Astal | 1995 | Magical Journey! | Sega Saturn
4Astal is a 2D side scrolling platform game for the Sega Saturn. Astal was released early in the Sega Saturn's life and used hand-drawn graphics. The animations for the cutscenes were provided by TMS Entertainment. The player must guide the title character through the course of a level while avoiding or eliminating obstacles and opposing forces. In addition to running and jumping, different button combinations allow for punching or throwing enemies. The ground can be punched to stun opposing enemies nearby, and a blowing attack can be charged by inhaling and exhaling, which blows enemies or obstacles away from the character. Certain parts of the level's environment, such as trees or rocks, can also be picked up and thrown. Defeating special glowing enemies charges up a meter that allows for the use of a bird character who assists the player. A limited asymmetrical co-op mode includes a second player controlling the bird characters action, which includes wing attacks and divebombing.
The game had a number of differences between its Japanese and English language releases. In the Japanese version, Astal has five life points and unlimited continues. This was dropped to three life points and one continue in the North American version. In the Japanese version, the song "Let Me Try Again" that plays during the game's intro movie includes vocals. The North American version is instrumental. However, the vocal version can be heard by playing the game's CD in a standard CD player.
GAME RECORDING INFO:
The game was emulated at Retroarch. It was integer scaled to 4k, without bi-linear filtering, and retaining the original aspect ratio (display aspect ratio, not internal resolution). And captured using shader / filter that simulates the image of a CRT monitor screen. I also use a bezel above the game with a image that i've created of a 90's TV, to create a nostalgic atmosphere.
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