Valis II: PC Engine CD - Longplay
5Valis II is a 1989 action-platform video game originally developed by Laser Soft, published by Telenet Japan and NEC for the PC Engine CD-ROM²/TurboGrafx-CD. A home computer version was released for PC-8801, MSX2, PC-9801 and X68000. A super deformed-style remake was released in 1992 for the Sega Mega Drive/Genesis. It is the second entry in the eponymous series. It stars Yuko Asou, a Japanese schoolgirl teenager chosen to become the Valis warrior by wielding the titular mystical sword, after defeating the demon lord Rogles. The dream world Vecanti fell under the rule of emperor Megas, whose hatred towards his brother Rogles and bloodthirsty tendencies seeks to wipe out traces of the former tyrant, including his supporters. Gameplay varies between each version but all share similar elements, as the player explores and search for items and power-ups, while fighting enemies and defeat bosses.
Telenet commisioned two main versions of Valis II at around the same time, with the PC Engine CD-ROM/TurboGrafx-CD version being the first title created by Laser Soft, an internal gaming division of Telenet formed specifically to explore games for the CD-ROM format, but the home computer version is believed to have entered development earlier, while the Mega Drive/Genesis remake features the same gameplay and plot as the PC Engine CD/TurboGrafx-CD version. The remake was slated for a European release by UbiSoft, as part of a multi-game licensing deal with Telenet's North American subsidiary Renovation Products, but it was never officially released in the region. Each version of the game have since been re-released through download services for other platforms and compilations.
Valis II on the PC Engine/TurboGrafx garnered generally favorable reception from critics since its initial launch, some of which reviewed it as an import title; praise was given to the audiovisual presentation for showcasing the potential of the CD-ROM format, but others felt mixed regarding various aspects. The home computer version carried sentiments similar to the original release, with some reviewers noting the overall dark tone of its plot. The Mega Drive/Genesis remake, however, received negative response from the gaming press. It was followed by Valis III (1990).