively a really similar concept to Mechwarrior but viewed through an anime lens. The missions were few, but they were fun, and incredibly atmospheric. I still remember the one where you had to chase a train across the map in the snow, or "sneak" into a city location at night. Fantastic fun.

I've actually never played any of the sequels. I was always told that they weren't great. In a sense, although this is not supported by any actual hard connection, Steel Battalion feels like the natural follow-up.

[Neon Ignition]

Game 10 - Hang On GP
Aiming to bring the long standing franchise into the 3D era, Genki developed this title that continued the motorcycle racing focus. The game scored pretty middling reviews but despite the history of the IP it is effectively forgotten today and acts as the final release in the franchise.



One to Hang On to?

[Asura]

Game 10 - Hang On GP
Aiming to bring the long standing franchise into the 3D era, Genki developed this title that continued the motorcycle racing focus. The game scored pretty middling reviews but despite the history of the IP it is effectively forgotten today and acts as the final release in the franchise.

One to Hang On to?

I heard this was bad? But I think it's because we were already looking forward to Manx TT.

[Yakumo]

It's not a bad looking game for the time. It had fairly clean textures too. Just a shame the handling is too sensitive.

[Neon Ignition]

Game 11 - Iron Storm
Released in 1996, the game is a World War 2 strategy title that uses hexagon grid systems for its gameplay and sees player pick a war front and wage a campaign that can either result in American supremacy, British victory, Japanese glory or Nazi domination. 50 cents from every copy sold in the US was donated to the National Holocaust Museum and in Japan the game proved a hit.



Glorious Battle?

[wakka]

I've not played this but it's an entry in the Daisenryaku series, of which there are an absolute buttload of versions across different consoles and PCs.

[Neon Ignition]

Game 12 - Keio Flying Squadron 2
Following the original, this Saturn exclusive sequel switched the shooter gameplay to being a platformer though there are two shooter stages. The inexperience with 3D by the team led to the decision to keep to 2D and the switch to platforming allowed for clearer visuals, hoped to make a more appealing looking game. The game scored reasonably well but in making the switch it put it into more direct competition with the many 2D platformers of the era and was seen as being too easy and generic in playstyle to stand out.



Flying to your List?

[CMcK]

Keio 2 is a little gem of a game. Lovely art, fun to play and even though I've been through it a fair few times it still has replay value.

[Neon Ignition]

Game 13 - The Legend of Oasis
The sequel to The Story of Thor launched onto the Saturn in 1996 and had originally entered development on the back of the original game being intended for the 32X add-on. It plays similarly to the original but with enhanced visuals. A prequel to the Mega Drive entry, the game is an action RPG and contains a hidden two player option. It was one of the better regarded Zelda style titles released but being a 2D game during the dawn of 3D, and being on Saturn, meant it never reached the levels of popularity required to see the franchise continue or it be ported elsewhere in later years leaving it to fade away with the hardware.




A Hidden Legend?

[Yakumo]

You know, this is one Saturn game I've never played and I know I should. I never played the Mega Drive game either.