Space Harrier fans - a question

[sunteam_paul]

I've got a friend working on the code for a Space Harrier clone / homebrew sequel / whatever on the PC, and I'm not sure what direction to go with the visuals. The options I have come up with so far are:

1.Completely original enemies and objects.
2.A mix of Space Harrier enemies and objects from SH, SH2 and SH3D, touched up for the higher resolution.
3.Enemies and objects taken from a range of PC Engine games and touched up for higher resolution.
4.A specific theme (like Space Fantasy Zone), e.g. Space Harrier vs Forgotten Worlds.

What do you think is the most appealing? Or if you have any other ideas I'd be glad to hear them. I want to make the gameplay as faithful as possible to the original, given our limitations with perhaps a few little differences here and there.

[Joe Redifer]

Probably all original unless it is specifically going to be a Space Harrier game.  If it tends to be a part of the franchise, bring back old enemies updated for the 00's with many brown and gray polygons.  That's what gamers want.  That's what they buy.  They love brown and gray.  Oh, and it needs to be a first person shooter.  But it is OK if it has a checkerboard floor.

[sunteam_paul]

Probably all original unless it is specifically going to be a Space Harrier game.  If it tends to be a part of the franchise, bring back old enemies updated for the 00's with many brown and gray polygons.  That's what gamers want.  That's what they buy.  They love brown and gray.  Oh, and it needs to be a first person shooter.  But it is OK if it has a checkerboard floor.

Ugh, don't make me remember that...I never even played it but the screenshots alone made me feel sick.


To clarify, it will be totally freeware using 2D sprites and will have a checkerboard floor 

[Charlie]

I love SH as one of my top three games (loderunner, jumpman).  I remember it from the arcades.  I'd vote for item #1, as original as possible.

Charlie

[Arkhan]

Is it too late for it to be Bonk Harrier?

[sunteam_paul]

Is it too late for it to be Bonk Harrier?

I have considered it

[Arkhan]

Is it too late for it to be Bonk Harrier?

I have considered it

I wont lie, having those desert treese with the happy faces come flying at you would be hilarious.

[Joe Redifer]

That would be funny.  Consider all options and do what "feels" right to you.

[sunteam_paul]

That would be funny.  Consider all options and do what "feels" right to you.

Easier said than done

On one hand, creating new enemies would be exciting. But it's also the hardest way and will take longest to do - and stands the most chance of ending up looking a bit rubbish if I don't do a good job.

Taking sprites from PC Engine games is the easiest route, even if I touch them up for higher resolution. It also satisfies my desire to link it to the PC Engine. But it's a bit of a cop-out.

Something like Bonk/Zonk-themed could work, it's kind of a middle ground as designs are pre-existing but everything will probably need to be redrawn for the viewpoint. It could also lose the Space Harrier feel of 'fantasy land' being all cartoony, though it would be cool in a Space Fantasy Zone kind of way.

It's very hard to decide!

[Joe Redifer]

The PCE sprites are squished, if I recall.  Much too skinny.  Rip them from the arcade.

Make a China Warrior-themed Space Harrier!

[sunteam_paul]

The PCE sprites are squished, if I recall.  Much too skinny.  Rip them from the arcade.

When talking about taking PCE sprites, I meant from different PCE games. For example, this enemy is ripped from Gunhed:

The main sprite will be ripped and upgraded from the 32x and arcade versions (the 32x because the arcade actually randomly distorts the main sprite as you move around)

Make a China Warrior-themed Space Harrier!

Oddly enough, I already did this as a mock-up concept to see what it looked like.

[Joe Redifer]

Instead of settling on a specific theme like Bonk Harrier, just make it "Space Harrier in PC Engine Land" or something.  Have enemies from tons of different PCE games!

[Necromancer]

I'd love to see a mock-up of Bomberman lobbing bombs at the little popsicle head buggers.

Instead of settling on a specific theme like Bonk Harrier, just make it "Space Harrier in PC Engine Land" or something.  Have enemies from tons of different PCE games!

A sort of "Space Parodier", eh.  Sounds cool. 

[sunteam_paul]

Instead of settling on a specific theme like Bonk Harrier, just make it "Space Harrier in PC Engine Land" or something.  Have enemies from tons of different PCE games!

Yes, that was my second suggestion in the OP and one I am leaning towards.

[sunteam_paul]

I'd love to see a mock-up of Bomberman lobbing bombs at the little popsicle head buggers.

Instead of settling on a specific theme like Bonk Harrier, just make it "Space Harrier in PC Engine Land" or something.  Have enemies from tons of different PCE games!

A sort of "Space Parodier", eh.  Sounds cool. 

Space Parrier?

Harrier Engine?

erm