VCF Gaming Club: September 2009

[Jogurt the Yogurt]

Apologies to Betagam7 if I'm stepping on his toes here, but I thought I'd open up a thread for this month's VCF Gaming Club discussions.

I want to keep the other thread alive as the main Gaming Club Hub, so to speak, where the randomizer can do its work and people can make their picks, where we can discuss how the club will evolve, where people can join up and drop out, etc. Here's the link back to that one: Main Gaming Club Thread.

This thread will be used for ongoing discussions, questions, and help about September's game, Wonder Boy in Monster World.

VC Forums Monthly Gaming Club
September's Pick: Jogurt the Yogurt

Title: Wonder Boy in Monster World
System: Sega Genesis / Sega Mega Drive
Cost: 800 Nintendo Points
Genre: RPG Platformer
Controls: Wii Remote, CC & GCN Controllers

Comment: While still incorrect, The Shoemaker's guess (Zelda II) was probably the closest. I knew right away that I wanted to pick a PlatfoRPG for a few reasons. First, the gameplay is relatively accessible; everyone is familiar with platformers, and the RPG elements are light but present enough to make the game interesting. Second, the game wouldn't take as long as a straight-up RPG or strategy game, which would have been my other selection. Finally, although the game is relatively straight-forward, there is still a lot of stuff to discuss and secrets to help each other with. This should make the game a good start to the monthly gaming club. I haven't played through this game before either, so this one will be a new experience for me too!

A NOTE ON SPOILERS

This is a discussion group, but let's try to avoid spoilers as much as we can. Use spoiler tags wherever it may be appropriate. They're used the same as any other code on this forum, with the word "spoiler" enclosed in square brackets.

[SKTTR]

I've downloaded Wonder Boy and played with a friend.
I got to stage 19 (not we), then he wanted to play and hit reset by accident.
Now I'm on stage 6 again.

And yes, it's very different from Wonder Boy in Monster World and more like the Adventure Island games. At least the first Wonder Boy.
But I never liked Adventure Island as a series and always prefered the Wonder Boy's... maybe nostalgia, because I played it at a friends house back in '92) and I owned a version for the Commodore 64 (a good version but not as good as the Master System version).

Wonder Boy is a pretty good and simple platformer. You have unlimited continues so everyone can beat even the hardest stages I think.
I believe it has at least 40 stages, so that's not bad either for a 500 points platformer. I love retro games, and this one has some good gameplay.
It's also my first Master System download, so it's lika premiere too.

Wonder Boy in Monster World.
I only played a bit of the beginning. I'm about to find the fairy between the statues in the first village.
I bought the spear, the shield, the boots, the medicine and saved at the inn.

[Jogurt the Yogurt]

I started at midnight. I haven't got very far, but I've been grindygrinding for gold and buying everything that's available when I get into town.

[Kiwi the Tortoise]

I overwrote my old save & started playing again.
Just beat up the first boss & bought all items in town.

PS: For those who don't know it yet. Spears have a special move if you press up & attack. It's pretty useful on several occasions.

[Betagam7]

I started at Midnight too yesterday too. Mainly as I've got a fair bit of work to do today and the gf wants to go on a picknic later

I'm playing the Dynastic Hero version but so far here are my impressions:

I was slightly shocked to hear the CD quality music in the intro with an actual song, it reminded me of Goemon 64 only without the awesomeness of the Japanese lyrics.

Onto the actual game, the graphics are colourful and a big step up from Dragon's Curse. The crayony aspect of the fairy's grotto you can warp to early on reminded me of the handdrawn aspects of Yoshi's Island.

The music is calm and peaceful in the villages and has just the right level of bouncy sounding fun or frantic danger for the different stages.

Progress:

I've picked up upgrades to my boots (which didn't seem to have sped me up much), chainmail (which didn't seem any more effective than my startup armour) and a shield and Pike.
It's a nice feature that you can use the pike as a sword and shield combo and so far its been my weapon of choice.

Similarities:

So far I've picked up a fairy companion and found a magical Ocarina which I can learn songs for....err, in all seriousness, was this picked up on when OOT was released as it seems like Nintendo did some borrowing here.

Learning the songs has been awkward for two reasons. Firstly the button combos that appear on the screen are still marked as there TG16 versions so they don't match up to the wiimote. Secondly using + as well as 1 and 2 (which are reversed from their TG16 equivilents) is hard.
In the end I had to write them down as they were too long to memorise.

I beat the first boss in the cave and recieved my first extra heart piece. As I left the game I was heading into the Castle via the fairy's grotto.

My early impression is that this is going to be a great game with fun colourful graphics, interesting puzzles and a certain charm to it.

My only issue is with the controls (which probably arn't a problem for the Megadrive version most people are playing). Having to use + on the wiimote combined with the Dpad is awkward. I might give the Classic controller a go and see if the buttons are better mapped.

P.S, what does the fairy companion actually do?

[Kiwi the Tortoise]

P.S, what does the fairy companion actually do?

The fairy sometimes distracts enemys and occasionally makes hearts appear to heal you up.

PS: Just reached the second part of the Warning: Spoiler Below.

swamp.

[hansolo350]

I'll start playing once I'm done with Tales of Monkey Island - Chapter 2.

[digiki]

I'll start when I get an opportunity.

Later on fairy companions will dig up money, or attack enemies.

[Betagam7]

What's the deal with armour in this game? I'm now onto my third upgrade and my defence hasn't visibly risen at all?

I liked the fact that (in the TG16 version at least) the first sword you have is called the Gradius

[hansolo350]

Originally Posted by Betagam7

What's the deal with armour in this game? I'm now onto my third upgrade and my defence hasn't visibly risen at all?

I liked the fact that (in the TG16 version at least) the first sword you have is called the Gradius

I know that at the beginning of the game enemies will do half a heart of damage but once you get the first armour they only do a quarter. The sword is called the Gradius in both versions.

[Betagam7]

Originally Posted by hansolo350

I know that at the beginning of the game enemies will do half a heart of damage but once you get the first armour they only do a quarter. The sword is called the Gradius in both versions.

The reason I ask is that I don't see any difference on the screen that displays your dp and ap.

[Sharecrow]

If the 1st were on a weekend I could have stayed up til midnight to play but that's not usually do-able during the week for me. I've gotta go to work in the morning! Anyway, I'll probably start tonight...

[Jogurt the Yogurt]

Originally Posted by Betagam7

I liked the fact that (in the TG16 version at least) the first sword you have is called the Gradius

That's because a Gradius is a very common kind of basic sword.

About the control issues, I had to go to the classic controller, because it was too annoying casting magic by using the A button on the sideways Wii remote. The CC isn't too bad. I wish we could remap buttons. Oh well.

This game is fun!

[Betagam7]

Originally Posted by Jogurt the Yogurt

That's because a Gradius is a very common kind of basic sword.

I sort of see, but that sword is called a Gladius not a Gradius so why not call it that in the translation? then again the spelling in TDH is generally quite hideous. Don't know if this applies to WBIMW

Originally Posted by Jogurt the Yogurt

About the control issues, I had to go to the classic controller, because it was too annoying casting magic by using the A button on the sideways Wii remote. The CC isn't too bad. I wish we could remap buttons. Oh well.

This game is fun!

alas the Classic controller for TDH still uses the awkward + button but that's what I get for buying the port instead of the original

[enigmaopoeia]

Originally Posted by Betagam7

I sort of see, but that sword is called a Gladius not a Gradius so why not call it that in the translation? then again the spelling in TDH is generally quite hideous. Don't know if this applies to WBIMW

Easy! It's called Engrish, my good friend.

Then again, maybe you are attacking with Vic Viper. Who knows! /sarcasm

[Jogurt the Yogurt]

Originally Posted by Betagam7

I sort of see, but that sword is called a Gladius not a Gradius so why not call it that in the translation? then again the spelling in TDH is generally quite hideous. Don't know if this applies to WBIMW

Because of the single most common source of mistranslation in video games as a whole.

[Betagam7]

Originally Posted by Jogurt the Yogurt

Because of the single most common source of mistranslation in video games as a whole.

Possibly for this game but I've heard its something of an urban myth (ala Monkey Kong) that the game Gradius is named because of this problem. I'm sure Kengo Nakamura has gone on record as saying it was just a made up name for the planet.

It would be cool if it was a little tribute to another great TG16 game though

[Jogurt the Yogurt]

I don't doubt that the game was named in that manner, but I highly doubt the sword's name is a reference to the space shooter. Who knows!

I've noticed the same issue with armour defense bonuses not really being reflected in the on-screen def. stat... but they're definitely reflected in the damage I take from enemies.

I can see myself being pretty terrible at this game in the later stages... I hope we get enough great stats to make up for my clumsiness...

[SKTTR]

I completed Wonder Boy. Now I can play Wonder Boy in Monster World!

*SPOILER*

The first Wonder Boy has 40 stages.

To rescue the girl, you only have to beat the first 36 regular stages (9 worlds with 4 stages each).
Then you see the normal ending.

To get to world 10 (stages 37-40) you have to find all 36 dolls first! In each level there is one doll. Collect them all and this leads you to the last four stages where there's a final duel with the boss at the end. This is the perfect ending.

*SPOILER END*

I got the normal ending, but this old little gem is so addicting, I want to see the perfect ending. I just wonder if it's ok to use continues for it, or if I lose all dolls, when I waste a continue.


It's the 1st September and I'll play Wonder Boy in Monster World later tonight. There's also is a Master System version for it! After all these ports on the VC this port is likely to appear as well hm!?!

[Betagam7]

Originally Posted by Jogurt the Yogurt

I don't doubt that the game was named in that manner, but I highly doubt the sword's name is a reference to the space shooter. Who knows!

I've noticed the same issue with armour defense bonuses not really being reflected in the on-screen def. stat... but they're definitely reflected in the damage I take from enemies.

I can see myself being pretty terrible at this game in the later stages... I hope we get enough great stats to make up for my clumsiness...

If Dragon's Curse is anything to go by if you're finding it tough you just need to boost those stats. Speaking of tough I found those blue swooping bats and red globules almost impossible to begin with then I switched to the lance and started baton twirling their faces off

I'm in a big castle now with a desert on one side and a forest with vines on the other. I'm setting off through the forest first.

[enigmaopoeia]

Originally Posted by Betagam7

I sort of see, but that sword is called a Gladius not a Gradius... [snip] Don't know if this applies to WBIMW

In Wonder Boy in Monster World, it is called the Gradius as well.

Just wanna post up my stats before my restart:

Warning: Spoiler Below.

LOCATION: Purapril > Dark Castle.
HEARTS: ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤ x 14.
AP/DP/SP: ★★★★★ / ★★★★★ / ★★★★★.
GOLD: 178790.
EQUIPMENTS: Legend Sword, Legend Armor, Legend Shield, and Legend Boots.
ITEMS: Charmstone x 0, Lamp, Amulet, Sun-Key, Moon-Key, and Star-Key.
MAGIC: Fire Storm ♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦, Thunder ♦♦♦♦♦♦, Shield ♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦, Quake ♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦, Power ♦♦♦♦♦♦, and Return ♦.
NOTE: Wanted to throw my Wii across the room because I can't pass the alternate moving platforms near the boss in Dark Castle!

So then I know what to strive for in my second playthrough, and right now I'm restarting the game! Bye-bye, previous save.

[SKTTR]

Wonder Boy in Monster World

So what shall we talk about?

Yesterday I started playing the game.

My progress:

Read along til you find the spot where you are and stop to avoid spoilers.

1. I bought the stuff inside the shop near my house and all items in the fairy village.
2. Got the Ocarina so I could beat the boss of the first stage. No problems so far. Wasted my health potion.
3. From there the fairy queen send me to the castle town.
4. On the way through the castle sewers I defeated some knight boss.
5. Inside the castle town there are two weapon shops, one is closed.
6. There's also a shop with a gem that costs 500.000 gold. Couldn't buy it yet.
7. Talked to the queen of the castle (no use for the bell yet?) and bought all the affordable stuff.
8. Went southwest into the forest. Bought all the stuff in the dwarf village.
9. Headed west to rescue the dwarf kid.
10. Beaten the 2nd dungeon with help of the dwarf kid. Got a Trident.
11. Also have Marine Boots, so now I can swim. Back to castle town.
12. From there back to the first beach part.
13. Found some treasure underwater. Still there are two chests I cannot open. Need something to break wooden blocks.
14. Headed back to the castle sewers, through the dark underground corridors.
15. Still can't open the sealed ice block passage.
16. Dived into the water tunnels of the castle sewers...
17. ... and found another beach landscape of the monster world.
18. Traded my ocarina for some information!
19. Now that I know where the hidden entrace is I wonder if I my ocarina was worth it.
20. Found the amulet and dived into the water to find the underwater dungeon.
21. Beaten the 3rd dungeon and found the Osiris Boots. Now I can walk on hot sand.
22. Back to the castle, and then from there into the desert.
23. I found the Sun- and Moon-Key but died and now have to restart from #23
24. Quit.
Spoiler End


Beginners tips so far:

1. All I can say is, save often at town inns and then go monster hunting to collect enough coins to buy the newest stuff in the shops.

2. If you have reached a dangerous spot and you don't have enough energy to make it back to a safe place use the magic RETURN spell. It teleports you to the castle town inn where you can save your gold and items.

3. Sleeping at the inn not only saves your game, it also refills all your energy and magic.

4. There are random locations and certain spots where jumping makes coins or else appear.

[Jogurt the Yogurt]

Spoilers!!!

[enigmaopoeia]

DAY ONE PLAYTHROUGH:

I almost died at the first boss, *the Myconid*. I had about a half bar of life left before I dealt the final blow and won. Whew!

Right now I'm going to earn some money for the journey to Lilypad, I'm trying to purchase everything I come across. But first, I would need to go back to the Purapril Sewers to an area I walked by earlier, due to lack of health. My favorite method of hitting these monsters are to jump at them and stab their feet, so far it's working for me.

LOCATION: Purapril > Lilypad.
HEARTS: ❤❤❤❤ x 4.
AP/DP/SP: ★★ / ★★ / ★★★.
GOLD: 37.
EQUIPMENTS: Knight Sword, Hard Armor, Wood Shield, and Ladder Boots.
ITEMS: Charmstone x 0 and Ocarina.
MAGIC: Fire Storm ♦♦♦♦♦♦.

[Trapster]

I have to type what keys to play certain songs on the ocarina with. If anyone has done that, please send them to me.

[enigmaopoeia]

I wrote down the ocarina notes for myself to use at Alsedo, but this is for the Wiimote Controller setting:

Warning: Spoiler Below.

LEGEND: A = (A) | B = (1) | C = (2).

FIRST DOOR: (1) (A) (1) (A) (1) (2) (1).

SECOND DOOR: (A) (1) (2) (1) (2) (A) (1)

THIRD DOOR: (A) (2) (2) (A) (1) (A) (1).

[SKTTR]

Ocarina button setup:

A = A
B = 1
C = 2

It's easy to recognize because it's ABC like "from left to right".


Wiimote:

XXXXXXXXXXXX
X.+..A.....1.2..X
XXXXXXXXXXXX

Button setup:

XXXXXXXXXXXX
X.+..A.....B.C..X
XXXXXXXXXXXX


On a side note:
It's a weird button config on how to use magic spells or usable items like the ocarina with only the wiimote.
You can equip it to "left" and "right", then you have to hold down A and press left or right to activate it.


Also nice way of showing your stats, enigma opo.

[Trapster]

Maybe I should mention that I use the classic controller.

[Sharecrow]

I started it tonight and like it a lot so far. I didn't get too far (am about to fight the first boss), but it wasn't due to lack of interest...just had other stuff going on is all.

Oh and I'm a big fan of the spear so far. Usually in games like this I favor defense but I had the money and bought it just because I could...I haven't missed my shield yet!

[Jogurt the Yogurt]

Originally Posted by Trapster

Maybe I should mention that I use the classic controller.

CC in Monster World:

1: B Y B Y B A B
2: Y B A B A Y B
3: Y A A Y B Y B

[Betagam7]

I'm a little stuck. I'm trying to find the Trident and have gone through the Indy Jones type ruin with the little boy (Gnut) outside the jungle twice now. I've found a heart and a shield in chests but can't find a boss.

Is their one in this dungeon or am i looking in the wrong place. the Fairy Queen just tells me I'll find something "lucky" in there.

Tried to cross the desert but realised two screens in that it was sapping my health. I'm guessing some sort of special armour is required for that.

Originally Posted by Trapster

I have to type what keys to play certain songs on the ocarina with. If anyone has done that, please send them to me.

I know people have provided them to you by now but do you realise that there's a house in the village where one of the women will play these for you to practice or write down.

[Kiwi the Tortoise]

Originally Posted by Betagam7

I'm a little stuck. I'm trying to find the Trident and have gone through the Indy Jones type ruin with the little boy (Gnut) outside the jungle twice now. I've found a heart and a shield in chests but can't find a boss.

In the last room before the boss are several switches that need to be pushed in the right order. This room located to the right of of the room with the chest (shield).

[Betagam7]

Originally Posted by Kiwi the Tortoise

In the last room before the boss are several switches that need to be pushed in the right order. This room located to the right of of the room with the chest (shield).

Ah, I think I found that room and pushed all the switches but nothing happened. Thanks for the tip.

[hansolo350]

From what I remember, the boss of the dungeon you're in is really challenging.

[Jogurt the Yogurt]

Originally Posted by hansolo350

From what I remember, the boss of the dungeon you're in is really challenging.

When I fought that boss, I thought "Are they ALL going to be like this!?"

Good to know that's just a particularly tough one.

I actually didn't die, but I used my potion, my elixir, and all my magic...

[hansolo350]

Originally Posted by Jogurt the Yogurt

When I fought that boss, I thought "Are they ALL going to be like this!?"

Good to know that's just a particularly tough one.

I actually didn't die, but I used my potion, my elixir, and all my magic...

I just beat this boss and it seemed much easier than it was in The Dynastic Hero. In that game it took me several tries even using my elixir and magic.

[Jogurt the Yogurt]

Originally Posted by hansolo350

I just beat this boss and it seemed much easier than it was in The Dynastic Hero. In that game it took me several tries even using my elixir and magic.

Note to self: never play Dynastic Hero.
This is one of those games that I really love but am also terrible at, so I can see myself getting stuck in a harder fight later on.

[Kiwi the Tortoise]

I've just reached the final dungeon.
I haven't played Wonderboy 5 since 1992 but I still recall lots of things (hidden doors, strategies etc).

It seems fairly easy to me now...

[Betagam7]

Originally Posted by Jogurt the Yogurt

Note to self: never play Dynastic Hero.
This is one of those games that I really love but am also terrible at, so I can see myself getting stuck in a harder fight later on.

Yah boo to you all I've heard from a comparison article I read that the final boss is much easier in the DNH so I'll have fun strolling past him while you all struggle with your wonderboy end=boss

Just received the Sega Mega Drive collection this morning from Play.com (£20 free delivery, take that rip-off Swedish prices!) so I might be too sidetracked with that tonight to take on the boss.

[SKTTR]

The boss of the dwarf cave wasn't too tricky. As soon as I recognized its pattern he was (they were) a goner.

And now that I'm not too greedy anymore to throw around with magic spells, all the other bosses were easy too.

I like how this game is rather easy if you explore enough to find the optional heart containers and additional spell crystals.

Seems I have to restart to get 100% items, since I traded in my Ocarina for some helpful, but worthless hint.
Helpful in that I could proceed with the game.
Worthless because if you know where the secret is, you don't have to trade in the Ocarina.
Anyway, if the Ocarina has no meaning anymore, away with that weight!

Spoiler Progress:

After completing the pyramid and the ice temple, I'm now a little pigmy, and I'm in the volcano with a fire spitting dragon hatchling.

Need to backtrack to the pyramid (there is still a chest I couldn't get).

I like how so many teleports get unlocked in the central city. Not so much travelling anymore.

Spoiler End