Ordyne cover: Was the PCE artwork 'too Japanese'?

jperryss · 09/20/2009, 09:24 PM

Just noticed this today (I own the PCE version and had only glanced at the US cover artwork before today). Anyone else find the US cover a bit creepy after looking at the JP version?

JP version at PCECP.com
US version at PCECP.com

This is the only game that comes to mind that the cover art was just 'tweaked' as opposed to being completely redone. I'm sure there are others though.

nectarsis · 09/20/2009, 09:32 PM

You steal images from pcecp.com ;)

jperryss · 09/20/2009, 09:36 PM

Quote from: nectarsis on 09/20/2009, 09:32 PMYou steal images from pcecp.com ;)

I wanted to link to the search results page but it didn't work. It was either point to the URLs (which is what I did), or hotlink 'em, or save 'em to my Photobucket (which I figured would also be stealing).

And I just changed the URL description so anyone who clicks 'em knows where they're going.

nectarsis · 09/20/2009, 09:41 PM

LOL no, I mean clicking the links shows that message

blueraven · 09/20/2009, 09:46 PM

Quote from: nectarsis on 09/20/2009, 09:41 PMLOL no, I mean clicking the links shows that message

I was going to say the same thing, but Nec beat me to it.

jperryss · 09/20/2009, 09:54 PM

Dammit. Funny they worked fine for me until I tried a different browser.

OK, I fixed the links to go to the specific game on PCECP.com, you'll then need to hit the IMAGES tab to view the cover art. No harm, no foul (I hope).

blueraven · 09/20/2009, 10:20 PM

The only noticeable difference are the heads on the two children/people. The second being heavily Americanized, and sorely sticking out as being edited/updated for US Audiences. I prefer the Japanese Version, and think that yes, the US version is creepy.

I would be willing to bet your reason is why they changed the cover, even though I disagree with their decision.

Nazi NecroPhile · 09/21/2009, 11:12 AM

Was the PCE artwork too Japanese, or was it too politically incorrect to show a buck-toothed chinaman sporting a queue? Then again, they changed the main character as well, so maybe it's a bit of both.

SignOfZeta · 09/21/2009, 12:02 PM

Maybe it just wasn't shitty enough. Considering most PCE->TG-16 covers out there (and most games of the time period) there was evidently some sort of mandate that video game covers were to suck, bad, as often as possible. For some reason SNK didn't do this, but virtually everyone else did.

Considering the style of the day (too make things suck) I would say that they could have done better (ie: made it even worse).

Arkhan Asylum · 09/22/2009, 03:49 AM

Quote from: jperryss on 09/20/2009, 09:54 PMDammit. Funny they worked fine for me until I tried a different browser.

OK, I fixed the links to go to the specific game on PCECP.com, you'll then need to hit the IMAGES tab to view the cover art. No harm, no foul (I hope).

they worked for you because the pictures were in your cache!

either way, I think both covers blow. They Americanized a crappy picture, thus making it even crappier

Ceti Alpha · 09/22/2009, 09:44 AM

Ordyne is an example of where you really can judge a book by its cover. It's possibly the worst game on both the TG and PCE (the arcade is equally as bad). If it's not the worst, then it's in the top five. The Japanese cover is better, but we're really only separating the very bad from the worst.

SignOfZeta · 09/22/2009, 10:18 AM

What? How many PC Engine games have you actually played? You think Night Creatures or Deep Blue are better that Ordyne?

Ceti Alpha · 09/22/2009, 12:24 PM

Quote from: SignOfZeta on 09/22/2009, 10:18 AMWhat? How many PC Engine games have you actually played? You think Night Creatures or Deep Blue are better that Ordyne?

Well, as I said, if it's not the worst, it's in the top five. I honestly get physically ill playing this game.

Waterclocker · 09/22/2009, 03:50 PM

Quote from: ceti alpha on 09/22/2009, 09:44 AMOrdyne is an example of where you really can judge a book by its cover. It's possibly the worst game on both the TG and PCE (the arcade is equally as bad). If it's not the worst, then it's in the top five. The Japanese cover is better, but we're really only separating the very bad from the worst.

Wow! It's been a while since I've been on. Ordyne is far from being the worst or even a bad game. I have fond childhood memories of playing it and it is one of the reason I went back to collecting Turbo/PCE about 8-9 years ago. It's great playing co-op too! Its got great graphics and it controls well. Also a good variety of levels. The only problem I can see is some slowdown occasionally. Maybe it's a bit to kiddy for you?

Nazi NecroPhile · 09/22/2009, 04:43 PM

Quote from: Waterclocker on 09/22/2009, 03:50 PMIt's got great graphics and it controls well.

The controls are fine, but 'great graphics' is quite a stretch. Though the weapons are appropriately cute, the enemies are standard shooter fare (at best), and the backgrounds are monotonously humdrum - making for a game that lacks the charm of a good cute 'em up. That said, I can't agree with Ceti's assessment that it's in the top five stinkers; not when there's poo piles like Genpei Toumaden, Falcon, Turrican, Energy, or 'insert generic sports title here'.

SignOfZeta · 09/22/2009, 05:00 PM

Quote from: WaterclockerWow! It's been a while since I've been on. Ordyne is far from being the worst or even a bad game. I have fond childhood memories of playing it and it is one of the reason I went back to collecting Turbo/PCE about 8-9 years ago. It's great playing co-op too! Its got great graphics and it controls well. Also a good variety of levels. The only problem I can see is some slowdown occasionally. Maybe it's a bit to kiddy for you?

I agree. Its plays really well. Much better that a lot of realistic shooters, for example. I like it much more than any of the 194x series. My brother got it as he free game when he got his $49.99 TG-16 back in the day. If not for that I probably wouldn't have given it a fair chance.

I think where it falls down is the fact that its kind of like a cute-em-up before that min-genre really existed so it lacks to nice graphics of Hanatakadaka or Cotton, and the end product is just weird.

TheClash603 · 09/22/2009, 07:31 PM

Just bought this game, and my roommate and I played it for the first time. Our conversation went a little like this:

Me - "Great co-op shooter! This is a lot of fun!"
Him - This game sucks my balls.
Me - "I don't think it is that bad, let's play some more."
Him - "Fuck that, let's play Moto Roader."

...Quite the polarizing game indeed.

Arkhan Asylum · 09/22/2009, 08:30 PM

I always thought ordyne was fun, and still thank my lucky stars that I got a loose huey of it instead of a box. The cover art gives me a headache in either form.

blueraven · 09/22/2009, 09:30 PM

HAHHAHAHAHAHHAHAH

Yeah I actually didn't buy it because of the coverart! I bought Wonder Momo instead!

Arkhan Asylum · 09/22/2009, 09:34 PM

Quote from: blueraven on 09/22/2009, 09:30 PMHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHAH

Yeah I actually didn't buy it because of the coverart! I bought Wonder Momo instead!

oh im sure that turned out splendid. I like wonder momo, but ill be the first to say that game is pretty doofy.

blueraven · 09/22/2009, 11:22 PM

Quote from: guest on 09/22/2009, 09:34 PMoh im sure that turned out splendid. I like wonder momo, but ill be the first to say that game is pretty doofy.

Yeah that was a blind buy. It is doofy, and I wish the music was different from level to level. I guess my point was that the American coverart is so bad, I wouldn't have even blind bought it.

esteban · 09/23/2009, 01:07 AM

I actually like the US cover better than the JP one.

Call me crazy, but you guys are smokin' something.

Also, Ordyne is certainly not as horrible as some folks believe.

USA, USA, USA!

Ceti Alpha · 09/23/2009, 02:10 PM

Quote from: esteban on 09/23/2009, 01:07 AMI actually like the US cover better than the JP one.

Call me crazy, but you guys are smokin' something.

Also, Ordyne is certainly not as horrible as some folks believe.

USA, USA, USA!

haha. I can just imagine the 4th of July at esteban's place:

A Battle Royale, J.J. and Jeff, and Ordyne game fest.

Arkhan Asylum · 09/23/2009, 02:16 PM

Quote from: ceti alpha on 09/23/2009, 02:10 PM
Quote from: esteban on 09/23/2009, 01:07 AMI actually like the US cover better than the JP one.

Call me crazy, but you guys are smokin' something.

Also, Ordyne is certainly not as horrible as some folks believe.

USA, USA, USA!
haha. I can just imagine the 4th of July at esteban's place:

A Battle Royale, J.J. and Jeff, and Ordyne game fest.

dont forget andre panza crapboxing.

esteban · 09/24/2009, 01:32 AM

Quote from: ceti alpha on 09/23/2009, 02:10 PMhaha. I can just imagine the 4th of July at esteban's place:

A Battle Royale, J.J. and Jeff, and Ordyne game fest.

Oh, if you only knew the truth*

*We listen to the tunes from Champions Forever Boxing as we feast.

Ceti Alpha · 09/24/2009, 02:22 AM

Quote from: esteban on 09/24/2009, 01:32 AM
Quote from: ceti alpha on 09/23/2009, 02:10 PMhaha. I can just imagine the 4th of July at esteban's place:

A Battle Royale, J.J. and Jeff, and Ordyne game fest.
Oh, if you only knew the truth*

*We listen to the tunes from Champions Forever Boxing as we feast.