Exile: Wicked Phenomenon

[Joe Redifer]

Wow.  This game is absolutely wicked!  Totally rad!  Well, it could be... kinda.

I thought I had beaten this in the past, but I checked and it looks like I never did.  It's ridiculously difficult.  The character walks about an inch from the edge of the screen making it easy to bump into unseen enemies.  Speaking of enemies, they take about a billion slashes with your weapon to defeat, and when they touch you they take off HUGE chunks of your life bar.  Even if you level all the way up to level 17 (the highest you can go), equip the best weapons and have lots of tonics, it is still nearly impossible.  I powered up to level 16 which required 19000 experience points.  Level 17 requires 65535 points so it will be awhile.  And I'll probably only gain a small amount of help from that. 

Supposedly Working Designs made it harder.  Why?  How much harder is it than the PCE version?  How far have YOU made it in this game?  I made it through the big pyramid, past the town that's after it and to some Pharaoh boss who throws a sword at you while you attack an orb (which only reveals itself once in a while).  Insanely difficult.  Also, why does the save file for this game take up about 2/3 of the total system memory?

[Turbo D]

I own it, but haven't played it yet.

[RuninRuder]

Supposedly Working Designs made it harder.  Why?  How much harder is it than the PCE version? 

Like I said in the other topic, the PCE version is stupidly easy; so if the US one is challenging at all, then Working Designs cranked up the difficulty level significantly.  As for why they did it, people say it's because the first one was criticized for being too easy.

[CrackTiger]

Ten years ago I played the WD Exile WP up until a seemingly impossible boss and gave up. I haven't gone back to it since.

[esteban]

Joe, there have been some really meaty discussions about Wicked Phenomenon here in the past. Good ol' nodtveidt wrote about its virtues and he's the one who really convinced me to give the game a second chance. Since then, a bunch of folks have come out of the closet and have acknowledged that they've enjoyed parts of the game.

Personally, I've yet to beat it. I still find some aspects quite annoying (maybe I'm harboring my old feelings towards the game), but I actually dig the game now. Back in the day, I saw it as hugely flawed and dismissed it. Paying full price $$$ didn't help matters.
Slowly, I'm getting past this.

[Nazi NecroPhile]

Wicked Phenomenon would be a great game, if it weren't for the loony level of difficulty.  Working Designs 'developed' in a metric shit ton of extra hardness for us more powerful gaijins.  They had the right idea, as Japan's version is definitely weak sauce, but their execution sucked (it's called taking something way, way, way to far).  I'm certain that I've beaten one of these beeotches, but it was likely the easier original.  I probably got about half way in, died a thousand deaths swearing like a merchant marine, gave up, and downloaded the Japanese version ('cause I'm naughty).

[Keranu]

I didn't think this game was nearly as hard as people made it out to be, at least until the last dungeon. I've made it the last dungeon several times, but never got past the sub boss (which is the hardest part of the game from what I understand). The last dungeon isn't even all that hard, it just requires a little memory and life conservation. I really want to finish this game sometime, but I'm gonna have to start it for like the fourth time if I do . I remember that Pharaoh boss, but just don't remember any trick to him. I know he was difficult at first but it took me a few tries to beat him. Wait until you fight Lawrence ;) .

This game had a lot of potential to be really awesome, but the programming really ruined it. The scrolling was downright dumb, the difficulty balance is wacked, and it has probably the worst collision detection I've ever experienced. Otherwise I really enjoy the levels, story, and the ability to switch characters and all of their special magic. I also didn't like the soundtrack very much and wish it was more like the first one. In these regards, I prefer the first one a little more.

[GUTS]

The game seems so half finished and amateur even without Working Designs' difficulty increase, although I do really like the first one for some reason.  Mainly because Sadler is so cool.

[Joe Redifer]

Yes, I bought it brand new at release for whatever $$$ they were charging at the time as well.  Keranu, I already fought Lawrence and beat his sorry little ass.  Now he's on my Wicked Phenomenal team!  Or do I have to fight his punk ass again?

What characters do people use?  To get past the Icarus Mountains (or whatever they're called) on level 16 I had to switch back and forth between Rumi and Kindi.  Otherwise I usually just use Sadler.  Now I am using Lawrence.  I'd like to illegally download the PCE version.  Does anyone have an illegal link to assist me in my evil criminal activities?  Does the same save file work in both?  I wish the save file took up more space.

[TR0N]

I own it, but haven't played it yet.

DITTO 

[SignOfZeta]

The forum ate my original post. Basically I wrote that this game isn't that hard, IMO. You just have to be as cheap as it is. Tape the button down with turbo on to gain levels! Learn the magic spot to stand, etc.

I finished it back in the day without much trouble. I do remember gaining the last level was a real time waster though.

[sideshow]

I also have no idea if I finished this game.  I played it when it first came out and do remember getting all the way to the last dungeon.  The game is much harder than the first game.  I also didnt like the sequel as much mainly because the music wasnt as good as the first one.  Even though the middle eastern soundtrack of Wicked Phenomenon matches the atmosphere better than the hip hopish music of the original, the first games music just stuck to me more.  I remember the original game used fantastic asortment of colors for the backgrounds particularly a waterful dungeon.  I thought the pyramid level was the coolest area of Wicked Phenomenon.  Oh ya, isnt the claymation box art strange of WP?  When I first saw the box art back in the day I thought to myself WTF.

[esteban]

Oh ya, isnt the claymation box art strange of WP?  When I first saw the box art back in the day I thought to myself WTF.

[Turbo D]

that is a funny picture, aladin vs a brain face wall, haha.

[Joe Redifer]

Zeta, in Exile 1 you could stand there and level up as the enemies would reappear.  In Exile 2 once you kill them they stay dead until you exit and re-load the area, so you can't tape down the button. 

[Joe Redifer]

OK now I am in some tower.  Just before I enter the tower I fight some lame-ass face on the wall as Lawrence.  If I die, I go straight to Sadler's quest to climb the tower and pink catwomen, etc.  Does it make any difference if I beat the wall-face with Lawrence or not?  How close am I to the end?

[RuninRuder]

OK now I am in some tower.  Just before I enter the tower I fight some lame-ass face on the wall as Lawrence.  If I die, I go straight to Sadler's quest to climb the tower and pink catwomen, etc.  Does it make any difference if I beat the wall-face with Lawrence or not?  How close am I to the end?

Well, in the PCE version, I took away all the face's HP and he still wouldn't die, so I assumed it was a battle I had to lose, and stood there and let him kill me.  You'll get to fight him again later.

[Turbo D]

haha, thats funny that you took away his hp and he didn't die. Man, I have to play this game when I get my duo fixed 

[ParanoiaDragon]

I like it, but it is hard.  However, I've beaten it, so, if I've beaten it, believe me, ANYONE can beat it!

[Keranu]

OK now I am in some tower.  Just before I enter the tower I fight some lame-ass face on the wall as Lawrence.  If I die, I go straight to Sadler's quest to climb the tower and pink catwomen, etc.  Does it make any difference if I beat the wall-face with Lawrence or not?  How close am I to the end?

It sounds like you are at the last dungeon.

And yes, Exile: Wicked Phenomenon has some of the coolest cover art!

Well, in the PCE version, I took away all the face's HP and he still wouldn't die, so I assumed it was a battle I had to lose, and stood there and let him kill me.  You'll get to fight him again later.

Thanks for the info; that's interesting! I tried a similar task in the beginning of Neutopia II when you're fighting that squid thing but I wasn't able to kill him (I even used save states so I could keep going on), even though a life meter isn't shown in that game for bosses.

[SignOfZeta]

Zeta, in Exile 1 you could stand there and level up as the enemies would reappear.  In Exile 2 once you kill them they stay dead until you exit and re-load the area, so you can't tape down the button. 

Ah well...my memory sucks, obviously. I still thing being cheap is the way to win this sucker though.

[Joe Redifer]

Now I am pissed.  I amassed all of the experience points possible and it didn't advance my level!!  Loooook!!



What the hell?  Notice my life bar isn't even full.  Talk about cheap!  I don't think it is possible for me to play cheaply.  Those damn man-bat things attack from above and are completely unavoidable.  It takes over 10 tonics to refill my life bar and I can only carry 16.  So by the time I get to the Ark part of the stage I die almost instantly since I have no remaining life.  Are there any Game Genie codes for this game?

[CrackTiger]

I just ordered the PCE version of this game. Sounds like I shouldn't bother messing around with the Turbo version again.

[esteban]

Now I am pissed.  I amassed all of the experience points possible and it didn't advance my level!!  Loooook!!

I remember nodtveidt pointing this out in one of his extensive comparisons of the US vs. JP versions. If the search function on this board wasn't a piece of shite, I'd have been able to find a link to the actual post. Till then...

Exile 2 (JP vs. NA)

and, while we're at it:

Exile 1 (JP vs. NA)

[Joe Redifer]

Interesting.  Maybe Nod will come in here and help me beat Exile WP.  I agree that Lawrence is a cakewalk, though.  I beat him on my first try.  That's how much of a man I am.

[Keranu]

What the hell?  Notice my life bar isn't even full.  Talk about cheap!  I don't think it is possible for me to play cheaply.  Those damn man-bat things attack from above and are completely unavoidable.  It takes over 10 tonics to refill my life bar and I can only carry 16.  So by the time I get to the Ark part of the stage I die almost instantly since I have no remaining life.  Are there any Game Genie codes for this game?

HAHAHA, I remember when that happened to me each time I played it! That's like an itch you can't scratch!

[ParanoiaDragon]

Now I am pissed.  I amassed all of the experience points possible and it didn't advance my level!!  Loooook!!



What the hell?  Notice my life bar isn't even full.  Talk about cheap!  I don't think it is possible for me to play cheaply.  Those damn man-bat things attack from above and are completely unavoidable.  It takes over 10 tonics to refill my life bar and I can only carry 16.  So by the time I get to the Ark part of the stage I die almost instantly since I have no remaining life.  Are there any Game Genie codes for this game?

I apologize Joe, I should've warned you that it would do no good to level up that last "level"

[peperocket]

65535, what a funny number, just coded on 16bits !

[Turbo D]

I started wicked phenomenon today after beating the first one yesterday. Man this game is tuff. The first one was so easy and now this? haha.

[nat]

Are you playing the US or Japanese version?

[Turbo D]

The US version  This game is insanely hard.

[OldRover]

The final area of Exile II US is what separates the hardcore gamers from the up and coming gamers. I'll break down its defeat by area.

Tower Of Souls
Best Character: Rumi

The biggest problem here are the giant bats. They'll chase you if you get too close. The easiest way to beat them is to scroll just far enough where they're circling about halfway into the screen, then toss knives at them. If they take damage and that damage doesn't recover (if they go too far offscreen, their damage recovers, remember that), then you can beat them easily. If you get too close, they'll chase you, and the only way to shake them is to just keep walking away; they'll eventually just start circling again. If you have to leave the screen, remember that you have to fight them all over again.

The pink bitches are the easiest enemies. You can peg them from afar easily, or simply hop over them and shoot if they get too close. Alternately, you can shoot downwards from above them. Way too easy to beat.

The dragons cannot be defeated with weapons. Fortunately (with only one exception, which is near the top of the tower), they only appear when all the other enemies in the area are already out of your way. What you do is allow them to to follow you (don't go too far away or they'll simply go back to where they were; keep them in view at all times!) and then jump up onto the platform, evading their jumps. Make sure they follow you to the exit or you'll get a painful surprise when you get there.

The Great Ark
Best Character: Rumi or Sadler

The most annoying enemy here is the white guy with a stick, as he can shoot a ground wave at you for major damage. It's best to use Rumi for most of this part, since she can hit him from a distance. You really have to go slowly through this area until you know it well enough to know when these bastards are gonna show up. If you keep a good distance from them, they won't attack, and you can slaughter them at your leisure.

There's a blue variant of the previous enemy that does nothing except swing at you when you get too close. Very easy to take out.

Then there's the little magician guy, he can be annoying. If you get too close, he'll charge up his staff and shoot out a lightning bolt. Sadler is best for taking this punk out, since his attacks are strong and fast, plus agile enough to move out of the way before the lightning comes out.

The big problem with The Great Ark is the sub-boss, Djinn. He's the strongest boss in the game. I recommend Sadler for him, or Rumi if you're not feeling confident in getting too close. Djinn has four attacks: a wind projectile, a lightning bolt, a ground wave, and a body rush. Fortunately, Djinn settles into a pattern after a few moves. How to know his moves:

Ground wave: he puts both of his arms to his face, then throws them outward. Easy to jump over, you can land right next to him and score at least three hits.
Wind projectile: he puts his hand in the air and starts spinning the projectile on his finger. This can be jumped over, getting in one or two attacks.
Lightning bolt: He puts out his hand and shoots lightning about half a screen wide. Don't bother trying to counterattack; if you don't get hit, you won't make it in time to attack anyways.
Body rush: When he lands, he does nothing except sit there for a moment...and then he charges across the screen. A well-timed jump over his attack will allow you time for at least two solid hits.

Hanging Garden
Best Character: Rumi or Sadler

Don't leave this area without finding Sadler's best equipment. If you can't find it, keep looking around until you do.

This area is rather easy compared to what you've already faced. The first menace is a threesome of elemental attackers than circle together. Rumi will be able to take out these punks with ease, as long as you watch out for the blue energy ball that the blue one occasionally shoots at you. Try to keep your distance; get close too any one of them and they have close-up attacks as well which really hurt.

There is only one other enemy here, which are these strange flying lion-type creatures. They won't attack you, and can be used as "stepping stones", so to speak. You can kill them for a decent amount of experience, but you'd better be level 16 by now anyways.

Central Garden
Best Character: Anyone

If you haven't gotten Sadler's best equipment yet, go back into the Hanging Garden and find it.

There are no enemies here, so anyone works.

Inner Sanctum
Best Character: Sadler

You can only use Sadler for this area. Win here and you win the game.

[Turbo D]

Thanx Nod, It'll be of great help if I can get there, haha. I just beat god cruelly in the spire. I'm off to climb some mountain.

[OldRover]

The mountain after Crully isn't terribly hard if you've built up your levels. Be sure to stock up on the best HP tonics though...thanks to the terrible coldet and high damage rates, you're going to need them. Sadler is best for this area.

[Turbo D]

I just got through the mountain and am in a town where I met Lawrence. I'm about to leave for the sea or something. I'm at level 13 right now.

[OldRover]

Oh, the undersea area. Rumi is best for most of it. Don't go too fast through it, as there are projectile-shooting wenches in it, and don't go too far into it either; it's a pretty decent level-up area. I think I'm usually level 14 or 15 when I go through it. When you get to the boss, either stick with Rumi or switch to Sadler. If you need help beating the boss (most people do, he's the second hardest in the game), just say so.

[Keranu]

I started wicked phenomenon today after beating the first one yesterday. Man this game is tuff. The first one was so easy and now this? haha.

First Ys III and now the two Exiles. I should start calling you turbo Redifer!

[Turbo D]

haha, I've been playing the cd rpgs because the audio in my duo magically decided to start working again. I'm happy because I don't have to open her up and solder 

[Joe Redifer]

Playing through these types of games on the Turbo is just so darned fun who can blame a brother?

[ParanoiaDragon]

I seem to remember switching between Rumi & Fakhyle alot in the Tower of Souls.  And, seriously people, if I can beat that game, ANYONE CAN!

[Joe Redifer]

Rumi and Fakhyle seem to weak to me.  I always get my ass handed to me FAST when I use them.

[Turbo D]

I've had my hands full trying to beat the Pharaoh right now, any tips? I've been dodging him and shooting him with Rumi and then swording his innards with Saddler, but his damn sword whips  back and kills me 

[Joe Redifer]

Is he the guy I was having problems on earlier in the thread?  He's actually fairly easy, but it sure doesn't seem like it!  You'll lose most of your life no matter what.  He has a definite pattern to memorize.  I used Sadler.

[Turbo D]

ya, thats him. He's a bastard, but I'll get him eventually 

[Joe Redifer]

Protip: - If you take one tonic, you must completely exit out of the menu and then re-open the menu before you take another tonic.  Otherwise the tonic will be "weird" and you will lose life, become weaker and all sorts of stuff like that because Working Designs loves you.

[OldRover]

The Pharaoh boss is rather easy once you know his patterns. The best character for this is Lawrence, since he has high range and power (although he's a bit slow). What you want to do is stay in the middle of the screen during the times where he is up and about. Use the markings on the floor as a "guide", so to speak, to indicate where to stand. Never get too close to him, and don't ever try to attack him in the air. If you are standing right outside of the range of his eye lasers, you should be able to get in a couple of hits when he walks towards you. Just don't move in too close or he'll whack you with his stick. Once he crumbles, swing away at the ball until you see the stick go flying; at that point, stop attacking and be prepared to jump over it when it returns. This is a rather boring, tedious battle (the worst in the game, imo, even worse than the stupid giant flower early in the game).

DON'T use Rumi for this or you will be there all friggin' day. Her knives are weak and hit only 50% of the time. Don't use Sadler either, he doesn't have enough range or power. You could do a little bit of extra damage when he crumbles by using Kindi (about the only time in the entire game where this otherwise useless doofus is actually useful) but it's not really enough, imo, to justify switching characters.

Joe: the usage of multiple tonics can also fully restore your life or hyperboost your stats temporarily. It's a real gamble, but one not really worth taking.

[Keranu]

You could do a little bit of extra damage when he crumbles by using Kindi (about the only time in the entire game where this otherwise useless doofus is actually useful) but it's not really enough, imo, to justify switching characters.

Actually I think Kindi is really useful in some spots since he is so strong. I've found him to be useful for the mountain area and the boss in the tower in chapter 2.

[Joe Redifer]

I used Kindi to get through the mountain area.

[Turbo D]

I'm finally at the  tower of souls, just trying to beat that dijin dude. Thanx for the great walkthrough nod 

[Turbo D]

I'm happy to announce that I've beat the game  Thanx again for the excellent tips Nod, I couldn't have done it without them  What an awesome ending too, it really is worth it to finish this game  .