Beyond Oasis

Last updated
The Story of Thor
Beyondoasiscover.JPG
North American cover art
Developer(s) Ancient
Publisher(s) Sega
Producer(s) Yuzo Koshiro
Designer(s) Kataru Uchimura
Programmer(s) Yukio Takahashi
Artist(s) Ayano Koshiro
Writer(s) Juri Ogawa
Composer(s) Yuzo Koshiro
Platform(s) Sega Genesis
Release
  • JP: December 9, 1994
  • EU: March 1995
  • NA: March 15, 1995
Genre(s) Action-adventure
Mode(s) Single-player

The Story of Thor, [1] known in North America as Beyond Oasis, is a 1994 action-adventure game developed by Ancient and published by Sega for the Sega Genesis. The game was produced and had music written by Yuzo Koshiro. The Story of Thor was later released in various emulated collections. A prequel, The Story of Thor 2 , was released for the Sega Saturn in 1996.

Contents

Plot

The player takes the role of Prince Ali, who has discovered a buried gold "armlet" which once belonged to a wizard who waged a long war against the evil wielder of a silver armlet. The silver armlet was used to create chaos and destruction, while the gold armlet had the power to summon four spirits: the water spirit, "Dytto"; the fire spirit, "Efreet"; the shadow spirit, "Shade"; and the plant spirit, "Bow". Ali travels the land of Oasis, gradually acquiring the ability to summon all these spirits, in an attempt to stop the person who has discovered the ancient silver armlet and is once again using it for evil.

Gameplay

The game has action adventure elements similar to The Legend of Zelda series. The player controls Prince Ali and control him across the map to fulfill his quest. Along the way the player picks up special items to restore health and mana, special weapons to help defeat enemies, and four magic spirits found in shrines to aid Prince Ali in his mission.

Prince Ali's default weapon is his knife, which can perform special attacks and has unlimited usage, but during the course of the game the player can equip Prince Ali with special weapons such as swords, crossbows, and bombs. Some crossbows (and a sword) can ignite their targets on fire. However, unlike the knife, these weapons do generally not have unlimited usage and will break after a set number of uses, unless unlimited versions of these weapons are found.

Reception

Game Informer gave the game a "very good" score of 8.75/10. [6] Electronic Gaming Monthly gave it a 38/50 (7.6/10 average), praising the vast game world and strong plot twists. [4] A reviewer for Next Generation contended that the combination of RPG and action elements results in a game which is average on both fronts. He added that, "The use of magic, whether it be the fireball or meteor storm; a user-friendly interface; and an ever-ready map put Beyond Oasis beyond others of its type. But ultimately, poor fighting and an uninspired storyline leave this title looking more like a mirage." [9] GamePro commented that the game "is definitely not for hardcore RPGers" due to its small game world, limited challenge, and greater emphasis on hack-n-slash combat and puzzle solving than on RPG elements, but would be a good game for players new to the RPG genre. They praised the "intriguing" gameplay and the 3D feel of the graphics. [12]

IGN gave the Virtual Console re-release an 8/10, calling it "very stylish," and expressing "surprise" that despite a lack of polish in certain areas, its "unique" mechanics "deserve to be mentioned alongside such classics as Secret of Mana." [14] In 2017, Gamesradar rated Beyond Oasis 38th on their Best Sega Genesis/Mega Drive games of all time and giving praise to the games graphics and sound. [16]

Related Research Articles

<i>Ghouls n Ghosts</i> 1988 video game

Ghouls 'n Ghosts, known as Dai Makaimura in Japan, is a side-scrolling platform game developed by Capcom, released as an arcade video game in 1988 and ported to home platforms. It is the sequel to Ghosts 'n Goblins and the second game in the Ghosts 'n Goblins series.

<i>Ristar</i> 1995 video game

Ristar is a 1995 platform game developed and published by Sega for the Sega Genesis. The game stars an anthropomorphic cartoon star who uses his hands and long, stretchable arms to both move and fight enemies. Reception for the game was generally positive, but the game's initial release was overshadowed due to the imminent ending of the Genesis's lifecycle and the succession of the Sega Saturn and other fifth generation video game consoles.

<i>Phantasy Star II</i> 1989 video game

Phantasy Star II is a science fantasy role-playing video game developed and published by Sega for the Sega Genesis. It was released in Japan in 1989, North America in 1990, and in Europe in 1990. It was later ported to a variety of different platforms. An updated remake, Phantasy Star Generation 2, was released for the PlayStation 2 in 2005 in Japan.

<i>Zombies Ate My Neighbors</i> 1993 video game

Zombies Ate My Neighbors is a run and gun video game developed by LucasArts and published by Konami for the Super NES and Sega Genesis consoles in 1993.

<i>Shining in the Darkness</i> 1991 video game

Shining in the Darkness, released as Shining and the Darkness in Japan, is a 1991 role-playing video game for the Mega Drive/Genesis video game console. It was one of the first role-playing games released for the system, and was the first in the Shining series.

<i>Phantasy Star IV</i> 1993 video game

Phantasy Star IV: The End of the Millennium is a role-playing video game developed and published by Sega for the Sega Genesis. It was released in Japan in 1993 and Europe and North America in 1995. It is the fourth and final game in the original Phantasy Star series, concluding the story of the Algol Star System. Phantasy Star IV kept many of the gameplay elements of the previous game, including turn-based battles, overhead exploration, and magic spells. It received mixed reviews upon its release, but has since been subject to much more positive retrospectives, and it is considered one of the greatest video games of all time. The game was also released for the Wii Virtual Console in 2008, and the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack in 2021, and has also been included in various Sega emulated collections.

<i>Phantasy Star III</i> 1990 video game

Phantasy Star III: Generations of Doom is a role-playing video game developed and published by Sega. It was released for the Sega Genesis in Japan in April 1990 and worldwide the following year. It is the third game in the original Phantasy Star series, and is a distant sequel to the previous games. However, gameplay is similar to the previous games, with turn-based combat and random encounters. Players explore various overworld maps and dungeons in order to progress through the game. It was later re-released on the Virtual Console and on retro collections such as the Phantasy Star Collection, Sega Genesis Collection, and Sonic's Ultimate Genesis Collection.

<i>QuackShot</i> 1991 video game

QuackShot Starring Donald Duck, released in Japan as QuackShot Gurujia-ō no Hihō, is a 1991 platforming video game developed and published by Sega for the Sega Genesis. The game was released in Europe in 1991, in North America on December 19, 1991, and in Japan the following day. QuackShot stars Donald Duck and his three nephews, Huey, Dewey, and Louie, as treasure-hunters. The game was influenced by the Indiana Jones film series.

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

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

Phantasy Star is a series of console role-playing video games and other supplementary media created by Sega. The series debuted in 1987 on the Master System with Phantasy Star, and continues into the present with Phantasy Star Online 2 and other extensions of the Phantasy Star Online sub-series. Each of the games in the series features a science fantasy setting featuring a cross-genre combination of magic and technology.

<i>Jungle Strike</i> 1993 video game

Jungle Strike is a video game developed and published by Electronic Arts in 1993 for the Sega Genesis/Mega Drive. The game was later released on several other consoles such as the Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES), and an upgraded version was made for DOS computers. The Amiga conversion was the responsibility of Ocean Software while the SNES and PC DOS versions were that of Gremlin Interactive, and the portable console versions were of Black Pearl Software. It is the direct sequel to Desert Strike and is the second installment in the Strike series. The game is a helicopter-based shoot 'em up, mixing action and strategy. The plot concerns two villains intent on destroying Washington, D.C. The player must use the helicopter and occasionally other vehicles to thwart their plans.

<i>Contra: Hard Corps</i> 1994 video game

Contra: Hard Corps, released as Contra: The Hard Corps in Japan and Probotector in Europe and Australia, is a run and gun video game released by Konami for the Sega Genesis in 1994, making it the first game in the Contra series released for a Sega platform.

<i>World of Illusion</i> 1992 platform video game

World of Illusion Starring Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck is a platform game developed and published by Sega for the Sega Genesis. The game was released in December 1992, and is part of Sega's Illusion series of Mickey Mouse games. The game was included on the Sega Genesis Mini.

<i>Crusader of Centy</i> 1994 video game

Crusader of Centy is an action-adventure game developed by Nextech for the Sega Genesis. The story centers on Corona, a boy who has just turned 14 years of age and must inherit his late father's sword to fight the monsters that threaten the human race's existence. Gameplay uses an overhead perspective and focuses on exploring, battling enemies with a sword, and solving puzzles. As the story progresses, numerous animals join the hero and aid him. They are used in gameplay like weapons or tools, which often grant passage to previously inaccessible areas. The game received its first official re-release on the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack on June 27, 2023.

<i>Defenders of Oasis</i> 1992 video game

Defenders of Oasis is a role-playing video game developed and published by Sega for the Game Gear in 1992. The game's setting is based on One Thousand and One Nights, and the plot centers on a heroic prince and his companions, who set out to confront an empire attempting to revive the dark god Ahriman. The game was one of the few original RPGs made for the Game Gear, and features an overhead gameplay perspective, a command-based combat system, and an autosave feature. Defenders of Oasis was commercially successful and positively received by reviewers, who praised the game's visuals and level of detail.

<i>The Legend of Oasis</i> 1996 video game

The Legend of Oasis, released as The Story of Thor 2 in Europe and as Thor ~Seirei Ou Kiden~ in Japan, is a 1996 action role-playing game developed by Ancient and published by Sega for the Sega Saturn. It is the successor and prequel to the 1994 title Beyond Oasis for the Sega Mega Drive/Genesis. The player takes the role of Leon, who must find the six elemental spirits and use their powers to fight the evil wizard Agito and his legions of creatures.

<i>Sword of Vermilion</i> 1989 video game

Sword of Vermilion is an action role-playing game developed and published by Sega for the Mega Drive console in 1989. It was released in 1990 in North America and 1991 in Europe. It was the first console exclusive game designed by the Sega AM2 studio. The game is part of the Sega Genesis Collection for the PlayStation 2 and PlayStation Portable, and was available on the Wii's Virtual Console. In 2021, it was added to the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack.

<i>Light Crusader</i> 1995 RPG video game

Light Crusader is an action-adventure game developed by Treasure and published by Sega for their Sega Genesis console in 1995. The game was included in the Sega Genesis Classics collections on Steam and other platforms in 2011. It was also included on the Sega Genesis Mini in North America and Sega Mega Drive Mini in PAL regions.

<i>Bomberman 94</i> 1993 video game

Bomberman '94 is a video game from the Bomberman series which was developed and published by Hudson Soft for the PC Engine and released on December 10, 1993, in Japan. It was later re-developed by Westone and re-published by Sega as Mega Bomberman on the Sega Mega Drive/Genesis in 1994 in other areas. The PC Engine Bomberman '94 was later released outside Japan through the Virtual Console and the PlayStation Network.

Ancient Corp. is a Japanese video game developer founded by composer Yuzo Koshiro and his mother and sister on April 1, 1990. The company has worked on games such as the 8-bit version of Sonic the Hedgehog, Streets of Rage 2, Beyond Oasis, Shenmue, and Gotta Protectors, among others.

References

  1. ↑ ストーリー オブ トア 〜光を継ぐ者〜, Sutōrī obu Toa ~Hikari wo Tsugu Mono~
  2. ↑ "La Legende de Thor". Consoles + . No. 41. March 1995. pp. 92–4.
  3. ↑ Computer & Video Games , issue 160 (March 1995), pages 78-80
  4. 1 2 "Review Crew: Beyond Oasis". Electronic Gaming Monthly . No. 68. Ziff Davis. March 1995. p. 36.
  5. ↑ "NEW GAMES CROSS REVIEW: The Story of Thor 〜光を継ぐ者〜". Famitsu . No. 313. December 16, 1994. p. 39.
  6. 1 2 "Ultimate Review Archive." Game Informer. Issue 100. August, 2001. Page 55. Original review published March 1995.
  7. ↑ GameFan, volume 3, issue 3 (March 1995), pages 18 & 38-41
  8. ↑ GamesMaster, issue 27 (March 1995), pages 54-55
  9. 1 2 "Beyond Oasis". Next Generation . Imagine Media (4): 94. April 1995.
  10. ↑ "La Légende de Thor". Player One . No. 51. March 1995. pp. 78–81.
  11. ↑ GameFan, volume 4, issue 1, pages 104-106
  12. ↑ "Beyond Oasis". GamePro . No. 70. IDG. May 1995. p. 103.
  13. ↑ "Beyond Oasis for Genesis". GameRankings . CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on December 9, 2019. Retrieved October 29, 2018.
  14. 1 2 Thomas, Lucas (March 21, 2007). "Beyond Oasis Review". IGN . Archived from the original on February 17, 2012. Retrieved October 20, 2011.
  15. ↑ Musgrave, Shaun (October 17, 2017). "'Beyond Oasis' Review – A Sight for Thor Eyes". TouchArcade . Retrieved October 29, 2018.
  16. ↑ GamesRadar Staff (2017-06-21). "Best Sega Genesis/Mega Drive games of all time". gamesradar. Retrieved 2022-02-21.
    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.