Best HuCard RPGs and English walkthroughs?

[GAUGE]

Sort of new to the PC Engine and am looking for some great RPGs, especially HuCard-based games, and a general resource for finding good, translated walkthroughs for HuCard- or CD-based games. I've been to a few different sites, did some Google-ing and have had some luck, but figured I'd check in with you guys on here for some more insight. Any advice would be appreciated!

[CrackTiger]

Sort of new to the PC Engine and am looking for some great RPGs, especially HuCard-based games, and a general resource for finding good, translated walkthroughs for HuCard- or CD-based games. I've been to a few different sites, did some Google-ing and have had some luck, but figured I'd check in with you guys on here for some more insight. Any advice would be appreciated!

The first thread of this section is a good start for english walkthroughs-

https://www.pcengine-fx.com/forums/index.php?topic=2559.0

[Arkhan Asylum]

Dungeon Explorer and Necromancer immediately come to mind.

Also, Order of the Griffon.

[Bernie]

Try the Neutopia series.  I loved them, even though they were little Zelda clones.

[GAUGE]

Sort of new to the PC Engine and am looking for some great RPGs, especially HuCard-based games, and a general resource for finding good, translated walkthroughs for HuCard- or CD-based games. I've been to a few different sites, did some Google-ing and have had some luck, but figured I'd check in with you guys on here for some more insight. Any advice would be appreciated!

The first thread of this section is a good start for english walkthroughs-

https://www.pcengine-fx.com/forums/index.php?topic=2559.0

Ah, sorry about that. I guess I need to open my eyes a little more. Still feeling my way around.

Thanks for the feedback, folks! Great info so far.

[Arkhan Asylum]

Ah, sorry about that. I guess I need to open my eyes a little more. Still feeling my way around.

nothing wrong with feeling a place up. 

[CrackTiger]

Ah, sorry about that. I guess I need to open my eyes a little more. Still feeling my way around.

Thanks for the feedback, folks! Great info so far.

I didn't mean ya goofed, I just wanted you to know where it was located. The whole TG-16/PCE (and other specific) separate section deal can be confusing, even for regular posters.


If you'd like to play a very fun, not too long and gaijin-friendly adventure/RPG (Ys on steroids) that also shows off what the PCE is capable of in terms of graphics, try Kaze no Densetsu II/Legend of Xanadau II. The game is now very affordable, there's an english walkthrough linked in that other thread and you can contact me (the author of the walkthrough) anytime you get stuck.

[_Paul]

Kaze no Densetsu II/Legend of Xanadau II

Seconded. That game is awesome.

[TurboXray]

Sort of new to the PC Engine and am looking for some great RPGs, especially HuCard-based games, and a general resource for finding good, translated walkthroughs for HuCard- or CD-based games. I've been to a few different sites, did some Google-ing and have had some luck, but figured I'd check in with you guys on here for some more insight. Any advice would be appreciated!

Are you specifically looking for tranditional J-RPGs? Or action-adventure like Neutopia too? With the risk of getting some sideways looks, there's not much in hucards in any area of RPGs that I consider 'good' or must plays. They (hucards RPG-ish games) are more of the "I've played pretty much all the good stuff, time to dig back into the pile. They're simplistic in design. And quite often even less than simplistic in graphics (to be nice about it). Etc.

Neutopia 1 and 2 are the exception, thought they're borderline action RPGs. Cadash isn't really an RPG, but since this is hucards - I'll make the exception and consider it one. I'm probably missing one or two more, but for the most part hucard RPGs are pretty lacking. I never understood this, because the Famicom had some great RPGs and those carts weren't very big.

 CD is where the good RPG games are at. A couple are translated, but a good amount have walkthroughs for them. I'll third "Legened of Xanadu II". This is a great action RPG. The japanese language barrier isn't a problem with a walkthrough. My youngest son beat this game when he was 7 years old. If he can do it, anyone can do it. (I didn't force him too either, he loved Ys games and wanted to play something else by Falcom).

 Emerald Dragon, Xanadu I, Ys I & II, III (yes, even if you played the cart versions on the other systems - play this one!), IV (had an english translation), Xak III ('cause it has an english translation), Startling Odyssey 2 (english translation), Babel, Anearth Story (Seiya Monogatari - fantastic RPG. Really high production values). Crap, there's way too many RPGs to list/recommend. http://www.thebrothersduomazov.com/ is a good starting point for reviews. You might not agree with all the personal points in the reviews (just make note as to what they put importance on), but these guys know the games they review because they've beaten them. An invaluable resource for PCE game information. I only wish some of the reviews where a little longer.

[runinruder]

Here are reviews for most of the Japan-only, traditional-style HuCard RPGs:
Benkei Gaiden
Cyber Knight
Momotarou Densetsu Gaiden
Momotarou Densetsu II
Momotarou Densetsu Turbo
Necromancer
Necros

Here's one for a sci-fi dungeon crawler:
Out Live

And here's one for an action-RPG:
Makai Hakkenden Shada

Some stuff that also came out in the US:
Double Dungeons
Dungeon Explorer
Final Lap Twin
Neutopia
Neutopia II
World Court Tennis

[CrackTiger]

Benkei Gaiden is a cool HuCard RPG with awesome music.

Ironically, a higher percentage of HuCard RPGs have battle background art than CD RPGs.

[SignOfZeta]

This is a good idea for a topic! Unfortunately there aren't very many good HuCard RPGs, and I can't actually think of any PCE-only ones.

On CD I'd vote for Startling Odyssey II (there is an English patch now), Star Breaker, Xanadu, Ys IV (also and English patch), and Tenshi no Uta. The Tengai Makyo games are AMAZING, but if you will be fumbling around a lot more with these games since they have more kanji than anything I've ever seen, very little kana, and no romanji.

[CrackTiger]

This is a good idea for a topic! Unfortunately there aren't very many good HuCard RPGs, and I can't actually think of any PCE-only ones.

On CD I'd vote for Startling Odyssey II (there is an English patch now), Star Breaker, Xanadu, Ys IV (also and English patch), and Tenshi no Uta. The Tengai Makyo games are AMAZING, but if you will be fumbling around a lot more with these games since they have more kanji than anything I've ever seen, very little kana, and no romanji.

Kabukiden is actually romanji heavy once you get past the short first area. The walkthrough I wrote draws out the Japanese names of all the items and spells and there are maps for everything, so it's totally playable for even players new to JRPGs. I believe that TMII has a romanji title for all kanji items in the game at the top of the screen. Although my walkthrough for that game isn't nearly as detailed, both games are pretty straight forward with their objectives and are easier to play using a walkthrough than many other JRPGs.

A nice looking CD RPG with a full game guide, maps and all is Anearth Fantasy Stories.

[GAUGE]

WOAH! You guys are awesome. It'll take me a while to dig through all the recommendations, but seriously, it's really appreciated.

RPG, either turn based or action, is good by me. Just something that I can sink some hours into and pick up where I left off. The main reason for focusing on HuCards was so that I could use them on the go, but I'll definitely be checking out both HuCards and CD recommendations.

[SignOfZeta]

Kabukiden is actually romanji heavy once you get past the short first area. The walkthrough I wrote draws out the Japanese names of all the items and spells and there are maps for everything, so it's totally playable for even players new to JRPGs. I believe that TMII has a romanji title for all kanji items in the game at the top of the screen. Although my walkthrough for that game isn't nearly as detailed, both games are pretty straight forward with their objectives and are easier to play using a walkthrough than many other JRPGs.

...I don't remember that. I didn't get all that far in Kabukiden. I did get as far as the crazy amusement park (Welcome Welcome! Quack Quack!) and I don't remember a lot/any of romanji except the printed dialogue of the fucked up Disney characters.

[nat]

Benkei Gaiden is a cool HuCard RPG with awesome music.

Indeed. Benkei is the first game that comes to mind when considering "good" Japanese cartridge-based RPGs. Not only is the music great, I really dig the art style. Feels very "classic" 16-bit, like an early Genesis game if that makes any sense.

[CrackTiger]

Kabukiden is actually romanji heavy once you get past the short first area. The walkthrough I wrote draws out the Japanese names of all the items and spells and there are maps for everything, so it's totally playable for even players new to JRPGs. I believe that TMII has a romanji title for all kanji items in the game at the top of the screen. Although my walkthrough for that game isn't nearly as detailed, both games are pretty straight forward with their objectives and are easier to play using a walkthrough than many other JRPGs.

...I don't remember that. I didn't get all that far in Kabukiden. I did get as far as the crazy amusement park (Welcome Welcome! Quack Quack!) and I don't remember a lot/any of romanji except the printed dialogue of the fucked up Disney characters.

You were so close to the point that Kabuki and Zeami leave Jipang and spend the rest of the game on London (fictional UK). There is only one dungeon after the amusement park, with the first major boss/priest (FFIV equivalent of a "fiend"). After that you set sail for London. As soon as you get off the boat, everyone speaks english with actual english text and voice (until Zeami helps with the translation).


GAUGE: If you're interested in Kabukiden, aka Far East of Eden or Tengai Makyou: 'Fuun Kabuki Den'... it's a ($5) Final Fantasy style Tengai Makyou game. Kinda like how Final Fantasy Tactics is a Tactics Ogre style FF game. Tengai Makyou's theme is a wacky misinterpretation of feudal Japan (total fantasy though). The regular Tengai Makyou games play more like Phantasy Star II - IV. If you're interested in an extremely PSII - IV style game, try Neo Metal Fantasy, which I also wrote a walkthrough for. Feel free to contact me if you have trouble with any of them.

HuCard adventure/RPG type games aren't good to play on the go since you can't save your game and it's hard to read the long passwords on the Turbo Express/PCE GT screen.

[TurboXray]

Here are reviews for most of the Japan-only, traditional-style HuCard RPGs:
Benkei Gaiden

Hey runin. Have you played the SNES version of Benkei Gaiden? If so, do you know if it's a sequel or a remake?

 I completely forget about that game. Pretty cool little 3megabit hucard. Definitely a hucard game that translation scene has overlooked (hucards are much easier to hack for translation than CD games).

HuCard adventure/RPG type games aren't good to play on the go since you can't save your game and it's hard to read the long passwords on the Turbo Express/PCE GT screen.

You know, I never thought about that concerning the TG Express and other PCE portables. In general, for you PCE fans out there, how important would a 'back up' compatible device be? Like a pass through port (kind of like how game genies work on portable systems). Like if a group/community were to actually make one. From a technical stand point, there's pretty much nothing to it. One reg mapped into open bus of the last 8k of address range - to lock/unlock BRAM, and 2k of ram mapped to bank $F7 (battery backed or flash). Would there be enough demand to cover the cost or do PCE portables owners not play their portable systems enough to warrant such a building of said device? Just curious. I know building such a device wouldn't be cheap for the sole fact that the unique hucard female connector isn't cheap to manufacture (or so I've been told from someone that looked into it). I know David Shadoff build the entire lot of kisado converters from buying old stock of digital controlled sewing machine parts. They just happen to use the same female connector. But AFAIK, he bought and used them all and couldn't kind another source after that.

 GAUGE: Hey BP, glad to see you're a multi console fan.   No CD unit? Which core system do you have? TG16 or one of the PCE models?

[CrackTiger]

Hey runin. Have you played the SNES version of Benkei Gaiden? If so, do you know if it's a sequel or a remake?

It's a sequel or a different story. Definitely not a remake.

HuCard adventure/RPG type games aren't good to play on the go since you can't save your game and it's hard to read the long passwords on the Turbo Express/PCE GT screen.

 You know, I never thought about that concerning the TG Express and other PCE portables. In general, for you PCE fans out there, how important would a 'back up' compatible device be? Like a pass through port (kind of like how game genies work on portable systems). Like if a group/community were to actually make one. From a technical stand point, there's pretty much nothing to it. One reg mapped into open bus of the last 8k of address range - to lock/unlock BRAM, and 2k of ram mapped to bank $F7 (battery backed or flash). Would there be enough demand to cover the cost or do PCE portables owners not play their portable systems enough to warrant such a building of said device? Just curious. I know building such a device wouldn't be cheap for the sole fact that the unique hucard female connector isn't cheap to manufacture (or so I've been told from someone that looked into it). I know David Shadoff build the entire lot of kisado converters from buying old stock of digital controlled sewing machine parts. They just happen to use the same female connector. But AFAIK, he bought and used them all and couldn't kind another source after that.

I would gladly pay $100 - $150 for something like that. I'd also pay a lot for a convenient super long life battery pack. But I'm not a typical Turbo/PCE fan (my PCE tattoo was $400).

[TurboXray]

Hey runin. Have you played the SNES version of Benkei Gaiden? If so, do you know if it's a sequel or a remake?

It's a sequel or a different story. Definitely not a remake.

Ahh. I'll have to check it out some time.

I would gladly pay $100 - $150 for something like that. I'd also pay a lot for a convenient super long life battery pack. But I'm not a typical Turbo/PCE fan (my PCE tattoo was $400).

Maybe a new thread should be made to query about it. AtariAge community does similar stuff to this and rather successfully too. If it's a community thing, it could be done for non profit. But being realistic, even if these were made by hand to keep the cost down - the connectors would have to be made in batches. There would have to be a number of preorders to cover that cost. I was told something custom like that could run $30-40 per connector in small batches of 100. That's $3000-4000 up front. I couldn't believe it myself. Even shelling out $1000 up front is quite a bit. If there are like 50-100 people *really* interested in something like this, this could actually be done. We need to make poll thread, and on other forums too.

[SignOfZeta]

As nice as that sounds, the end product would be expensive and huge (the Express itself is expensive and huge). People would still probably never actually leave the house with it. HuGoPSP (or something like it) is still going to be 1000x more practical since it does all that, and plays CD games (theoretically, I've never had it work).

[termis]

Hey, it'd be nice to read more English reviews/thoughts of ANY PCE RPGs from some other folks than the ones who we regularly see, so all you out there -- go play them, and let us know what you thought.

[Arkhan Asylum]

Hey, it'd be nice to read more English reviews/thoughts of ANY PCE RPGs from some other folks than the ones who we regularly see, so all you out there -- go play them, and let us know what you thought.

I like Burai.  Do you rearry want my opinion? :-D

[NecroPhile]

Would there be enough demand to cover the cost or do PCE portables owners not play their portable systems enough to warrant such a building of said device?

I'd buy one even though I don't use my 'Express much at all.  Yes, I am retarded.

As a possibly cheaper alternative, would it be possible to incorporate the save feature in a flash cart?  You wouldn't be able to play 'real' games but the on-screen results would be the same, all in a (hopefully) smaller and cheaper package.

[Arkhan Asylum]

As a possibly cheaper alternative, would it be possible to incorporate the save feature in a flash cart?  You wouldn't be able to play 'real' games but the on-screen results would be the same, all in a (hopefully) smaller and cheaper package.

I was about to say this but then I forgot to.

It is what I have been doing.  I imagine having more doodads clicked onto my express would make it even less portable than it is in the first place. ^_^

also its not like the stuff saves to your REAL hucards, so theres never the whole "oh, my save is on a bootleg" like when you play something like Dragon Quest 2 on a flash cart w/ an NES.


Theres probably a way to get the saves off of the flashcart and onto a tennokoe but im half asleep and might be making shit up !

[GAUGE]

Here are reviews for most of the Japan-only, traditional-style HuCard RPGs:
Benkei Gaiden

Hey runin. Have you played the SNES version of Benkei Gaiden? If so, do you know if it's a sequel or a remake?

 I completely forget about that game. Pretty cool little 3megabit hucard. Definitely a hucard game that translation scene has overlooked (hucards are much easier to hack for translation than CD games).

HuCard adventure/RPG type games aren't good to play on the go since you can't save your game and it's hard to read the long passwords on the Turbo Express/PCE GT screen.

You know, I never thought about that concerning the TG Express and other PCE portables. In general, for you PCE fans out there, how important would a 'back up' compatible device be? Like a pass through port (kind of like how game genies work on portable systems). Like if a group/community were to actually make one. From a technical stand point, there's pretty much nothing to it. One reg mapped into open bus of the last 8k of address range - to lock/unlock BRAM, and 2k of ram mapped to bank $F7 (battery backed or flash). Would there be enough demand to cover the cost or do PCE portables owners not play their portable systems enough to warrant such a building of said device? Just curious. I know building such a device wouldn't be cheap for the sole fact that the unique hucard female connector isn't cheap to manufacture (or so I've been told from someone that looked into it). I know David Shadoff build the entire lot of kisado converters from buying old stock of digital controlled sewing machine parts. They just happen to use the same female connector. But AFAIK, he bought and used them all and couldn't kind another source after that.

 GAUGE: Hey BP, glad to see you're a multi console fan.   No CD unit? Which core system do you have? TG16 or one of the PCE models?

A type of booster for the TurboExpress, PCE GT would be awesome. I'd have no idea how to do it, but I would definitely pick one up. I do some graphic design and illustration if that helps.

It's pretty much impossible to get a flash card for the PCE/Turbo these days, right?

And yeah, BonkNuts, I dig a few consoles. I've actually been a fan of the TG-16 since I got mine in 1990. Still have it along with an old CD unit. A few years back, one summer, a I really started collecting (picking up a US/Japanese converter, Arcade Card, SF II, a TurboExpress, Lords, Dragon Slayer, etc.), but the lack of RPGs and portable saving left me feeling like I needed more. So I got a Nomad and really got into Sega stuff.

I'm feeling like I might be up to the challenge of using a walkthough on a Japanese RPG. I'm looking at getting a copy of Benkei Gaiden.

Right now I'm mostly using a region modded PCE Core, with a CD-ROM2 unit and a region modded PCE GT. The CD system is back home in CA. So yeah, I can play CD games too, it'll just be a few weeks before I get my CD-ROM back.

Thanks again for all the help here. I'm still digging through all the recommendations.

[Arkhan Asylum]

I just ordered a NeoFlash like a month ago.  You can still nab them no problem usually!

USB connectivity, and the new flasher program uses WPF so it's all nice.


If you've got the CD stuff, do yourself a favor and get the Xak games, and Fray.

You will enjoy yourself so much you'll probably pee.

I also highhhhhly reccommend you try La Valeur and Emerald Dragon.

[GAUGE]

I just ordered a NeoFlash like a month ago.  You can still nab them no problem usually!

USB connectivity, and the new flasher program uses WPF so it's all nice.


If you've got the CD stuff, do yourself a favor and get the Xak games, and Fray.

You will enjoy yourself so much you'll probably pee.

I also highhhhhly reccommend you try La Valeur and Emerald Dragon.

Hey, thanks! I'll definitely check those out - and I'll try not to piss myself.

Just wondering, where'd you track down the NeoFlash? And (this might be a stupid question), does the flasher program come in a Mac variety? If not, I can just boot up in Windows.

[Arkhan Asylum]

Just wondering, where'd you track down the NeoFlash? And (this might be a stupid question), does the flasher program come in a Mac variety? If not, I can just boot up in Windows.

I think I remember seeing a Mac version on the NeoFlash forum... I can't remember though!  You gotta kinda dig around on that forum for stuff.  There is a PCE header remover too.

I found the NeoFlash on one of the sites on their site.  They link to a few stores.  If you don't see any for sale... maybe more are coming, or are floating around.

I'll be honest the site/organization is kind of a clusterfuck.

[SignOfZeta]

Getting a PCE flash card isn't hard. Getting it to actually work though...

[OldMan]

I didn't have too many problems, once I realized their driver had irq handling problems. You can't run anything that could interrupt the driver, so I had to unplug other usb stuff, and turn off my networking. After that, it was fine.

[Arkhan Asylum]

Getting a PCE flash card isn't hard. Getting it to actually work though...

The new NeoFlash tool works great even in Win7 w/ the USB loader.  The NeoPro manager or w/e they call it installs the drivers for you and is easy to use (Looks like an Office program because of WPF). 

You just need to run the PCE header removal tool on ROMs to make sure the header is gone....

and make sure you don't use bad dumps or they'll doof out on the real hardware.  I had a Coryoon that had jacked sprite data on like level 4. 

[termis]

Hey, it'd be nice to read more English reviews/thoughts of ANY PCE RPGs from some other folks than the ones who we regularly see, so all you out there -- go play them, and let us know what you thought.

I like Burai.  Do you rearry want my opinion? :-D

Yes prease. 

[TurboXray]

As nice as that sounds, the end product would be expensive and huge (the Express itself is expensive and huge). People would still probably never actually leave the house with it. HuGoPSP (or something like it) is still going to be 1000x more practical since it does all that, and plays CD games (theoretically, I've never had it work).

Oh, I know. I realize this. Hence why I asked. Emulation isn't real hardware, and some people prefer the real deal no matter what. This would be specifically for them.

 None of the flash cards for the PCE that I know of, emulation the back memory hardware (the lock/unlock register and mapped save ram). I think the main reason they don't, is that you would get bus conflicts if you attempted to access that feature on the card - plugged into a core system with a booster or a CD addon/system. That's the last thing you want when trying to update something as important as BRAM (for both the card and the conflicting device on the system).  I imagine you could put a switch on there, but there will always be someone who wouldn't understand or pay attention... and goodbye BRAM save data on your booster/CD system. Matter of fact, the Tototek card has problems with the SuperCDROM^2 addon. If you use a hucard game on the card that tries to access BRAM in that setup, you get corruption. Doesn't happen on the Duo. Matter of fact, trying to access anything in the upper 8megabit region with the tototek card in that setup - gives you problems (64k CDRAM, even had problems accessing hardware bank mapped ADPCM registers). I haven't heard of any problems with the Neo Flash, the SuperCDROM^2 addon, and accessing BRAM.

 The cost to build this BRAM emulator and pass through, would be about the same price it would be to make a flash rom card. You wouldn't have the issue of the pass through connector (and its cost), but you would have the added cost of the additional logic/flash rom. The big difference though, is that the flash card could be open source. And possibly have the ability of being able to make it yourself, if you're up to such a DIY task.

[Arkhan Asylum]

Hey, it'd be nice to read more English reviews/thoughts of ANY PCE RPGs from some other folks than the ones who we regularly see, so all you out there -- go play them, and let us know what you thought.

I like Burai.  Do you rearry want my opinion? :-D

Yes prease. 

I will get a copy and play it again and let you know.  I played it on emulator awhile ago. I never owned a copy... I'd like one though.

I'd have one if yknow, it wasn't BEST YEAR EVAR and all

[nat]

I just ordered a NeoFlash like a month ago.  You can still nab them no problem usually!

USB connectivity, and the new flasher program uses WPF so it's all nice.


If you've got the CD stuff, do yourself a favor and get the Xak games, and Fray.

You will enjoy yourself so much you'll probably pee.

I also highhhhhly reccommend you try La Valeur and Emerald Dragon.

Hey, thanks! I'll definitely check those out - and I'll try not to piss myself.

Just wondering, where'd you track down the NeoFlash? And (this might be a stupid question), does the flasher program come in a Mac variety? If not, I can just boot up in Windows.

I have a NeoFlash and I use a Mac, and to date I haven't been able to find any MacOS drivers for it. I have to boot to Windows when I want load the cart.

[Arkhan Asylum]

Some forum posts reference a GUI on the Mac.  But I havent been able to locate a mac program. I just looked for a bit

[GAUGE]

Flash cart would be nice, but I actually don't mind collecting the actual HuCards. There's something so awesome about them. I would, however be interested in some type of Turbo Booster Plus for the PCE GT...

[Arkhan Asylum]

Its nice to test games before you buy them, esp. if the game is expensive and you end up thinking its a pile o' crap.

[GAUGE]

Ah, true that. Magic Engine is pretty awesome for that, though. I flash card would come in handy for taking games on the go, though. So, are there any non-Japanese reading folks out there who have tackled a Japanese RPG? What was the experience like. I'm a little intimidated taking on a Japanese RPG - even with a walkthrough, considering I don't know a lick of Japanese.

[CrackTiger]

Ah, true that. Magic Engine is pretty awesome for that, though. I flash card would come in handy for taking games on the go, though. So, are there any non-Japanese reading folks out there who have tackled a Japanese RPG? What was the experience like. I'm a little intimidated taking on a Japanese RPG - even with a walkthrough, considering I don't know a lick of Japanese.

I'm not fluent in any language other than english. I've been playing japanese RPGs and adventure games since the early nineties and have written several walkthroughs.

A katakana chart makes a huge difference. Most games are full of english words photetically spelled out with japanese characters. Its not too hard to figure out the main menus and make notes.

The biggest factor is how straight forward any particular game is. Some have serious "gaijin protection" that a non-japanese person shouldn't be able to pass without a walk through.

Its not too hard at all and I've had much more fun with some japanese RPGs than any english games I've ever played. I think another major factor is if you actually enjoy RPG gameplay like I do, or are one of those people that think that it's all about the story (in which case I suggest skipping RPGs altogether and just stick to digital comics or dvd/bluray movies).

[Arkhan Asylum]

Ah, true that. Magic Engine is pretty awesome for that, though. I flash card would come in handy for taking games on the go, though. So, are there any non-Japanese reading folks out there who have tackled a Japanese RPG? What was the experience like. I'm a little intimidated taking on a Japanese RPG - even with a walkthrough, considering I don't know a lick of Japanese.

Magic Engine is crap nowadays. If you're on Windows, grab Ootake.  It's quick and straight forward to test games there.  Nice CD support too

As for .JP RPGs, like BTiger said, get a Katakana chart.  Pick an easier game with minimal text (Xak or Ys), and start using the chart to translate the game as you play.

Before you know it you will be better at it and able to flail around and get games finished. 

You definitely will come across impossible games, like Sorcerian, where playing it without good Japanese knowledge is a pain in the dick

[GAUGE]

I don't like me no pains in the dick - so I'll be avoiding Sorcerian for now.

[Arkhan Asylum]

I don't like me no pains in the dick - so I'll be avoiding Sorcerian for now.

Navigating the menu to START the game is OK if you find a picture of the translated sega version, or the one thread here about it..

but once youre in the game, good fuckin luck, sucka.

lol

[CrackTiger]

I don't like me no pains in the dick - so I'll be avoiding Sorcerian for now.

Something I forgot to mention, Neo Metal Fantasy is a good beginner's japanese language RPG because aside from the fact that it has an english walkthrough, the menus are a combination of animated symbols like in Shining series games, plus actual english commands.




That screen shot is from The Brothers Duomazov. It's the best site to check out if you want to get an idea of what most PCE RPGs are like and it has the best selection of screen shots around.

[GAUGE]

Hey, BT - Neo Metal Fantasy looks great! I'll be checking it out once I get my CD system from back home next month. And thanks for the suggestion of the katakana chart. My main concern is being able to understand the basics like menus, etc. - it sounds like the chart will be very helpful for that.

The Brothers Duomazov site is amazing, btw.

[Arkhan Asylum]

with Katakana (Angular characters), you will be sounding out foreign words.  You will get an Engrish like sounding word.

stuff like "enboropu" will be "envelope"

Knife would be like "naifu", etc.

With Hiragana (curvy stuff), you will get words... that will then need to be looked up and translated in a Japanese dictionary.  It's a bit trickier!


You'll find Katakana is enough to navigate menus and do the basics.

There are some other things you will encounter... a dash means extend the previous letters sound, and then theres somme special things that will usually appear on a good chart.

[termis]

It's been forever since I tried this, but I remember it helping some folks -- this is a little RPG itself to help learn Japanese characters, and tips to remember them.  The free version is good enough for hiragana/katakana (about 90 characters).  Beyond that, you have to start getting serious about learning Japanese.

http://lrnj.com/

[termis]

On a side note, after being reminded again of the game, I finally pulled the purchase trigger on Neo Metal Fantasy.  At $4, and less than $10 shipped, I can't go wrong.  

Who knows when I'll actually start on it, though.    (Though I am actually down to the last few handfulls of JRPGs I own, so hopefully, it won't be too long).

[esteban]

Hey, BT - Neo Metal Fantasy looks great!

'nuff said.