Shin-Oh-Ken [Saturn] - play as Eelis
29This is a playthrough using Eelis in the Saturn version of Shin-Oh-Ken / Ragnagard. Read on below for more information...
Eelis is the 2nd of 3 bosses in the game, acting as the penultimate boss for everyone besides herself. She is both a hidden and regular playable character - in that she is hidden in Arcade Mode and not hidden in Versus Mode.
===== ABOUT EELIS =====
Eelis is a modern succubus design with irregular coloured skin tone and hair. The outfit is rather vampire-like. In the Saturn version of the game, she has extra alternative colour palettes.
Gameplay-wise, she is probably the most agile and fastest character in the game. Her Nightmare Wing move is an anti-air and is good for ending air combos; the Phantom Strike can be combo'd into easily; and the Dancing Needle can catch opponents out when they're striking on the ground. Her desperation move, the Midnight Slasher, can be prevented if the opponent blocks the first strike.
===== 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.