Sol-Feace on x68000

[Raizen1984]

I was thinking about picking this up for Sega CD, but Wikipedia claims this game was originally made for the X68000. However, I can't find any information on this version. Is it real? If so, is it better or worse than the SCD version? I prefer to own the original versions of games, but I'd like to know if this game actually did come out for that computer first. Thanks!

[The Coop]

Graphically, the X68000 version has more color, less flicker and the animated opening that was ported to the Seca CD version. It uses digitized effects for the explosions and when your ship comes on the screen as well. The Genesis version captures the animation and such very well, and it's music is pretty similar to the X68000's. The backgrounds got changed a bit in spots for the Genesis version too, due the color loss and less memory to work with. I don't know if the X68000 version has anymore stages than the Genesis version, as I've only played it a few times without completing it (got the second to last boss). Obviously, the Sega CD has redbook audio with the tunes redone as well, and I can say that the Genesis version's ending is better than the Sega CD version's ending.

Here's a music comparison for the hell of it...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZCzLNh-yi2s


So yeah, the X68000 is the best version. The Genesis and Sega CD did good ports of the game, but the color loss and additional flicker/slowdown hurt them a bit.

[Zigfried the Trizealot]

Due to no slowdown or flicker, the X68k version is MUCH better than the Sega CD port. I didn't realize the impact until I reached the third stage -- by comparison to the Sega CD, the twin midbosses almost appear to be dancing in terms of how they move around the screen. The game was gracefully designed and much of that is lost on the Genesis and Sega CD.

I do believe the CD version has the best music, but the X68k port sounded pretty darn cool anyway. My recommendation: buy the X68k version to play, and buy the US version of the Sega CD game as a soundtrack. (The JP Mega CD has sound effects overlaid on the music, so avoid that)

[Magic Knight]

The X68000 version has support for MIDI synths. You need to hold down the 登録 (touroku) key and then press Reset with the disks in the drives to activate it while booting.

[The Coop]

Due to no slowdown or flicker...

The X68000 version has flicker. Not as much, but it's there. I also saw some slowdown as well with the opening of the battleship stage (as the screen fades in before the ship goes by from left to right). Granted, these might be due to the emulator, but considering most emulators get rid of that stuff rather than create it...

[Zigfried the Trizealot]

I don't remember that, but it's been a while. The game handled much tougher sequences without issue so I'm surprised, but it's certainly possible. As reference, I played on an actual X68000 (full 10MB of RAM) but am unable to go back and check because my X68000 overheated. Good information to know so that I can temper future recommendations with a warning!