Another Dreamcast Gem

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07 May 2002, 06:21 PM
Prince Planet

Another Dreamcast Gem

Super Magnetic Neo.

I wish I had time to do a review of this quality title, since it really merits an in-depth discussion. At one time, I had this game completely dialed - I beat EVERY challenge, including all of the time challenges on the 16 (I think) stages. Believe me, this involved more than a bit of cursing and controller-heaving. But AAAHHH, the satisfaction of beating it in the end...

Given the number of DC freaks on this board, I'm sure many of you have played this title. But, for those DC owners who missed out, here's your reminder: Go get it now (and it's ridiculously cheap).

A few reasons why:

1. It's a true 3D platform game;
2. Silky-smooth 60 fps (or so it seemed) at all times;
3. Vibrant graphics (alright, the style is pretty kooky);
4. Tight control (for a 3D platformer);
5. Insane play mechanics;
6. Increasingly tough challenge;
7. Decent replay value (assuming you didn't smash your controller).

I see endless complaints about current titles lacking originality, "old-school" gameplay, challenge, etc. Well, those folks missed the boat on this title. Don't make the same mistake.
07 May 2002, 06:31 PM
BioMechanic

Oh yeah. Best five bucks I ever spent.

Stretch Panic wished it was as cool as Neo.

The hardest part for me was remembering which button corresponded to which magnet, and when to use each one, but once I got that down, the game became a shot in the arm.

You finished EVERY challenge??? Kudos to you - I got about 2/3 done and gave up. I loved how the hub was set up between the worlds.

Weird, weird, weird, but an absolutely overlooked and underappreciated game. (amazing it got released in the States at all...wasn't it published by Crave?)
07 May 2002, 06:38 PM
Prince Planet

Yep. Crave did the U.S. release, so kudos to them. Don't feel bad about getting 2/3rds of the challenges. The Zone 4 challenges (the last 4 stages) had me screaming at the top of my lungs for quite some time. My kids were very scared.
07 May 2002, 06:40 PM
kabuki

Yeah, I gave up on this game when my girlfriend beat the level that I was having trouble with.
The worst part was that it only took her a few tries...
- Kabuki
07 May 2002, 06:53 PM
Mode7

Quote:

Tight control

I have to disagree. I found movement very slidy and imprecise, and jumping was such a pain. All this plus some very trying camera angles made the game much harder than it really had any business being.

But yeah, some pretty neat play mechanics.
07 May 2002, 07:41 PM
Low

A enjoyable little game. Very neat design on the characters. My one complaint, the run button. I prefer to be able to control my character's running, not him making a preset dash. *-neo
07 May 2002, 08:46 PM
Mode7

Ahhh yes, the dash. That's another thing I forgot to bitch and moan about. Thanks, neo.
07 May 2002, 09:10 PM
Master

Good game. Definitley worth the ten bucks I paid for it, but it lacks the character of so many other games. I dunno why, it just missed out on that special something.

It may sound silly, but I just couldn't get into the characters and their weird little world.

At five bucks this game is a steal, but I can see why it didn't sell at 50, 40, 30 or even 20 bucks.
07 May 2002, 09:39 PM
Prince Planet

Quote:

Originally posted by Mode7
Ahhh yes, the dash. That's another thing I forgot to bitch and moan about. Thanks, neo.

This is a legitimate beef, as the "run" button took more than a little getting used to. At the same time, I don't think the game would have played nearly as well by having the "run" function tied to the analog control -- that would require a transition from "walk" to "run", and would make it even harder to negotiate some of the platforms/jumps.

I still think the game controls very well for a 3D platformer. In fact, I can't think of a better-controlling 3D platformer at the moment, although perhaps some of you can.

Still, this game's easily worth the $5-$8 that it presently goes for. Also, it's not like there's a flood of platformers out there, so we need to grab the few that we can.
08 May 2002, 12:26 AM
AaronChance

A decent game, but I wouldn't really consider it a 'gem.' Rayman 2 and Donald Duck are both much better platformers. Magentic Neo was a nice idea, but the excution leaves something to be desired.

Control always felt wonky and too much of the 'cheap death' syndrome. I don't mind a game being somewhat frustration, as long as its caused by my own lack of skill and not the laziness of the programmer.
08 May 2002, 12:53 AM
Clash!

I have a question about this game that I NEED to have answerd, I have been trying to find out how to do this certain thing forever.

OK, on the Second Aztec level, near to the end (I think) you fight these things, and this big Mouse Skull made out of smoke chases you, what the hell do I do? I have no Idea why I can't figure it out. It chases you but you can't run because of all the oil on the floor. I would really appreciate some help. I feel like such a loser.
08 May 2002, 02:57 AM
WTFer420

I played the demo & loved it

found it for $5.00 at Sears

but when i played more of it, the controls& the 1 hit kills were really a problem
such a good gam undernearth, BUT the exacution(sp) was bad
I died 18 non-stop at one platform in the 2nd level (the ice level)
08 May 2002, 03:01 AM
Regus

I played the demo, and I didn't like it at all, but it sure was pretty.

I bet this thing looks amazing on a VGA monitor.
08 May 2002, 01:53 PM
Prince Planet

Quote:

Originally posted by Clash_Master
I have a question about this game that I NEED to have answerd, I have been trying to find out how to do this certain thing forever.

OK, on the Second Aztec level, near to the end (I think) you fight these things, and this big Mouse Skull made out of smoke chases you, what the hell do I do? I have no Idea why I can't figure it out. It chases you but you can't run because of all the oil on the floor. I would really appreciate some help. I feel like such a loser.

Ok, I'm going on hazy memory here. I think you are talking about the part where you are in the dead-end (blocked) corridor. You have to run-jump your way BACK TO THE STARTING POINT (or close to it), finishing with a leap across the first "chasm". The skulls will fall into it, and the chase is over. Also, when you begin your retreat, you have to jump on the floating chunks of concrete, or you will indeed get stuck. Basically, run like hell back to where you started (it's past those coffins that are scattered on the floor). Hope this helps.

As for Ammadeau's comments -- you are correct. Rayman on DC pretty much crushes little Neo. Still, for people complaining that "hey, we never get those crazy niche games from Japan", Neo pretty much fits the bill.
08 May 2002, 02:02 PM
Clash!

Thank you! I seem to remember doing this and just not getting it done, maybe my skills are poor. Hmmm well now I know whats to do.
17 Mar 2003, 06:21 PM
Prince Planet

Heh. My daughter insisted on playing this game last night, so I dusted it off. I was seriously out of practice, but it came back slowly.

Still a fun, quirky 3D platformer.
17 Mar 2003, 06:29 PM
jiji

My girlfriend bought this a while back as she'd enjoyed playing it on her brother's DC before she moved off to college, and I've tried it a few times. It's rare that I've played a game that's so hateful and malevolent. It seems like the only way to get through the levels is constant trial and error, and I agree that the camera angles make jumping very difficult. The game is very pretty, but it's tough to enjoy it when it's such a pain to get through. I might give it another shot sometime in the future (just like I might try to get on with the remaining two thirds of Alundra sometime), but only if I'm feeling rather masochistic.
17 Mar 2003, 07:32 PM
cigsthecat

I keep forgetting to buy this.
17 Mar 2003, 07:40 PM
Mode7

So far so good, then.
17 Mar 2003, 07:41 PM
Regus

Quote:

Originally posted by Regus
I played the demo, and I didn't like it at all, but it sure was pretty.

I bet this thing looks amazing on a VGA monitor.

Well, I own the game now, and I still don't like it.

Quote:

A decent game, but I wouldn't really consider it a 'gem.' Rayman 2 and Donald Duck are both much better platformers.

I'll agree to that.

As far as I'm concerned this game was overlooked for a good reason.
17 Mar 2003, 08:15 PM
PKBMax

I really enjoy Neo. I paid full price for it, when it came out, and have never regretted the decision.

It's a fun game, with unique game mechanics, that will keep you challenged until the end. It definitely feels rewarding to beat it, after playing through some of the insane later levels.

Quote:

Originally posted by jiji
... I might give it another shot sometime in the future (just like I might try to get on with the remaining two thirds of Alundra sometime), but only if I'm feeling rather masochistic.

Missing out on Super Magnetic Neo is one thing, quitting 1/3 of the way through one of the best Action RPGs ever made is entirely another. :eek:

Alundra is definitely one of my all-time favorites. The insane puzzles are just genius.