An outsider's perspective - people's choice!

[Joshkdmw]

We're hopping in the way-back machine for this one, folks.

So, on a whim, I picked up the Sonic Ultimate Genesis Collection the other day.

One of the wisest gaming decisions I ever made.

You see, I was a SNES kiddie. In our House, SNES was the king of the 16-bit era. Our Grandmother down the block had a Genesis to play Sonic, Ecco, Alex Kidd, and her personal favourite - Toejam and Earl: Panic on Funkotron (coolest grandmother EVER), but aside from those and a couple others, I didn't get to play the Genesis classics.

Namely, before now I never played:

Any Phantasy Star before PSO,
Any game in the 'Shining' series'
Gain ground
Beyond Oasis
Fatal Labyrinth

and had only once (or twice) played:

Comic Zone
Decap Attack starring Chuck D. Head
Dr. Robotnik's Mean Bean Machine
Ecco
Flicky
Golden Axe
Kid Chameleon (but only many years after the genesis was moot)
Shinobi III


And of course I found my way to all the sonic games at one time or another.

So! I have an idea. For those of you that remember, I did an article on EvAv a while back - Fallout 2: An outsider's perspective. I'd like to do something similar here. Because these games aren't dear childhood memories (most of them, anyways), I can look at them with fresh eyes.

So what game should I write on? Something with some length and depth would be good (like an RPG), and would get a longer article. But if you fine people want me to write a retrospective on Columns, I can sure do that.

The choice is yours, people! What should ol' Josh write about?

[Mr. Murphy]

I think this is a great idea, as I too was an SNES kiddie. I can't really choose what game you should play because I'm unfamiliar with them all as well, but I am looking forward to reading this.

I think out of all those games the Shining Force and Phantasy Star ones are the ones I'm most curious about, tho.

[Gorvi]

One of the Shining Force games, take your pick. I say that mostly because I want to play through one of them as well, and it'd be nice to play at the same time as someone else.

[EternalGamer]

Shining in the Darkness or Beyond Oasis. The former is a great dungeon crawl and the latter a great combo of a beat em up meets adventure game.

I actually have never played a Phantasy Star game pre-PSO myself, so I'd also be interesting in an article about one of those (PSIV?).

[MachEnergy]

I'm still trying to figure out how to get complete a dungeon level in Fatal Labyrinth.....so not that one :D

People seem to be focusing more on the lengthy RPG's so far in this discussion. I'm still pretty backed up in my current gen queue, so maybe something shorter like Ecco The Dolphin?

[Joshkdmw]

I'm still trying to figure out how to get complete a dungeon level in Fatal Labyrinth.....so not that one :D

People seem to be focusing more on the lengthy RPG's so far in this discussion. I'm still pretty backed up in my current gen queue, so maybe something shorter like Ecco The Dolphin?

That's a good idea, but my experience with Ecco was perhaps a bit too lengthy. I wouldn't be able to give an unbiased opinion.

[bean]

I'd like you to write about Phantasy Star II. Seriously, if you've never played a grindy RPG before, it will be great to see your perspective on this. Otherwise, I don't think you'll be telling me anything new.

[MachEnergy]

I'd like you to write about Phantasy Star II. Seriously, if you've never played a grindy RPG before, it will be great to see your perspective on this. Otherwise, I don't think you'll be telling me anything new.

lol! I played PS:II a few years ago, and was amazed at how much I had to grind before I could safely leave the first town. Once you grind enough, the game is quite good.....just some tedious work is required.

[Zabyx]

Write about Comix Zone. One of my favorite brawlers of all time, but not because of the actual gameplay, because of the presentation...

[Superman's Dead]

I don't know why, but reading this thread makes me want to purchase this game...s.

[Jboy001]

My vote is for shining force 2, I rented that game multiple times and never did beat it, always lost the saved game when I re-rented it :(
(I was young and didn't know you just immediately go up to the counter and get it again... ah youth)

looking forward to beating it with this collection

[total]

My vote is for shining force 2, I rented that game multiple times and never did beat it, always lost the saved game when I re-rented it :(
(I was young and didn't know you just immediately go up to the counter and get it again... ah youth)

looking forward to beating it with this collection

^^This...

I beat Shining Force II multiple times and it is, to this day, my all time favorite RPG series.

[Joshkdmw]

Okay, so it looks like the front runners are Phantasy Star II and Shining Force II so far.

Still plenty of time left for votes, though.

[Variable Gear]

Shining in the Darkness is my choice, because I think suffering is an essential element of entertainment.

[Johan]

Joshkdmw, this is a great idea. Sorry...I've got nothing else; just...great idea!

[Doctor Setebos]

Either Shining Force II (my personal favorite) or Beyond Oasis (because I'm really curious to hear what SNES game you might compare it to). ;)

[Variable Gear]

Either Shining Force II (my personal favorite) or Beyond Oasis (because I'm really curious to hear what SNES game you might compare it to). ;)
I've played minutes of Beyond Oasis, and it seems very similar to A Link to The Past so far...

[Purple Santa]

Write about Comix Zone. One of my favorite brawlers of all time, but not because of the actual gameplay, because of the presentation...

I second that for Comix Zone. Just remember the X at the end of Comix...not a "C" :p

[Joshkdmw]

So, front runners are:

Shining Force II
Shining in the Darkness
Beyond Oasis
Phantasy Star II

Still taking votes on any game in the collection, however. But before too long I'll narrow down the choice probably to a top five. Keep voting, all!

Also, thanks kindly Johan.

[Purple Santa]

How do I stuff the ballot box?

[LongStepMantis]

Either Shining Force II (my personal favorite) or Beyond Oasis (because I'm really curious to hear what SNES game you might compare it to). ;)

I would compare Beyond Oasis to Illusion of Gaia. Just my opinion.

[Joshkdmw]

How do I stuff the ballot box?

*insert penis joke here*

[Doctor Setebos]

*insert penis joke here*That's all I got.

[maharahaj]

My vote will be for Fantasy Zone. That game is sooo strange and bright and tough that I would like the opinion of a rookie playing it.

Personally, I loved the game as a kid and could actually beat it. Its unforgiving, particularly the bosses, which have a tendency the flood the screen with bullets.

[Joshkdmw]

That's all I got.

She mentioned - and she was not happy about it.

My vote will be for Fantasy Zone. That game is sooo strange and bright and tough that I would like the opinion of a rookie playing it.

Personally, I loved the game as a kid and could actually beat it. Its unforgiving, particularly the bosses, which have a tendency the flood the screen with bullets.

Intriguing!

[KamaItachi]

I'd like to see your take on a defunct genre of the beat-em up.

I for one think Streets of Rage 2 was a great deal better than the far more iconic Final Fight, but for someone with absolutely no exposure to the series, how does the game stand these days?

[Joshkdmw]

I'd like to see your take on a defunct genre of the beat-em up.

I for one think Streets of Rage 2 was a great deal better than the far more iconic Final Fight, but for someone with absolutely no exposure to the series, how does the game stand these days?

I actually have a fair bit of experience with Streets of Rage 2. I always played Axel.

Huh. Should have mentioned that.

Also - I don't think Beat-em-ups are not defunct as a genre. They're just not 2D anymore.

[KamaItachi]

I actually have a fair bit of experience with Streets of Rage 2. I always played Axel.

Huh. Should have mentioned that.

Also - I don't think Beat-em-ups are not defunct as a genre. They're just not 2D anymore.

Fair enough, I'd go for Shining Force 2 then.

I can't wait to play that one again, myself.

[Housemixer]

Here's another vote for Shining Force 2, I still occasionally start my Mega Drive to play SF1/SF2.

[Chris_D]

I'd be interested on your take on Gain Ground. It's a very fun little overhead action game, using a ton of different characters to traverse different eras. The reason I think it's interesting is that a friend and I absolutely loved it to death back in the day. One of the great 16 bit coop games, helping each other out to get to the exit was a blast. However, even at the time it was received with quite luke warm reviews (maybe 5s to 7s). I wondered at the time if the reviewers hated fun.

Anyway, it's not such a big commitment, I think once you get the hang of it it's possible to play through in an hour or so. So you can give it a whirl and see if it grabs your fancy for doing a retrospective.

Catchy genesis style music too :).

[Cyndair]

I'll toss in another vote for Shining Force II. My favorite rpg as a kid. I still love Shining Force 1 with all my heart but it hasn't aged quite as well as 2 (the controls and menus can feel a bit clunky). 2 is a lot more refined and the graphics hold up very well. Unless you don't like your characters walking in place when they are standing still.... or those shadows that stay attached to their feet when they are laying down... :p

I've played through SF2 more times than I can count and it never gets old. I'd also recommend playing it on hard. If you've played other SRPGs before, normal mode will seem a bit too easy for you to get a good challenge out of it.

[quidmonkey]

Shining Force 2. But the AI is nowhere near as smart as FE.

If you want more of an action game, go with Beyond Oasis.

[Joshkdmw]

Okay, the finalists are:

Shining Force II
Beyond Oasis
Phantasy Star II

However! I am also establishing a 'wild card' system! Out of these games briefly mentioned in the thread:

Gain Ground
Fantasy Zone
Comix Zone

I will also do a write-up. So, everybody please vote for the normal category, and the wild-card category, and I can get these started in short order.

[torrefaction]

Great list in order there Josh. I'd probably recommend it the same way....EXCEPT

I fucking INSIST you make your wildcard the genesis version of Shadowrun. I can't believe these fools haven't mentioned it yet.

It is one of the single best games made, period. Not just genesis games, or games of that era.

[EternalGamer]

Well, Shadowrun isn't on the Ultimate Genesis Collection, so that is why it wasn't listed. And the reason it isn't on that collection is because it isn't published by Sega. Great game, though I think I like the SNES version a little better.

[torrefaction]

Well, Shadowrun isn't on the Ultimate Genesis Collection, so that is why it wasn't listed. And the reason it isn't on that collection is because it isn't published by Sega. Great game, though I think I like the SNES version a little better.

I'm of the opinion that the Genesis version had the better underlying story, gameplay, and world...but the SNES version had the better overall narrative.

Either way, he can get his hands on Shadowrun, and it deserves to be on this list. And as a dedicated gamer, Josh deserves the joy of playing the Genesis Shadowrun.

[Restlessavenger]

I vote for Gain Ground, or you should pick up the PS2/PSP collection and play Sword of Vermillion.

[maharahaj]

My votes go to Shining Force 2 and Fantasy Zone.

[total]

OMG why haven't you started playing SF2 yet. Shit I think I might have to fire up the Saturn and get some SF3 in so I can cry when I beat the first scenario and realize the other two are only in Japanese.

[Spigot]

I love the Shining Force games. My vote goes there. I have to say, despite owning the PS2 version of the Genesis collection, I'm very tempted by this pack, if only for the Shining Force and Phantasy Star games. Maybe when I finish Fallout 3... :)

[Karak]

I don't have a vote. It makes no sense for us to tell you what to write it about. That defeats the purpose. You decide on the game and you write about it. That way it may not be one of the ones we chose and maybe even more exciting it could be a slightly less popular one that we also get to learn something about.
Otherwise its sort of writing by proxy or something.

[Joshkdmw]

I'm of the opinion that the Genesis version had the better underlying story, gameplay, and world...but the SNES version had the better overall narrative.

Either way, he can get his hands on Shadowrun, and it deserves to be on this list. And as a dedicated gamer, Josh deserves the joy of playing the Genesis Shadowrun.

I'm not dropping fifty bucks on a genesis, and then try to find a copy of Shadowrun. I'm sure it's a fine game, but I have to pick my battles.

Karak, you make a good point. But I have no problem with writing by proxy.

[Variable Gear]

I'm not dropping fifty bucks on a genesis, and then try to find a copy of Shadowrun. I'm sure it's a fine game, but I have to pick my battles.
You could always, well, you know... :o

[Chris_D]

I'm going to say Beyond Oasis / Gain Ground. Both games have always received a little less coverage / exposure than the others listed. In particular, I've never played Beyond Oasis so I'd be interested to hear what you think about that one.

[torrefaction]

You could always, well, you know... :o

This is exactly what I was thinking...

[Joshkdmw]

You could always, well, you know... :o

Oh, I know I could. And I might. At a later date.

[Joshkdmw]

I'd like to see a few more votes on this before I begin.

[Doctor Setebos]

Shining Force 2 and Comix Zone.

[Purple Santa]

Shining Force 2 and Comix Zone.

Doctor Setebos just became my new favorite CoG Mod :D

[Gorvi]

I'll probably get some hate for this, but I really didn't enjoy Comix Zone from what I played of it. The style was cool but the gameplay wasn't nearly as good as something like Streets of Rage.

[Doctor Setebos]

Doctor Setebos just became my new favorite CoG Mod :DYes! Notoriety! Finally! :)

[Joshkdmw]

Any more votes? I wanna start this soon, but would like a little more input.

[Joshkdmw]

Oi! More votes!

[Joshkdmw]

Not talking to myself, here...

[Doctor Setebos]

Not talking to myself, here...Actually, there does indeed appear to be a bit of an echo. :D

I think you've probably got all the votes you're likely to get.

[Gorvi]

Yep, those of us that care have spoken in a collective voice, and that voice has shouted "SHINING FORCE"! ;)

That was a bit much. :)

[Joshkdmw]

Yep, those of us that care have spoken in a collective voice, and that voice has shouted "SHINING FORCE"! ;)

That was a bit much. :)

IT SHALL BE DONE!

*thunderclap, assorted old testament wankery*