Vysethedetermined2

Game Highlights 52:

Fire Emblem: Thracia 776 [ファイアーエムブレム トラキア776] - I've had this game for a long time, but I guess I'll finally talk a little about it.

Fire Emblem, as a whole, is a series that warrants almost no introduction. Originally released in 1990 by the mad lads at Intelligent Systems, it started a decades-long legacy of swords, sorcery and warfare that inspired many strategy games that would come later (and the game itself borrowed DNA from IS' prior strategy game, Famicom Wars, as well as inspiration from Kure Software Koubou's "First Queen"). While the series would, almost blasphemously, not see a proper English localization for more than 10 years (with the release of the GBA title, "Fire Emblem", which was actually the SEVENTH main game called "Fire Emblem: The Blazing Blade"... it probably wouldn't have even happened if Advance Wars and Smash Bros. weren't so popular), it was a legendary series for years in Japan. While its ascension to the series it is today was not paved with sunshine and rainbows the whole time (there is a fascinating falling out between Nintendo and the series' main creator, Shouzou Kaga, which led to his departure and two different series with gameplay connections, Tear Ring / Berwick Saga and Vestaria Saga), today's entry, "Fire Emblem: Thracia 776", was a critical turning point in the franchise.

Also dubbed "Fire Emblem 5", FE:T776 was not only the last FE game that had Kaga's involvement before he left Intelligent Systems (and the next to last IS game overall), but it was also one of the very last games released for Nintendo's Super Famicom console (followed by a small handful of others that can be counted on one hand) and perhaps the best game released on the system's deathbed. Initially released September 1st, 1999 as part of the "Nintendo Power Memory Flash Cartridge" line-up, it proved uncharacteristically popular, selling over 100,000 copies (low in the context of other FE games, but high considering the system was already almost 5 years into the PlayStation and Sega Saturn's reign as well as 3 years into the Nintendo 64) and later getting a standalone release in January of 2000 along with a simultaneous "Deluxe Pack" (pictured) for diehard collectors. Prior to the likes of Limited Run Games and company, FE:T776's Deluxe Pack was one of the only items of its kind officially released for the system with some notable bells and whistles. Besides the game, it included "The World of Fire Emblem" VHS, plushies of "Pegasus" and "Dragon", a cloth map, collectible cards, and 25 marker pins.

I won't go into an exhaustive discussion about this game's particulars as there is no shortage of info surrounding the series, but I will go over a few main elements of the game. Originally intended as a shorter side story back in 1998 before development turned the game into a project of greater scale, the game takes place in Thracia (specifically between Northern and Southern Thracia) during the year 776 of the Gran Calendar. FE 776 would serve as a interquel of sorts to 1996's "Genealogy of the Holy War" and takes place around the time of that game's second generation. Players control Leif, the deposed heir to the Republic of Munster, who has been passed around and on the run for most of his life due to the occupation of Jugdral by the tyrannical Arvis (one of the main antagonists of GotHW / FE4). The ultimate goal of the game is to build Leif's ragtag army into a formidable force and free Munster and Northern Thracia from the Grannvale Army.

FE 776 builds on the mechanics found in the previous game but also introduced several new mechanics, some which would become series staples and some that stayed unique to the game and helped the game earn its reputation as one of the most difficult titles in the series. These features included "Fog of War", "Capture" (introduced in this game and partially introduced in some future games), "Fatigue" (unique to this game as an attempt to avoid relying on specific characters too much), "Gaiden Chapters" and "Escape Chapters". The weapon triangle returns (but has lower priority and is thus easier to ignore) and while the game is difficult, there are also several fun exploits in the game (deliberately being captured by enemies with certain characters to halve their stats, weapon weight formulas, etc.) that keep things interesting. The game looks and sounds pretty good and ultimately helped send the system off in style (it's better than most of the games coming out towards the end of a system's life actually).

-GS

1 week ago (edited) | [YT] | 37

Vysethedetermined2

Howdy gang! Vidyas coming soon! And loving my new external drive, lol. Makes managing space and projects MUCH easier.

-GS

2 weeks ago | [YT] | 29

Vysethedetermined2

I've got half of a day off... that's it, lol. But for those of you who have been around for a while, how many of the "Game Highlights" community posts have you seen on this channel? More than six years of community posts, more than 50 highlights (some with multiple games and a surprise or two). Go check them out! Here's the current list:

1) Brave Prove & Growlanser Generations
2) Socket & Sweet Fuse: At Your Side
3) Napple Tale: Arsia in Daydream
4) Community Pom: Omoide o Dakishimete
5) Idea no Hi & Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night
6) Robo Aleste
7) Sengoku Turb
8) Undertale
9) Magic Knight Rayearth & Magic Knight Rayearth 2: Making of Magic Knight
10) Lunar: Sanposuru Gakuen & Moldorian: Hikari to Yami no Shimai
11) Royal Stone: Hirakareshi Toki no Tobira & Shining Force Gaiden: The Final Conflict
12) Sylvan Tale
13) Keio Flying Squadron & Keio Flying Squadron 2
14) Shadowrun (Mega-CD Compile Version)
15) Silhouette Mirage
16) Tobu Tobu Girl Deluxe
17) Keiō Yūgekitai Gaiden
18) Yam Yam
19) Aoi Namida
20) N.U.D.E.
21) Kurukuru Marumaru
22) Bistro Cupid
23) Lucienne's Quest
24) Nekotako
25) Genkai Tokki: Seven Pirates
26) Asuka 120% Return BURNING Fest.
27) Paranoia Scape
28) Serial Experiments Lain
29) Card Captor Sakura: Tomoyo no Video Daisakusen
30) Shinrei Jusatsushi Taromaru
31) Kahen Soukou Gunbike
32) Étoile Princesse
33) Milano’s Arbeit Collection (Milano no Arubaito Collection)
34) Ningyo no Rakuin (Mark of the Mermaid)
35) Kaisoku Tenshi: The Rapid Angel
36) Wrestle Angels Survivor 2
37) Unholy Night: The Darkness Hunter
38) Iron Kid [아이언 키드]
39) Wonder Project J2: Josette of the Corlo Forest [ワンダープロジェクトJ2]
40) Dai Senryaku VII: Modern Military Tactics
41) Valis III (Gen/MD)
42) Second Cross [セカンドクロス]
43) Valis Complete (PC) + BONUS
44) Shin Megami Tensei Nine [真・女神転生 NINE]
45) Valis Complete Plus (PC)
46) Magical Shop [マジカルショップ]
47) Be Rain [ビィ レイン]
48) Lunar 2: Eternal Blue (SCD Original)
49) Rule of Rose
50) The War of Genesis: Remnants of Gray [창세기전 : 회색의 잔영]
----------
51) Voltige Aerienne [ヴォルチゲ・アエリエンネ]
52) ???
53) ???
54) ???
55) ???...

1 month ago | [YT] | 47

Vysethedetermined2

Going to make a few videos public within the next few hours and "probably" do one "actual" community post (just letting y'all know I'm alive). Afterwards, I'll probably be locked into a vicious work cycle the next few weeks. Also, there's a few days left in Steam's Summer Sale, so take advantage of it if discounted computer games are your kind of jam!

1 month ago (edited) | [YT] | 37

Vysethedetermined2

Finally looking into more posts. Ran out of storage and had to invest in another HDD. Currently setting up a 16TB drive which should last quite a while.

-GS

2 months ago | [YT] | 26

Vysethedetermined2

Been recording a few videos and quietly playing some games in the background. Haven't started "Clair Obscur" yet, but did get some decent sales on "Romancing SaGa 2: RotS", "Fuga 1/2", "Monochrome Mobius" and the "Voice of Cards Complete Trilogy" on PSN. Also got some Steam games and a few Doujin titles, but I'll go into that some other time. "Voice of Cards" is a little clunky, but it scratches a nostalgic itch I didn't know I was looking for. There's been a hot debate raging on lately about the "increase" in game prices and hardware, but I'm only going to buy games on sale anyway unless it's something I REALLY want to play or if it's the modestly priced Indie/Doujin game, and I've been putting more money towards older games than anything else anyway. Needless to say, my backlog is massive.

-GS

3 months ago (edited) | [YT] | 38

Vysethedetermined2

Working on getting the next videos out. Wanted them out before April, but life... it finds a way.

-GS

4 months ago | [YT] | 36

Vysethedetermined2

Game Highlights 51:

Voltige Aerienne [ヴォルチゲ・アエリエンネ] - Hmmmmm...

"Voltige" Definition: Voltige is a French word that translates to acrobatics, trick riding, or aerial acrobatics. It can also refer to an equestrian act where a rider vaults onto and off a horse.

"Aerienne" Definition: Aerienne is French and the feminine inflection of aerien (or aérien), which translates to air, open-air, feather-light, aerial and overhead.

Ergo, "Voltige Aerienne" translates from French to English somewhere in the realm of "Aerial Acrobatics"... but what does it mean in Japanese? Well, it must mean something along the lines of "Obscure Doujin Parody Fantasy Cute-em-up" because it is one of the unofficial holy grails of a "specific" line of NEC's PC-8800 series. More specifically, we're talking about the "PC-88 VA" line (Voltige Aerienne... VA... ahhhhhh) released in the late 80s, which were the most powerful of their lineage with a CPU upgrade from 8-bit to 16-bit capabilities... few games officially took advantage of the PC-88 VA, but four wacky enthusiasts going by the names of Shinra, Achika (aka "chemicalgirl"), K-zeal and Sugama wanted to change that and "Voltige Aerienne" was born to commemorate 20 years of the PC-88 VA (from 1988-2008, although the PC-88 VA was launched in 1987, the devs prioritize the VA2 and VA3). While the game continued development from 2008 up until the end of 2011 and was dubbed "The Legendary PC-88 VA Masterpiece" that pushed the hardware to its limits, it was so niche that it did not get any significant attention until the team collaborated with "Gumroad" in 2017 for digital distribution, where it now enjoys a healthy cult status. It's worth noting that the main character, VA-tan, made appearances well before the game saw fruition, going back to at least Comiket 70 (2006).

Voltige Aerienne is a horizontal scrolling shooter that features six stages of shooting action. The story is about VA-tan, a mascot for the PC-88 VA brand that deals with both the rise and fall of the PC-88 while dealing with numerous competitors in a humorous (yet also sad) way. While it may not seem like much by today's standards, the game pulls off some wizardry by PC-88 (VA) standards and the manual actually goes into a lot of detail on the development process, using R-Type and Olteus as a frame of reference on how to leverage the additional power of the VA system. PC-88 is traditionally known for not having particularly good (or smooth) scrolling and was not the preferred platform of the era for shooting games, but you couldn't tell from this game. Not only does it have your staples like power-ups and secrets stashed away in levels, it even features one or two more "unique" gimmicks in terms of how scoring and bosses are handled. We'll go into more details on that in the inevitable video to follow, but Voltige Aerienne is a wonderful little game praised by fans of the hardware.

While a few different physical versions of the game were distributed between Comiket 79 to Comiket 83 between low quality DVD cases to high quality hard plastic shells, the plastic clamshell case is the most coveted and of those, one in particular goes for fairly obscene prices: The Hard Clamshell that includes 2 5.25" FDs, the 40 page manual, a special CD distributable AND a special 12 page "Complete Strategy Guide". The physical versions at launch were very modest in price, ranging from 1000 yen to 2300 yen but have since gone to exceed 50,000 yen as Voltige Aerienne is one of the few games made exclusively for the PC-88 VA as well as it being exceedingly rare and a good game (and the build quality of the package is actually very nice). There's also a few codes for the game that were only made available in the complete guide and from the Comiket events themselves... after 12-13 years since physical distribution ended, you'd think those codes would've been made available. While I still think some of them are still missing, I do have a few of them... :)

You can get the digital version of the game at:

xmaz.gumroad.com/l/RRLdr

-GS

6 months ago (edited) | [YT] | 85

Vysethedetermined2

Good evening all. As you're now aware, Gaming Sanctuary is currently a solo venture and has been for a "long" time, but it's not going anywhere (it has been renewed and expanded behind closed doors, but those details are still being worked out). New videos are coming shortly as I (BCTE) took some time to get ownership transferred over in full. For now, the page is still known as Vysethedetermined2 / Gaming Sanctuary but will likely drop the former and keep the latter while adopting the "GS" moniker until further notice. Long story short, if you've enjoyed the content on this page since it relaunched 15 years ago as of yesterday, then not much is really changing as I did the overwhelming majority of it behind the scenes. In the meantime, if you are one of those folks who have the original webpage added to your bookmarks, please change it from .com to .org as it has a few additional domains attached now. In other words:

gamingsanctuary.org/

That is all for now, and thank you for your continued support. If you have any questions, please drop them in the comments below. Additionally, it's gone from the "Community" tab to "Posts"? Doesn't have the same ring to it as before...

-GS

6 months ago (edited) | [YT] | 57

Vysethedetermined2

Good day, all --- After many years of working on Gaming Sanctuary, one of us has call it quits to pursue other avenues in life. It has actually been like this for a while, but I'm making a public statement about it now. While it is not widely known, Gaming Sanctuary was co-owned, and now the founder is stepping down and now the co-founder is the owner. The channel will still be known as Vysethedetermined2 (or whatever it becomes in the future) and you'll still get the great content you've been experiencing. Bel Cain the Eternal, a name a few may know, will officially take the mantel as Vysethedetermined2, as he has been doing so for years now.

As for me, I felt tethered to Gaming Sanctuary, and stopped some time ago because I felt that Gaming Sanctuary was not "all that I was", and through self-discovery and just change since I was a young lad posting sometimes passionate, though not always great, content. I enjoy watching people find their childhood memories in the channel and seeing people moved positively by gaming, and have considered so many times to come back, but if I have not done so after all this time, there had to be reasons. There are some things that are going to change during this exit, but in changing hands, what you have will be more concrete as time goes on, and streamlined --- there are lots of accounts tangled up with me, even though I haven't done much in the last few years, so that sort of stuff will be sorted out. Regarding GS, I just got tired of looking at the website I started with never get updates with changing life priorities and growth as an individual, and also, there are things like website hosting that, while I can afford it, with nothing of merit done in over a decade, I had to ask myself: "Why?"

This is not to blame the co-founder, but to assess how invested I am as I move forward. I also felt like there were artificial obligations to keep up with something I increasingly was moving away from. I also lost passion a while back, for a lot of different reasons, but ultimately, I enjoyed finding the good that would pop up in the space and for that reason alone, I paid to host the website and periodically put in work for nearly two decades in different spaces, because I believe gaming is an art form that comes in many forms and I see how it resonates with people. I can still enjoy said good from the sidelines though. That said, continue to game and prosper!

7 months ago (edited) | [YT] | 87