Septerra Core
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| Septerra Core: Legacy of the Creator | |
|---|---|
| Cover art N/A | |
| Developer(s) | Valkyrie Studios |
| Publisher(s) | Monolith Productions |
| Designer(s) | Brian Babendererde |
| Release date(s) | October 31, 1999 |
| Genre(s) | Computer RPG |
| Mode(s) | Single player |
| Rating(s) | ESRB: Teen (T) |
| Platform(s) | Windows |
| Media | CD |
| Input | Keyboard, mouse |
Septerra Core: Legacy of the Creator is a computer role-playing game (CRPG) developed by Valkyrie Studios and published by Monolith Productions. The game takes an unnusual approach at the genre, by using elements most commonly associated with console video games, such as the Final Fantasy series. Septerra Core's art style draws most of its inspiration from the Japanese anime genre, making use of stylised characters and fantastic landscape, combining science fiction futuristic elements with, for example, medieval concepts. That is essentially made possible due to the fact that the game is set on a fictional world composed by seven analogous layers - hence the title "Septerra" - each with unique characteristics, geography and political structure. Battles in Septerra Core implement a variant of Active Time Battle, with the only substantial difference being that the strength of the character's attacks are defined by how long the player allows the time gauge of said character to be charged. Other notable features include fully recorded dialogue, CGI cutscenes and a flexible magic system based on cards similar to those of Tarot. Professional voice actors supplied the voices for the main characters while Valkyrie employees and friends voiced the minor characters.
Continuing technical support may be found at http://www.lith.com/sites/septerra/forum/ as well as an unofficial patch for users of more modern operating systems than the game was initially designed for, Windows 98.
Contents |
[edit] Setting and basic premise
The world's seven continental layers (referred to as "shells") shield access to the clockwork computer planetary core. Legends mention two "core keys" which, when united during a rare alignment of the shells, are capable of unlocking the planetary core, thus releasing the "Legacy of the Creator". Those living on Shell 1 call themselves "the Chosen", and have an attitude of superiority over other inhabitants of the planet. Those living on Shell 2 are called "the Junkers", people which make a living out of collecting junk - especially electronic - originating from the upper shell. The main plot is set around members of both shells. The game's main character is Maya, from the Junkers, and the main antagonist comes from a Chosen heritage.
[edit] Gameplay basics
The game's play area has two different depths - the world map and the location maps. On the location maps, the player is given the opportunity of interacting with other characters, visiting stores, fighting battles, and so forth, whilst the world map serves the purpose of transporting the player from one location map to the other. At some points in the story, such as the beginning, the game is linear on the world map; at other times the player can move to all sorts of battlefields to grind out more experience for the characters. Within dungeons there is a choice of movement to pick up the required magic items in any order, but one cannot rest to full health within.
[edit] Characters
The player is given the choice of composing his or her party with three characters out of nine, but certain characters might at times become unavaliable due to plot events. However, as there is only one event in the game in which the player can have a team without the main character Maya, the choice of a team is limited to two characters plus Maya.
- Maya - Female main character from Shell 2; A rifle-wielding adventuress
- Araym - Male bounty hunter from Shell 4; Formerly an Ankaran explosives expert from Shell 5 before losing both arms to a war injury. Now a mercenary with mechanical rocket arms
- Badu - Blind Underlost from Shell 7; a knife-weilding savage, he 'sees' with organic RADAR
- Corgan - Swordsman from Shell 3; enemy of Selina
- Grubb - Male mechanic from Shell 2; A staff-wielding inventor: friend to Maya
- Ledd - Female mechanic from Shell 5; A wrench-wielding Ankaran engineer. A training injury left her with mechanical legs. Fond of Grubb and hostile towards Lobo
- Lobo - Cyborg pirate from Shell 6; Once a slave-soldier of Jinam, his limitation device was removed after he was abandoned, allowing him free will
- Runner - A giant mechanical dog; loyal to Grubb, its inventor
- Selina - Swordswoman from Shell 1; lover of the Chosen leader Doskias, enemy of Corgan
[edit] Combat
Each combat sequence is accompanied by the same music, during which the player characters and their opponents leap to their stations on an isometric grid. The player cannot alter their location during the game, not even if the villain directly in front of one is defeated.
There is a "dial" for each of the three player characters, which moves past two break points, and ultimately to a maximum power level, as time goes along. After the first break point, the player may choose to have that player attack at a low level, or, if possible join with another character for a combined attack. Spells, either for a given character or combo, may be set up and cast at low, medium, or maximum power level as well. But while the player chooses to wait until the characters are powered-up, the enemy will be attacking. If a player-character is struck powerfully enough, not only will it be injured, but its "dial" will short down to zero and must start powering up again.
[edit] Trivia
This game was scored by Marty O'Donnell, and featured minor voice work from Steve Downes. When O'Donnell was asked to score Halo: Combat Evolved, he suggested Downes for the voice of Master Chief, which has brought Downes great fame and critical acclaim.
