Volgarr the Viking: Rastan-clone kickstarter

[Mischief Maker]

Volgarr the Viking Kickstarter

This game is by the guy who did the combat for Spiderman: Web of Shadows for the DS, in my opinion the hidden gem of the DS collection. (Here's my review at Caltrops.com)

They've already reached their initial goal with a projected release date of February, their stretch goal is to add a Darius-esque branching level structure.

I'm cautiously optimistic, but I really hope those graphics get an overhaul before the final launch.

[GaijinPunch]

I'm cautiously optimistic, but I really hope those graphics get an overhaul before the final launch.

Agreed -- I know it's only a couple of guys, but if you're going to clone Rastan 25 years later, it needs to look at least as good. At this point, I'd rather play Rastan.

[Strider77]

No console release? Pass....

[Op Intensify]

I know it's only a couple of guys, but if you're going to clone Rastan 25 years later, it needs to look at least as good.

QFT. I doubt they'll be able to match the soundtrack either.

[Mischief Maker]

From the FAQ:

Will the art improve over what is shown in the video?

Absolutely, the footage shown is one of the few test levels we use to ensure all of our core mechanics are rock solid before real level designs are made. The background art shown in the video and in current screen shots is exploratory and placeholder as a test that our multi-layered BG technology and effects work correctly prior to spending weeks on final tile art.

A step up from Overgrowth, which spent literally years getting their (now aged) graphics technology rock solid even on minutiae like drying blood or swaying bushes, and are only now attempting to balance the gameplay.

[GaijinPunch]

Guess I missed a layup there, saying you shouldn't clone Rastan's gameplay w/ Rastan II's graphics.

[Ex-Cyber]

Meh.

M-E-H. Meh.

Even for its time, Rastan's mechanics were kind of shitty. ActRaiser basically did Rastan right. Not coincidentally, I'd probably buy this sucker if Ancient/Qunitet promised so much as a fart app for it.

[GaijinPunch]

Meh.

M-E-H. Meh.

Even for its time, Rastan's mechanics were kind of shitty. ActRaiser basically did Rastan right. Not coincidentally, I'd probably buy this sucker if Ancient/Qunitet promised so much as a fart app for it.

ActRaiser = Poor Man's Rastan

[stryc9]

Yes there is something dodgy about Rastan's play mechanics, but not enough to stop it being a classic.

And no, there is no way that the soundtrack will match the original's. Especially the castle theme
I always loved Rastan, even on Master System, but Black Tiger is the better game.

In fact I'd go as far to say that BT is better than most of Capcom's early arcade games.

[Shatterhand]

I always loved Rastan, even on Master System, but Black Tiger is the better game.

In fact I'd go as far to say that BT is better than most of Capcom's early arcade games.

QFT

[system11]

Needs less flash-game graphics, more sequenced music.

[Vexorg]

The mechanics of Rastan were admittedly kind of clunky (personally, I could never get any further than that rope jump over the firepit in the first castle, even with savestating it in MAME I think I tried it 50 times and couldn't get it) but for a 1987 game the graphics and music were incredible.

As for the Kickstarter, it looks like they're local to here. Probably came out of Amaze Entertainment (now called Griptonite, and it seems to be working primarily on mobile stuff now), which is pretty much the friendly neighborhood shovelware factory. I actually have a few friends that work there, but I don't think I've ever seen anything that wasn't a movie tie-in or a second-tier port of a popular game come out of there.

[Op Intensify]

You say clunky, I say deliberate.

Simon Belmont moves like a tank, does Castlevania have bad controls? No.

[GaijinPunch]

Rastan is one of my 1CCs. I did it recently a few times, but I think I did it in the arcades as a younger, fatter man. I don't think I ever thought of it as clunky... maybe weird that he couldn't jump 5x his height like other game characters of the time?

[Drum]

Some aspects of Rastan are clunky, I guess, but others are super smooth. The way you don't stop or slow down when you take a swing could well be laziness on the part of the developers, but it makes combat fun and fast-paced.

does Castlevania have bad controls?

Yes. Stairs. I'll stick my neck out and say fuck the knockback too.

[undamned]

Yes. Stairs. I'll stick my neck out and say fuck the knockback too.

This + Medusa heads = RAGE
-ud

[system11]

Yes. Stairs. I'll stick my neck out and say fuck the knockback too.

This + Medusa heads = RAGE
-ud

And Skelerang / Skeleton archers.

[BryanM]

Got a healthy love of Rastan, right here. The game was hardcore:

* Things are decent enough to die in a single blow.

* You ever stick your foot in a shallow pool of water and instantly disintegrate?

* Rastan knows squats are the key to success. He does triple damage when he jumps; do you?

* The music is critical for wrapping the entire thing together. Anything less hardcore would not be metal.

The sequels were sad abominations though.

A great example of visceral mechanics and presentation all around though.

Rastan is one of my 1CCs. I did it recently a few times, but I think I did it in the arcades as a younger, fatter man.

Since the last stage doesn't let you use continues, I was never able to beat the last stage.

But.. save states work on this more recent version of MAME. Maybe now is the time I should have the fun of getting killed seventy bajillion times by a dragon.

[Op Intensify]

The sequels were sad abominations though.

It's got its share of flaws, but I really like Warrior Blade. No other game has gotten the Conan atmosphere more right.

[Ex-Cyber]

Some aspects of Rastan are clunky, I guess, but others are super smooth. The way you don't stop or slow down when you take a swing could well be laziness on the part of the developers, but it makes combat fun and fast-paced.

That particular quirk is laudable and I suspect it's intentional (or at the very least accidental-but-fuck-yes-let's-keep-it).

[BryanM]

Having to stop moving to kill things isn't hardcore. Rastan is hardcore.

Warrior Blade

I like the art, and long screen is loooong is nice, but it just doesn't have the same feeling as taking a calm steady stroll along a mountainside while nonchalantly exploding guys into blood.

[BrianC]

I like the art, and long screen is loooong is nice, but it just doesn't have the same feeling as taking a calm steady stroll along a mountainside while nonchalantly exploding guys into blood.

I thought that was Fist of the North Star.

[emphatic]

I always loved Rastan, even on Master System, but Black Tiger is the better game.

In fact I'd go as far to say that BT is better than most of Capcom's early arcade games.

QFT

This. Also, Black Tiger has lots of cool stuff like hidden symbols, funky music and laser sounding SFX. A close second to Rygar in my book as Rygar's controls, scoring system and overall coolness is unsurpassed.

Rastan is such an annoying game, the fourth boss is superhard and this is the only arcade game I ever punched, crashing through the bezel glass when I was 15.

[Mischief Maker]

Rastan is such an annoying game, the fourth boss is superhard and this is the only arcade game I ever punched, crashing through the bezel glass when I was 15.

Is this you?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n0q9GWkCKGI

I want to know the aftermath. Tell me you didn't just run. Tell me the owner caught you.

[emphatic]

Rastan is such an annoying game, the fourth boss is superhard and this is the only arcade game I ever punched, crashing through the bezel glass when I was 15.

Is this you?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n0q9GWkCKGI

I want to know the aftermath. Tell me you didn't just run. Tell me the owner caught you.

Of course I ran, I was 15 and my hand was bleeding.

[Strider77]

Meh.

M-E-H. Meh.

Even for its time, Rastan's mechanics were kind of shitty. ActRaiser basically did Rastan right. Not coincidentally, I'd probably buy this sucker if Ancient/Qunitet promised so much as a fart app for it.

[Hagane]

A game with no real challenge is like a cheeseburger with no meat.

There was a time when a player had to earn the right to see the ending to a game, through practice and perseverance. A time where overcoming a challenge was truly satisfying, and completing a game not only filled you with a legitimate sense of accomplishment, but made you want to play it again right away and improve your performance. A time where games were about the game, not about the cutscenes and cinematic presentation.

Well, they got me interested.

[Specineff]

The sequels were sad abominations though.

It's got its share of flaws, but I really like Warrior Blade. No other game has gotten the Conan atmosphere more right.

Golden Axe would like to have a word with you.

[BryanM]

Golden Axe is pretty sparse on the horrible fishmen and horrible monsters in general. If your skin isn't crawling, it isn't hardcore.

[Drum]

Lynda Carter is stunning, Warrior Blade is the best Rastan.