『 サクラ大戦4～恋せよ乙女～ 限定 』

I actually got this around Christmas this year, along with some other DreamCast and WonderSwan titles, but didn't bother to post any pictures or info. Since I've got nothing better to do, let's fix this.


What you see on the photos is the limited edition of Sakura Taisen 4: Koi Seyo Otome for the DreamCast. For those who don't know, Sakura Taisen series is a mix between tactical turn based battle RPG and a dating simulator. A weird blend one might think, but it actually works, and works quite well.


The series never officially left Japan, so if you're interested in playing any of Sakura Taisen games think twice, because it's not one of these games where you can just click your way through. I guess you can find some script translations on the internet, but what's the fun in that? Besides, the charm of the game completly dissapears.


Before you get too excited about the nice box and what it contains, I've got to warn you. Sakura Taisen 4 is meant to be played by those, who have played at least one of the previous installment in the series [preferably first or third]. The game does a lousy job of introducing you to the world of Sakura and you might find the game a bit uninspired just because of that.


Now, what's so special about the limited edition? The box contains not only the game, but also a set of sixteen metal plates nicely engraved on both sides, and a mobile phone strap with Sakura Wars 4 print on it.


Except for the above mentioned collectables, hidden in the game case is a Sakura Taisen 3 bonus omake drama CD, or rather GD-Rom. To go through all of its features you'll need to have a Sakura Taisen 3: Pari wa Moeteiru ka, the previous DreamCast title savegame on your memory card.


As for the game itself, it's a fairly decent title, but ... sadly, it doesn't follow any of the interesting and unresolved aspects of the character stories from the previous game and there's very little content that you could call new.


It kind of feels like the game made the same amount of progress as Street Fighter II from the basic version to the turbo. There are some tweaks, some updates, but for the most part, both the visuals and the sound will be pretty familiar to those who played Sakura Taisen 3. Sure, it's a new game, but it's a straightforward sequel. No fireworks.


Is the game worth picking up? That depends. If you're a DreamCast game collector, you will pick it up if only for the value of the limited edition. If you're a Sakura Taisen fan, you will pick it up because you like the series. In any other case, I'd say pass. Invest in one of the previous titles first and see how you like it.

『 The Effigy Mound soon to be gone for good 』

That's right suckers. If you haven't been paying attention, The Effigy mount will soon be out of print and if you didn't get your copy yet, tough luck.

Today I got the usual Telltale news update in my mailbox and it linked to their weblog where you could read the following:


"We're starting to run low on copies of Steve Purcell's 2007 sketchbook, The Effigy Mound, and won't be reprinting them when they sell out. Consider this your official warning!

If you preordered the hardcover version of Surfin' the Highway and have an Effigy Mound on the same order, don't worry, one has been set aside for you.

Also, if you were planning to wait until the Season Two DVD comes out to order your Effigy Mound, don't. They probably won't last that long."


Yet another Sam & Max publication will soon become an eBay rarity. The Age of S&M has been out of print for quite some time now and any day now The Effigy Mound will share its fate. If you want to check out some more pictures of the books, check out the earlier entries by clicking here for The Effigy Mound and here for The Age of S&M.

『 Pier Solar 』

Ah, the wonders of homebrew gaming. I'm equally amazed each time a hi end title gets developed by a group of fans and this time is no exception. Another homebrew title is heading to MegaDrive / Sega CD and we want it.


A short trailer and a few screenshots is enough to tell this game will be awsome and it's something you should be saving up your cash for.


The developers claim it to be an RPG in the same spirit as Chrono Trigger or Lunar with graphics matching those of late Super Famicom titles. Judging from the screenshots, there isn't a single reason not to believe them.


The title has been in developement since 2004 and as the authors themselves claim, will be one of the most, if not the most advanced title for Sega's 16 bit platform.


It is said that both the graphics and music engines have some impressive specs and are able to generate some neat effects not seen before on MegaDrive. The game will come with an awsome soundtrack utilizing a brand new engine that will push the audio hardware of the platform to its limits.


The cart version will be heavily optimized and feature some nicer graphic details while the Sega CD version will feature CD soundtrack. Being able to choose between these two versions means you can choose an option that will be easier on your wallet. Nice.


Both versions will be region free so wherever you're from, whatever region your hardware is, the game will boot. This is of course to be expected from a homebrew title.


No pricetag yet, but I'm preparing myself for a price equal to other MegaDrive cart releases such as Beggar Prince. Any price that they throw at you, you should pay. Keep in mind that MegaDrive has been without any official support for years and as soon as the game is sold out it will hit eBay and I assure you, it will cost hundreds of dollars in few years time.


MegaDrive recieved a precious few decent RPGs so make sure you have this game in your collection if you're an RPG fan and a MegaDrive owner. When you cough up the money for this title, remember that it took a small group of hobbyists over four years to get the job done.


The game is supposed to ship on October 29th 2008, which will be the date of MegaDrive's 20th birthday. This is at least the date they're aiming for. Let's keep our fingers crossed and hope for the best.


And last but not least, there's supposed to be a demo arriving in the near future but there is no date that's confirmed. As soon as it's out, I'll be sure to post a message in here, so keep your eyes open.

『 アウターワールド & Simon the Sorcerer 4 』

One hardcore classic and one sequel to a hardcore classic coming right up! I've finally managed to get a hold of the 15th Anniversary edition of Another World, which is by no means a new title, and I got a copy of the new addition to the Simon the Sorcerer series, Simon the Sorcerer 4: Chaos Happens.


It's been a few months since I obtained these items, but I just didn't bother to post anything about them. I guess now the time is as good as ever. First one up, Simon.


Since I'm currently in the process of playing through some other games, including Dragon Quest VIII, I didn't spend much time with this title, except for trying it out. It looks and sounds pretty nice. Pre-rendered 3D backdrops and fully 3D characters compose together quite nicely. It's nothing new and it works.


There's one minor detail that bugs me though. The game is protected using the infamous StarForce. If you're not familiar with it, it's a security measure that's been applied to both the game files and the disc structure to make it impossible to make a working copy, and it works. The only problem is, the protection scheme of StarForce is so invasive, many have labeled it as malware.


StarForce is a protection of great complexity and it employs many debugging, disassembling and unpacking countermeasures. It also checks the disc structure before each game run to make sure the disc you are using is authentic.


To be able to operate, StarForce installs its own device driver. The problem is, it does so without ever informing the user about it, and that's not cool. And the trouble doesn't end there. The mentioned driver can be connected to reducing the stability of your system and degradation in performance of your CD drive. In other words, the protection screws with other software and hardware.


But hey, don't let StarForce get in your way of taking Simon the Sorcerer 4 for a spin. Luckily, the drivers can be removed after you're done with the protected game and you can rest assured that you'll be enjoying the title and your pirate ass friends will not.


Now, onto Another World 15th Anniversary Edition. This one has been out for quite some time, and I don't mean the title, I mean this particular edition. It's avalable from most of the major resellers, so if you want it, search your local Amazon store or just search for it. You should find it in no time.


So, what's so special about this edition? First of all, it comes in a nice box. You get some fine artwork and two discs. One contains the soundtrack, which is thirteen tracks and 22:56 minutes long [this won't be new to those, who own Heart of the Alien for the Mega CD] and the second contains the game itself.


The box also contains a nice postcard with great artwork by Eric Chahi depicting Lester sitting in front of his computer. More bonus features are contained on the game disc. These include a "The making of" feature, which, if you purchase the game in a country other than France, is hard subbed [and that sucks], and two *.pdf files. These two files are Developer Diaries [which features some nice concept artwork, early sketches and illustrations, aswell as the storyboards] and a scan of Chahi's notebook containing his own information on code and scripting.


The game itself features both high and low resolution graphics with either old or updated backgrounds. There is, of course, no censorship so all of the scenes are there, you will see blood, guts and gore, of which there are very little, but still, in some console ports few scenes went under the axe.


The game comes on a regular CD and is protected by SecuROM. This means you won't be able to play it if the CD is not present in the drive. I've actually created a small No-CD patch and if someone wants it, I could release it. All it does is allowing you to run the game you legally bought without the need of having it in the drive.


This little gem is certainly worth getting, especially if you're new to the title. There are many people out there who know it but haven't actually played it thruogh. Get it, play it, love it. This is one milestone of a game you don't want to miss. You get a nice edition, a great game and you gain a great experience. Surely you want to be able to say you've played Another World and mean it?

Sam & Max: The Complete Animated Series

Hey! Mr.Mailman! What is that you're jamming in my mailbox with such brute force? Is it in fact the package containing Sam & Max Freelance Police, the complete animated series DVD I've been eagerly awaiting? Yes it is! Happy day!


That's right folks, I finally got this little gem and there you have it, some quick snaps of the thing. It coms in two slim cases stuffed in a neat jacket. Three discs containing all of the episodes plus some extras.


Except for the DVDs you even get a Sam & Max sticker, which is supposed to be "limited" in some way, but I find it hard to believe, since when buying the DVDs you can't choose an edition without the sticker so it's apparently jammed into each and every one of the boxes. How limited is that?


The bonus disc contains a few neat features, with strong emphasis on few. This is the part where the producers should have tried harder. You get three Fox Kids shorts, one cool short by Mr.Purcell himself that looks alot like it was done in Flash, interview with Mr.Purcell and that's pretty much it video wise. You get a cool concept gallery in a 100 meg *.pdf file, aswell as Series' Bible, also in *.pdf.


One last bonus is the "Ice Station Santa" demo. For those who don't know, Ice Station Santa is the first episode of the second season of Sam & Max series of games done by Telltale Games. This didn't impress me at all, since I got the season two ages ago. Also, Sam & Max animated series was released for the fans, so I find it hard to believe that people who purchased the DVDs didn't get the game or the demo already, especially since they can be downloaded directly from the website, for free.


All in all, Sam & Max animated series is the five hour long brainwash the fans have been waiting for. Packed with tons of Steve Purcell peculiar brand of humor it will entertain, scare and challange you mentally. If you read the comic and played the game, get the DVDs. The $25 in your wallet says you can afford it.


Oh, I almost forgot. The DVDs are, of course, region free. This means you can go ahead and import this neat set of laughs and horrors no matter where you live. Well, if you're from the far corners of eastern Europe or some god forsaken country in Africa you may not be able to afford it. Other than that, import away.