How bad is Sol Divide?

[Sugar Rush Games]

I've recently located a cheap copy of Sol Divide (US PS1 version) in the wild and I'm curious to try it out. I've been hesitant to pick it up though since the game has a terrible reputation.

Just how bad is it? Is it totally unplayable or just rough around the edges?

Thanks!

[Nana]

I actually think it's lots of fun -- I also had the PS1 version originally, which is pretty janked in terms of controls, and the story scenes are cut out, but I still enjoyed it because I had no idea what the original version was like. It fails as a hardcore shmup, what with the lifebar, focus on items, weird hitbox size and enemy placement, but just as an over-the-top fantasy arcade action game, I had a blast with it. Don't spend more than $5 for the PS1 port, though.

[Hagane]

It's not a pure STG, so if you are expecting that you'll hate it. If you want to try a hybrid with beat'em up elements, you might like it.

[soupbones]

I play the PCB when my brother has it in his cab: great game IMO, but very different. Like Hagana said, it's not a pure STG... or anything you would expect from Psykio.

It reminds me of Forgotten Worlds mixed with some close combat gameplay and light RPG elements.

I really like it.

[denpanosekai]

Just how bad is it? Is it totally unplayable or just rough around the edges?

I don't have it, and I've been meaning to buy it at some point. But I've been put off by the no-save and ripped sequences thing. It feels as though the core game is intact however.

HG101 article:

While the Saturn version of Sol Divide was never released in North America, the PlayStation version was instead ported by XS Games, the same budget line company behind the infamous Mobile Light Force series, which is really just Gunbird and Castle Shikigami with really awful box art. It also suffers some completely embarrassing issues. The pre-level story scenes are all cut from the Arcade mode, and the endings were simply left in Japanese. There was an English version of the arcade game produced, so why they couldn't have used that translation is a mystery. The option to save your game has also been cryptically removed. For the Arcade mode, this means you can't save your score, which is a bit annoying. On the other hand, it totally ruins the Original Mode, because in order to properly beat it, you'd need to do it all in one sitting. No thank you.

[Ganelon]

I've beaten the US RPG mode before back in my 1CC phase. It's not extraordinarily difficult if you're good with the game but it does take about 4 hours and is very nerve-racking since dying is a straight game over. The ending there is in straight Japanese as well. I haven't played Sol Divide since; the mechanics just aren't that fun.

[Kollision]

I used to hate this game until I started using Kashon and comboing his attacks with brief shooting bursts.
Sometimes it's best to start slashing even before an enemy materializes (those mushrooms!)
Also you can't go much further if you don't establish a strategy with your magic spells in specific bosses.

[AeroCityMayor]

The worst Psikyo game in my arcade collection and I'm only missing one!

"Dreadful" really doesn't begin to describe it!

HTH

Cheers,

Ralph.

[PC Engine Fan X!]

I like the original JPN PSX version of Sol Divide that was released by Psikyo themselves as it has memory card saving functionality (whereas with the USA PSX release of the same name from XSGames, that particular functionality was removed entirely). So its's nice to be able to save your SD arcade mode's scores for posterity as it should be (the SD's PCB version doesn't save scores whatsoever if powered down for the night -- it's quite an awesome experience to be able to play the original SD PCB as it was meant to be whether it's of the JPN or International flavored variety indeed). It's, also, quite simple to change from JPN or International region if so desired with the SD PCB (as they're both available/present on the PCB anyways).

Back in January of 2000, an indoor go-kart track business based out of Stockton, CA, had both Psikyo's Strikers 1945 II & Sol Divide PCBs up & running on a pair of Dynamo upright cabs. Tried them both out for the first time and was stoked at the fanasty elements used in SD. Of course, with the yen/quarter/pence muncher aspect, they both were designed to eat them by the handful if playing them casually/for the first time/learning the ropes of what makes them tick.

In the arcade PCB version of SD, the opening intro is all based on the in-game sprite engine whereas in the PSX port, they are two to digress at your leisure (FMV and in-game sprite engine based on the arcade PCB version) -- Psikyo went the extra mile in crafting a superb FMV based SD opening intro the second time around.

So it's nice to revisit/replay the SD PCB and PSX ports (JPN & USA) from time to time. Playing SD in Mame/Mame32 emulation doesn't offer that unique PCB experience in playing the real deal that's available to the serious arcade PCB hobbyist/collector these days.

It's a well-known fact that the American arcade subsidy, Jaleco USA, distributed both the Psikyo produced Gunbird and Strikers 1945 Jamma PCB conversion kits to arcade distributors/arcades in the USA (even came shipped with full-sized marquees that the original JPN region PCB conversion kits didn't include). Could they have the been the very same folks whom handled the distribution of the later Strikers 1945 II/III, Zero Gunner, Sol Divide and Gunbird 2 PCB conversion kits as well, stateside? Hmmm...

PC Engine Fan X! ^_~

[Fudoh]

while at it: any opinions on jp Saturn version vs. jp PS1 version ?

[Teufel_in_Blau]

Hah, fantastic coincident! Just yesterday I was checking amazon for a new PS2 shmup and saw Sol Divide. How is the PS2 version and is it really a 4 hour "arcade" game or did I just misread Ganelons post?

[BrianC]

Hah, fantastic coincident! Just yesterday I was checking amazon for a new PS2 shmup and saw Sol Divide. How is the PS2 version and is it really a 4 hour "arcade" game or did I just misread Ganelons post?

I think you misread. His post was saying that the RPG mode in the PSX version is 4 hours.

[Fudoh]

The PS2 version just the emulated arcade rom. Runs pretty nicely, but it's 480i compared to 240p on the PSX, Saturn or the PCB.

[Austin]

I have always thoroughly enjoyed this game, regardless of platform. I like the "Psikyo Vs. Lords of Thunder" styled gameplay. It requires you to play in-line with the hand to hand combat system, along with appropriate use of your spells in order to survive. The soundtrack is also solid (fits my tastes anyway), and the Original/adventure mode adds to the replay value (just make sure to play an import version for this mode). Keep in mind the arcade mode is extremely short, however, it will still require practice in order to dominate it.

[EmperorIng]

maybe it's mame, but I can never pull off a single super-combo slash-attack, which from what I understand, is the key to surviving the game.

Like, what's the timing?

Also, this game isn't the best Psikyo by a long shot, but surprisingly, it's the best music a Psikyo game ever managed to get, ha ha.

[Kollision]

maybe it's mame, but I can never pull off a single super-combo slash-attack, which from what I understand, is the key to surviving the game.

Like, what's the timing?

It depends on the character you're using (3 slashes + directional + slash).
Kashon is the easiest to slash-combo IMO because you only need to press right in between slashes. The other ones use either up or down, which makes decent slashing harder to pull off. Kashon's weapon also has the best reach.

[Teufel_in_Blau]

Thanks for the replies everyone.

Oh, and yeah, I really misread the "RPG" part.

[PC Engine Fan X!]

Not to mention the usage of digitized fire/flame effects done in Psikyo-style was cool/light years ahead of it's time with SD. Looks super razor sharp on the PCB version.

I'd imagine if Psikyo had made SD as a true arcade shmup title without the hybrid fighting aspect/element in place, it would've been play-tested/honed to the point of perfection in-house before being released in the Japanese game centers and arcades worldwide afterwards.

Now if Psikyo did a proper 3rd sequel of Gunbird 3 (instead of Dragon Blaze as their final arcade shmup swan song release), that'd certainly take the cake indeed. Expect more new characters, crazier single character and cross-character plotlines if playing in two-player mode + the obligatory new Psikyo-signature gameplay mechanic(s) with each new arcade PCB release. It's a given alrighty.

PC Engine Fan X! ^_~

[evil_ash_xero]

It ain't that hot.

I give them props for trying something a bit different, but it's pretty lousy.

[Sugar Rush Games]

Thanks everyone for the replies!

The game has a lot more fans (or at least people who kinda enjoy it) then I was expecting.

I ended up taking a pass on it, mainly because of XS games' poor localization (no save feature? no thanks). I expect more from the company that brought us BOTH games in the Mobile Light Force series.

[shmuppyLove]

I expect more from the company that brought us BOTH games in the Mobile Light Force series.

I suppose you couldn't really expect any less ...





AKA Multi-cultural Leather Force

[Sugar Rush Games]

Box art so nice, they used it twice!