View Full Version : Nectaris
Graham Mitchell
09-10-2004, 10:30 PM
I finished my midterms today, and I have the weekend to relax. The first thing I did was crack open some games I got for my birthday that I hadn't had time to try.
One of which was the Nectaris (Military Madness) remake of the Turbografx/PC-Engine classic for the PSX.
I first discovered Military Madness in about 2001 via an emulator. I had had a Turbo back in the day, but this game escaped me. I loved it instantly. It's incredibly simple, but the battle system itself provides for lots sudden changes in the course of the fights, and it really keeps you on your toes. Plus the shound and graphics (especially the sound! :) ) were great. Awesome game, loved it. Since then it has become somewhat of a special game for me, so I decided to hunt out the PSX remake. Wow.
I had no clue what to expect from it, but it's a lovingly-crafted tribute to the original, and then some. The sprites for your fleets are taken right out of the original, and a lot of the maps are the same as well. The sound makes me think Hudson was trying hard to emulate the TG-16 sound on the PS.
I wasn't following gaming for a brief 6-month period when this game was released, but I have a feeling it didn't make too much of a splash. This is a shame. It's great, and I recommend it to anyone who liked the original, or who is a Hudson lover (this game reeks of the Hudson's TG-16 days.)
I'm really excited about this game, and I was wondering if any of you had tried it, and what your opinions were about it.
Cheers! 8-)
NE146
09-10-2004, 10:41 PM
My opinion of it? Well I like the fact that it added the new maps. However what I DON'T like are the new models and fight scenes, as well as the overall "dark" drabby look of it.
Maybe I'm just biased, but although I have both I still prefer the TG16 version simply for the faster gameplay, the graphics of the units (which seem to have so much more character than even 3D modeled versions of the psx version), and of course the TG16 music and colors. It's also faster too.. even if you set the psx version for faster gameplay by making the battle scenes more basic (via the options).. it still moves at a slower pace due to loading than the quick skirmishes of the tg16 version.
Still though, don't get me wrong... I dig it :) Especially for the expansion maps, etc. But in a pinch if I get a hankering for Military Madness.. I go for the Turbografx-16 without question.
Incidentally.... did you know there was a Gameboy version of the original Nectaris in Japan as well? Neither did I.. I only found out recently and had to find the rom to try it out :P The graphics sure are scaled down though.. :hmm:
kainemaxwell
09-10-2004, 10:53 PM
Nectaris is a PSX import right?
NE146
09-10-2004, 11:01 PM
Nectaris is a PSX import right?
It was released in the U.S. as "Nectaris: Military Madness"
http://img.shopping.com/cctool/PrdImg/images/pr/177X150/00/01/34/08/28/20187176.JPG
swlovinist
09-11-2004, 01:28 AM
I own the game which I got for a song when a Software ETC found a copy in the back that had been "hidden" for several years. They rang it up and I walked out with a new copy 5 bucks LOL! I love the original, and I love this version. This game down the road is going to be valuable and sought out for. As of right now, I dont think many people think it even came to the US. If you find it, buy it right now!
esquire
09-11-2004, 02:19 AM
I finished my midterms today, and I have the weekend to relax. The first thing I did was crack open some games I got for my birthday that I hadn't had time to try.
One of which was the Nectaris (Military Madness) remake of the Turbografx/PC-Engine classic for the PSX.
I first discovered Military Madness in about 2001 via an emulator. I had had a Turbo back in the day, but this game escaped me. I loved it instantly. It's incredibly simple, but the battle system itself provides for lots sudden changes in the course of the fights, and it really keeps you on your toes. Plus the shound and graphics (especially the sound! :) ) were great. Awesome game, loved it. Since then it has become somewhat of a special game for me, so I decided to hunt out the PSX remake. Wow.
I had no clue what to expect from it, but it's a lovingly-crafted tribute to the original, and then some. The sprites for your fleets are taken right out of the original, and a lot of the maps are the same as well. The sound makes me think Hudson was trying hard to emulate the TG-16 sound on the PS.
I wasn't following gaming for a brief 6-month period when this game was released, but I have a feeling it didn't make too much of a splash. This is a shame. It's great, and I recommend it to anyone who liked the original, or who is a Hudson lover (this game reeks of the Hudson's TG-16 days.)
I'm really excited about this game, and I was wondering if any of you had tried it, and what your opinions were about it.
Cheers! 8-)
If you like this style of strategy games, I would recommend Advance Wars and Advance Wars 2 for the GBA. It uses the same type of maps and combat.
Also, there was a sequel to Nectaris on the PC-Engine Duo (jap version of the Turbo Duo) called Neo Nectaris. It is playable on the US version as it is a CD. It is in japanese, but very playable. It includes new maps and units.
Graham Mitchell
09-11-2004, 08:41 AM
Maybe I'm just biased, but although I have both I still prefer the TG16 version simply for the faster gameplay, the graphics of the units (which seem to have so much more character than even 3D modeled versions of the psx version), and of course the TG16 music and colors.
I hear ya' regarding the 3-D modeled graphics. I set it to 2-D to keep the pace up. Unfortunately, I think that if it didn't have those 3-D rendered battle scenes, Sony would've barred its release in the US. Sad, huh?
As for the drab graphics...well, it's on the Playstation. It's not a general rule, but a lot of PS1 games for some reason look like hell; they're somewhat colorless. Even SNES games were "shinier"-looking. Don't know why. I was excited when I got a Dreamcast, and Sonic Adventure was WAY COLORFUL!
scorch56
09-11-2004, 09:09 AM
What a coinkydink! I was perusing eBay's latest listing the other night (VERY early in the morning AM) and noticed someone had just listed a PSX w/28 games and some accessories for a $39 BIN! $39 for 28 games! and a PSX! Says "I".. what's the catch?
Turned out the seller was selling what they called a "modded" PSX w/27 CD-R games, a few controllers, a few memory cards; AND.. a fully complete.. legit copy of Nectaris! Having passed this up in a local Software Etc a couple of years back.. cheap.. and still kicking myself about it.. I snatched the auction using BIN. Funny thing was the seller said the "mod-chip" was "untested". 27 CD-Rs and they can't test the mod? What gives?
Anyway.. eBay pulled the auction after we completed it (SILLY eBay.. NO seller fees for you!) and the seller has very good feedback but didn't know you couldn't sell modded equipment on eBay (She's a witch.. not a video game seller.. no seriously).
Turns out.. after discussion.. the unit comes with a "Game Hunter" type plug-in unit and she doesn't know how to use it (probably doesn't have the lid spring either). I already have two "hard-modded" units.. so I'll more than likely just sell this one.. or give it to my ex-GF's grandson along with the CD-Rs.
BUT.. I got a copy of Nectaris! WAY cool!
BTW.. this game is already HTF.
bargora
09-11-2004, 01:46 PM
I've got Nectaris, and I like it a lot. I also agree with esquire's recommendation of Advance Wars / AW2 if you like Nectaris. It's hard to find turn-based strategy these days. Stupid RTS.
NE146
09-11-2004, 02:34 PM
I'm a big fan of Advance Wars.. but I still like Military Madness/Nectaris better.. why? I like the added "surround strategy" you can do in Military Madness to up your forces power. Advance Wars has nothing like this (instead, the first to strike is strongest). Plus, there's just more varied units w/ specialized abilities in Nectaris. I'm a fan of both though but if I had to pick, I'll always go Nectaris :D
jaybird
09-11-2004, 03:38 PM
I've been trying to chase down a copy of this game locally for months now. I really don't want to go the eBay route.
Anyone have a complete copy for sale/trade?
Bratwurst
09-11-2004, 04:00 PM
A very good reason to own a TG-16, and it's what, one game of its kind against a bunch of shooters and platformers?
SoulBlazer
09-11-2004, 08:59 PM
You can check Amazon, I buy and sell most of my used games from there.
Bighab
09-11-2004, 10:00 PM
I am a fan of the Nectaris games too. I would also recommend EarthLight and its sequel EarthLight Lunar Strike for the Superfamicom. Both are made by Hudson Soft and they are very easy to play.
Graham Mitchell
09-12-2004, 12:05 PM
I bought mine off amazon. If you're looking for a complete game though, be prepared to pay.
Graham Mitchell
09-12-2004, 12:49 PM
A very good reason to own a TG-16, and it's what, one game of its kind against a bunch of shooters and platformers?
I think there's plenty of good reasons to own a TG-16. Bomberman, Cratermaze, Chew Man Fu, Lode Runner, Devil's Crush and Alien Crush, the Neutopia Series, the incredible Y's series, Dungeon Explorer...the list goes on and on.
I agree that the system was flooded with shooters and bad platformers, but what system wasn't back then? Furthermore, the games that are cool are so markedly different and unusually presented compared to what was being offered on other consoles of that period that I'd say any serious gamer should definitely see try these games at least once. :)
Bratwurst
09-12-2004, 01:06 PM
It's not a knock on the system, and I happen to like the majority of said platformers and shooters.
Graham Mitchell
09-12-2004, 07:17 PM
Oh, no, I didn't think you were knocking the system! :) I just didn't want anyone else (someone who might not know any better) to think the TG-16 was a bad machine LOL .
I'm always lookin' out for everybody else; gotta stop that...
So I take it I should pick up both copies from the local game shop for $15 each then? They've been sitting there for months.
jaybird
09-12-2004, 08:48 PM
So I take it I should pick up both copies from the local game shop for $15 each then? They've been sitting there for months.
Yep, and sale/trade the extra to me. :)
Scored 'em and PMed you, Jaybird.
Both games are in great shape, the one disc is pristine and the other just has a few hairline scratches. The guy offered to "clean them" for me and I told him to forget it and it'd just take them as-is. Keep those crappy game doctors off of my games ;)
Here's some pics:
http://www.intermediadesign.com/junk/nectaris1.jpg
http://www.intermediadesign.com/junk/nectaris2.jpg
http://www.intermediadesign.com/junk/nectaris3.jpg
jaybird
09-14-2004, 12:50 AM
You da man KV3! I appreciate you doing that for me.
I want the pristine one! :D
PM'd you back.
SoulBlazer
09-14-2004, 12:53 AM
Wish I could have responded. I would have loved a copy. :o
gwaine
09-14-2004, 12:00 PM
NE146...good point about the surround strategy...I think it adds so much that you can get supporting "fire" from nearby allies and decrease the opponent's defense by surrounding them...I wish they had copied that for Advance Wars. I also don't like in Advance Wars that the attacker has an automatic increase in firepower.
Graham Mitchell
09-14-2004, 12:04 PM
You know, to be honest, in the limited amount of time I had to play it, Advance Wars reminded me the combat in Shining Force more than anything else...just with military equipment instead of RPG characters.
Doesn't Advance Wars use squares instead of hexes?
NE146
09-14-2004, 12:24 PM
Yeah Advance Wars uses squares. And it IS just a lot like Shining Force, or Vandal Hearts for that matter which is why I like all those games :D
However, Nectaris and Military madness.. I really like them as your units get experience as they fight.. so it's possible to have an expert squad of unbeatable tanks for example in a long drawn out battle. (Not to be confused with the levels in Shining Force, et. al.). Also there are surround strategies in Military Madness.
I love all these games but to me Nectaris/Military Madness has the best strategy :)
Graham Mitchell
09-14-2004, 02:55 PM
What I dig about Nectaris over other strategy games is its presentation; it's got more character than a typical military/historical strategy game, and it's got a much darker, more intense atmosphere than most of the RPG-type strategy games. Those things help me get into it a bit more, considering that I'm no hugely into strategy games (although I did love Dark Wizard for the Sega CD).
I put the "pristine" copy of Nectaris up on eBay for those who may be interested:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=8132077627
scorch56
09-15-2004, 07:05 PM
Anyone who loves these kinds of games and can stand playing such on your PC.. should pick up Battle Isle 2220 - Shadow Of The Emperor by BlueByte (But be careful.. there were two earlier games with VERY similar titles.). This was a 2 CD game. Very detailed graphics for it's time.. and complex game play.
It's rather rare nowdays (took me months to find a copy on eBay.. years back); but the other two earlier games are rather plentiful (BlueByte doesn't sell them anymore) but with MUCH simpler graphics and gameplay. The last title Battle Isle - The Andosian Wars (sic?) was good.. but it was 3D and semi-realtime as opposed to the earlier turn-based titles.
Well I finally started playing the other copy of Nectaris that I bought the other day and I'm getting into it. I really enjoyed Advance Wars and I can clearly see Nectaris' influence on that game. Looks like I might be keeping this second copy after all :)
Graham Mitchell
09-16-2004, 12:24 AM
Well I finally started playing the other copy of Nectaris that I bought the other day and I'm getting into it. I really enjoyed Advance Wars and I can clearly see Nectaris' influence on that game. Looks like I might be keeping this second copy after all
Told ya! LOL It's a really compelling game. I think everyone's got different reasons for loving it, but it's undeniably great.