Zer0's New Classic Part 2: Septerra Core

[Zer0Soul]

Zer0's New Classic lineup are games that I find are withing the past 5-6 years old, yet have that feeling of being able to still be playable to this day. Most of the games can be found for cheap prices today. I recommend you keep a eye out for these titles. The Anachronox thread will have to be put on hold, due to a winxp problem with the game. (Further information if asked).


Septerra Core was released in 1999 to horrible sales. Before anyone could take notice it was already in the bargin bin for below the normal selling price.

The game during previews and E3 was touted as to be the pc game to change the PC rpg market. To make it more console style. While, review's were mixed, they all carried some form of high praise for it's storyline and graphics.

The graphics today are nothing compared to the days of old. Using prerendered backdrops. The game has life to it that can't quite be discribed. The cg scenes are well done, using a quicktime format.

The storyline tells of a world with 7 layers. Each layer is called a Shell. A millenia ago the creator of this world created keys. Locking something in the center or core of this world. Every so many years a light shines down into the core, letting the keys unlock the power. Maya a junker on one of the upper shells, is about to be entagled into a mystery she never thought she be a part of.

The story and charcters really help keep this game alive, and has a mixture from many different games.

Gameplay is a mixed bag. The game mixes adventure elements into a rpg. While, the battles are done Active Time based turn style. It adds the element of waiting. While your ATB bar is growing theyre is notches. Depening on when you decide to let your charcter go. Decides how strong of attack you are allowed to use. It adds some great gameplay. I'm sure someone here could go into much more detail about that.

Overall: Great little bargin bin game. I find it very worthy of my new classic stamp. If you can find a copy real cheap, you won't be wasting money.

If you'd like to see something, let me know.


PS: I've been trying to find a way to take shots of the cg. If anyone can do so, please do it. Thank you.

[Omegainf]

Aaaaaw I love this game! It has some BIG flaws like no soundtrack and really slow battles but the storyline is pretty cool

Damn, it even has summons!

[INCA]

THe game looks really good. I was gonna get this game but never did. If anyone really wants to find it, its at places like Walmart or Kmart. Its usually packaged with game called Shogun. The price is below $10 in the United States.

[Razor Blade]

I thgink I remember this game. Hey Zer0, is tere any way we can request old games?

[Zer0Soul]

Yea Razor, if you'd like to see a old game for the next update. Tell me, i'd gladly do it.

[Strider]

yeah i played this a few months ago, im almost done, though ive been almost done for a few months now, ill pick it up and finish it once the holidays come

anyways, if anything other than anachronox deserves to be called a classic its fallout (1 and 2), and starcraft

[Zer0Soul]

Strider: I'm trying to find underated classics, more than anything. Yet, I will post about any game, if it meets the requirements I think. Razor, if he picks a nice one or any other, I will post it.

Right now Part 3 is a toss up between. Thief 1 & Omikron: The Nomad Soul

Here's some more shots. (Sorry posting so late, works been hell lately.)

[Strider]

ive seen mixed feelings about omikron, it was a very unique game but it was kinda buggy, i only saw my brother play it, so i cant say for myself

in actuality, i would kind of call Gothic and Gothic 2 classic pc games, for a pc they were very fun rpgs

[Razor Blade]

>>Yea Razor, if you'd like to see a old game for the next update. Tell me, i'd gladly do it.

Hmmm if you have t or can get it, Omikron was an awsome game for it's time. Not that old either. So it is a new classic IMO.

[Strider]

well, if this werent new classics betrayal at krondor should be up there... but return to krondor was relatively new, around the same age as sc i think

[Kellicros]

Originally Posted by Strider

well, if this werent new classics betrayal at krondor should be up there... but return to krondor was relatively new, around the same age as sc i think

I played betrayal at krondor too, back then on my P166. :P It was quite awesome.

[Strider]

yep, great classic game, return to krondor was not quite as good but it was also uniquely good

[Razor Blade]

>>Strider: I'm trying to find underated classics, more than anything. Yet, I will post about any game, if it meets the requirements I think. Razor, if he picks a nice one or any other, I will post it.

Thats good. Omikron was lowly rated and didn't get very good reviews, I loved it and thought it was great for it's time.

[sxamiga]

Darn, that does look nice. Well, guess I'll just have to give it a try. I picked Septerra Core up at Target some time back. Never have played it though. Thanks for the shots Zer0Soul. You've definately piqued my interest now. Glad I hung onto this one.
sincerely,
sx/amiga

[Strider]

well... i think ill make my own mini review of septerra core in here

starting with storyline which is quite unique actually, that i'd rank about
9.1/10

Graphics were incredibly good FOR THE TIME, right now they wont blow you away but they are still much better than a lot of games
8.5

Cinematics were really good for the time as well
8.7/10

gameplay was what brought it down as it got a bit repetitive near the end
7.5/10

sound/voicework and music, sound was ok, voices were a mixed blessing, some were good (maya) some were bad (corgan) but it still was impressive to see hear voices in a game back then. Music was good, but there were too few tracks imo
7.8/10 and 8.5/10 respectively

other pluses and minuses
- not smooth animation
+ unique world shells
+ quite a few good characters to play which are somewhat developed
- slow paced gameplay
- low resolution
- battles are slow, and eventually got boring

if i had to give in an overall score... it would be about
8.1 / 10

[Omegainf]

Post Omikron pleeeeeeeease!!! I loooove this game

[Zer0Soul]

Omikron will be posted Either tomorrow or Friday evening. Hopefully with my schedule.

From there each edition of New Classic's will be posted every Saturday & Tuesday.

I will post 2 games up and people can vote on which one they want.

Omikron seems to be the winner for the next update.

Also, I am at work now, I will post the final set of shots from SC tonight, when I get home.

[Zer0Soul]

Final Shots for the SC Set.

Tomorrow: Omikron, and poll for next game.

The more I play this, the more I wish a sequal would have/or be made. Atleast, a form of a remake with updated resolutions. Sadly, the studio that had made this game is no more.