Shin-Oh-Ken [Saturn] - play as Behemoth
21This is a play-through using Behemoth in the Saturn version of Shin-Oh-Ken / Ragnagard. Read on below for more information...
Behemoth is the 1st of 3 bosses in the game. He is both a hidden and regular playable character - in that he is hidden in Arcade Mode and not hidden in Versus Mode.
===== ABOUT BEHEMOTH =====
Probably a hybrid of a lion-like beast and a human. He is the largest character in the game.
Gameplay-wise he is very powerful as well as being surprisingly fast in movement. His Nitro Break special move is very hard to avoid when on the ground and his Deadly Press have massive priority. It seems that he has been weakened for the Saturn version of the game.
===== ADDITIONAL INFORMATION =====
---- The English name for this game is Ragnagard. Due to the Saturn version of the game being only released in Japan, it meant that technically there is no official overseas "Ragnagard" version of it on the platform.
===== ABOUT THE SATURN PORT =====
The Saturn port of the game is rather good... in the way that it is a more "unique" version that is slightly different from the NeoGeo originals. The main differences include:
---- New character icon images for the character select screen and lifebars.
---- New alternative colour palettes for the characters.
---- A new Versus screen with new character image portraits. This is really a loading screen but the portraits are a welcome addition.
---- A combo notification system during fights where if you achieve a high enough combo, you get to input your name/initials after a match.
---- Different style winning screens and end credits screens.
---- The game uses the intro from the NeoGeoCD version of the game, and it has less animation on Benten and Susano when they appear in it.
The game uses an Arranged soundtrack, it's the same one used in the NeoGeoCD version of the game.
The drawbacks of this port is that a number of animation frames/sprites have been cut from the characters due to the Saturn's scarce Video RAM... if you've played the NeoGeo versions before and have a good eye, you'll definitely notice the cuts.
===== ABOUT SHIN-OH-KEN =====
This is a 2D fighting game which originated on the NeoGeo system. Some of the characters in the game are based on mythical deities and figures.
Graphically-wise, the "unique" aspect of it is that it uses pre-rendered 3D polygons for the characters and backgrounds. Therefore as a result, the characters look 3D instead of like the traditional cartoon style 2D sprites. The high number of animation frames for each character makes it smooth-looking, but the 3D style also means that movements and strikes look "rigid".
Gameplay-wise, the game features a flexible chain-combo mechanic, and the system deliberately makes air combos easy as every time a hit is landed in the air against airborne opponents, there is a slight pause. A rather unique feature is the Elements gauge system, whereby each character has 2 of 4 elements (Water, Wind, Fire and Lightening). You can charge your gauge to attain either of the elements, which will give your character power stocks to use the appropriate Power moves. Charging the gauge also improves/powers up your character's special moves as well.