• Tag Archives PSX

  • Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver

    Posted on by Azrael Comment

    https://darth-azrael.tumblr.com/post/655841777232887809/oldgamemags-bloodshed-legacy-of-kain-soul


    Legaacy of Kain: Soul Reaver is a 3rd person action/adventure hack and slash game that was released in 1999 for the PC on CD-ROM and for the PlayStation. It was also released the following year for the Sega Dreamcast. Soul Reaver is the sequel to Blood Omen and represents a shift in game play style. In many respects the game play is similar but whereas Soul Reaver is 3D, Blood Omen was in more of a 2D overhead style.

    In many regards, Soul Reaver is similar to other 3D action games of the time. One of the more interesting and unique game play mechanics is the ability to shift from the “real world” to the spectral plane. The spectral plane offered more limited interaction but also allowed you to walk through obstacles. Also, as opposed to being the typical hero, you instead take the role of a disfigured vampire and the plot is quite dark. The game was initially rated Teen but the Dreamcast version and later re-releases upped the rating to Mature.

    Reviews for Soul Reaver were generally very positive. There are a couple of caveats though. First, this game ends up being in large part a puzzle game with many puzzles to solve along the way. Many of these puzzles can be difficult which can lead to frustration. The other issue is the lack of a map. While creating your own maps can be fun in turn based RPGs, the lack of a map in an action adventure game can just be annoying. Also, I prefer the 2D style of the original vs. the 3D style of this one but maybe that’s just because I’m old.

    In addition to the original releases, Soul Reaver was released as a “Greatest Hits” title on the PlayStation. It was also later released in 2009 via a digital download on the PlayStation Network. Otherwise, if you want to give this game a try you’ll have to track down an original or resort to emulation. It is definitely a game worth checking out and all three versions (PC, PS1 and Dreamcast) are decent so you can pick your favorite platform of the three.

    Screen shots above are from the Sega Dreamcast version of the game.


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  • Mega Man Legends (PlayStation)

    Posted on by Azrael Comment

    https://darth-azrael.tumblr.com/post/647778622935089153


    Mega Man Legends was released in 1998 for the PlayStation. It was the first game in the Mega Man Legends series. This game differs significantly from previous Mega Man games in that previous games were 2D action platform games and this game was a 3D action adventure game. Mega Man Legends features a new main character and story-line.

    Mega Man Legends got mostly positive reviews. I’ve never been a big fan of 3D action adventure games preferring the 2D platform genre. Because of the changes, this game could have easily been a non-Mega Man game and really just capitalizes the name in my opinion. Having said that, it’s not a bad game and if you like the genre you will probably enjoy this game as well.

    Mega Man Legends takes place further in the future on a flooded Earth. The protagonist is called Mega Man Volnutt and he is a “digger”, one who mines for rare energy sources. The main antagonists are pirates that try to steal these energy sources. Mega Man’s ship ends up crashing and he must battle these pirates. During this process Mega Man discovers various mysteries that drive the plot of the game forward.

    Control will be familiar to anyone with experience with 3D adventure games. Mega Man’s main weapon is the Buster Gun which has various aspects that can be upgraded including attack strength, attack speed, and energy. A variety of special weapons can be built from parts found throughout the game. Mega Man primarily gets around on foot but can get a ride to specific areas after a certain point in the game. Mega Man can use energy shards as money. Enemies sometimes drop these and they an be found throughout the game.

    Mega Man Legends was also ported to the Nintendo 64 and the PC however the PlayStation version seems to be the best. Fans of 3D adventure games and Mega Man should give this one a try. It is a decent game even if it doesn’t really stand out. Two more games were released in the series including the prequel “The Misadventures of Tron Bonne” and the sequel “Mega Man Legends 2”. If you like original Mega Man Legends then you should like these as well.


    📂This entry was posted in PlayStation Retro Games 📎and tagged

  • Oddworld (PlayStation)

    Posted on by Azrael Comment

    Source: PSM – Number 1 – September 1997


    Oddworld: Abe’s Oddysee was released for the PlayStation in 1997. While I don’t remember exactly how I acquired it, it was one of the games I had for my PlayStation back in the day. It’s still here on a shelf somewhere.

    Oddworld is a fun but difficult game. I don’t think that I ever finished it. However, it has a lot of personality and does a great job creating a dark atmosphere with Soylent Green vibes. Despite the dark feel, it manages to mix in a lot of humor as well. Game play is sort of a cross between a standard 2D platformer and a puzzle game. You control the character Abe with the goal of rescue other Mudokons (the kind of creature Abe is) before they are turned into food. Of course, this is no easy matter. There are a variety of enemies, obstacles and puzzles to overcome. There is a stealth element as Abe can sneak past enemies. Or if it comes to a fight (which it often does) Abe can throw thing (including rocks and grenades) and even occasionally use telepathy to control certain enemies.

    Oddworld is an excellent game but it is difficult. Save points are few and far between and you must ultimately rescue at least 50 of the 99 Mudokons. You will have to learn the strengths and weaknesses of your enemies and manage your resources carefully in order to complete this game. Despite it’s difficulty, Oddworld generally got very good reviews and it is well worth playing…even if you don’t end up finishing it.

    In addition to the PlayStation, Oddworld was also released for Windows and DOS based PCs as well as the Game Boy. A remake of Oddworld: Abe’s Oddysee called Oddworld: New ‘n’ Tasty! was released in 2014 on the PS4 via the PlayStation Network as well as the PC, Mac, Linux, Xbox One, PS3, PlayStation Vita and Wii U. I have not tried the remake so I am not sure how it compares. A direct sequel was released in 1998 on the PlayStation titled Oddworld: Abe’s Exoddus. This one has also had a recent remake called Oddworld: Soulstorm for the PS4, PS5 and Windows. The third game in the series, Munch’s Oddysee, was released for the Xbox in 2001. This third game was a 3D adventure game and not a 2D platformer though so it is a different experience. I definitely recommend giving the original Abe’s Oddysee on the PlayStation a try and if you like that one moving on to Abe’s Exoddus which has very similar game play with some minor improvements.

    The ad above is from the September 1997 issue of PSM. Screen shots are from the PlayStation version of the game.


    📂This entry was posted in PlayStation Retro Games 📎and tagged