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Studio Ghibli Thoughts: The Cat Returns

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  The Cat Returns is an anomaly among Studio Ghibli films for being the only “sequel” to a previous movie, being a successor of sorts to Whisper of the Heart . True, other than starring a secondary character in that movie, the Baron statue coming to life, it isn’t exactly a direct successor, but it does have more than a surface connection to that movie other than the fact this is yet another Ghibli movie not directed by the studio’s main directors, with Hiroyuki Morita directing a Ghibli movie for the first and last time. Although it isn’t mentioned in the movie itself, it is important to know that the story was written by the author of Whisper of the Heart as if it were written by Shizuku Tsukishima, the main character of that movie, who wanted to become an author. It's important because of some similar themes of the main girl trying to figure out who she is and where she belongs. Haru Yoshioka is a very ordinary, but slightly lost, high school girl who saves a magical cat from ...
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Saturn REVIEWS: Radiant Silvergun

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Originally, I wasn't planning to review any import games for my Saturn Reviews series. However, the reputation of Radiant Silvergun was so glowing that I didn't realize that it was never actually released in the West. Apparently, the game was imported to a wide degree back in the day, so much so that mainstream review outlets actually gave it glowing reviews. So, in a way, I was tricked into reviewing this game by its lofty reputation, both breaking my no-import rule and my lack of proficiency with the genre. I am glad to be breaking both those rules now. 8: Radiant Silvergun: Year: 1998. Genre: Shmup. Publisher: Entertainment Software Publishing. Developer: Treasure.
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Saturn REVIEWS Report: 20-11

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As we approach the supposed pinnacle of Saturn video games, we still see the familiar issues plaguing the console in its top 20-11 games as per the Retro Sanctuary list . At this stage, it should only be natural that there are at least two obviously great games, which Dragon Force and Shining Force III are undoubtedly. Yet, for the remaining eight, three games were never released outside of Japan, and five games, whose position is arguable in the list, either because there is a better port somewhere else or simply because the game has aged badly, even if it was considered very good in the past. Usually, at the end of my console review cycle, I choose a list of my top 10 games for the console. I know that I am going to struggle to choose my list for the Saturn, and it's not going to be because of an abundance of options. Please enjoy:- 20- Hyper Duel (1996): Japan-Only Genre: Shmup Publisher: Technosoft; Developer: Technosoft. Here is another Japan-only Shmup that raised the envy...
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Saturn REVIEWS: Clockwork Knight 1 & 2

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Out of every 10 platformers on the SNES and the Genesis, only one was good, and it was most likely not made for the Genesis. Generally, playing any random platformer at that time that isn't made by Nintendo is a huge gamble with your time. The gulf in class between the great platformers we remember from that time and the rest of the filler games is as deep a the Grand Canyon. Both Clockwork Knight games are not at the rock bottom of that canyon (that spot is reserved for Bug! ), but they are deep enough for you not to waste your time playing them. R2: Clockwork Knight 1 & 2: Year: 1994 & 1995. Genre: Platformer. Publisher: Sega. Developer: Sega.
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Where the Hell is Shining Force?

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Long-time gamers probably associate the Shining Force name with quality TRPGs. In fact, in one-sided competition between the Genesis and the SNES days, the two Shining Force games were the only games on Sega's console not to have a superior parallel for it on Nintendo's. Since the Fire Emblem series did not get localized at that time, the Shining Force games were clearly the champions of the TRPG genre then. As such, you would imagine any discussion on this series to be focused on a TRPG series. However, the Shining Force series is actually called the Shining series. While it was most well-known for its TRPGs, it actually started as a dungeon-crawling RPG, and then changed genres from Tactical to Action RPGs, and then to JRPGs. After the third Shining Force strategy game, the series started releasing ARPGs of middling quality, and the series still survives in some form today. But wait, isn't this blogging series supposed to be about dead and gone franchises? Well, tha...
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Genesis REVIEWS: Shining Force II

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The second Shining Force game, and the one that cemented the series's TRPG direction, is basically a bigger and better version of the first game. That's not to say that it's not a different game with a different story, but it does make it seem like the first one was a test run to make the sequel. Bigger in both size and scope, the game does suffer a little from length, but that's only a problem if you don't like what it gives you in the first place. Shining Force II may be the best TRPG in the 4th generation. 8: Shining Force II: Year: 1994. Genre: TRPG. Publisher: Sega. Developer: Sonic! Software Planning.
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Genesis REVIEWS: Shining Force

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The Shining Force series is generally considered Sega's counterpart to Nintendo's own SRPG series, Fire Emblem . For as long as the two games existed together, the Shining Force series actually had more of a Western presence. Unfortunately, the series was one of the many victims of Sega's exit from the console market. However, its games can still be enjoyed today. While the series initially started as an unfortunate dungeon crawling game. It changed gears into an TRPG with the second game, and it was an excellent start to the series. 43- Shining Force: Year: 1992. Genre: SRPG. Publisher: Sega. Developer: Climax Entertainment, Sonic Software Planning.
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