Difference between revisions of "Star Cruiser"

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| developer=[[Arsys Software]]
 
| developer=[[Arsys Software]]
 
| system=[[Sega Mega Drive]]
 
| system=[[Sega Mega Drive]]
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| romsize=512kB
 
 
| sounddriver=
 
| sounddriver=
 
| peripherals=
 
| peripherals=
 
| players=1
 
| players=1
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| genre=Adventure
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| genre=Adventure{{ref|https://web.archive.org/web/20200702232146/https://sega.jp/history/hard/megadrive/software_l.html}}
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| originalpublishers=[[Arsys Software]]
+
| originalsystem=JP Home Computers
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| originaldevelopers=
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| releases={{releasesMD
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| consolescompilation=JP Home Computers
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| md_date_jp=1990-12-21{{ref|https://web.archive.org/web/20200702232146/https://sega.jp/history/hard/megadrive/software_l.html}}
−
| releases={{releases
 
−
| md_date_jp=1990-12-21
 
 
| md_code_jp=T-25063
 
| md_code_jp=T-25063
−
| md_rrp_jp=7,300
+
| md_rrp_jp=7,300e{{fileref|StarCruiser MD JP Box.jpg}}{{magref|bemega|1990-12|16}}
 
}}
 
}}
 +
{{releasesDigital
 +
|projectegg_date_jp=2021-11-30<ref>https://www.amusement-center.com/project/egg/game/?product_id=1662</ref>
 +
|projectegg_rrp_jp=880
 +
|projectegg_code_jp=NCS0042
 
}}
 
}}
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'''''Star Cruiser''''' (スタークルーザー) is a 1990 adventure game for the [[Sega Mega Drive]] by [[Arsys Software]], published by [[NCS]]. It is a port of ''Star Cruiser'', which was previously released on various Japanese home computers, including [[NEC]]'s PC-88 and PC-98 in 1988 and the Sharp X68000 in 1989.
+
| otherformats={{NonSega|PC8801mkIISR|PC9801M|PC9801UV|X1turbo|X68}}
 +
}}
 +
{{stub}}'''''{{PAGENAME}}''''' (スタークルーザー) is a 1990 adventure game for the [[Sega Mega Drive]] by [[Arsys Software]], published by [[NCS]]. It is a port of ''Star Cruiser'', which was previously released on various Japanese home computers, including the PC-8801 and PC-9801 in 1988 and the [[X68000]] in 1989.
  
−
No version has been released outside Japan. An English version, retitled '''''Star Quest''''', was set to be released in North America by [[Namco]] in 1994 (being previewed at [[Winter CES 1993]] and [[Sumer CES 1993]]), but was cancelled for unknown reasons. A sequel, ''Star Cruiser II'', was released for Japanese home computers in 1992.
+
It is a mixture of the action RPG and first-person shooter genres, with the graphics presented in real-time 3D polygon graphics.
  
 
==Overview==
 
==Overview==
−
Ahead of its time, it featured fully 3D polygonal graphics, true FPS gameplay (including strafing), RPG elements, open-ended space exploration, and an epic sci-fi space opera plot.
+
{{cleanup}}
 +
Upon its original 1988 release, ''Star Cruiser'' was an ambitious and innovative game years ahead of its time. The game's innovations included fully 3D polygon graphics (including nearly all objects, enemies, and backgrounds, with the exception of distant horizons that were pre-rendered), true first-person shooter gameplay (anticipating the likes of ''[[Wolfenstein 3D]]'' and ''[[Doom]]''), gameplay mechanics such as strafing, fusion of the first-person shooter and RPG genres (anticipating the likes of ''[[System Shock 2|System Shock]]'' and ''[[wikipedia:Deus Ex|Deus Ex]]''), real-time 3D first-person movement (unlike earlier first-person games which were pre-computed), 3D open-world exploration across a large game universe (spanning several star systems), 3D space flight simulator segments for exploring outer space with six degrees of movement (and fighting enemy spacecraft), a crosshair to target enemies (both on ground and in space), and a portable computer built into the player character's power suit that has various uses (such as displaying an automap and radar). The game had a large open-world game universe, allowing the player to explore over 30 planets across four star systems, making it the earliest example of a fully 3D polygon open-world game.
  
−
The game's innovations included fully polygonal 3D graphics (including nearly all objects, enemies, and backgrounds, with the exception of distant horizons that were pre-rendered), true first-person shooter gameplay (anticipating ''Wolfenstein 3D'' and ''[[Doom]]''), gameplay mechanics such as strafing, fusion of first-person shooter and RPG mechanics (anticipating ''System Shock'' and ''Deus Ex''), 3D open-ended sandbox exploration across a large game universe (spanning several star systems) with six degrees of freedom, 3D space flight simulator gameplay for exploring (and fighting enemy spacecraft in) outer space, a crosshair to target enemies (both on ground and in space), and a portable computer built into the player character's power suit that has various uses (such as displaying an automap and radar). The game had a large open-ended game universe, allowing the player to explore over 30 planets across four star systems.
+
The game also emphasized storytelling, with an epic sci-fi space opera storyline set in the 27th century, plot twists, character dialogues with NPCs (who have their own background stories), [[wikipedia:Anime|anime]] style dialogue portraits for characters, [[wikipedia:Visual novel|visual novel]] style first-preson cutscenes, animated cutscenes rendered using the game's 3D engine, and a chiptune soundtrack composed by Toshiya Yamanaka using FM synthesis (later released as a seperate original soundtrack CD).
−
 
 
−
The game also emphasized storytelling, with an epic sci-fi space opera storyline set in the 27th century, various plot twists, extensive character dialogues with NPCs (who have their own background stories), anime-style dialogue portraits for characters, visual novel style POV cutscenes, and animated cutscenes rendered using the game's 3D engine. It also had a chiptune FM synthesis soundtrack composed by Toshiya Yamanaka (later released as a seperate original soundtrack CD).
 
  
 
==History==
 
==History==
 
''Star Cruiser'' runs on a 3D polygon engine previously used by the 1986 Arsys Software role-playing shooter ''[[wikipedia:Wibarm|Wibarm]]''. While ''Wibarm'' only used the 3D engine for exploring indoor environments and presented it in a third-person view, ''Star Cruiser'' used the 3D polygon engine for the entire game and presented the view entirely in a first-person view.
 
''Star Cruiser'' runs on a 3D polygon engine previously used by the 1986 Arsys Software role-playing shooter ''[[wikipedia:Wibarm|Wibarm]]''. While ''Wibarm'' only used the 3D engine for exploring indoor environments and presented it in a third-person view, ''Star Cruiser'' used the 3D polygon engine for the entire game and presented the view entirely in a first-person view.
  
−
Upon its original 1988 release, ''Star Cruiser'' was an ambitious and innovative game years ahead of its time. The game's innovations included fully 3D polygon graphics (including nearly all objects, enemies, and backgrounds, with the exception of distant horizons that were pre-rendered), true first-person shooter gameplay (anticipating the likes of ''[[Wolfenstein 3D]]'' and ''[[Doom]]''), gameplay mechanics such as strafing, fusion of the first-person shooter and RPG genres (anticipating the likes of ''[[System Shock 2|System Shock]]'' and ''[[wikipedia:Deus Ex|Deus Ex]]''), real-time 3D first-person movement (unlike earlier first-person games which were pre-computed), 3D open-world exploration across a large game universe (spanning several star systems), 3D space flight simulator segments for exploring outer space with six degrees of movement (and fighting enemy spacecraft), a crosshair to target enemies (both on ground and in space), and a portable computer built into the player character's power suit that has various uses (such as displaying an automap and radar). The game had a large open-world game universe, allowing the player to explore over 30 planets across four star systems, making it the earliest example of a fully 3D polygon open-world game.
+
===Legacy===
 +
No version has been officially released outside Japan. An English version, retitled '''''Star Quest''''', was set to be released in North America by [[Namco]] in 1994 (being previewed at [[Winter CES 1993]] and [[Summer CES 1993]]), but was cancelled for unknown reasons (presumably due of dated 3D graphics). An English translaton beta patch was released at [[wikipedia:ROM Hacking|ROMhacking]] in September 2016,{{ref|[http://www.seganerds.com/2016/09/03/star-cruiser-a-japanese-exclusive-mega-drive-shooter-translated-into-english/ Star Cruiser, a Japanese exclusive Mega Drive shooter, translated into English], Sega Nerds}}{{ref|[http://retrogamingmagazine.com/2016/09/03/star-cruiser-receives-english-translation-fans-sega-genesis-console/ Star Cruiser Receives English Translation by Fans for Sega Genesis Console], ''Retro Gaming Mag''}} followed by a complete translation patch in November 2016.{{ref|[http://www.romhacking.net/translations/2776/ Star Cruiser], [[wikipedia:ROM Hacking|ROMhacking]]}}
 +
 
 +
A sequel, ''Star Cruiser II'', was released for Japanese home computers in 1992.
  
−
The game also emphasized storytelling, with an epic sci-fi space opera storyline set in the 27th century, plot twists, character dialogues with NPCs (who have their own background stories), [[wikipedia:Anime|anime]] style dialogue portraits for characters, [[wikipedia:Visual novel|visual novel]] style first-preson cutscenes, animated cutscenes rendered using the game's 3D engine, and a chiptune soundtrack composed by Toshiya Yamanaka using FM synthesis (later released as a seperate original soundtrack CD).
+
==Production credits==
 +
{{multicol|
 +
{{creditstable|
 +
*'''Producer:''' Keiichi Onogi
 +
*'''Assistant Producer:''' Keisuke Yasaka
 +
*'''Director:''' Osamu Nagano (Arsys)
 +
*'''Game Designer:''' Tux.Yoshimura (Arsys)
 +
*'''Scenario Writer:''' K.Y (Arsys)
 +
*'''Chief Programmer:''' Nekogeinin (Arsys)
 +
*'''Programmer:''' Seiichi Ikiuo (Arsys)
 +
*'''Graphic Designer:''' Ryo Yoshimura (Arsys), Biopark Matsuo (Arsys)
 +
*'''3D Designer:''' 3D-Editor Kun (Arsys), Jua. Yamashita (Arsys), Ryo Yoshimura (Arsys), Biopark Matsuo (Arsys)
 +
*'''Title Designer:''' Ryo Yoshimura (Arsys)
 +
*'''Music Composer:''' Toshiya Yamanaka (Arsys)
 +
*'''Sound Effect:''' Toshiya Yamanaka (Arsys)
 +
*'''Map Designer:''' Tux.Yoshimura (Arsys), Biopark Matsuo (Arsys), Ryo Yoshimura (Arsys)
 +
*'''Special Thanks to:''' Naotaka Taira (Arsys), Yasuo Fuku (Arsys), Shinichi Ito
 +
*'''Manager:''' Keiichi Onogi
 +
*'''Executive Director:''' Yasumasa Shirakura
 +
:'''Star Cruiser'''
 +
:'''©1990 [[NCS|NCS Corp.]]'''
 +
:'''©1988 Arsys Software, inc.'''
 +
| source=In-game credits
 +
| pdf=Star Cruiser MD credits.pdf
 +
| console=MD
 +
}}
 +
}}
  
−
===Reception===
+
==Digital manuals==
−
The original home computer releases were critically acclaimed, particularly the Sharp X68000 version, winning a number of awards (including Game of the Year awards) from Japanese publications. However, the Mega Drive port had a mixed reception. In Japan, ''Famitsu'' gave it a mixed-to-positive review, considering it to be not as good as the original home computer versions. In Europe, import reviews were very critical, not necessarily because of the gameplay, but because of the heavy Japanese text, which they regarded to be a major obstacle to enjoying the game. In North America, ''Electronic Gaming Monthly''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s reception of the unreleased English version, ''Star Quest'', was positive.{{fileref|EGM US 051.pdf|page=108}}{{fileref|EGM US 059.pdf|page=190}}
+
<gallery>
 +
StarCruiser MD JP PEGG Manual.pdf|Project EGG manual
 +
StarCruiser MD JP MDMini2 manual.pdf|Mega Drive Mini 2 JP manual
 +
</gallery>
  
 
==Magazine articles==
 
==Magazine articles==
 
{{mainArticle|{{PAGENAME}}/Magazine articles}}
 
{{mainArticle|{{PAGENAME}}/Magazine articles}}
 +
 +
==Promotional material==
 +
{{gallery
 +
|{{galleryPrintAd|bemega|1990-11|13}}
 +
|{{galleryPrintAd|bemega|1990-12|16}}
 +
|{{galleryPrintAd
 +
|bemega|1991-01|18
 +
|mdfan|12|94
 +
}}
 +
}}
  
 
==Physical scans==
 
==Physical scans==
−
{{ratings
+
{{ratings|MD}}
−
| icon=MD
 
−
| egm=100
 
−
| egm_source={{num|51|page=108|pdf=EGM US 051.pdf}}
 
−
| egm_1=100
 
−
| egm_source_1={{num|59|page=190|pdf=EGM US 059.pdf}}
 
−
| famitsu=60
 
−
| famitsu_source=''[http://www.famitsu.com/cominy/?m=pc&a=page_h_title&title_id=7210 Famitsu]''
 
−
| joystick=40
 
−
| joystick_source={{num|14|page=133|pdf=Joystick FR 014.pdf|pdfpage=134}}
 
−
| mdag=47
 
−
| mdag_source={{num|5|page=94}}
 
−
| segapower=20
 
−
| segapower_source={{num|23|page=54}} <br> {{num|46|page=98|pdf=SegaPower UK 46.pdf}}
 
−
| segapro=35
 
−
| segapro_source={{num|18|page=67}}
 
−
}}
 
 
{{Scanbox
 
{{Scanbox
 
| console=Mega Drive
 
| console=Mega Drive
Line 69: Line 96:
 
| manual=Starcruiser md jp manual.pdf
 
| manual=Starcruiser md jp manual.pdf
 
}}
 
}}
 +
 +
==Technical information==
 +
{{mainArticle|{{PAGENAME}}/Technical information}}
  
 
==References==
 
==References==
 
{{NECRetro|Star Cruiser|italics=yes}}
 
{{NECRetro|Star Cruiser|italics=yes}}
 
<references/>
 
<references/>
 +
{{StarCruiserOmni}}
 +
[[Category:Mega Drive Mini 2 games]]

Latest revision as of 10:46, 18 April 2024

n/a

StarCruiser MDTitleScreen.png

Star Cruiser
System(s): Sega Mega Drive
Publisher: Masaya
Developer:
Original system(s): JP Home Computers
Genre: Adventure[1]

















Number of players: 1
Release Date RRP Code
Sega Mega Drive
JP 		¥7,300 (7,519)7,300e[2][3] T-25063
Project Egg
JP ▼ 		¥880880 NCS0042
Non-Sega versions

This short article is in need of work. You can help Sega Retro by adding to it.

Star Cruiser (スタークルーザー) is a 1990 adventure game for the Sega Mega Drive by Arsys Software, published by NCS. It is a port of Star Cruiser, which was previously released on various Japanese home computers, including the PC-8801 and PC-9801 in 1988 and the X68000 in 1989.

It is a mixture of the action RPG and first-person shooter genres, with the graphics presented in real-time 3D polygon graphics.

Overview

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 This article needs cleanup.
This article needs to be edited to conform to a higher standard of article quality. After the article has been cleaned up, you may remove this message. For help, see the How to Edit a Page article.

Upon its original 1988 release, Star Cruiser was an ambitious and innovative game years ahead of its time. The game's innovations included fully 3D polygon graphics (including nearly all objects, enemies, and backgrounds, with the exception of distant horizons that were pre-rendered), true first-person shooter gameplay (anticipating the likes of Wolfenstein 3D and Doom), gameplay mechanics such as strafing, fusion of the first-person shooter and RPG genres (anticipating the likes of System Shock and Deus Ex), real-time 3D first-person movement (unlike earlier first-person games which were pre-computed), 3D open-world exploration across a large game universe (spanning several star systems), 3D space flight simulator segments for exploring outer space with six degrees of movement (and fighting enemy spacecraft), a crosshair to target enemies (both on ground and in space), and a portable computer built into the player character's power suit that has various uses (such as displaying an automap and radar). The game had a large open-world game universe, allowing the player to explore over 30 planets across four star systems, making it the earliest example of a fully 3D polygon open-world game.

The game also emphasized storytelling, with an epic sci-fi space opera storyline set in the 27th century, plot twists, character dialogues with NPCs (who have their own background stories), anime style dialogue portraits for characters, visual novel style first-preson cutscenes, animated cutscenes rendered using the game's 3D engine, and a chiptune soundtrack composed by Toshiya Yamanaka using FM synthesis (later released as a seperate original soundtrack CD).

History

Star Cruiser runs on a 3D polygon engine previously used by the 1986 Arsys Software role-playing shooter Wibarm. While Wibarm only used the 3D engine for exploring indoor environments and presented it in a third-person view, Star Cruiser used the 3D polygon engine for the entire game and presented the view entirely in a first-person view.

Legacy

No version has been officially released outside Japan. An English version, retitled Star Quest, was set to be released in North America by Namco in 1994 (being previewed at Winter CES 1993 and Summer CES 1993), but was cancelled for unknown reasons (presumably due of dated 3D graphics). An English translaton beta patch was released at ROMhacking in September 2016,[5][6] followed by a complete translation patch in November 2016.[7]

A sequel, Star Cruiser II, was released for Japanese home computers in 1992.

Production credits

  • Producer: Keiichi Onogi
  • Assistant Producer: Keisuke Yasaka
  • Director: Osamu Nagano (Arsys)
  • Game Designer: Tux.Yoshimura (Arsys)
  • Scenario Writer: K.Y (Arsys)
  • Chief Programmer: Nekogeinin (Arsys)
  • Programmer: Seiichi Ikiuo (Arsys)
  • Graphic Designer: Ryo Yoshimura (Arsys), Biopark Matsuo (Arsys)
  • 3D Designer: 3D-Editor Kun (Arsys), Jua. Yamashita (Arsys), Ryo Yoshimura (Arsys), Biopark Matsuo (Arsys)
  • Title Designer: Ryo Yoshimura (Arsys)
  • Music Composer: Toshiya Yamanaka (Arsys)
  • Sound Effect: Toshiya Yamanaka (Arsys)
  • Map Designer: Tux.Yoshimura (Arsys), Biopark Matsuo (Arsys), Ryo Yoshimura (Arsys)
  • Special Thanks to: Naotaka Taira (Arsys), Yasuo Fuku (Arsys), Shinichi Ito
  • Manager: Keiichi Onogi
  • Executive Director: Yasumasa Shirakura
Star Cruiser
©1990 NCS Corp.
©1988 Arsys Software, inc.
Source:
In-game credits
Star Cruiser MD credits.pdf
[8]

Digital manuals

  • Project EGG manual

  • Mega Drive Mini 2 JP manual

Magazine articles

Main article: Star Cruiser/Magazine articles.

Promotional material

Logo-pdf.svg
Print advert in Beep! MegaDrive (JP) #1990-11: "November 1990" (1990-10-XX)
Logo-pdf.svg
Logo-pdf.svg
Print advert in Beep! MegaDrive (JP) #1990-12: "December 1990" (1990-11-08)
Logo-pdf.svg
Logo-pdf.svg
Print advert in Beep! MegaDrive (JP) #1991-01: "January 1991" (1990-12-08)
also published in:
Logo-pdf.svg

Physical scans

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
{{{{{icon}}}|L}} Division by zero.
Based on
0 review
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
Beep! MegaDrive (JP) NTSC-J
78
[10]
Famitsu (JP) NTSC-J
60
[11]
Hippon Super (JP) NTSC-J
70
[12]
Joystick (FR) NTSC-J
40
[13]
Mega Drive Fan (JP) NTSC-J
71
[14]
Sega Power (UK) NTSC-J
0
[15]
Sega Mega Drive
 53
Based on
6 reviews

Star Cruiser

Mega Drive, JP
StarCruiser MD JP Box.jpg
Cover
StarCruiser MD JP CartTop.jpg
StarCruiser MD JP Cart.jpg
Cart
Starcruiser md jp manual.pdf
Manual

Technical information

Main article: Star Cruiser/Technical information.

References

Necretro-round.svg
NEC Retro has more information related to Star Cruiser
  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 https://sega.jp/history/hard/megadrive/software_l.html (Wayback Machine: 2020-07-02 23:21)
  2. ↑ File:StarCruiser MD JP Box.jpg
  3. ↑ Beep! MegaDrive, "December 1990" (JP; 1990-11-08), page 16
  4. ↑ https://www.amusement-center.com/project/egg/game/?product_id=1662
  5. ↑ Star Cruiser, a Japanese exclusive Mega Drive shooter, translated into English, Sega Nerds
  6. ↑ Star Cruiser Receives English Translation by Fans for Sega Genesis Console, Retro Gaming Mag
  7. ↑ Star Cruiser, ROMhacking
  8. ↑ File:Star Cruiser MD credits.pdf
  9. ↑ Mega Drive Fan, "January 1991" (JP; 1990-12-08), page 94
  10. ↑ Beep! MegaDrive, "January 1991" (JP; 1990-12-08), page 35
  11. ↑ Famitsu, "" (JP; 199x-xx-xx), page 1
  12. ↑ Hippon Super, "January 1991" (JP; 1990-12-04), page 40
  13. ↑ Joystick, "Mars 1991" (FR; 1991-0x-xx), page 134
  14. ↑ Mega Drive Fan, "March 1991" (JP; 1991-02-08), page 99
  15. ↑ Sega Power, "October 1991" (UK; 1991-09-05), page 54
Star Cruiser

StarCruiser MDTitleScreen.png

Main page | Comparisons | Magazine articles | Reception | Region coding | Technical information


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