Dark Savior

Last updated
Dark Savior
Dark Savior Coverart.png
Cover art of Dark Savior
Developer(s) Climax Entertainment
Publisher(s)
  • JP: Climax Entertainment
  • WW: Sega
Director(s) Kōji Sugimori
Composer(s) Hiroshi Kondo
Platform(s) Saturn
Release
  • JP: August 30, 1996
  • NA: December 12, 1996
  • PAL: February 20, 1997
Genre(s) Platformer
Puzzle adventure
Fighting
Mode(s) Single-player

Dark Savior [lower-alpha 1] is a 3D mixed-genre video game for the Sega Saturn created by Climax Entertainment. It was referred to by GameSpot as a sequel to the developer's game for the Sega Mega Drive/Genesis, Landstalker: The Treasures of King Nole , [1] even though the games' storylines are unrelated and their gameplay is considerably different.

Contents

Gameplay

Dark Savior is a combination of three different gameplay genres: a platform jumping game, a puzzle adventure game, and a fighting game. Aside from one or two sections which blend platform jumping and puzzle elements, these three gameplay types are kept distinct and separate. [2] The fighting game sections actually run in an entirely different gameplay mode; unlike the rest of the game, which features full 3D movement, the fighting sections use 3D graphics but are played entirely in two dimensions.

During some matches in the fighting mode, the player character can capture his opponent, allowing the player to control that opponent in future matches. [2] The player cannot capture an opponent when using a previously captured character. [3]

The platforming sections require the player to utilize the camera control in order to see around certain objects, and supports the Saturn analog gamepad. Though control is purely digital, the player can use the analog controller to simultaneously control their character (using the D-pad) and the camera (using the analog knob). [2]

Instead of currency, the player can find items (cigarettes, alcohol, and magazines in the original Japanese release, replaced by chocolate bars, empty bottles, and magazines in all other regions [4] ) which can be traded for information, items, or points. Points can in turn be used to revive the player character if he dies, increase the player character's hit points, or avoid fights. [4]

Plot and parallel system

The player character, Garian, is a bounty hunter tasked with escorting a dangerous monster named Bilan to a prison island where it will be interned. During the voyage to the prison, Bilan escapes and Garian races to capture the monster before it reaches the captain's cabin. The time taken by Garian to reach the cabin determines the course of the game. [5]

Parallel I: The Hunt for Evil

Should the player take more than four minutes to reach the captain's cabin, Bilan will kill the captain, escape and head towards the prison. Something of a disaster scenario, this parallel sees Garian pursuing Bilan who leaves a trail of carnage in his wake. After destroying Bilan at the parallel's conclusion, Garian ponders how things might have turned out differently.

Parallel II: A Hunt for the Heart

Reaching the cabin between three and four minutes, Garian finds Bilan threatening the captain. After defeating the monster, it goes through a surprising transformation. With Bilan no longer a threat, the game's plot comes to focus on the conflict between an organization of rebellious prisoners, the corrupt warden Kurtliegen, and a ninja woman, Kay. The longest scenario; it runs roughly twice as long as Parallels III, IV, and V combined.

Parallel III: A Hunt for the Lies

Accessed by reaching the captain within three minutes. Garian gets to the cabin before Bilan and locks the creature out. Bilan again makes its way to the island and Garian pursues it. While quite similar to the first scenario, parallel 3 is not quite as bleak. It does, however, make a major divergence at its conclusion, where Garian makes a startling discovery.

Parallel IV: A Hunt for the Truth.

Parallel 4 begins when parallel 3 ends. [6] This scenario has a stronger science fiction element to it, as it revolves around the conflict between parallel universes. Conflicting realities cause the island to become unstable, and leave Garian in poor condition. In this scenario, Garian must rescue his friends to affirm his existence, escape the island and confront the source of the chaos, though he must do it within a time limit and without the aid of save points. This is also the only scenario where the source of the game's name, Dark Savior, becomes apparent.

Parallel V: Marathon of Death

This scenario splits off from II. If the player encounters Bilan at the captain's cabin, but is defeated by him, then Parallel 5 begins. [6] Garian is put through a sort of purgatory, where he must fight through a tournament, the competitors consisting of his allies and enemies from the other scenarios. Unlike the other parallels, this one has no quest components, only battles. Completing this parallel once and re-entering it unlocks a two-player mode (the second player can take control of Garian's opponents). [6] [7]

Development

Work on Dark Savior started in December 1994. [8] Though the characters were all represented with 2-dimensional bitmaps, they were placed within a 3-dimensional environment built of texture mapped polygons. [2] The game took what was then considered an unusually long time in development because none of the Climax team had any experience with 3D camera programming, polygonal modeling, or the Sega Saturn. [8] Programming the adjustable camera alone took six months, and getting the game to run at a decent speed proved difficult. [8] Despite this, director Kan Naito felt that the decision to create the game for the Saturn rather than the PlayStation proved to be the right one: "The PlayStation may be better at managing polygons, but you can't write in assembler, you can only use C and we just don't know if Dark Saviour could be done in C. The PlayStation's polygons become easily distorted, too - especially when big polygons come close to the camera." [8]

Lacking the Silicon Graphics workstations employed by big developers, Climax had to program the game using a little-known 3D software package called Cyclone and their own custom software tools, apart from the two full motion video (FMV) sequences, which were designed in Softimage 3D by freelance artist Masayuki Hasegawa (who had previously designed the FMVs for Clockwork Knight ). [8] With the game's development already running past its original release date of May 1996, Climax employed freelance graphic designers, composers, and scenario writers in order to get the game done in a more timely manner. [8]

Reception

Dark Savior received generally positive reviews. Comments on the game varied widely, though the most common subject of praise was the large, graphically impressive polygonal environments. [11] [13] [1] [19] [21] [22] The fighting game segments were somewhat controversial; while Computer and Video Games , Ultra Game Players , Shawn Smith of Electronic Gaming Monthly , and Rich Leadbetter of Sega Saturn Magazine commented that the inclusion of a fighting game component is unique for an adventure game and works well, [11] [13] [21] [22] GamePro , Jeff Gerstmann of GameSpot , and Smith's co-reviewers Dan Hsu, Crispin Boyer, and Sushi-X all remarked that while the ability to fight with captured enemies is an interesting novelty, the actual fighting is rudimentary and lackluster, with each character having only two basic attacks and one special attack, [13] [1] [23] and Mean Machines Sega felt that the restriction of battles to a separate gameplay mode makes the platforming mode "seem empty and lifeless." [19]

GamePro found the game too easy in general and judged the story to be simplistic and overly linear, but concluded that the variety of gameplay styles make Dark Savior "a good buy for novices". The reviewer also said the multiple endings give the game high replay value. [23] Gerstmann commented on its "monotonous" platforming sections and unique combat style, and concluded that while the game is good overall, gamers should rent it first to see how much they are bothered by its various shortcomings. [1] Hsu called it "a refreshing alternative to the mainstream RPGs" and Sushi-X remarked that "the story is intriguing, with a mysterious enemy, and multiple plots that all converge slowly without giving away anything." [13] Leadbetter also praised the story, and made particular note of the parallel system. He deemed Dark Savior "A brilliantly original and well-executed adventure that's without compare." [21] Computer and Video Games called it a "stunning game" with a "really interesting" storyline and "great replay value". [11] Mean Machines called it "the most lavish RPG on Saturn, with nothing to put off platform gamesplayers too. There's never a dull moment." [19] Ultra Game Players deemed it a game which could "bridge the gap" for action-game players who are becoming interested in RPGs. [22]

Notes

  1. ↑ Japanese: ダークセイバー, Hepburn: Dāku Seibā
  2. ↑ GameFan's review was by three critics, two critics that gave it a 92/100 and one that scored it 88/100. [14]

Related Research Articles

<i>Hexen: Beyond Heretic</i> 1995 video game

Hexen: Beyond Heretic is a fantasy first-person shooter video game developed by Raven Software and published by id Software distributed through GT Interactive on October 30, 1995. It is the sequel to 1994's Heretic, and the second game in Raven Software's "Serpent Riders" trilogy, which culminated with Hexen II. The title comes from the German noun Hexen, which means "witches", and/or the verb hexen, which means "to cast a spell". Game producer John Romero stated that a third, unreleased game in this series was to be called Hecatomb.

<i>Virtua Fighter</i> (video game) 1993 video game

Virtua Fighter is a fighting game created for the Sega Model 1 arcade platform by AM2, a development group within Sega, headed by Yu Suzuki. An early prototype version was location tested in Japan by August 1993, before the complete game was released worldwide in December 1993. It was the first arcade fighting game to feature fully 3D polygon graphics. The game was ported to Sega Saturn as a global launch title in 1994 and 1995, and also received a port to the Sega 32X.

<i>X-Men vs. Street Fighter</i> 1996 video game

X-Men vs. Street Fighter is a crossover fighting video game developed and published by Capcom. It is Capcom's third fighting game to feature Marvel Comics characters, following X-Men: Children of the Atom and Marvel Super Heroes, and is the first installment in the Marvel vs. Capcom series. As the title suggests, the game includes characters from Marvel's X-Men franchise and the cast from Capcom's Street Fighter series. Originally released as a coin-operated arcade game in 1996, it was ported to the Sega Saturn in 1997 and the PlayStation in 1998. The original arcade version is included in the game lineup for Marvel vs. Capcom Fighting Collection: Arcade Classics, released for the Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4 and Windows in 2024.

<i>Pandemonium!</i> (video game) 1996 video game

Pandemonium! is a 1996 platform video game developed by Toys for Bob and published by Crystal Dynamics for the PlayStation, Sega Saturn, Microsoft Windows, N-Gage, mobile and iOS. Pandemonium! features Fargus, a joker, and Nikki, a sorceress, who unwittingly casts a spell that destroys the town. The goal of the game is to reach the Wishing Engine, where they can wish the town back to normal. For each level, the player can choose which character to be. Each has a special move – Fargus can deliver a special spinning attack, and Nikki can double jump. The game consists of a great variety of unique gameplay objects, such as watermelons, clouds, spider webs and logs. A sequel, Pandemonium 2, was released in 1997 for PlayStation and Microsoft Windows.

<i>Marvel Super Heroes</i> (video game) 1995 video game

Marvel Super Heroes is a 1995 fighting game developed and published by Capcom. Originally released in the arcade on the CPS-2 arcade system, it was ported to the Sega Saturn and PlayStation in late 1997. The game, alongside Marvel vs. Capcom: Clash of Super Heroes, was also included in the Marvel vs. Capcom Origins collection, released digitally for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 in September 2012.

<i>Fighters Megamix</i> 1996 video game

Fighters Megamix is a 1996 fighting game developed by Sega AM2, a crossover between Sega's 3D arcade fighting games Virtua Fighter 2 and Fighting Vipers, with unlockable characters from several other AM2 games such as Virtua Cop 2 and Daytona USA. Developed for Sega Saturn, it had a global release in 1997; unlike most of AM2's games of the era, Fighters Megamix did not have an arcade release.

<i>Virtua Fighter 2</i> 1994 arcade video game

Virtua Fighter 2 is a 1994 fighting video game by Sega. It is the sequel to Virtua Fighter (1993), and the second game in the Virtua Fighter series. Created by Sega's Yu Suzuki-headed AM2 team, it was designed on the purpose-made Sega Model 2 hardware which provided a significant upgrade in graphical capabilities. Following its release on the arcades, Virtua Fighter 2 was ported to the Sega Saturn home console in November 1995, while ports for some other platforms appeared later.

<i>Fighting Vipers</i> 1995 video game

Fighting Vipers is a 1995 fighting video game developed by Sega AM2. A 3D fighter, it uses the same game engine as AM2's Virtua Fighter 2 (1994) but features enclosed arenas and an armor mechanic, and was targeted more towards Western audiences, using a U.S. setting and more freeform styles of martial arts.

<i>Shining Force III</i> 1997 video game

Shining Force III is a tactical role-playing game released for the Sega Saturn. In Japan, Shining Force III was an episodic video game with three discs - Scenario 1, Scenario 2, and Scenario 3 - released individually across late 1997 and 1998. Game data could be saved and transferred forward to later scenarios in order to influence events and obtain rewards in-game, a mechanic marketed as the "Synchronicity system". Each scenario utilizes the same core gameplay mechanics, but follows a different character's perspective of the overarching narrative in a shared game world. In North America and Europe, only the first entry, Scenario 1, was translated into English, and was simply titled Shining Force III for its release in mid-1998.

<i>Guardian Heroes</i> 1996 video game

Guardian Heroes is a 2D side-scrolling beat 'em up video game developed by Treasure and released by Sega in 1996 for the Sega Saturn video game console. The game resembles Final Fight or Golden Axe, but with RPG elements. The development team called it a "fighting RPG". A sequel was released in 2004 for the Game Boy Advance entitled Advance Guardian Heroes.

Gungriffon is a series of video games developed by Game Arts and designed by Takeshi Miyaji. Gungriffon and Gungriffon II originally appeared for the Sega Saturn console in 1996, with more recent appearances in Gungriffon Blaze for the PlayStation 2 and Gungriffon: Allied Strike for the Xbox. The Gungriffon games are focused on piloting mecha—large, usually bipedal military vehicles. This game series refers to these machines as Armored Walking Gun Systems (AWGS). With the exception of the High-MACS design, the mecha in this series have a distinctly realistic design philosophy.

<i>Dead or Alive</i> (video game) 1996 Video game

Dead or Alive is a 1996 fighting game by Tecmo and the first entry in the Dead or Alive series. Built on the Sega Model 2 hardware, it was released first in arcades in 1996, followed by home ports for the Sega Saturn in Japan during 1997, and for the PlayStation in all regions during 1998.

<i>Virtual On: Cyber Troopers</i> 1996 video game

Virtual On: Cyber Troopers is a 3Daction video game developed and published by Sega. A robot-themed shooter and fighter, it was developed on the Sega Model 2 hardware and released on arcades in January 1996 before ports to the Sega Saturn that year and to Windows the next year. Initially the game was to be released under the title "Virtual On" in Japan and "Cyber Troopers" in North America, but ultimately these two names were combined into a single title for both regions.

Virtua Fighter is a series of fighting games created by Sega AM2 and designer Yu Suzuki. The original Virtua Fighter was released in December 1993 and has received four main sequels and several spin-offs. The highly influential first Virtua Fighter game is widely recognized as the first 3D fighting game released. The latest mainline release was Virtua Fighter 5 in 2006; this version has since been continously updated.

<i>Manx TT Super Bike</i> 1995 video game

Manx TT Super Bike is a 1995 arcade racing game developed jointly by Sega AM3 and Sega-AM4. It is a motorcycle racing game built for the Sega Model 2 arcade board. Up to 8 players can race in this game if enough arcade cabinets are linked together, following on from Daytona USA. It was later ported to the Sega Saturn by Tantalus Interactive and to Windows by Perfect Entertainment.

<i>Shining the Holy Ark</i> First person role-playing video game

Shining the Holy Ark (シャイニング・ザ・ホーリィアーク) is a first person role-playing video game released in 1997 for the Sega Saturn. It is a part of Sega's Shining series of video games, and marked a new direction for the series, utilizing polygons as well as sprites for the visuals and a story targeted more specifically towards an adult audience. It introduced the saga of the Vandals and the Innovators, abandoning the saga of the Devil Kings which was followed by the previous installments of the series.

<i>Daytona USA: Championship Circuit Edition</i> 1996 video game

Daytona USA: Championship Circuit Edition, or Daytona USA: Circuit Edition in Japan, is a racing game by Sega, specifically designed for the Sega Saturn. Released in 1996, it is a reworked and extended version of the original Daytona USA, and was developed by Sega AM3, the same team that oversaw the Saturn port of Sega Rally Championship, by using a modified version of the Sega Saturn engine of Sega Rally Championship.

<i>Darkstalkers 3</i> 1997 video game

Darkstalkers 3 is a 1997 fighting game by Capcom, originally released on the CP System II arcade system as Vampire Savior. The third and final title in the Darkstalkers series following 1995's Night Warriors: Darkstalkers' Revenge, its story centers around a demonic nobleman from Makai named Jedah Dohma, who creates a pocket dimension named Majigen where he tries to bring in souls to help nourish his new world. It was critically and commercially well-received.

<i>Amok</i> (video game) 1996 video game

Amok is a 1996 mech-themed action video game for Windows and Sega Saturn. Players guide a robot called "Slambird" through nine different scenarios to complete several objectives. The game was noted for its use of voxel-based graphics for its environments rather than the polygonal models which were standard at the time of its release. Developed by Lemon, Amok began as a technology demo for the Sega 32X, but was reworked for the Saturn after Sega discontinued support for the 32X.

<i>Bug Too!</i> 1996 video game

Bug Too! is a platform game developed by both Realtime Associates and SegaSoft. It is the sequel to Bug!, which was developed and published by Realtime Associates and Sega. It was first released for the Sega Saturn on December 6, 1996 in North America. It was later ported to Windows devices on December 10 of the same year in both North America and PAL regions. Finally, it was released in PAL regions for the Sega Saturn on April 24, 1997. Players are given the option of choosing from Bug, Maggot Dog, or Super Fly, a trio of action movie stars, who must proceed through a series of levels across multiple zones, with a boss level at the end of each zone.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 Gerstmann, Jeff (9 January 1997). "Dark Savior Review". GameSpot . Archived from the original on 7 February 2018. Retrieved 6 February 2018.
  2. 1 2 3 4 "RPG Special Feature: Dark Savior". Electronic Gaming Monthly . No. 88. Ziff Davis. November 1996. pp. 130–2.
  3. ↑ "Preview: Dark Savior". Sega Saturn Magazine . No. 15. Emap International Limited. January 1997. pp. 32–33.
  4. 1 2 "Dark Savior: Like Action for Chocolate". Electronic Gaming Monthly . No. 90. Ziff Davis. January 1997. pp. 162–6.
  5. ↑ "Coming Soon: Dark Savior". Sega Saturn Magazine . No. 13. Emap International Limited. November 1996. pp. 22–25.
  6. 1 2 3 Jevons, Daniel (April 1997). "Player's Guide: Dark Savior". Sega Saturn Magazine . No. 18. Emap International Limited. pp. 82–85.
  7. ↑ Dark Savior Secrets FAQ Archived 2010-02-25 at the Wayback Machine , GameFAQs.com.
  8. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "NG Alphas: Dark Saviour". Next Generation . No. 23. Imagine Media. November 1996. pp. 121–3.
  9. ↑ Broesder, Chris. "Dark Savior". AllGame . Archived from the original on November 15, 2014. Retrieved October 18, 2020.
  10. ↑ "Test Saturn: Dark Savior" (PDF). Consoles + (62): 114–115. February 1997.
  11. 1 2 3 4 Huaitaia, Alex (February 1997). "Dark Savior" (PDF). Computer and Video Games (183): 70–71.
  12. ↑ "Dark Savior". Edge . No. 43. March 1997. pp. 76–77.
  13. 1 2 3 4 5 "Review Crew: Dark Savior". Electronic Gaming Monthly . No. 91. Ziff Davis. February 1997. p. 58.
  14. ↑ E. Storm; Knightmare; Glitch (February 1997). "Dark Savior". GameFan . Vol. 5, no. 2. p. 30.
  15. ↑ "Dark Savior". GamesMaster (53): 67. March 1997.
  16. ↑ O'Leary, Steve (May 1997). "Dark Saviour". Hyper . No. 43. pp. 40–41.
  17. ↑ "Dark Savior" (PDF). Joypad (57): 70–72. October 1996.
  18. ↑ Bannert, Robert (2018-11-23). "Dark Savior - im Klassik-Test (SAT)". MAN!AC (in German). Cybermedia. Retrieved 2019-05-11.
  19. 1 2 3 4 "Reviews: Dark Savior" (PDF). Mean Machines Sega (52): 36–38, 55–56. February 1997.
  20. ↑ "Dark Savior" (PDF). Video Games (2/97): 92. February 1997.
  21. 1 2 3 4 Leadbetter, Rich (February 1997). "Review: Dark Savior". Sega Saturn Magazine (UK). No. 16. Emap International Limited. pp. 74–75.
  22. 1 2 3 4 "Dark Savior" (PDF). Ultra Game Players (94): 67. February 1997.
  23. 1 2 Art Angel (March 1997). "Dark Savior". GamePro . No. 102. IDG. p. 96.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.