Games

icycalm · by **icycalm** » 04 Apr 2006 17:17

If you can show me where to get that superplay video, then I'll watch it and amend the review accordingly. The only reason I gave Rastan 4 instead of 5 stars was because I thought the game was unfair. I don't mind hard games--in fact, I respect them and enjoy them very much. Dodonpachi Dai-Ou-Jou is one of the toughest games I've ever played and I'd give it 5 stars any day, regardless of the fact that I still can't get past the 3rd Stage (I am working on it though!)

Ghosts 'n Goblins, on the other hand, is an example of a game that is unfairly hard. I will always mark down games that are unfair, regardless of their other qualities.

Now, what distinguishes a very tough game from an unfair one is a bit tricky to pinpoint. The main thing is that it must be possible to advance with a reasonable amount practice. What constitutes "reasonable" is subjective, of course.

In any case, there's a couple more things I'd like to add to the review, so link that video when you can. I'd certainly love to see how he can finish the bosses without getting hit.

[note: I moved your topic from the games forum because all topics relating to reviews/articles on the site should be posted here]

tenno · by **tenno** » 04 Apr 2006 18:09

I can beat Super Ghouls and Ghosts, the other ones are way to cheap.

Molloy · by **Molloy** » 04 Apr 2006 23:36

http://www.super-play.co.uk/index.php?superplay=78

Ben Shinobi is a bit of a monster of a player.. so maybe he isn't your best benchmark (always thought arcade Altered Beast was an impossibly cheap credit feeding fucker in the last two stages.. but somehow he can one life it!?) but I really do think Rastan is pretty manageable. I thought Ghouls N' Ghosts wasn't too awful either. I rented it a few times on the Mega Drive and managed to complete the 1st loop with a little practice.

I did of course curse blue murder when I discovered there was a 2nd loop. I have a very bitter relationship with Capcom. Their games have caused me more frustration than any other publisher.

edit: Aha, that's the Genesis version he one lifes. That makes alot more sense. The game balance and controls are a lot better in that version.

icycalm · by **icycalm** » 06 Apr 2006 11:41

Cool, I'll download it this weekend (I am on dial-up at the moment and I need to set up my new ADSL connection).

It's funny that you even know this guy's nickname (Ben Shinobi lol). I never got into watching superplays, but I guess I am going to have to look into it.

Molloy · by **Molloy** » 06 Apr 2006 20:13

He's a french guy. He can clock like 50 arcade games in one life; Ghouls N' Ghosts (both loops), Strider, all the Metal Slug games.

I used to think I was hot shit because I could beat Revenge of Shinobi on two lives. He can do it without being hit once!

2taall · by **2taall** » 18 Jul 2006 18:43

Great review of Rastan. This is still my favorite old school arcade game to this day. We had a Rastan machine at my local arcade for a long time and I always gave it a go. It was indeed a very sad day when I arrive at the arcade to find out that the machine had been moved out.

I like how you commmented on the backgrounds being like 16 bit 16th Century Impressionist Painitings. The backgrounds and graphics are very nice on this game and were exceptional in 1987 when it was released.

I do have a problem with one calling the game unfair. The game is very hard until you learn the levels and boss paterns, but after you practice enough you can beat it on one quarter and without losing a life! I have personally done this. It takes quite a bit of concentration to beat the game without losing a life, but it is possible.

My personal mini review of Rastan:

Gameplay: 9
Intense, fast paced, controls are predictable and responsive.

Graphics:9
These graphics of sun washed mountain backdrops and the fluid movement of the characters can still be appreciated today, nearly 20 years after its release. Most of the outside levels are unique(excluding Level 1 and 4 pallette swap). I believe Level 1 and Level 3 to have the best backgrounds with Level 1 containing the beautiful sunwashed mountains and statues and level 3 ,opening up after a cave/castle area, showing cool looking sunwashed mountains shaped like columns.

Music/sound 10
The "outside", "castle", and "boss" themes are highly atmospheric and some of the most memorable tunes from classic gaming. The game is rich in colorful sound effects ranging from the "ting" of picking up a new weapon to the "crunch" sound of slashing an enemy that takes more than one hit to die.

Overall 9
This is an excellent game with fast paced well thought out gameplay , superior music and sound, and artistic graphics that have held the test of time.

icycalm · by **icycalm** » 19 Jul 2006 11:04

2taall, that's a strange username you chose. For a while there I thought you were a russian pornbot and was considering deleting your account. lol indeed.

Anyway, thanks for your extensive comments, and welcome to the forum.

I've been planning on editing my Rastan Saga review for a while now. I have Ben Shinobi's superplay video of the game on my hard drive, and I will sooner or later get around to watching it and playing the game again, until I can at least clear half of it on one credit. Then I will edit the review, and add another star to the score. (for a grand total of five stars zomg!!)

From now on you can be sure I'll make a point of watching all available superplays before reviewing a game...

2taall · by **2taall** » 19 Jul 2006 13:28

Well I do like porn, but not Russian porn. I'm more of a Swedish porn guy.

Try these strategies to beat the bosses.

Level 1:
As soon as you land in the bosses chamber, immediately walk toward the boss and fall off the ledge hitting him in the head. At this point, jump straight up and down doing head and body shots. If you are quick enough the boss will die in a few seconds.

Level 2:
IF you have the axe walk towards him and slash him. Keep walking towards him and pushing him back while slashing him. 4 hits and he's dead. If you have the sword do this same strategy, but after the 4th hit, retreat back a bit and do single hits then keep retreating back. If he spouts wings stay away.

Level 3:
Immediately walk torward the boss then jump forward and do a headshot. Retreat backwards until he quits flashing. After he has quit flashing, walk forward and do another forward jumping headshot. Reapeat 2 more times. 4 hits and he goes down.

Level 5.
Walk forward off the ledge and keep the Hydra at a good distance from you (far enough to where your sword just reaches him). Tap the jump button (do not push up on the joy stick as you will do the higher jump) and do a head shot. Repeat this one or two times. By this point you need to retreat , or the Hydra will walk into you causing damage.After you have retreated back, jump back onto the platform and wait for the Hyrda to get close to you. When he is close, jump over him. At this point you will be on the opposite side of the screen you started on. Start doing the tap jump button headshot pattern. He is not real difficult, but you need patience and practice and watch out for his heads as they lunge forward causing damage.

I have to go to work for now, but I will post level 4 and 6 bosses later today.

icycalm · by **icycalm** » 20 Jul 2006 05:11

Wow, great tips, thanks. Post whatever you have and I'll use it when I sit down to play the game again, most likely within a couple of weeks.

Yoness · by **Yoness** » 21 Jul 2006 07:45

Sorry if this is the wrong place to post this but, I love Rastan. I was 8 years old or so when it first came out at the local 7 up store near my neighborhood. My brother and I use to go here almost daily to play this game, and I remember him actually beating it.

2nd of all, I like to say, awesome video. You're damn good!

Lastly, I was wondering where I could get a copy of this. Well, this would be more for my brother, since he actualy beat the game. He loves this game, and it would be great for a gift.

Such a classic. Brings back memories watching that video. Love the sound of the flaming sword. ^^

icycalm · by **icycalm** » 22 Jul 2006 01:22

Welcome to the forum. This is, indeed, the right place to post the above.

Regarding the video, it was not made by anyone who posts here. As Molloy said, that is a French guy who likes to 1CC arcade games by the dozen. We don't know anything else about him. He is probably a social outcast, but you can never be sure.

To get a copy of this you'd have to look at an auction site or an online store that sells PCBs. This is an arcade game, you realize. I doubt it'd be very expensive. Around $100 I'd think, though don't quote me on this.

2taall · by **2taall** » 22 Jul 2006 02:26

If you have an Xbox,Playstation 2, or PC(obviously you have this or you couldn't be here!) Rastan can be found on the Taito Legends package.

Yoness · by **Yoness** » 22 Jul 2006 03:54

Thanks all, I'll start looking at places where I can purchase this.

2taall · by **2taall** » 22 Jul 2006 15:49

Level 6:
If you have an axe, jump off the ledge doing a headshot. As you land rapidly tap the sword button. The dragoin will attempt to turn his back on you, so keep tapping the sword button and he will die within seconds.

If you have the sword, jump off the ledge doing a headshot. As you land quickly jump back away from the dragon and jump back up the ledge while avoiding his fire. Repeat.

Level4:
I can't find a set pattern, although I have seen the strategy where one can sit on the ledge with a Mace and slash him as he jumps back, but I have yet to do this successfully. Ussually what I do is make sure I possess the Mace. Forward+Jump and do a headshot. Now tap Jump and do another headshot. At this point you will need to keep going for the Jump+Headshot combo as you try to avoid the warlord's sword and fireballs.

2taall · by **2taall** » 26 Jul 2006 14:33

I just played Rastan for a few hours concentrating on the Level 4 boss. As you drop into the Level 4 boss chamber with the Mace, walk Rght with Rastan to the edge of the platform he drops onto. Move his front foot to the stone on the edge of the platform and place it in the center of this stone. Crouch down and wait for the boss to approach(he may stand still for a few seconds before approching, but be patient). When he walks up to you he will release fireballs and jump backwards swinging his sword at you. The fireballs and he sword miss! As he jumps back slash him with the mace. You have to swing at the right time or you will miss him, but as you play you will figure it out.

If you have only the sword, make sure that when you slash at him you hit him. If you slash at him and miss he throws fireballs and these bastards take about 1/3 of your energy. Go for Forward+Jump Headshots as they will kill him quicker than only body shots. Again, when you slash at him make sure the slashes actually hit him.

I wil play Rastan again and make sure what I said is correct, but this should be a good start.

2taall · by **2taall** » 26 Jul 2006 14:49

Sorry for posting so much, but I was wondering if anyone has played Taito Legends on the xbox? I am curious as to how accurate Rastan is emulated in this package for the xbox.

I have a PS2 and I play Rastan on Taito Legends, but I noticed the some of the sounds were off(chamaira's fireballs, the sounds when picking up jewels etc.)

icycalm · by **icycalm** » 26 Jul 2006 19:54

Hey, post as much as you like. I will certainly use your tips when I get around to playing the game again. Which should be pretty soon since I am almost done building a dedicated emulation box.

I know nothing about the Taito Legends collections, though. MAME seems to emulate Rastan perfectly -- at least as near as I can tell.

2taall · by **2taall** » 28 Jul 2006 16:15

Ok, I will post as much as I like thank you!

Here is a cool link with the beat Level 4 boss strategy and alot more about Rastan:

http://www.rygar.info/a4e/rastan/f1.htm

Here is the home page for the link. It seems to be a site devoted to Rygar, but happens to have Rastan and other games as well:
http://surf.to/rygar

Once you get to the link above ,scroll down until you see the following paragraph and click the link.

News: 31 September 2003
Added a link to the old Arcade Forever Content for those who've requested it...

News: 15 January 2003

icycalm · by **icycalm** » 30 Jul 2006 02:48

Nice links. The first one especially.

Molloy · by **Molloy** » 30 Jul 2006 13:41

"I used to be a thief and a murderer. Otherwise, I could not survive in such difficult times. Sit beside me and listen to my story of days filled with adventure. . ."

Hehe, cool quote. Must remember that.

Games

[AC] Rastan Saga

[AC] Rastan Saga

Who is online