SSFF Media Consumption Blog 9/16/17

Hello supporters! Another week another batch of media we’ve been working through! We’re all video games for this blog, so let’s get to it.

Wonder Boy: The Dragon’s Trap (PS4)

I (Derek) was able to snag a physical copy of this Sega Master System remake last month from Limited Run Games. But instead of ranting about Limited Run Games like I did a few weeks ago, I'll be more constructive and talk about the game itself! This is a really interesting remake for a couple of reasons. First, the updated graphics are absolutely incredible! It’s some of the greatest animation work I’ve seen in a film or video game. And you can switch between styles instantly with the R2 button which is great feature. With these new visuals also came an updated soundtrack … which is awful! I’m not sure if it’s the mixing or a misguided attempt to honor the original music, but every new rendition is just a cluttered, busy, near-incoherent mess. Shocking considering how simple each song is when you really break them down. New visuals with old music has been my prefered way to play.

The other thing that makes this interesting is the gameplay. The visuals have been completely redesigned but the enemy movement, world structure, combat are all exactly how they were in the original version. The dialog has been updated, which is a nice mix of very clever jokes and helpful hints, but this is nothing more than a fresh coat of paint. Overall I’m not so sure this game is a classic the same way as Wonder Boy in Monster World (a Genesis game btw). The game’s got some old school jank, weird dungeons, frustrating late-game segments that could’ve used some rebalancing. But that’s not what this port was about, and I respect that. I wouldn’t go as far to say The Dragon’s Trap is a bad game, but I can’t help but feel the time and effort might've been better spend on a different or a brand new Wonder Boy game. Here’s hoping this isn’t the last time Lizardcube updates a Wonder Boy game.

Silent Hill (PS1)

(minor spoilers ahead, but we have stream both of these games, so you know …)

When people talk about the greatness that used to be Silent Hill series, the discussion usually vears immediately to the second game. And it should! It’s almost universally and objectively the best game in the series (pour one out for PT). However, I want to say a few things about why people shouldn’t treat Silent Hill 2 like it’s Mega Man 2 or Street Fighter 2 and think that it was the first good one. No self-respecting horror fan should be sleeping on Silent Hill 1 because it is a very close second to Silent Hill 2.

Silent Hill 1 has a much, much better opening than Silent Hill 2. They actually have a pretty similar openings. James gets a letter from his dead wife, Harry loses his daughter, they both have strong motivations for entering into the town of Silent Hill. But where SH2 has a long stroll down through a forest where you meet another character, SH1 has a short stroll down an alleyway where you meet a bunch of dead bodies and knife-wielding demon children. I got nothing against a slow burn but your first encounter with an enemy in SH2 occurs much later and doesn’t have the same impact. And while the apartment building has some classic moments, SH2 doesn’t really get going until the Hospital right after. SH1 only lags a bit right before the school, it doesn’t waste a whole lot of time.

I like how more enemies in SH1 are brandishing weapons. I know pyramid head’s have swords and spears, but the sight of common enemies like possessed nurse or demon children creeping out of the shadows is made that much more visceral and urgent by the knife in their hands. SH2’s enemies have a story-reason to look the way they do and though that’s very much to the game’s credit, it doesn’t make them as scary or threatening on a surface-level. 

But the story is really where SH2 comes out ahead. Too much of SH1’s story has to be put together yourself. SH2’s mysteries have a way fewer moving parts and are mostly solved the first time you beat it. Plus, as much as I love SH1, SH2’s historical society is one of the greatest segments in video game history. It’s a non-stop, terrifying mind fuck. But again, though both games have some sad, sad stuff in them, no scene kicks me in the chest like Lisa Garland’s death in SH1. I’m just trying to say, SH1 is a great, great game that you should not miss just because SH2 is pound-for-pound better (and be honest, the controls suck in both games).

Chrono Trigger (DS)

I (Grace) am actually traveling this week to visit some family, so I thought a plane ride would be the perfect opportunity to knock a game off of my Pile of Shame. Since I figured I wouldn’t be annoyed by grinding if I’m already trapped in a metal cylinder hurtling through the air, I figured I’d tackle a JRPG. Chrono Trigger, I choose you!

Now, I have managed to keep myself pretty spoiler free, so I wasn’t ready for how much I would like it. I’ve played a few turn-based games in my day, and the latest Pokemon had me convinced that I didn’t have the stomach for it anymore. Turns out, I can handle it when it’s been so thoughtfully done! The story and the atmosphere themselves have been a blast; gosh, I haven’t had to rescue a single crystal yet or damsel yet and I’ve been playing for 10+ hours. 

Chrono Trigger is down for the movement! 

For those of you who’ve managed to sleep on this game like I have, let me explain how it works. This game involves traveling back and forth through time to stop a calamity that ends the world. Pretty simple concept, but what’s kept me on my toes is that a lot of the time-travel sections play like encapsulated stories/JRPGs unto themselves. Basically, you are thrown in and help the hero of the time that you are in to complete their own “chosen one” journey. At least, that’s how it’s gone so far. I think I’m pretty far away from completing it. 

Frog is what we call in the business a “best boy”.

But a good story will only get you so far. Right now the weakest aspect of Chrono Trigger for me is the turn-based battle. Take that with a grain of salt though since I am a recovering RPG agnostic. What I appreciate the most – and what makes this game playable for me – is that there are no random battles. Like Earthbound, battles are represented by roving enemies on your screen, and you are given the opportunity to dodge them (most of the time). I can handle this because it makes roaming around the world a mini-game unto itself.  A game I like to call “Can I actually dodge this goddamn dinosaur OH WAIT I CAN BECAUSE I’M THE BEST”. 

Anyways, I’ll still be chipping at this game even when I get back to Seattle. Look for me talking about it on discord if you are pledged for it!

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Thanks Grace! Because she’s out traveling, she’s not in charge of posting this. Which means I (Derek) can close with a picture of our dog who’s been diligently checking the front door every couple of hour since Grace left the other day.

Have a good weekend everybody!