Tried Avenger again. DAMN! I can't even beat the first stage!
Okay, then. With that failure, let's switch to something dear to all of us:
Ys Books I & II!!
This was the game that cinched the deal. Valis was cool, Last Alert and Final Zone II were fun, but that opening music, the anime sequences! Ys sold me on the Turbografx!
Actually, I've played the game in just this past year, but got no further than Darm Tower, as I just honestly prefer Ys IV. But there's still so much I haven't seen since the turn of the century, so let's go! From the beginning! Or is that, "In the beginning . . ." ?
Fun fact! When I FINALLY got my Duo and was playing Ys, I bought arms and armor, but forgot to equip them! I was butting heads with enemies for a good couple of levels before I realized how stupid I was!
Update:
I have always sworn that Pim looks like Exedore from Macross/Robotech.
Last year and recently, I played in a hurried fashion. This is okay for me when it comes to JRPGs, as I hate wasting time with all that grinding, but for this game I think playing at legitimate speed is worthwhile. So, I've started over, and am actually having a good time!
Fun Fact! I sold my English copy of Ys years ago (I REALLY needed the money!), yet I still have the Japanese one in my collection.
It's interesting how I could run away from the first boss if need be. Most games don't have any boss you can run away from!
I usually play (action) RPGs hardcore style, meaning if I lose, I have to start over. It's kind of a personal test of brains and/or reflexes for me. Ys is an exception, simply because bosses can sometimes be more arcade-like and hard to defeat in such fashion. I will, however try to get through as much as possible without dying. I've already messed up twice and started over. Third time's the charm, so far!
Update:
I've always hated that bat boss!
Anyway, back in Darm Tower. Oh, goody . . .
Still one of the best soundtracks of any kind to bless your ears!
The psg music sounds very close to the original PC88, in spite of the different sound chips.
The pink bastards in Darm Tower kicked my teeth in after I lost my silver gear. I started over, as I felt this was just bad luck. Quickly got back again, and through white knuckled play I did better, only to die at the hands of those flaming bastards when reclaiming my silver shield. Of course, when I redid the battle, it went easily in my favor. OF COURSE! Kind of like in a beat 'em up when you die just before getting a health refill. So yeah, no more hardcore style at this point.
That unlucky loss really turned me off to playing fair. I'll keep playing, but will make it a QoL trip.
UPDATE:
The mask of eyes doesn't just make things grayscale. Put it on while outside the tower and there is some loss of color gradient detail at the bottom of the balconies.
The pink monster in the mirror maze looks like a face hugger. The knight in the same maze might be a palette swap with the one in the abandoned mine, but I'm not sure.
Decided to bum rush the rest of the tower and am actually having fun.
Red and blue oni/fudou again at the end of the second mirror maze.
I swear strings bring out more emotion than any other source of music. The music in Dark Fact's chambers is a prime example.
Dark Fact was a TOTAL PUSHOVER! His minions were stronger!
The mid-game cinema is rewarding. Time for Book II!
Something I've never done before: changed the font!
Hmm, now I must check status to see next xp level.
The CD audio seems to pause rather than restart when transitioning between Rance Village and the ruins.
The purple monsters in Mine 2 kind of look like they are wearing bonnets.
I've always had a special memory of Jira's basement for some reason. I know it's a good grinding spot, but this time I found a MUCH better one not that far away!
Boy does that fire spell help!!!!!!
I've NEVER noticed this before!!! The bottom left pixel of the enemy bar outline is black instead of white!
Strange. I'm finding the bosses easier than some of the minions!
How many other video games call the monsters "goons"?
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