Legend of Xanadu II Translation Patch announced!

[SamIAm]

I was reading about Monster Maker in Japanese. It's a tragic story, really. Or a story of incompetence, whichever you prefer.

The project actually started in like 1991 or so, and it had a famous producer who made good stuff but took forever doing it. Wouldn't you know, Monster Maker got delayed. Then it got moved to the Super CD, and was delayed again. Then they decided to redraw the character art, so they had another massive delay. They said in interviews that they wanted to make the best RPG anyone had ever seen.

Who knows exactly what was going on behind their doors? But I'd guess that the management at NEC Avenue lost their shit at some point and ordered them to finish it and turn it out within a few months or else. The game that came out in late '94, over two years past its original release date, was loaded with bugs and only half-finished. Seriously, there was supposed to be an equally large part-two in the works, but it was canned. More alarmingly, the game came with a small pink piece of paper saying "once you go into this one tower, don't come out until you have this one conversation or the event data will get borked and your game-save will be ruined forever." And that's just the worst of a long list of bugs.

It looks like it could have been really cool, too. I like the moody piano music and the funky pastel art. What a shame.

Anyone here play it all the way through? There's a full play on niconico, but speak of the devil, it's got a Japanese nerd talking over it the whole way (saying the most obvious crap in the world, too).

[Black Tiger]

I only had one bug happen before getting worked over by the game ruining bug. Early on in a castle with a boss a few weird things happened and I couldn't get events to move forward after killing the respawning boss over and over and I believe that eventually it crashed. It was no big deal though, because I just reloaded my save and everything was fine up until that late game tower.

Since I had no idea about that very specific bug, I didn't clear the tower before coming back out and saving again, which permanently prevents you from clearing the tower. The reason I didn't beat it in one go, is that Monster Maker is full of hidden staircases and chests. After igniting the bug, there is a floor in the tower where you see that you should have taken the other staircase from the previous floor. But it instead takes you to some other floor.

It's still a full length game and a great one with some unique aspects. Definitely worth playing through. Since the tower bug has been figured out for gaijins, there's no doubt you can beat the game and even if you only made it as far as I did, it is a hell of a ride.

I wonder if the same team was working on Space Fantasy Zone? Both games were advertised together for a very long time as they continued to be delayed.

[runinruder]

I was reading about Monster Maker in Japanese. It's a tragic story, really. Or a story of incompetence, whichever you prefer.

Anyone here play it all the way through?

Yes, I've played through Monster Maker.  Here's a review of it, with info and screens concerning the infamous tower bug: 

http://www.thebrothersduomazov.com/2010/01/monster-maker.html

[NightWolve]

I was reading about Monster Maker in Japanese. It's a tragic story, really. Or a story of incompetence, whichever you prefer.

Anyone here play it all the way through?

Yes, I've played through Monster Maker.  Here's a review of it, with info and screens concerning the infamous tower bug:

http://www.thebrothersduomazov.com/2010/01/monster-maker.html

That looks good, the coloring/graphics comes close to looking SNES-RPGish. Is this on your list of possible translation projects, Sam ? That why you brought it up ?

[ParanoiaDragon]

Damn, I never knew the game was riddled with bugs!  I've played a bit of it, I forget how far I got.  It's pretty & has some nice music for sure!

[runinruder]

I'm just copying this from a post I made here a few years ago, but it's a description of another strange bug I found in MM:

"I discovered another weird glitch a little earlier in the game.  The orcs give you a hot-air balloon that you're supposed to ride to a (different) tower.  Instead of hopping into the balloon immediately, I wandered off to do some leveling up.  Occasionally, when I'd re-enter the screen with the balloon, it'd be replaced by some sort of garbage sprite.  At first I paid no attention to this sprite, but after it appeared multiple times, I finally inspected it, and found myself warped back to an old kobold-inhabited town.

From that point, you can revisit the old locations (which might actually be kinda worthwhile if you think you missed something, like a spell or a treasure chest) and even re-recruit old party members who left (although they'll leave again at the appropriate spots in the story).  I should probably mention that I'm not 100% sure that you can make it back to where you were, because I got sick of repeating the old stuff after just a few minutes and loaded up my proper file, but it seems entirely possible (the boat you need to sail across the sea to a different area is right back at its original dock, for instance).  And, from what I saw, you don't need to re-fight bosses.

Along with these glitches, the game occasionally freezes during voice-acted parts and frequently chokes while loading up combat scenes.  It's strange how a game can seem so nice and polished in many different ways (especially the battle graphics) and be so screwy in others." 

[Bernie]

I just got MM in the mail the other day, so I will be giving it a go soon. 

[esteban]

I was reading about Monster Maker in Japanese. It's a tragic story, really. Or a story of incompetence, whichever you prefer.

The project actually started in like 1991 or so, and it had a famous producer who made good stuff but took forever doing it. Wouldn't you know, Monster Maker got delayed. Then it got moved to the Super CD, and was delayed again. Then they decided to redraw the character art, so they had another massive delay. They said in interviews that they wanted to make the best RPG anyone had ever seen.

Who knows exactly what was going on behind their doors? But I'd guess that the management at NEC Avenue lost their shit at some point and ordered them to finish it and turn it out within a few months or else. The game that came out in late '94, over two years past its original release date, was loaded with bugs and only half-finished. Seriously, there was supposed to be an equally large part-two in the works, but it was canned. More alarmingly, the game came with a small pink piece of paper saying "once you go into this one tower, don't come out until you have this one conversation or the event data will get borked and your game-save will be ruined forever." And that's just the worst of a long list of bugs.

It looks like it could have been really cool, too. I like the moody piano music and the funky pastel art. What a shame.

Anyone here play it all the way through? There's a full play on niconico, but speak of the devil, it's got a Japanese nerd talking over it the whole way (saying the most obvious crap in the world, too).

Thanks for providing context to this game--I have a greater appreciation for it now. I played through a significant portion of the game before encountering a bug/problem that I was unable to overcome. I don't think I had a bug, per se, but just was stumped and lost interest.

A two-year delay at that point in the PCE's lifespan could only hurt overall sales, I would think...

I'm just copying this from a post I made here a few years ago, but it's a description of another strange bug I found in MM:

"I discovered another weird glitch a little earlier in the game.  The orcs give you a hot-air balloon that you're supposed to ride to a (different) tower.  Instead of hopping into the balloon immediately, I wandered off to do some leveling up.  Occasionally, when I'd re-enter the screen with the balloon, it'd be replaced by some sort of garbage sprite.  At first I paid no attention to this sprite, but after it appeared multiple times, I finally inspected it, and found myself warped back to an old kobold-inhabited town.

From that point, you can revisit the old locations (which might actually be kinda worthwhile if you think you missed something, like a spell or a treasure chest) and even re-recruit old party members who left (although they'll leave again at the appropriate spots in the story).  I should probably mention that I'm not 100% sure that you can make it back to where you were, because I got sick of repeating the old stuff after just a few minutes and loaded up my proper file, but it seems entirely possible (the boat you need to sail across the sea to a different area is right back at its original dock, for instance).  And, from what I saw, you don't need to re-fight bosses.

Along with these glitches, the game occasionally freezes during voice-acted parts and frequently chokes while loading up combat scenes.  It's strange how a game can seem so nice and polished in many different ways (especially the battle graphics) and be so screwy in others." 

Hey runin, is this post still here (at pcefx.com) or did you save some old threads? If you have old threads saved, could I see them? (I'm just curious about stuff that has been buried with little-to-no-chance of ever being unearthed to see the light of day again). Thanks in advance.

[SamIAm]

That looks good, the coloring/graphics comes close to looking SNES-RPGish. Is this on your list of possible translation projects, Sam ? That why you brought it up ?

I hope to have final drafts of my two big translation projects done within the next 6-8 weeks, though that will depend partially on how the hacking goes. After that, I'll have time for something new. I'm on alert for something to really grab me.

The Tengai Makyo 2 script was requested a long while ago by the guy working on Ziria (non-Bonknuts Tom), so I don't have anything in my cue. One possibility I've been discussing with Esperknight just a little is Xanadu 1. Apparently, some significant number of the hacking breakthroughs from Xanadu 2 would apply to Xanadu 1, and given how difficult the hacking side is for CD games, it would almost be a waste not to take advantage of the situation. I'll have to play it all the way through first, though. That's my rule after the Emerald Dragon affair.

Monster Maker looks like it could be cool, but there's just too many bugs. Some might be easily fixed, but some might not.

Thanks for providing context to this game--I have a greater appreciation for it now. I played through a significant portion of the game before encountering a bug/problem that I was unable to overcome. I don't think I had a bug, per se, but just was stumped and lost interest.

A two-year delay at that point in the PCE's lifespan could only hurt overall sales, I would think...

One thing I remember reading is that during the more than two years between the original release date and the actual release date, another Monster Maker game was announced and released on the SNES. That's part of why I imagine NEC Avenue's execs would have demanded that they rush the game out after a certain point.

[Arjak]

If you decide to do LoX1, let me know. I'd be glad to reprise my role as Nuse, if possible.

Tengai Makyo 2 is one that I'm REALLY looking forward to! I would LOVE to try out for some parts in that one, my dream part being Kabuki! I really enjoy playing loud, over-the-top characters!

[Black Tiger]

There is also a computer version of Monster Maker featured in magazines that looks similar to the PCE version. The SNES versions are both different games from the PCE version.


Other than making use of the hacking breakthroughs made with LoXII, the first LoX is one of the PCE RPGs that would most benefit from a translation, since it involves so many specific tasks.

[SamIAm]

I remember you mentioning that. I'd definitely be interested in doing it if I can enjoy a good playthrough of it.

All in good time, though. I'm going to be really busy in the next couple months if either hacker gives me a complete insertion to test.

 :-"
You guys should shower Esperknight in praise so he keeps working on LoX2 like he has in the past 2 weeks.

[esteban]

A two-year delay at that point in the PCE's lifespan could only hurt overall sales, I would think...

One thing I remember reading is that during the more than two years between the original release date and the actual release date, another Monster Maker game was announced and released on the SNES. That's part of why I imagine NEC Avenue's execs would have demanded that they rush the game out after a certain point.

Now that's totally crazy/ridiculous. SFC announced. Released. PCE version? Nowhere to be found.

[ParanoiaDragon]

I remember you mentioning that. I'd definitely be interested in doing it if I can enjoy a good playthrough of it.

All in good time, though. I'm going to be really busy in the next couple months if either hacker gives me a complete insertion to test.

 :-"
You guys should shower Esperknight in praise so he keeps working on LoX2 like he has in the past 2 weeks.

Esperknight be praised!  May Esperknight live on until times indefinite!   Seriously though, Esper is cool & hardworking, & dedicated, this can't be easy work!

[SamIAm]

Thanks.

Here's the pink slip of paper in Monster Maker if anyone's interested, btw:


If you play it, watch out of the バッソ Tower on the ソルレンド continent. It's the 2nd one you come to, apparently.