Black/Matrix Advanced Introduction - Dreamcast (Japanese)
0Original Air Date: April 7th, 2009
I used to hate Black/Matrix when I first played the original game for the Sega Saturn, but it eventually grew on me. Then I saw the revised version of the original Saturn game called Black/Matrix Advanced in a game store I go to every once in a while that sells import games. I figured I enjoyed the first game enough so I bought it. I played it for a while and thought it was pretty awesome for a number of reasons.
From the minute you put it in, you'll notice a number of differences. The biggest one being, they did away with the AWFUL cutscenes from the original and opted for anime cutscenes instead, but they didn't just replace the cutscenes from the original, they added a lot of never-before-seen movies to help move major parts of the story and even expanded the story. Visually, the game is only marginally improved, and the sound is generally the same mixed bag. There are a few additions to the gameplay, but we'll talk about that later. Let's talk about the story a little.
Black/Matrix has a very dark and gothic nature to it. In this game, the definition of good and evil is questioned and the powers of darkness are in charge. In the introduction, a priest with black wings (Black-winged individuals are the superior race) is preaching to his followers about the hypocrisy of "God" and falsehoods such as "Love" and "Hope". He goes on to say that a mighty angel, the great angel Mephisto, goes on to oppose God and his followers in a holy war to send a message to their god, Satan.
This war against the white-winged race (the "good" people) lasted for 666 days until Mephisto lured them to the basement of the enchanted city of Linear, where hell exists, and sealed them there. Being descendants of Mephisto, the black-winged superiors govern the world and sacrifice and brutally mistreat the surviving white-winged race to show their power to seal what they believe to be "evil dieties".
Afterwards, you choose a master (the same lot from the original with a few name alterations) and they are by your bed side waiting for you, a white-wing, to awaken. You are now in the company of an attractive black-winged individual, whom will be your master (or "buddy" in the DC game). However, unlike other black-winged people who treat your kind like slaves, this one will have an emotional attachment to you, allow you to be more free and eventually fall in love with you. You name your characters (you're "Abel" by default, a biblical reference like most of the things this game is centered around) and you chat. The Master shows you their black-wings, but tells you not to worry. Blah, blah, blah, get well soon is how the intro ends. We can't spoil anymore of it. Enjoy.