Time Gal

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Time Gal, is a trial and error video game (of the Dragon's Lair persuasion) created during the first age of "full motion" style. It is an early laser-disc arcade title released in 1985 by Taito in Japan (it was never released in the U.S.). A conversion for the Playstation was developed and released by Telenet Japan (as Wolfteam). A Sega CD version was published overseas by Renovation Products, Telenet's North American subsidiary (with English localization).

The year is 4001. The evil Luda has stolen a time machine and plans to use it to take over the world. The hero, “Time Gal”, AKA Reika, (a skillful and pretty scientist) is on a mission to chase Luda (an evil mastermind) through different time periods, and stop her from assuming control of all history. In this globe-trotting FMV adventure, with anime-styled graphics, she must cross 16 stages that take her from prehistoric times to future realms and even to historical events such as World War II. She must get the time machine back, and save the world!

You watch animations of your heroine while she travels through levels, and overcome obstacles by pushing the correct button at the right moment (as you would in the aforementioned Dragon's Lair). You can change directions, jump, shoot, etc., but everything is controlled during the never-ending fluent motion of Reika. Unique to this particular game, at certain points, Reika would call for a "time stop," and the player would be confronted with three choices, only one of which allowed them to continue onward.

[edit] Miscellaneous

Many (though not all) of the game's "miss" sequences involve Reika becoming super deformed.

The game has two opening sequences: one for the arcade version, and one for the home console versions. The arcade opening features an instrumental theme, while the home console versions feature a variation of the arcade opening, but with an original "vocal theme" (i.e.: with lyrics). The North American Sega CD version uses the latter theme, but removes the vocals.

The Sega CD version has a "closing credit" sequence that originally did not appear in the arcade version. In the higher difficulty levels, one can see all the "miss" sequences, followed by the "VICTORY!" screen (where Reika is blowing a kiss).

The game was also ported to the Pioneer LaserActive in 1995.