Tip for those wishing to play. There is a bug with the Bilan type enemies - you can fit them from the front and gain the same damage boost as attacking them from behind by turning around and spin kicking them. To do this, run towards Bilan, then while holding run, press away and attack. I got into a habit of hit and run tactics using the spin kick. This is a tip from a loyal Dark Savior fan who played through the game numerous times on all Parallels trying to find EVERYTHING back in the late 90s.
@@VertexTuner nice- it was probably frustrating watching me cheat my way through that mine cart sequence. Mad respect for getting through that as intended.
@Trevelyan2 Not at all. I know full well how frustrating it is. I'd probably do the same these days. If you do a part 2 featuring parallel 2, do you think you'll also cover parallel 5, the unwinnable parallel 2 (don't save Kay) and 'Love Love MiniRacer'?
I played all 3 parallels in order on the Sega Saturn console. That means no save states and thanks for empathy. Nice to see someone discuss and play this obscure game.
That minecart section is legitimately evil. I cannot fathom how anyone would be able to do that on original hardware. Props for getting done even with save states 👏
Oh my god, to think someone is out there that TALKS about this game. This was my FIRST sega saturn RPG and it was ground breaking from the traditional 2d sprites we had for the 16 bit era. Evidently, the western/english version is still incomplete as some Parallels chapters are missing that were censored. Considering the story and what our character does in the first 40 minutes of gameplay while intoxicated (or nearly does) you can kind of see why some things were cut. It's a certified classic for for saturn fans. Needs a steam Sega AGES re release along with Dragonforce 1 and 2.
@@TKUltra971 I agree, a remake or remaster with corrected translation would do a service to this. Spiff up the frame rate and backgrounds while keeping the awesome sprite work.
What I find fascinating is Climax made a 3d title for the Saturn that could never work on the playstation due to the large sprites and animation. Then made a 2d game called Alundra for the playstation that couldn't work on the Saturn due to transparency. It's like they challenged themselves to make games not playing to the norms of the system.
This game is sick. Just recently found the Saturn rom mistakenly put in my folder of Dreamcast games lol and decided to play it. Love the branching paths. Keep up the output Trevelyan. I love your content.
@@Trevelyan2 Well I WAS using the Flycast RetroArch core but it will unsupported for RetroAchievements later this year so I'll probably have to change at some point soon.
pffft imagine minecarting without save states! I'm not a kid anymore I don't have that raging determination + infinite time anymore xD love your reviews fam truly! can't wait to finiish this vid when I get home later
Dude. I've never heard of this game or your channel but you just got a sub for telling me about it. I need to find this game. I look forward to watching more of your content!!
I was literally catching up on your vids last night and was watching your Sentient video and then I got recommended a video on Dark Savior and watched that too. Then lo and behold, you release a Dark Savior video today lol. Get out of my house!
A review of this game in 2025? How unexpected.... i have it but never finished it. Only was interested because of how much fun Landstalker was and while interesting it is, in my opinion, worse then Landstalker but what i played was not bad either. Fun times indeed.
Thank you for covering this game. One of my favourites for sure. I love the presentation and setting and how the story unfolds with the parallels. I also liked how some characters are found to be dead in one story have a more important role in other ones. Exploring areas in different ways was something I wish more games did. This game is flawed for sure but I think if they did some aspects better it would just be resembling games we already like.
@@goatbone Sure! It was fun to play a game I’ve never even seen before, and actually enjoy the experience. You usually need nostalgia goggles to help get through the rough parts.
I remember playing this when it was new. I really enjoyed it and thought the different time-lines and capture-transformation things were cool ideas. Some interesting character designs too. Totally agree that the minecart section was a big mark of shame on an otherwise awesome game. No issue with anyone feeling they need to save-state it. Not having a two player fighting game as an unlockable bonus was a missed opportunity. Did you do story 3 before 2?
@@Trevelyan2 Two explains a whole load of stuff so it makes a little more sense in three. Also the most positive ending as Bilan is fought before he can do any real damage.
I just completed the game yesterday and was looking for a fair review that shows some interest in what the game was trying to do with the parallel stuff and what triggers it. Good job being I think the only one to do a good video on it lol. One thing I think you might've missed in the narrative is the thing where Carbon Garian is the "Dark Savior", he was the original Garian who killed the child at the beginning, executed by carbonite and is forced to live out parallel after parallel in 'dreams' or nightmares playing the hero/savior he would've liked to be. He keeps waking up and repeating the same dreams stuck in an infinite loop forever and in none of the parallels does he break free, always waking back up in the Seabandit. Pretty grim! I'll also say for the minecart sequence, this game recently got a set of achievements on retroachievements which does encourage me to play retro games legitimately without save stating (the extra incentive is Hardcore Achievements which are worth more but disable save states) so imagine my despair upon realizing what I was into with the minecarts and silver castle. With the minecarts though, a strategy that worked for me is the speed running technique of Pause Buffering! All that gdq watching did end up helping in the end :) Also worked perfectly on Retroarch's beetle saturn.
I have a physical copy and a saturn, but i've not gotten far in it and the capture system... well it wouldn't always trigger for me. That minecart section seems extra brutal. Looks great visually and over all it's quite unique.
I don't remember the minecart bit being a problem, or even as hard as some of the platforming! Maybe it's because real hardware and a CRT screen have a lot less latency. Or perhaps it's because I played a PAL version which could have ran a bit slower. Or all the above.
You might need to give yourself more credit! Although if you slowed the frame rate down a hair I could see it being more of a “pay attention” challenge. But man, there’s so many rooms to clear all in a row. It’s nuts
@@Trevelyan2 I remember finding it near impossible to clear a minigame in Grandia Digital Museum, a disc of extras relating to Grandia, and this was frustrating as I'd finished everything else. A friend suggested I put my Saturn into 50Hz mode instead of the 60Hz it was supposed to be played at (my Saturn was modded as I played a lot of imports), and I beat it first go. So it certainly can make a big difference!
I knew that there was a reason why I just didn’t feel the inkling to buy this game. Firstly I really despise the platform jumping in landstalker. It never felt right to me, but I loved the sprites mixed in with the 3D environments. Don’t get me wrong I’m not saying this game is bad, but I just wouldn’t have gotten far with the platforming. I loved my Saturn way more than my PS1, it’s just too bad that Sega of Japan wouldn’t listen to Sega of America about the release date, plus they gave basically no support to the U.S.
Never made it past the starting section. Those platform jumping parts are extremely infuriating, being forced to do all that shit over and over again if you fuck up.
The mine cart section broke me as a child so I never beat this game. I've still got the game and console so I'll give it another shot. Dragon Force is another really good Saturn game!
![Blox Fruits Dragon Rework Update [Full Stream]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/EqDAp8udhm0/mqdefault.jpg)
The sentence while fighting the clone with the blue guy earned you a subscriber.
Tip for those wishing to play.
There is a bug with the Bilan type enemies - you can fit them from the front and gain the same damage boost as attacking them from behind by turning around and spin kicking them. To do this, run towards Bilan, then while holding run, press away and attack. I got into a habit of hit and run tactics using the spin kick.
This is a tip from a loyal Dark Savior fan who played through the game numerous times on all Parallels trying to find EVERYTHING back in the late 90s.
@@VertexTuner nice- it was probably frustrating watching me cheat my way through that mine cart sequence. Mad respect for getting through that as intended.
@Trevelyan2 Not at all. I know full well how frustrating it is. I'd probably do the same these days.
If you do a part 2 featuring parallel 2, do you think you'll also cover parallel 5, the unwinnable parallel 2 (don't save Kay) and 'Love Love MiniRacer'?
I played all 3 parallels in order on the Sega Saturn console. That means no save states and thanks for empathy. Nice to see someone discuss and play this obscure game.
I salute you and your blood pressure 🫡
That minecart section is legitimately evil. I cannot fathom how anyone would be able to do that on original hardware. Props for getting done even with save states 👏
Oh my god, to think someone is out there that TALKS about this game. This was my FIRST sega saturn RPG and it was ground breaking from the traditional 2d sprites we had for the 16 bit era. Evidently, the western/english version is still incomplete as some Parallels chapters are missing that were censored. Considering the story and what our character does in the first 40 minutes of gameplay while intoxicated (or nearly does) you can kind of see why some things were cut. It's a certified classic for for saturn fans. Needs a steam Sega AGES re release along with Dragonforce 1 and 2.
@@TKUltra971 I agree, a remake or remaster with corrected translation would do a service to this. Spiff up the frame rate and backgrounds while keeping the awesome sprite work.
What I find fascinating is Climax made a 3d title for the Saturn that could never work on the playstation due to the large sprites and animation. Then made a 2d game called Alundra for the playstation that couldn't work on the Saturn due to transparency. It's like they challenged themselves to make games not playing to the norms of the system.
I mean, technically Climax didn't make Alundra, Matrix Software did.
Right but matrix software is comprised of former climax software people.
@@JoeNovax Sure, but these two games didn't share staff. The staff that formed Matrix left two years before this game game out.
@@SonofSethoitae guess you're right. Still funny how those games didn't play to the systems perceived strengths.
The saturn can definitely do transparencies. Examples are numerous.
This game is sick. Just recently found the Saturn rom mistakenly put in my folder of Dreamcast games lol and decided to play it. Love the branching paths.
Keep up the output Trevelyan. I love your content.
@@ColonelKurtz772 thanks! What Dreamcast emu do you use?
@@Trevelyan2 Well I WAS using the Flycast RetroArch core but it will unsupported for RetroAchievements later this year so I'll probably have to change at some point soon.
“It’s like I’m wearing… nothing at all!”
@@uptown710 Stupid sexy Flanders!
pffft imagine minecarting without save states! I'm not a kid anymore I don't have that raging determination + infinite time anymore xD love your reviews fam truly! can't wait to finiish this vid when I get home later
Thanks! And sorry in advance when you finish the video 🙃
Dude. I've never heard of this game or your channel but you just got a sub for telling me about it. I need to find this game. I look forward to watching more of your content!!
Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it.
Today’s sponsor is- (help me out here, I’m drawing a blank)
The wet-mouth audio filter. Make all your audio sound as if you're simultaneously gargling jism - like a pro.
'the eventual heat death of the universe. Don't worry folks, it's free and its coming for us all.'
Today's sponsor is waking my wife from a nap with that horrible death sound from Equinox. Holy guacamole
@@Beeyo176that’s an interesting product to pitch. But I’ll get to work on the labeling
This video is sponsored by Thirty Irritated Rhinoceroses in a Ceramics Exhibit.
In my childhood we managed to complete this game on Japanese. We were playing import and had no clue of what was happening.
@@ambadat welp I did the same in English and an not too far ahead of you in terms of understanding. lol
@Trevelyan2 😅
I was literally catching up on your vids last night and was watching your Sentient video and then I got recommended a video on Dark Savior and watched that too.
Then lo and behold, you release a Dark Savior video today lol. Get out of my house!
@@wekka I am omnipotent. Or is that impotent? 🤔 one of those.
Thank you for making this it’s really good. I swear I’m a Day One now❤️
25:35 honestly I love the combat in bioforge and I used to spend a lot of time coming up with combos
Always love to see it when this game gets some love.
Initially wondered what a Saviop was, made worse by my expectation of the letter 'U' in the actual word it's meant to be.
ohh fun trek through the whole game, thank you
A review of this game in 2025? How unexpected.... i have it but never finished it. Only was interested because of how much fun Landstalker was and while interesting it is, in my opinion, worse then Landstalker but what i played was not bad either.
Fun times indeed.
Thank you for covering this game. One of my favourites for sure. I love the presentation and setting and how the story unfolds with the parallels. I also liked how some characters are found to be dead in one story have a more important role in other ones. Exploring areas in different ways was something I wish more games did. This game is flawed for sure but I think if they did some aspects better it would just be resembling games we already like.
@@goatbone Sure! It was fun to play a game I’ve never even seen before, and actually enjoy the experience. You usually need nostalgia goggles to help get through the rough parts.
I remember playing this when it was new. I really enjoyed it and thought the different time-lines and capture-transformation things were cool ideas. Some interesting character designs too.
Totally agree that the minecart section was a big mark of shame on an otherwise awesome game. No issue with anyone feeling they need to save-state it.
Not having a two player fighting game as an unlockable bonus was a missed opportunity.
Did you do story 3 before 2?
I did play 3 before 2. In fact I haven’t played 2 at all yet. Seems I may have missed even more zany stuff.
@@Trevelyan2 Two explains a whole load of stuff so it makes a little more sense in three. Also the most positive ending as Bilan is fought before he can do any real damage.
I just completed the game yesterday and was looking for a fair review that shows some interest in what the game was trying to do with the parallel stuff and what triggers it. Good job being I think the only one to do a good video on it lol. One thing I think you might've missed in the narrative is the thing where Carbon Garian is the "Dark Savior", he was the original Garian who killed the child at the beginning, executed by carbonite and is forced to live out parallel after parallel in 'dreams' or nightmares playing the hero/savior he would've liked to be. He keeps waking up and repeating the same dreams stuck in an infinite loop forever and in none of the parallels does he break free, always waking back up in the Seabandit. Pretty grim!
I'll also say for the minecart sequence, this game recently got a set of achievements on retroachievements which does encourage me to play retro games legitimately without save stating (the extra incentive is Hardcore Achievements which are worth more but disable save states) so imagine my despair upon realizing what I was into with the minecarts and silver castle. With the minecarts though, a strategy that worked for me is the speed running technique of Pause Buffering! All that gdq watching did end up helping in the end :) Also worked perfectly on Retroarch's beetle saturn.
@@Amgitstigma I assume this must be a fun speed run game. There’s tons of shortcuts in the vanilla game, I can’t imagine what they do in the GDQ.
never heard of this before, and it looked pretty cool despite the translation.
You intentionally left Parallel 2 out to make me rewatch the video in order to prove I wasn't crazy, didn't you
Didn't you
@@Beeyo176 yes. And maybe a part 2 sometime.
This guy's pretty good
Drizzit? What is this the Forgotten Realms?
I thought I got that reference, but then I realized I was thinking of (un)forgotten Realms, a niche flash series on Newgrounds circus 2004.
Hmm, ahead of its time. I think?
I have a physical copy and a saturn, but i've not gotten far in it and the capture system... well it wouldn't always trigger for me. That minecart section seems extra brutal. Looks great visually and over all it's quite unique.
@ReinMixTape AFAIK it’s not all opponents, just select ones. Very tricky as you need to knock them down and also have a full special meter.
I think I got it the 2nd parallel on my 2nd run when I was able to beat Bailen and captured the guy in the chariot
Yeah I might have to try that parallel at some point. AFAIK it’s got more craziness
Such a classic, but what a SLOG! This game never gives you a break!
Amazing game!
I don't remember the minecart bit being a problem, or even as hard as some of the platforming! Maybe it's because real hardware and a CRT screen have a lot less latency. Or perhaps it's because I played a PAL version which could have ran a bit slower. Or all the above.
You might need to give yourself more credit! Although if you slowed the frame rate down a hair I could see it being more of a “pay attention” challenge. But man, there’s so many rooms to clear all in a row. It’s nuts
@@Trevelyan2 I remember finding it near impossible to clear a minigame in Grandia Digital Museum, a disc of extras relating to Grandia, and this was frustrating as I'd finished everything else. A friend suggested I put my Saturn into 50Hz mode instead of the 60Hz it was supposed to be played at (my Saturn was modded as I played a lot of imports), and I beat it first go. So it certainly can make a big difference!
stun lock sean!
Dude. I am stealing that. Thanks.
I knew that there was a reason why I just didn’t feel the inkling to buy this game. Firstly I really despise the platform jumping in landstalker. It never felt right to me, but I loved the sprites mixed in with the 3D environments. Don’t get me wrong I’m not saying this game is bad, but I just wouldn’t have gotten far with the platforming. I loved my Saturn way more than my PS1, it’s just too bad that Sega of Japan wouldn’t listen to Sega of America about the release date, plus they gave basically no support to the U.S.
Actually the PS1 was originally going to be 2D.
Did you miss Parallel 2?
I’m aware of it- I decided I had enough of each experience. Another run might spoil my good vibes. lol
@@Trevelyan2 Fair enough. The mine cart is absolutely traumatising. Kay has a much bigger involvement in the story in that one too.
Went to sub, already was 😂.
Never made it past the starting section. Those platform jumping parts are extremely infuriating, being forced to do all that shit over and over again if you fuck up.
It starts tough, and only gets harder. I don’t blame you, especially if you rented it.
The mine cart section broke me as a child so I never beat this game. I've still got the game and console so I'll give it another shot. Dragon Force is another really good Saturn game!
@@Hamburgerpimp I think it may have broke a few people. Is shockingly difficult