Valis II

Valis II[lower-alpha 2] is a 1989 platform game developed and published by Telenet Japan for the TurboGrafx-CD. Ports for home computers, titled Valis: The Fantasm Soldier II[lower-alpha 3], were released for PC-88, PC-98, MSX2, and X68000 in Japan later that year. It is the second title in the Valis series.

Valis II
PC Engine CD-ROM² cover art
Developer(s)Laser Soft[lower-alpha 1]
Publisher(s)
List
Director(s)Masami Hanari
Producer(s)Fumiyuki Moriyama
Designer(s)Hiroshi Akahori
Yukito Ohayashi
Programmer(s)Masami Hanari
Artist(s)Osamu Nabeshima
Composer(s)Kenichi Kamio
Shinobu Ogawa
SeriesValis
Platform(s)PC Engine CD-ROM²/TurboGrafx-CD, PC-8801, PC-9801, MSX2, X68000, Sega Mega Drive/Genesis
Release
1989
  • PC Engine CD-ROM²/TurboGrafx-CD
    • JP: June 23, 1989
    • NA: May 23, 1990
    PC-8801
    • JP: July 8, 1989
    PC-9801, MSX2
    • JP: August 5, 1989
    X68000
    • JP: November 18, 1989
    Mega Drive/Genesis
    • JP: February 14, 1992
    • NA: April 1992
Genre(s)Action, platform
Mode(s)Single-player

An super deformed (SD) style remake was released in 1992 for the Mega Drive as SD Valis[lower-alpha 4] in Japan and Syd of Valis in North America.

Gameplay

Like the other titles of the series, Valis II is a side-scrolling platform game. It requires the player to navigate through two-dimensional levels, battling enemies, jumping from ledge to ledge, and running until the player faces a boss at the end of each level. Despite details of the gameplay varying between the versions, all versions do share several similar features with both Castlevania II: Simon's Quest, and Castlevania III: Dracula's Curse as well.[1] The mobile remake added new stages and alternate costumes and weapons.

Plot

Time passes, and Vecanti is set to rule under its next emperor after Rogles, his brother Megas (めがす, Megasu) (voiced by Hirotaka Suzuoki), who wishes to stamp out any trace of the former tyrant, to the point of murdering any supporters Rogles might have had. Furthermore, his bloodthirsty tendencies recognize Yuko and the Valis sword as viable threats to his claim of the throne, and he orders his minions to eliminate her first before she has the chance to thwart him. Megas, too, falls to her magical blade, and peace once more comes to the dream world, as Yuko again returns home to resume an otherwise ordinary human life.[2]

Release

Telenet Japan developed two main versions of Valis II at around the same time.[1] The PC Engine CD-ROM2, which was released first, was later published by NEC in North America. The home computer version, believed to have entered development earlier, was released for the PC-88, PC-98, MSX, and Sharp X68000 in Japan, and featured more graphic cutscenes.

Another remake of the game was released for the Mega Drive in Japan (as SD Valis) by Telenet and for the Genesis in North America by Renovation Products (as Syd of Valis). This title features the same gameplay and plot development as the PC Engine CD-ROM2 version, but the character design was changed to a super deformed (SD) style. The North American version of the game incorrectly identifies Yūko as "Syd" and reuses the box art of Naritore the Sugoroku '92 for the front cover.

Project EGG released various emulated versions of the game for Windows,[3][4][5][6] along with the 2011 compilation Complete Plus that came with a soundtrack CD and a figure.[7] The PC Engine was also released by SunSoft on the PlayStation Store in 2011.[8] In 2021, the game was re-released as part of Valis: The Fantasm Soldier Collection for Nintendo Switch. A 1993 CD Valis Visual Collection contains all the cutscenes from the PC Engine version of Valis II.[9]

Reception

Valis II on the PC Engine CD-ROM²/TurboGrafx-CD garnered generally favorable reception from critics since its initial launch, some of which reviewed it as an import title.[11] The Games Machine's Warren Lapworth lauded the anime-stlye cutscenes for showing off the PC Engine CD-ROM's capabilities, while finding the game's action to be simple but enjoyable. However, Lapworth felt that the in-game graphics were uninteresting due to the drab and repetitive backgrounds, and expressed similar thoughts regarding the sprites.[14] Joystick's Jean-Marc Demoly commended the increasing difficulty of each level that contributed to its playability, as well as the game's visuals for the original and well-drawn enemy sprites, controls and sound, but noted that Yoko's animation lacked flexibility.[13] Génération 4's Philippe Querleux gave positive remarks to the soundtrack and save system, finding it to be a very addictive title, but noted its increasing difficulty starting from the third level.[12] An editor for TurboPlay was impressed by the game's visuals and music but disappointed by its perceived low difficulty.[17]

Tilt's Alain Huyghues-Lacour commended the game for its graphics, animation and audio for showcasing the potential of the CD-ROM format.[15] Electronic Gaming Monthly's four reviewers praised the intermission scenes, CD-quality soundtrack and visuals. They also found the story entertaining, but its short length and low difficulty were faulted.[10] Computer+Videogiochi, the Italian edition of British gaming publication Computer and Video Games, compared the game with Rastan but noted its variety and animated sequences.[16] In contrast, Hardcore Gaming 101's Kurt Kalata criticized its linear stages for being dull and boring, English dub and overall audiovisual presentation, regarding Valis II as "just a very mediocre and forgettable action game, only memorable for some nice creepy enemy sprites."[1]

Home computers

Valis: The Fantasm Soldier II on home computers carried sentiments similar to the original release.[18] Micom Basic Magazine analyzed the PC-8801 version, praising the amount of visual scenes compared to the original Valis: The Fantasm Soldier, background music and audio but criticized the overall graphical quality due to the limited colors.[21] Technopolis' Gēzō also analyzed the PC-8801 version and commended the music, graphics, and variety of selectable suits. The writer also expressed that the game's story "makes me cry".[20] Software Gids' Dennis Lardenoye reviewed the MSX2 version, giving positive remarks to the visuals, sound and overall game quality.[19] Oh!X's Hiroyuki Urakawa reviewed the X68000 version, noting the overall dark tone of its plot.[22] In the same retrospective outlook discussing the original TurboGrafx-CD release, Kurt Kalata of Hardcore Gaming 101 found it to be a better-designed title than the first entry but criticized the 8-bit computer version for the choppy action, finding the X68000 version to be more enjoyable.[1]

Mega Drive/Genesis

SD Valis/Syd of Valis.[23][25] It received scores of 19.5 out of 30 and 3.9718 out of 10 in public polls taken by Mega Drive Fan and the Japanese Sega Saturn Magazine respectively.[33][34] Games-X criticized its gameplay, short length and overall presentation.[26] Consoles +' Navarro and Laurent Defrance commended the audio and manga-style character sprites but faulted their small size. They also criticized the game's imprecise scrolling, playability and length.[24] Joypad's Olivier Prézeau gave positive remarks to its audiovisual presentation and controls,[27] however Joystick's Jean-Marc Demoly found it unpleasant to play, stating that "Syd Of Valis is a game that I strongly advise against, unless somewhere deep inside you, a small dose of masochism is present."[28] MegaTech's Mark Patterson and Paul Glancey lambasted its presentation for the lack of options, simplistic sprites and low sound quality. Both Patterson and Glancey summarized that it was a "pretty poor attempt at producing a cute beat 'em up."[31]

Sega Force's Paul Mellerick bashed its "very dull" gameplay despite "great" levels and enemies, writing that "even platform addicts will only play it for a while".[35] Sega Pro's James Scullion gave SD Valis a mediocre outlook, recommending saving money for some other game.[32] Console XS found it "mildly disturbing" due to the visual style.[30] Video Games' Michael Paul faulted the controls for being slippery and imprecise, while gearing his criticism towards the graphical design, low-detailed sprite animations, audio and repetitive enemy patterns.[29] In contrast to most reviewers, GamePro's Feline Groovy gave high marks to the visuals, sound, controls and fun factor.[36] In a retrospective article from Hardcore Gaming 101 dedicated to the SD remake, Kurt Kalata noted that the game's level design was improved over the original Valis II but equally dull.[37]

Notes
  1. PC-8801, PC-9801, MSX2 and X68000 versions by Telenet Japan, Sega Mega Drive/Genesis remake by Imaginative System Create (I.S.C. Co., Ltd.)
  2. ヴァリスII, Varisu Tsū
  3. 夢幻戦士 ヴァリスII, Mugen Senshi: Varisu Tsū
  4. SDヴァリス, Esu Dī Varisu

References
  1. Kalata, Kurt (July 5, 2012). "Valis II". Hardcore Gaming 101. Archived from the original on 2018-07-18. Retrieved 2022-04-28.
  2. Venom, Dr. (August 2006). "Valis - Ascensão E Queda De Uma Serie". MSX Force (in Portuguese). No. 8. MSXRio. pp. 21–27.
  3. "夢幻戦士ヴァリスII / レトロゲーム総合配信サイト、プロジェクトEGG". Amusement-center.com. 2002-11-01. Retrieved 2015-11-13.
  4. "夢幻戦士ヴァリスII / レトロゲーム総合配信サイト、プロジェクトEGG". Amusement-center.com. 2007-07-10. Retrieved 2015-11-13.
  5. "夢幻戦士ヴァリスII / レトロゲーム総合配信サイト、プロジェクトEGG". Amusement-center.com. 2009-11-10. Retrieved 2015-11-13.
  6. "夢幻戦士ヴァリスII / レトロゲーム総合配信サイト、プロジェクトEGG". Amusement-center.com. 2012-01-24. Retrieved 2015-11-13.
  7. "夢幻戦士ヴァリスCOMPLETE PLUS / レトロゲーム総合配信サイト、プロジェクトEGG". Amusement-center.com. Retrieved 2015-11-13.
  8. "ヴァリスII | ソフトウェアカタログ | プレイステーション オフィシャルサイト". Jp.playstation.com. Retrieved 2015-11-13.
  9. "Valis Visual Collection - The PC Engine Software Bible". Pcengine.co.uk. 1993-02-19. Retrieved 2015-11-13.
  10. Harris, Steve; Semrad, Ed; Alessi, Martin; Williams, Ken (March 1991). "Review Crew: Valis II (Turbo Grafx 16 - NEC)". Electronic Gaming Monthly. No. 20. Sendai Publishing. p. 22.
  11. "NEW GAMES CROSS REVIEW: ヴァリスII (PCエンジンCD-ROM)". Famitsu (in Japanese). No. 78. ASCII Corporation. July 7, 1989. p. 13.
  12. Querleux, Philippe (May 1990). "Tests PC Engine: Valis 2". Génération 4 (in French). No. 22. Computec. p. 73.
  13. Demoly, Jean-Marc (April 1990). "Consoles - CD-Rom sur PC Engine: Valis II". Joystick (in French). No. 4. Sipress. p. 46.
  14. Lapworth, Warren (January 1990). "Reviews: Varis II — Fantasm Soldier (PC Engine)". The Games Machine. No. 26. Newsfield Publications. p. 82.
  15. Huyghues-Lacour, Alain (February 1991). "Rolling Softs: Wallis II (CD Rom NEC, CD Laser Soft)". Tilt (in French). No. 87. Editions Mondiales S.A.. p. 78.
  16. "Bytesize: Valis II - NEC (CD-ROM)". Computer+Videogiochi (in Italian). No. 7. Gruppo Editoriale Jackson. July–August 1991. p. 88.{{cite magazine}}: CS1 maint: date format (link)
  17. "Closer Look: Valis II (NEC)". TurboPlay. No. 3. Larry Flynt Publications. October–November 1990. p. 8. Archived from the original on 2012-05-05.{{cite magazine}}: CS1 maint: date format (link)
  18. "MSX Software Review: 夢幻戦士ヴァリスII". MSX Magazine (in Japanese). No. 74. ASCII Corporation. December 1989. pp. 26–27.
  19. Lardenoye, Dennis (May–June 1990). "MSX Software: Fantasm Soldier 2 (Systeem: MSX-2)". MSX Gids (in Dutch). No. 1. Uitgeverij Herps. p. 37.{{cite magazine}}: CS1 maint: date format (link)
  20. "Gaming World: 悪の世界ヴェカンテイが復活ガ — 夢幻戦士 ヴァリスII (画面は88版のちのです)". Technopolis (in Japanese). Vol. 8, no. 84. Tokuma Shoten. August 1989. pp. 24–25.
  21. "Super Soft Corner - 新着ゲーム情報: 夢幻戦士 ヴァリスII (対応機種：PC-88SRシリーズ)". Micom BASIC Magazine (in Japanese). No. 85. The Dempa Shimbunsha Corporation. July 1989. p. 262.
  22. Urakawa, Hiroyuki (February 1990). "The Softouch - Game Review: 夢幻戦士 ヴァリスII - あの感動のドラマがふたたび登場". Oh!X (in Japanese). No. 84. SoftBank Creative. pp. 34–35.
  23. "BEメガドッグレース – SDヴァリス". Beep! Mega Drive (in Japanese). No. 30. SoftBank Creative. March 1992. p. 35.
  24. Navarro; Defrance, Laurent (April 1992). "Megadrive Review: Valis SD". Consoles + (in French). No. 8. M.E.R.7. pp. 80–81.
  25. "NEW GAMES CROSS REVIEW: SDヴァリス (メガドライブ)". Famitsu (in Japanese). No. 168. ASCII Corporation. March 6, 1992. p. 37.
  26. "Software Review: Valis (Sega Mega Drive)". Games-X. No. 44. Europress. February–March 1992. pp. 26–27.{{cite magazine}}: CS1 maint: date format (link)
  27. Demoly, Jean-Marc; Prézeau, Olivier (April 1992). "Megadrive: J'ai Dix Ans, Si Tu M'crois Pas, T'vas Voir Ta Gueule À La Récré! - Syd of Valis". Joypad (in French). No. 7. Challenge. pp. 78–79.
  28. Demoly, Jean-Marc (April 1992). "Console News: Syd of Valis". Joystick (in French). No. 26. Sipress. p. 120.
  29. Paul, Michael (June 1992). "Test: Schüleraufruhr - Syd of Valis". Video Games (in German). No. 7. Markt & Technik. p. 48.
  30. "Software A-Z - Mega Drive: SD Valis". Console XS. No. 1. Paragon Publishing. May 1992. p. 133.
  31. Patterson, Mark; Glancey, Paul (April 1992). "Valis SD Review". MegaTech. No. 4. EMAP. pp. 24–25.
  32. Scullion, James (April 1992). "ProReview - SD Valis". Sega Pro. No. 6. Paragon Publishing. p. 38.
  33. "Weekly Hit Chart". Mega Drive Fan (in Japanese). No. 28. Tokuma Shoten. May 1992. p. 115.
  34. メガドラ読者レース. Sega Saturn Magazine (in Japanese). No. 9. SoftBank Creative. September 1995. p. 85. Archived from the original on 2021-03-14. Retrieved 2022-04-27.
  35. Mellerick, Paul (April 1992). "Advance Play! - Varis SD". Sega Force. No. 4. Europress Impact. p. 55.
  36. Groovy, Feline (August 1992). "Genesis ProReview: Syd of Valis". GamePro. No. 37. IDG. p. 40.
  37. Kalata, Kurt (July 9, 2012). "Syd of Valis". Hardcore Gaming 101. Archived from the original on 2018-07-18. Retrieved 2022-04-28.
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