Extra levels in Valis IV

[ccovell]

Most people probably know that there's a hard mode in Valis IV (Press Run+I+II on controller 2 at the title screen), but few have seen the extra levels because they're accessible only after beating the game in a single run-through (the save feature doesn't save a flag for hard mode.)  So I decided to cheat my way through the game:


After defeating the final boss in Hard Mode, instead of getting the usual ending, you're shipped off to a monotonous 4-stage level overlooking the ocean, with strange enemies coming at you.  The faux boss at the end allows only Lena to pass.  If you're playing as the other characters, he'll say "who are you?" and the game will reset.  He warns Lena that the next stage is really difficult, and it is!

Look familiar?  It's that damned annoying stage from Valis III, only made harder with scads of enemies and the same tricky jumps.  The boss is nigh-impossible to defeat under normal circumstances, too.


Anyway, after this boss, you get the same ending as before.  So be glad I showed you these pics, as you probably wouldn't suffer through the game in Hard Mode anyway, right?

[Tatsujin]

arigatou gozaimashita, kurisu-hakase 

[esteban]

Awesome!

Mr. Covell, this is one of the koolest things I've read (regarding the PCE universe) in recent memory.

Thank you.

If you're playing as the other characters, he'll say "who are you?" and the game will reset.  He warns Lena that the next stage is really difficult, and it is!

Brutal! Resetting the game, like that. The designers had a wonderfully sadistic sense of humor 

t's that damned annoying stage from Valis III, only made harder with scads of enemies and the same tricky jumps.  The boss is nigh-impossible to defeat under normal circumstances, too.

Ha! I remember when I finally figured out how to pass that section. I suppose there is no doubt that the designers have a great sense of humor, with their homage to Valis III. And they are giving fans exactly what they, errrr, want? Don't want?

1. Is the music recycled from other stages, or is it unique?

2. Also, do you mind translating the text in these extra levels?

For example, in this pic:


Thanks in advance

I am going to attempt to unlock the hidden levels, it seems like a wonderfully masochistic challenge. I hope I don't destroy my Duo in the process, though.

[shubibiman]

That's great! What I like with laser soft games is that there's always some hidden stuff at the end of the game.

[Tatsujin]

2. Also, do you mind translating the text in these extra levels?

For example, in this pic:

chris already translated the text from the upper picture, where the boss is gona warn lena that the next level seems to be very hard.

he says: OK, LET'S GO for the next stage. The next screen seems to be very difficult.

in the qouted picture from you, that soldier on the draisine is just saying "yoisho" which expressing something like "phew" when doing some hard work.

probably there are other screens as well

[termis]

Awesome.  Had no idea about the extra stages.

And ugh, I shiver just thinking about that water stage from Valis III.  That's definitely the most difficult stage in the whole Valis saga. 

However, 1cc'ing Valis IV (if I understood that correctly), especially in hard mode, would be no joke either.  I'd rate the last level in Valis IV the 2nd hardest behind that infamous water stage.

[guyjin]

Awesome!

[ParanoiaDragon]

Is there any paralax in these levels?

[ccovell]

Yes, parallax aplenty.

Here's the text that the guy says in the first extra level:

お、お前は優子ではないな！　  我が名はザリュウドである。　  一体お前は誰だ！
レナ？　知らん名前だな。  実力のわからん者と闘うわけにはいかんな。　  事情を聞いて上げましょう。
よし！そうゆうことなら仕方がない次のステージを見事くぐりぬけたら私がじきじきに相手をして上げよう。
それではつぎのステージへＬｅｔ'ｓ　ＧＯ！！　次の面は、とっても難しいぞ・・・

お、お前は優子ではないな！　  我が名はザリュウドである。　  一体お前は誰だ！
アム？　チャムならしってるぞ。まぎらわしい名前だな。お前のような生意気な女は嫌い。だから・・・
一緒に遊んでなんかやらない！  それじゃ私は忙しいので帰らさしてもらう。では、ごきげんよう・・・

お、お前は優子ではないな！　  我が名はザリュウドである。　  一体お前は誰だ！
アスファー？　男か？　私は男には興味はない！特に足の臭い奴にはな今度来るときはかわいいねーちゃんを連れて来るんだな。
さらばじゃ！  オーーホッホッホッホッ・・・・・

A quick (software) translation:

You are not Yuko! My name is Zarudo. Who are you?
It is the name which is not known Lena.
It does not go to the reason for fighting with those who do not understand ability.
Let's listen to and raise a situation.
OK! If it is with Yuuko so, and brilliant-passes through the unavoidable next stage and escapes from it, I will raise by making a partner personally.
Then, it is Let's GO to the next stage!! The next field is very difficult...

You are not Yuko! My name is Zarudo. Who are you?
アム.if it is チャム -- し -- る .It is a confusing name.
An impudent woman like you is disagreeable.Therefore, ...
It plays together and some are not done! Since I am busy with it, I have it 帰らさ(ed) by me.Then, how are you? ...

You are not Yuko! My name is Zarudo. Who are you?
you are a アスファー ? man -- ? -- I am not interested in a man! a fellow especially with a stinking leg -- it is lovely when coming shortly [ には ] -- my - is taken.With さらばオーーホッホッホッホッ .....

I don't know what music plays during these levels, since I played to the end in an emulator (with no sound), but I'm sure it's just one of the level music tracks reused.

I don't know if you specifically have to 1CC the game (continues might be OK) but turning the power off before you reach the end is no good.

One idea I had (you can try it out) is to go to the title screen, hold Run+I+II on controller 2 for hard mode, then enable the debug mode (D,D,L,II,I,L,R) then enable the stage select (press Select 30 times), select level 9, and see where you go after beating that level. 

Through hacking RAM, the extra stages ARE accessible in the level select, but only if hard mode has already been activated.  (Ya can't hack RAM on the real hardware, though, unless you use the Action Replay function of the Tototek card.

Speaking of hacking, here are a few useful RAM addresses: 2395: Energy.  2392: Lives.  3021: Stage limit in level select (set to $0A). 2304-5: Current level&stage.  20C0: Hard mode flag ($80).

Finally, there is a power-up cheat in-game.  Pause the game and press U+R+I+II+Run on controller 2 to increase Lena's "experience" level.  Each press brings up her level, to a maximum of 5, as well as filling up her life gauge.  This can be done once per life (so no infinite life refills...)

[Emerald Rocker]

How did you get to those levels with Lena in her pre-transformation suit?  When I played, she was in her super-hyper skin-showing outfit.

As for the music, I don't remember which track they used, but it was definitely recycled.  I thought it was neat how the secret codes were revealed by the angel statues in that one level when you're going up the chapel (or whatever it is) to meet Yuko.

[Ceti Alpha]

That's awesome cc! 

But the water stage...again?!  lol

[NecroPhile]

Great stuff, thanks for sharing.  It's highly doubtful that I ever would've persevered through the game in hard mode to see these for myself.

[exodus]

this is the coolest shit ever. for me!
now someone needs to port the valis cellphone games to PCE.

[Tatsujin]

But the water stage...again?!  lol

Be water ma fren!!

[ParanoiaDragon]

Are there any cheats anyone's found to use in Magic Engine?

Nevermind, if you pause & press up, left, down, right 3 times & then 1, 1, 2, 2, it'll make you skip a level.  For instance, I got to the last boss, which is 9-7, when I did that code, it brought me to X-1!  And so far, the song used is the music for the first level.

[esteban]

Are there any cheats anyone's found to use in Magic Engine?

Nevermind, if you pause & press up, left, down, right 3 times & then 1, 1, 2, 2, it'll make you skip a level.  For instance, I got to the last boss, which is 9-7, when I did that code, it brought me to X-1!  And so far, the song used is the music for the first level.

OK, so the music is from Level 1.

PROGRESS: I'm still hacking my way through this game without any cheats. I forgot how kool some of the segments were. I haven't played through Valis IV in years.

I'm glad I'm revisiting it, but, damn, it will take me some time before (if ???) I unlock the hidden level.