Game:

Space Channel 5 (1999)

Duration: 1:29:37

13 views

0

Originally recorded: November 9, 2023
---
Phew. For a while there, I didn't think I was going to be able to do it. But I managed to beat the base game for Space Channel 5 after all. It just took me *waaaaay* longer than I'd hoped. Honestly, it's almost humiliating how much time I spent on just that final stage. But at least I can put it behind me.

I think the major issue with the Giant Evila fight stems from just how I was able to sync in on the rhythm throughout this playthrough. I sort of just "zone out" and let my brain match the rhythm on auto-pilot. It doesn't always work, but I'm eventually able to learn to perform even the most difficult segments somewhat reliably. Unfortunately, the second Evila segment sort of forces you to think, because of the whole reversed controls gimmick. Even if it's just as simple as pressing down instead of up, it still requires a modicum of conscious thought... which absolutely kills my method. Couple that with the less than generous life stocks during that fight itself and it's a recipe for driving me insane.

I ended up discovering that I had the ability to fast-forward, so I exploited it. Frankly, a lot of the stress came from having to go through *the entire stage* over and over and over again. Skipping past the segments that I'd already seen several times that were basically filler doesn't really strike me as cheating. And honestly, if it got past 1 AM my time, I would've just made a save state at that Giant Evila fight and used that to finish the game. Now *THAT* would be cheating. As it stands, I'm calling this a legitimate win.

Space Channel 5 apparently has a New Game+ mode with "alternate routes" that you unlock by beating the game. But honestly, considering how long it took me to finish the base playthrough, I just didn't see a point in tempting fate with it. I quit while I was ahead and I'm happy with it. Best of all, I didn't even miss that final post-credits prompt that Sega basically snuck into the game to prevent people from getting a perfect score. Granted, I was nowhere near hitting a full 100% -- I finished with an 88% somehow -- but it's almost funny how much a dick move that sneaky little prompt is.

I originally planned on doing another short game today, had I finished SC5 when I intended to. Instead, I'm going to skip ahead to what is by far the longest of my remaining bonus games, just to get it out of the way. After that, I'll play the game I planned on playing BEFORE Space Channel 5 and round out the year with the last two games. Wish me luck!

Other Statistics