So I just picked up a batch of PC-FX games:
Battle Heat
Return to Zork
Last Imperial Prince
that Far East of Eden FMV-Fighter
Can Can Bunny DX
Welcome to Pia Carrot
Chip Can Kick
Team Innocent
Anime Freak Vol 2
Early thoughts:
Battle Heat & that other FMV-Fighter- These are the first FMV fighters I've ever played. I don't really understand the controls at all. From looking at the manual(s), I can see the button combos for different moves. What I'm confused about is exactly when and how you're supposed to execute these moves. Do I wait until the animation of my opponent finishes? Do I hold the buttons down for a duration of time? I just don't get it. I can't seem to get my player to ever do anything except get their ass kicked. In time, I can see these games being a lot of fun if I can figure out the controls.
Can Can Bunny & Pia Carrot- While the Hentai thing is kinda cool, these are way too wordy for my lacking Japanese. Actually, I was able to muddle through Can Can Bunny to a certain point where I was getting quized by a cute anime chick. I was able to pick out some of the correct answers, but I think you have to get a perfect score for something "good" to happen. The intro leading up to that section, however, lasted like 20 minutes with lots of spoken dialogue I can't seem to skip. I didn't really pick up on much of anything that was going on, either. Pia Carrot I was even less successful with. I think I'll wait until the translation patch is released for this one (should be before the end of the year AFAIK) before giving it another go.
Team Innocent- Haven't really given this one any time yet. I hear it's one of the best FX games. We'll see.
Return to Zork- I was always a fan of the original text adventure on my computer when I was a kid. I remember when this sequel came out on the PC but I never played it before now. First-person graphical adventure in the same style as Myst. This really doesn't require any advanced Japanese skill at all. All the signs are in English as are most menus-- there is a little Japanese dialogue dubbed over the American actors but that's it. Looks like this might be one of the early favorites.
Last Imperial Prince- Awesome game. No advanced Japanese needed. For some reason this game reminds me of Anearth Fantasy Stories from a technical viewpoint (plot-wise it's completely different). It's similar to the battle sequences from that game, except the whole game is like that. It's 100% side-scroller (ie, no overhead viewpoint). Lots of in-game text in English. Definitely an early favorite, and recommended to any FX owner.
Chip Can Kick- Probably the highlight of the group. Think Bubble Bobble III: Parasol Stars with two little girls, Chip and Chap, instead of the Bub and Bob boys. Of course, the graphics are a bit prettier (we're talking 32-bits here!!) and the music kicks ass. You'll have a hard time putting this one down. Until you reach the boss of level 1 who's a mean son of a bitch. I find it hard to believe/highly suspicious that Taito was not involved in this game. The company that holds the copyright is a company called "Hyper Tech Custom" or something like that. Is this some division or sister company of Taito? I'm thinking along the lines of Telenet/Alfa System/Laser Soft/etc here (which are all the same group). If not, I'm surprised there was no lawsuit over this game. All that aside, this is a must-own for FX owners, especially if you like any of the Bubble Bobble games. Get yourself a copy of this today.
In summary- The fighters hold a bit of promise, but until I figure out the control technique, these will remain very low in my game-play rotation. And with all the games I'm involved in right now, it doesn't bode well for them. The two Hentai titles are going to remain shelved until either patches are released or I can find a walkthrough. Or my Japanese skills improve. A quick Google search doesn't reveal any kind of walkthrough for either one. I know there is a guy working on the Pia Carrot patch and he said last month he's 80% finished so hopefully we'll see that soon. Imperial Prince, Chip Can Kick and Return to Zork are going to get the most play for now. These three feel like very solid, quality games and I'd definitely recommend them. I haven't even taken the shrinkwrap off of Anime Freak 2 yet but I'm not sure that really qualifies as a game. Team Innocent is next in line for a test-drive, at this point.
