Stream: 3D WorldRunner & other Space Harrier clones
The first half of this stream celebrates the work of Kazuko Shibuya, an important figure in the Japanese games industry. She's responsible for graphics and spritework in many classic (and classic-style) Final Fantasy games, but before that she helped make a Space Harrier knockoff with platforming, 3D WorldRunner (aka Tobidase Daisakusen). It's impressive for a NES game, with nice 3D effects, although world 6 has an absolutely evil challenge. I manage to make it to the ending in about an hour. Interview with Kazuko Shibuya about her career: http://shmuplations.com/kazukoshibuya/ After briefly showing the sequel JJ, I then dive into other Space Harrier imitations over the years that have female protagonists. Games played: -Alantia: Legend of Blue Star. PC-98, 1988. This running shooter looks very nice with an 80s dark fantasy anime setting (and some uncomfortable "fanservice"), but plays atrociously with a high degree of difficulty. I didn't get through the first stage. -Neural Gear. Sharp X68000, 1990. Fill in Cafe's first effort, this entirely mouse-controlled game has a blisteringly fast pace (it can probably be adjusted, but I didn't know how), a huge, interestingly intrusive HUD, and a cool sci-fi setting. When I manage to figure out how secondary weapons worked I made some decent progress, clearing several levels before moving on. -Olmang Jolmang Paradise. DOS, 1995. Family Production in South Korea made this as a crossover of four of their previous franchises in a new rail-shooter mould. It's not too difficult and very charming, and let me play as an anthropomorphic she-wolf who throws boomerangs, so that's cool. I think I got to the third stage boss. -Xenocider. Dreamcast, 2020. Retro Sumus in Spain made this new game for an old console, finishing it even after a failed Kickstarter. It's got a very cool 90s dark cyberpunk aesthetic, and combines elements from games like Space Harrier and Sin & Punishment to make a nice, if challenging, rail shooter that actually runs on a Dreamcast! I tried out the Kickstarter prototype demo and the recent final demo, but didn't manage to beat a stage. Get the game or try the demo here: https://retrosumus.com/category/xenocider/ https://www.twitch.tv/miloscatter
The first half of this stream celebrates the work of Kazuko Shibuya, an important figure in the Japanese games industry. She's responsible for graphics and spritework in many classic (and classic-style) Final Fantasy games, but before that she helped make a Space Harrier knockoff with platforming, 3D WorldRunner (aka Tobidase Daisakusen). It's impressive for a NES game, with nice 3D effects, although world 6 has an absolutely evil challenge. I manage to make it to the ending in about an hour. Interview with Kazuko Shibuya about her career: http://shmuplations.com/kazukoshibuya/ After briefly showing the sequel JJ, I then dive into other Space Harrier imitations over the years that have female protagonists. Games played: -Alantia: Legend of Blue Star. PC-98, 1988. This running shooter looks very nice with an 80s dark fantasy anime setting (and some uncomfortable "fanservice"), but plays atrociously with a high degree of difficulty. I didn't get through the first stage. -Neural Gear. Sharp X68000, 1990. Fill in Cafe's first effort, this entirely mouse-controlled game has a blisteringly fast pace (it can probably be adjusted, but I didn't know how), a huge, interestingly intrusive HUD, and a cool sci-fi setting. When I manage to figure out how secondary weapons worked I made some decent progress, clearing several levels before moving on. -Olmang Jolmang Paradise. DOS, 1995. Family Production in South Korea made this as a crossover of four of their previous franchises in a new rail-shooter mould. It's not too difficult and very charming, and let me play as an anthropomorphic she-wolf who throws boomerangs, so that's cool. I think I got to the third stage boss. -Xenocider. Dreamcast, 2020. Retro Sumus in Spain made this new game for an old console, finishing it even after a failed Kickstarter. It's got a very cool 90s dark cyberpunk aesthetic, and combines elements from games like Space Harrier and Sin & Punishment to make a nice, if challenging, rail shooter that actually runs on a Dreamcast! I tried out the Kickstarter prototype demo and the recent final demo, but didn't manage to beat a stage. Get the game or try the demo here: https://retrosumus.com/category/xenocider/ https://www.twitch.tv/miloscatter