Valis III (PCE CD, 1990/1992)
Graphics-7.5 Sound-8 Control-7.5 Challenge-8.5 Story-6
Level Design-7 Frustration-8.5 Fun-7 Originality-6
Overall Score-7
+ Extended intro and other cutscenes with somewhat improved storytelling, voice acting (not very good), CD music which sounds better overall, names are ascribed to the text box messages unlike on MD, three additional levels (a mountain and a graveyard level (both are pretty good)), much improved jump height control (maybe a bit too sensitive here but it’s still an improvement), somewhat better sfx overall, some enemies drop HP or MP (rare), HP refills after each beaten level here, sliding can be used as an attack here, frozen enemies can be hit several times and be used as platforms here, sometimes better colours (sometimes a bit worse)
+/- Some names are different from the MD version, enemies in the lake behave somewhat differently (a bit easier), level 4 boss looks and acts somewhat differently, different level design at times (easier first boss (also has no chain), level 5 – quite a bit harder thanks to all the pits and having to use enemies as platforms with a certain spell at one point, green boss’s level is replaced by a desert (pretty much equal in quality though the boss itself is easier than on MD), somewhat more interesting ice level (destructible blocks) but the boss (the second general, Ashura/the grey guy) is much tougher and has a pretty cheap yellow devil-like attack, final level is somewhat more interesting), some spells are stronger here (such as Yuko’s fire sword spell), invincibility time while using the slide
- The slide move is mapped to the Run button (not a problem in emulation on PC though), in the intro the recap of the previous games and introduction of the heroes only show the images without text or VA, somewhat floaty controls (character slides a bit further when you let go of the d-pad or duck during movement), the dragon boss in level 3 is simplified (not built out of multiple sprites like on MD, easier pattern), can’t turn around while ducking without making the character stand up (can be done on MD), respawn at the bosses until you use a continue (means you can’t upgrade your attack or get a new spell so it’s pretty much game over at the final boss), final boss is different (instant hit attacks in the first form, more erratic pattern and different attacks in the second form – need to use the slide to dodge here and it’s still pretty tough if you do)
Notes:
See the MD review for more pros and cons
Level Design-7 Frustration-8.5 Fun-7 Originality-6
Overall Score-7
+ Extended intro and other cutscenes with somewhat improved storytelling, voice acting (not very good), CD music which sounds better overall, names are ascribed to the text box messages unlike on MD, three additional levels (a mountain and a graveyard level (both are pretty good)), much improved jump height control (maybe a bit too sensitive here but it’s still an improvement), somewhat better sfx overall, some enemies drop HP or MP (rare), HP refills after each beaten level here, sliding can be used as an attack here, frozen enemies can be hit several times and be used as platforms here, sometimes better colours (sometimes a bit worse)
+/- Some names are different from the MD version, enemies in the lake behave somewhat differently (a bit easier), level 4 boss looks and acts somewhat differently, different level design at times (easier first boss (also has no chain), level 5 – quite a bit harder thanks to all the pits and having to use enemies as platforms with a certain spell at one point, green boss’s level is replaced by a desert (pretty much equal in quality though the boss itself is easier than on MD), somewhat more interesting ice level (destructible blocks) but the boss (the second general, Ashura/the grey guy) is much tougher and has a pretty cheap yellow devil-like attack, final level is somewhat more interesting), some spells are stronger here (such as Yuko’s fire sword spell), invincibility time while using the slide
- The slide move is mapped to the Run button (not a problem in emulation on PC though), in the intro the recap of the previous games and introduction of the heroes only show the images without text or VA, somewhat floaty controls (character slides a bit further when you let go of the d-pad or duck during movement), the dragon boss in level 3 is simplified (not built out of multiple sprites like on MD, easier pattern), can’t turn around while ducking without making the character stand up (can be done on MD), respawn at the bosses until you use a continue (means you can’t upgrade your attack or get a new spell so it’s pretty much game over at the final boss), final boss is different (instant hit attacks in the first form, more erratic pattern and different attacks in the second form – need to use the slide to dodge here and it’s still pretty tough if you do)
Notes:
See the MD review for more pros and cons