DRX (ruiz@IX.NETCOM.COM)
Wed, 30 Sep 1998 22:33:00 -0600
Date: Wed, 30 Sep 1998 22:33:00 -0600 From: DRX <ruiz@IX.NETCOM.COM> Subject: Re: Topic of the Week
Richard E. Rae wrote:
> >>Did you feel that the true identities of certain characters were, well,
> wrong? Did you think it was it an interesting example of how RPGs work
> (mostly other people's) mythologies into their plots? Did you find it
> offensive/perfectly natural? Do you think that that could impede its
> arrival/success in the US market (as if it would ever come to the US)?<<
Overall, I enjoyed both games and actually cared what happened to the Hanagumi. How
often does that happen? Aoi Satan was very cool but Ayami, well she reminded me too
much of Belldandy. Oni ou in ST2 was probably my favorite character in that game.
Now to have a boss with a face like that mask. I loved the setting and time period
of the game but I don't know enough about Japanese mythology to catch everything.
As for US versions, I think they would bomb big time. For one, the Taisho period
probably doesn't attract many people and there are so many representations uniquely
Japanese that it would kill the intent of the game even if the translation was
good. Sakura Wars is a character driven game, which has a huge following in Japan
in game form, radio, animation, live action and related music orchestrations.
Suppose the game(s) do get a stateside release, there isn't enough material to
generate the appropriate level of hype that the game(s) deserve. Average Americans
just aren't going to eat up all the related goodies. How are they to promote a game
which is relatively unknown and use character recognition to interest the buyer
when there is nothing else ST related? How do you promote a genre that doesn't
really exist in the US? Simple, you don't.
>
>
> I, for one, absolutely loved it all. The surprises just kept on coming, and I
> was totally floored and captivated by the ending. It all seemed perfectly
> logical and was brilliant.
>
> I doubt seriously that ST1 WOULD succeed in the US market, because the
> religious right would pick up on those aspects and that'd be more trouble than
> it was worth. It wouldn't matter to them at all that the Teigeki actually
> defeat the ultimate evil <g>. My anime sensei and I have had many similar
> discussions on this and we both agree it'd never make it.
>
> ST2, however, might succeed, as it has its own share of surprises and plot
> twists that make it just as great in my book... though I agree that the finale,
> though satisfying, was a bit "underwhelming" compared to the first game. I do
> think, however, that the Baragumi might freak out a few casual observers <g>.
>
> >>Iris: Hero or Menace???<<
I think she falls into one of those grey areas. She can be at times a very
pestering annoying kid. Other times she is very thoughtful and very grown up. It's
very hard to attach any label to her. I like her in ST2 personally. Her best
picture is the ST2 poster and game manual. Very grown up. She also looks very
youthful in one picture wearing a kimono and watching fireworks. And somewhere in
the middle in a swimsuit and wide brimmed sun hat. She's not my favorite, nor is
she my least favorite. She's more like a monkey wrench in the game with all her
moods and resulting actions.
>
>
> Little girl!! (Which means she can be both!)
>
>
> She's a kid who hasn't gotten control of all her powers, of course, but she's
> as heroic as the rest of the girls (witness her grabbing and teleporting Chou
> away from the others before he exploded and took them with him). We see her
> sensitive side and her fears of disappointing her parents in ST2, and of course
> "Itoshi Jean-Paul" (that's the CORRECT name of the ST2 song, readers!) lets you
> into her heart and her other childhood fears- which Jean-Paul helps her
> assuade. Besides, she's my daughter's favorite character <g>.
>
> And, players, whether you like Iris or not, you can't tell me that the "Iris
> Marionette", "Iris Jardin", "Iris Petit (and Grand) Jean-Paul" and "Iris Bon de
> Secours" attacks don't make you smile a little every time you see them <g>.
No they don't. Although I breath a sign of relief when everyone is 'healed'.
>
>
> I also hope you've all gotten to see what happens to you when you disturb Iris
> in her shower or bath scenes... <g>.
>
> --Richard
>
> --Richard E. Rae
-- "Success = opportunity + preparation" -Taoism/The Way Danny Ruiz/DRX Homepage http://pw2.netcom.com/~ruiz/ Preview Editor for http://www.seganet.com/ Kazuma Shinguuji on IRC