Virtual Hydlide

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Virtual Hydlide
Virtual Hydlide box art
Developer(s)	Technology and Entertainment Software
Publisher(s)	Atlus
Distributor(s)	Electro Source
Series	Hydlide
Platform(s)	Sega Saturn
Release date	^JPN April 28, 1995 ^NA April 28, 1995 ^EU December 29, 1995
Genre(s)	Console role-playing game^[1], Adventure
Mode(s)	Single player
Media	CD-ROM
Input methods	Gamepad

Virtual Hydlide is an action-adventure video game for the Sega Saturn console, developed by T&E Soft. It is a remake of the original Hydlide, the first game in the series, but incorporated full 3D graphics.

The player takes on the role of a hero on a quest to defeat an evil demon named Varalys who has turned the princess of Hydlide into three fairies. Before confronting Varalys, the hero must find the fairies and three magical jewels to restore the princess to her regular self.

The game involved typical adventure/RPG fare, in which the player roamed the world (the titular Hydlide), searching through dungeons for weapons and armour. Virtual Hydlide however differed by offering to level the player up only after completing certain portions of the game, whereas most RPGs level the player up once they have obtained a certain amount of experience points^[2].

[edit] Critical Reception

Virtual Hydlide was panned by players and critics alike for its sub-par graphics system that sometimes went below 5 frames per second, poor enemy artificial intelligence and physics, and uninspired story ^[3].

The game was however praised for the concept of generating a unique playing world for each new quest.