Saint Dragon

soop · 07/20/2012, 07:35 AM

I've always been a fan of this game, since I read ~~reviews~~ this review: http://www.ysrnry.co.uk/articles/stdragon.htm and I had it on the Amiga. I would say it was unique, but there was another similar game, where you're riding on an invincible dragon, and you can get off and walk at some point...

Anyway, how is the PCE game? I realise it looks a tad dated now (I downloaded for MAME recently too), but it's still a favorite of mine. That said so was Chase HQ, and the PCE version is pretty bad...) and specifically, what's the music like? It's an odd soundtrack, but it's very unique, and I have it in my head now. And the "wooh!" sound effect at the beginning.

*edit* Dragon Breed was the other similar game: http://www.ysrnry.co.uk/articles/dragonbreed.htm

Tatsujin · 07/20/2012, 08:25 AM

Very downscaled arcade version.

CrackTiger · 07/20/2012, 09:04 AM

If you think that Chase HQ is bad, then you'll hate Saint Dragon.

soop · 07/20/2012, 09:37 AM

Quote from: guest on 07/20/2012, 09:04 AMIf you think that Chase HQ is bad, then you'll hate Saint Dragon.

Really?

I think my main problem with Chase HQ, is that I remember the arcade version very fondly, which obviously had novelty value and a cab with a steering wheel... But the PC Engine version doesn't have the framerate for the road, and the steering is too... Jerky? If only it worked with the Cyberstick.

esteban · 07/20/2012, 11:06 AM

soop, I'm an old-skool shoot-em-up junkie so I am not the most objective person when it comes to games like St. Dragon.

So, here are my thoughts:

(1) When I first got it, I had just played some divine PCE games (Gradius II, for example). I loved Gradius II and St. Dragon seemed like mediocre sludge.

(2) Later, when I realized that I really hadn't given St. Dragon a fair shake, I tried it again.

(3) St. Dragon is mediocre sludge, but, as you pointed out, it certainly has some interesting (albeit minor) aspects to help elevate it *slightly* above its generic brethren.

(a) I found it fun to pilot such a huge sprite. I can't recall how big/small the hitbox actually is, but it felt different. Some folks won't be impressed, but I appreciated it.

(b) Power-up system... pretty basic, from what I recall, but certainly adequate. I don't need fancy power-up options, so you may feel differently. Give me a pea-shooter and I'm happy.

(c) Graphics/FX/character designs... nothing to get excited about. Some of the character designs are interesting, and certainly no worse than the mass-produced tin cans found in countless of shoot-em-ups. Now that I think about it, the setting and theme help keep this a tad more interesting.

(d) The action isn't balls-out furious, but the pacing was fine for me. I didn't mind it. There are many games that have boring stretches...I don't recall feeling that St. Dragon's stages were long, padded, drawn out.

I should probably play it again (it's been a while) to give a fresh perspective, but I'm too busy with Mega Zone (Konami) at the moment.

RegalSin · 07/20/2012, 11:18 AM

The game is playable, but the arcade version...duh is obviously rocks harder. However that is the majority of the PCE titles, out their. The same thing could be said for the Saturn vs STV Arcade games. If it was a CD-rom game then things would obviously change.

The gameplay from the arcade game is more or less the same, but it is just considered a direct port. But it is obviously not numba one on everybodies list.

If you really want to play it, then buy the darn thing, however being a "veterain PCE player" I am not too much of a shooter person.

Arkhan Asylum · 07/20/2012, 11:26 AM

THIS GAME FUCKING RULES.

THE ATMOSPHERE IS THE PERFECT CREEPY BLEND.

THE MUSIC IS ALL EERIE.

THE CONTROLS ARE GREAT.

FUCK THE HATERS.

ALL CAPS. FOR LIFE.

soop · 07/20/2012, 11:55 AM

Hahah, thanks everyone - so Arkhan what's the music like compared to other versions? Actually screw it, it's Friday, everyone has gone home, I'm gonna watch a gameplay vid.

For the record, the basic game, I actually quite like, in principle, having played the Amiga version, and more recently MAME. So as long as it's similar enough, I'll probably quite like it.

*edit* oh god, what have they done to it? The music - it's all wrong - it's even the wrong speed! The PC Engine can do better than that, and the sound effects sound like ass and get in the way D:

Arkhan Asylum · 07/20/2012, 12:12 PM

Quote from: soop on 07/20/2012, 11:55 AM*edit* oh god, what have they done to it? The music - it's all wrong - it's even the wrong speed! The PC Engine can do better than that,

It's about the same speed. The drums are the real difference. I like the PCE one because the choice of instruments fits the scenery well.

Quoteand the sound effects sound like ass and get in the way D:

Oh, you mean like the arcade one? lol

Keranu · 07/20/2012, 12:21 PM

I love the music in the PCE version the best.

soop · 07/20/2012, 12:25 PM

Quote from: guest on 07/20/2012, 12:12 PM
Quote from: soop on 07/20/2012, 11:55 AM*edit* oh god, what have they done to it? The music - it's all wrong - it's even the wrong speed! The PC Engine can do better than that,
It's about the same speed. The drums are the real difference. I like the PCE one because the choice of instruments fits the scenery well.

Quoteand the sound effects sound like ass and get in the way D:
Oh, you mean like the arcade one? lol

I just listened to the PCE one, then the Amiga one. The beat is definitely faster on the Amiga, the way I remember it. And on the PC Engine, the SFX are like KCHKKK KCHKKK and way too loud. Dissapointment, on mah face.