Re: Various impressions obscure Saturn games Continued

> SUIKOENBU FUUNSAIKI
>

It is about time, you ***! ;)

>
> Being a big fan of Fighter's History Dynamite, in December 2001 I
> bought my last Saturn game physically in a game shop when I purchased
> Data East fighter Dark Legend. Dark Legend was a 1995 ST-V fighter
> ported onto Saturn. It's also known as "Outlaws of the Lost Dynasty."
> It's decent, but weighed down by heavy loading and that X-Factor. A
> year or so later I discovered there was an "upgrade" to Dark Legend
> only available on Saturn via the JP market, a title known as "Suikoenbu
> Fuunsaiki." One of my Saturn buds was raving about it at the time, and
> you know me and Data East fighters, I was all over this one. To my
> delight, Fuunsaiki brought over two FHD characters, Mizoguchi and
> Yung-Mie, into the fray of the original 12 DL fighters for a total of
> 14 selectable characters.
>

Yup...it's oldschool DE...;)

>
> My friend told me Suikoenbu Fuunsaiki means Dark Legend Reborn but I
> haven't confirmed that.
>

Yeah, that's what I've heard as well.

>
> While I am slightly disappointed Data East didn't throw in ALL the FH
> fighters -- it would have been like Fighters Megamix Data East style, I
> can see why they didn't. They were undoubtedly going for that Dark
> Legend storyline theme... a battle of warriors in the 11th Century.
> Somehow I get the feeling a clown or a punk rocker wouldn't quite fit
> in! ;)
>

Yeah, to tell you the truth, I'm still unsure what the two FHD characters
are doing in there...as they have no weapons and all, but they really do
look like they fit in.

>
> So how to describe SF? Heh, I just noticed its initials are the same as
> Street Fighter's. And that is perfect, as it plays like a mix of Street
> Fighter and Samurai Shodown, only with a Chinese 11th-12th century
> theme. There is scaling like SS, weapons like SS, and it plays like SF
> in command and such. How does SF improve over DL? Little touches, but
> IMO it added up to make this a sturdy game.
>

Agreed.

>
> Combos here are insane. See the back cover? Yeah, they give you a 9 hit
> combo you can do with Wu Song.

Yeah, that was great that they show you that one on the back cover. To an
extent, you could do that combo in the original, just without the multiple
air hits.

> In the original DL you could do a bit of
> juggling... here in SF Data East takes it to the extreme with a very
> cool juggle system -- we're talking jumping in combos that can
> accumulate for 15 hits, then you can send them launching into the air
> where thereby you can time and hit them another 10 to 20 times. There's
> nothing more satisfying than just beating and juggling the tar outta
> your opponent... kicking him to the edge of the screen and combo-ing
> his ass. In a way, it kind of feels like a VS game as well!
>

Yeah, it really does have that MSH/VS series feel in terms of the chains
and juggles. My only issue with the chain system is that you don't have to
run any actual chains...you can hit the same damn button(usually "weak
attack"{punch or kick}) 18 times in a row for an 18 hit combo. Also, it's
important to note to those reading that you can do these chain combos with
your weapon, these are all done while without it. It kind of gives you 1)
A chance to win the match if you loose your weapon and B) A reason to
actually ditch your weapon if you want.

>
> Mizoguchi and Yung-Mie are the two weaponless characters, as well as
> the boss. For the rest, there is a weapon bar that when reaches maximum
> capacity he or she will lose their weapon for the rest of the match.
> You can press B+Y to drop your weapon... here your character may have
> an ENTIRELY new moveset! Very nice. Just press B+Y over your fallen
> weapon to reclaim it. Press C+Z to toss your weapon at your enemy, if
> it connects it's an automatic dizzy. However, your weapon is lost
> forever, so use this wisely!
>

Agreed. In the original DL, this was a very bad move as only Shi Jin and a
few others really had any decent moves without their weapons, but
here...***, I almost *want* to throw my weapon away...;)

>
> Each Character has a desperation move or two they can pull off when
> their energy is about 15% or so left. Some characters even have
> desperation moves specifically for when they are weaponless -- nice!
>

Yeah, they rock!

>
> Characters
> -----
>
> SHI JIN
> The Ryu/Haohmaru of the gang. Front-runner on the cover, a martial
> artist with a dragon tattoo on his back and carries a sword. How
> appropro. Launches a dragon headed fireball that burns when using the
> Fierce button, and a nice multi-air hit Flaming Dragon Sword Uppercut.
> Without the sword he has a burning knuckle type attack.
>

I'd like to say that this is my main man...but damn, every character is
the game I like...they all rock(none of that bull*** KoF stuff where
entire *teams* just suck ass).

>
> DM: Rising Dragon
> A cool whirlwind effect that sucks the enemy into a Flaming Uppercut
> Dragon Punch... you see a flaming dragon flying up the screen...
> downgraded in strength from Dark Legend, here in SF only inflicts 20%
> damage.
>

I really like this, and from what I recall, it's not that tough to do.

>
> LIN CHONG
> A master of stick fighting, he has one of the coolest throws in the
> game -- chucks his enemy in the air to land on his knife end of the
> stick -- wicked sound effect on this one. Has a nice looking big blue
> wavy circular projectile that on Fierce hits very hard, knocking down
> the opponent.
>
> DM: Spaz Attack
> A 13-hit rushing combo where each hit produces a large on-screen red
> kanji. 25% damage
>
> HU SAN NIANG
> A master duel sword female fighter, she is quick, agile and deadly.
> Throws a ground-based water projectile, and has a nice Dragon Punch
> that in mid-air you can throw in two kicks for good measure.
>
> DM: Vacuum Jasmine Wave
> Jumps in the air, launches a stunning projectile... followed by a
> wicked wave. 35% damage
>
> DAI ZONG
> A ninja with teleporting skills and the power to produce a fireball
> from the palm of his hands that sends you flying to the wall. Check out
> his stage, it's quite atmospheric and cool.
>
> DM with: Super Ki Beam
> Spends a 4-hit death blast across the screen. 35% damage
>
> DM without: Shadow Charge
> Runs across the screen (a la MK's Kabal for his web spin) leaving a
> green trail that sends the opponent flying in the air... weak, but
> great for combos!
>
> LI KUI
> One of my favorite fighters as he's sorta the offbeat giant of the
> group. Weilds two axes, has a cool chopping throw, breathes fire, and
> has a 5-hit run slice and dice special move. Also possesses the ability
> to conjure spiky rocks outta the ground by smashing the ground with his
> axes.
>

I like his new, updated background, with all the people added to it.

>
> DM with: Mandarin Death Chop
> 13-hit combo where he chops you up before roasting you -- ouch! 30%
> damage
>
> DM without: Atomic Earth Splitter
> Launches a huge fire blast... extremely powerful! 40% damage
>
> LU ZHI SHEN
> I like this fool too, as he's the other big offbeat guy in the cast.
> It's great to get this giant and Li Kui on screen together... nice
> stuff. He carries a big sword-ish weapon, has some cool specials and
> when you drop his giant weapon he can throw icy projectiles! Yes, they
> will freeze the opponent and the ice effect looks AWESOME. Especially
> on a giant like Li Kui, and the camera is zoomed up close... it looks
> spectacular. He can throw the ice high or low... and as many as two at
> one time (remember this kinda plays like a crazy wild VS game) nice
> sound effect, and it's sweet to throw them high and low, slow and fast,
> to confuse and bewilder the opponent. Also can conjure a fireball from
> the heavens.
>
> DM without: Super Earth Scorcher
> Only fighter to have only a DM without weapon, this devestating DM has
> the big baldie tossing three fire blasts from the heavens... scoring an
> impressive 45% damage
>
> GONG SHUN SHENG
> Old man who fights with a HUGE demon spirit. Demon tosses old man
> about. It's really pretty cool, the old man has Blanka-like flying
> attacks, arching, low and middle. They have a neat throw where the
> demon holds you and the oldie launches himself at you.
>
> DM: Pinball Bounce
> Old man bounces round the screen like a damn pinball, win with this DM
> and get a special win pose.
>
> WU SONG
> A muscular warrior weilding two sticks, has plenty of throws. His stage
> may be the most impressive and memorable in the game
>
> DM: Tiger Drill
> Grabs you, slides you across the ground causing an explosion. Ouch
>
> RUAN XIAO ER
> Weird looking fighter who is the oldest of the 3 RUAN brothers. Has a
> water blob buddy.
>
> DM with: Tsunami Strike
> 9 hit attack, 30% damage
>
> DM without: Phoenix Rush
> 3 huge eagles flying at you horizontally
>
> RUAN XIAO WU
> The deformed mutant of the group, this weird freakshow can throw fish,
> crabs and frogs!
>

This guy cracks me up.

>
> DM with: Brilliant Storm Drop
> You can control his flight of attack, pretty neat
>
> DM without: Phoenix Rush
> Similar to his older brother, only the eagles come outta the ground
>
> RUAN XIAO QI
> The youngest bro, he uses nun chucks, he has the same special moves as
> his older brother, only based in the electrocution arts. Rapid punch
> produces a nin chuck frenzy.
>

What I like about these three "clone" characters is that even though they
all pretty much look the same, they really do play quite differently.

>
> DM with: Thunderstorm Arc
> Produces a ball of Thunder around him
>
> DM without: Phoneix Rush
> 3 Eagles... one horizontally, one vertically and one diagonally
>
> CHAO GAI
> The boss of the game... after he loses one round he can change into his
> demon form by holding all 3 punch buttons down. In his "human" form
> (that in itself is highly questionable as he was shot in the face by a
> poison arrow during a battle to the death... legend has it he has
> returned from the grave...) he can breathe fire, produce minature
> clones of himself and possesses one mean dashing kick. In his demon
> form he shoots out four anti-air arrows with a cool sound effect.
>
> DM (only during demon form): Dark Ki Beam
> Launches a blast across entire screen. 35% damage
>
> MIZOGUCHI
> Master of the Tiger Bazooka... he has air fireballs and an air
> hurricane kick. You can do up to five fireballs in the air (shooting
> out horizontally or/and a downward arch) before landing back down. Can
> launch a Super Tiger Bazooka, and has a rising multi hit Dragon Punch.
>
> DM: Naw... I won't spoil the surprise...
>

I forget, what is this one?(just email me if you want...though I think you
and I are the only two people on the planet who care about this game) ;)

>
> YUNG MIE
> All I gotta say is HOLY HECK! She has the most impressive DM in the
> game, taking off 70% damage (!!)... a 16-hit barrage that when all said
> and done, gives you the chance to juggle the opponent further! I'm sure
> there is a 100% combo with her involving her DM... easily...
>

She, and Mizoguchi are just *way* too overpowered, imo. They have some of
the longest, and strongest chains...the others just can't keep up.

>
> Well there are the 14 (whew) characters. Overall this game feels a lot
> more polished and solid. It's no Capcom or SNK fighter but I think for
> under $20 is well worth it. The graphics are slightly improved,
> backgrounds got added in new touches, and there are even two new stages
> (for the two brothers, in DL one stage was shared by all 3 brothers and
> that just screamed laziness)
>

Yeah, I like the "painted" look of the fire scene that one of the brothers
has.

>
> The game comes in a double case because of the nicely illustrated 37
> page manual, but don't worry there's no 2nd disc so you're not missing
> anything.

Hhehehe, yeah. I just put it in a normal case myself...

> I just really dig the juggling combos you can pull off, and
> the awesome Chinese Techno Rock soundtrack.

Yeah, that soundtrack is just fucking incredible. I think I have quite a
few of the tracks recorded to MP3 in my collection.

> I also love the cheesey
> "kung fu air" sound effects in this game just like in them old karate
> movies where a punch produces exaggerated sound effects. What can I say
> but... cool game.
>

You know it.

Bel

--

Whip Ass Gaming: http://www.whipassgaming.com/

"I loves me kitty"


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