From: brackney@author.ecn.purdue.edu (Larry J Brackney)
Subject: Re: Sega CD the early days...
Organization: Purdue University Engineering Computer Network
Date: Mon, 16 Nov 1992 22:49:10 GMT

In article <1e94i8INNalc@aludra.usc.edu> tehyang@aludra.usc.edu (Teh Kao Yang) writes:
>The Sega CD has always been my machine of choice. However I also think that the
>Duo is a very good system and definitely worth getting. I own both! But for me
>if I could only own one CD system I would keep the Sega CD.

  Thanks for clearing that up.

>You don't consider Night Trap innovative? And you think that the Duo's games
>are "fresh" compared to the Genesis'? What do you mean? Let's look at the Duo's
>games: your standard menu-clicking or action RPGs, your standard shooters with
>nice intermissions throw in, and your standard platform game. The only game I
>would call innovative is Loom.  And if you look at the vast majority of PCE
>CD games in Japan, they all belong to one of the above categories; i.e. the
>same cartridge game ideas but improved with CD sound, greater length, and
>nice intermissions. So, what do you mean by "innovative" or "fresh" games?
>I certainly don't see any of those among the Duo games. At least Sega has
>been trying to release other than RPG, shooters, or platform games for the 
>Sega CD. Of course the Sega CD doesn't have much games to speak of at all
>compared to the Duo, but that is expected since the Duo has a 2 year headstart
>on the Sega/Mega-CD. 

   I guess I mis-spoke myself.  I should have said innovative AND long
lasting.  Night Trap does sound like a neat game, and I'd like to try it
some time, but I don't think there is much of a game there.  Ask yourself
this, if you stripped away the fancy graphics and sound - would it still
be fun?  I'm NOT saying to exaggerate - i.e. would it be fun on an Atari
2600.  I do agree that some audio-video complexity helps, but it shouldn't
be the sole basis for juding a game.  Too many games get 8 and 9s in EGM
for this reason.  Kids spend their allowance on them, only to have them
sit on a shelf by the end of the week.

  New or fresh games?  You mention Loom.  I've upgraded Shapeshifter, and
think it's quite a decent game now that I've gotten into it.  The Bonk
games are derivative, but add some exciting new play mechanics too.
Motoroader?  Bomberman?  I'll mention RPGs too, because I think Sega has
fallen short of consumer demand in that category.  Of course I'm a Devil's
Crush fanatic too.  (Sure it's a Sega game, but where did it come from?)

>I think the bottom line is: if you want immediate satisfaction of your CD
>gaming cravings, the Duo is a better choice because of its larger library.
>But if you have patience and willing to wait for the more "innovative" Sega
>CDs, I'm sure you will not be disappointed as well. Don't you agree?  

   Hey!  I'm for instant gratification!  ;-)  Seriously though, the Duo
has some GREAT games.  The multi-player games are outstanding, and an
important selling point IMO.  Motoroader and Bomberman are made much more
exciting with a tap.  I understand that Tengen will be releasing a multi-
pad port for the Sega too, and that will be nice - assuming it is supported.
Sega's multiplayer games tend to be "run of the mill" though - i.e. Golden
Axe, Streets of Rage, etc. are all derivative.  Herzog Zwei is the only
standout in my mind.  (Technosoft will ALWAYS be the ultimate software
crew in my book.)

   I should also mention that the SCSI interface is a MAJOR selling point
for me.  If Sega had announced such an item, I'd have considered that
path to my Mac as well.

   Your points are well taken, Teh, but I still feel the Sega software
library has become increasingly tired and lackluster.  It would seem the
Japanese consumers agree with me on this point.  Here's hoping Sega USA
manages to do something with the Sega CD, and that you'll be able to enjoy
it for years to come.

   - larry

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