| Astal | |
|---|---|
| Developer(s) | Sega |
| Publisher(s) | Sega |
| Platform(s) | Sega Saturn |
| Release date(s) |
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| Genre(s) | Platform game |
| Mode(s) | 2 players, playing simultaneously |
| Rating(s) |
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Astal, known in Japan as Kisuishou Densetsu Asutaru, (輝水晶伝説 アスタル lit. Shining Crystal Legend Astal) is a 2D side scrolling platformer game for the Sega Saturn. Astal was released early in the Sega Saturn's life and used hand-drawn graphics.
At the time of Astal's release, the video game market saw the release of new, increasingly popular genres, and 3D games were in high demand. This factor is a possible cause resulting in Astal's poor sales, despite positive reviews. Also, the North American release has the oddity that the game's title does not appear on the side of the case, which is blank apart from the Sega Saturn logo. This meant that gamers would be unlikely to notice the game on the shelves unless their specific retailer chose to display it with front cover out. Regardless of the reasons behind why Astal sold poorly, the game is now considered a minor rarity.
It should also be noted that Astal never received a PAL release.
Contents |
Somewhere in the universe, The Goddess Antowas created a world from a single jewel. On this world, Quartilia, she created the sky, earth, and air. To inhabit this world, she created two humans - from a green jewel, a girl: Leda, who has the power to make things live on Quartilia. And from a red Jewel, a boy: Astal, whose purpose was to protect Leda. Content with her creation, Antowas slept.
While she slept, the evil Jerado tried to take over Quartilia. To ensure victory, Jerado created a warrior: Geist. Geist kidnapped Leda, and held her at the bottom of the ocean. In an effort to get her back, Astal tore Quartilia apart, awakening Antowas. As punishment, Antowas banished Astal to Quartilia's moon. Leda took pity on Astal, and gave him her jewel. Once Astal and Jerado were dealt with, Antowas went back to sleep.
However, Geist was still free, and Quartilia was not restored from the changes Jerado wrought. From his prison on the moon, Astal witnessed Geist kidnap Leda again. Consumed with the need to protect her, he freed himself and returned to Quartilia. Now Astal journeys in search of Leda through a Quartilia transformed by Jerado's dark design, along with a strange bird who for some reason just won't leave him alone...
The player controls Astal through a side-scrolling world.
Astal's primary mode of attacking is using the B Button on the Gamepad. Pressed without direction, or with left or right held down, Astal will grab and throw enemies or objects over his shoulder. Pressed while holding down, Astal will punch the ground, stunning enemies. Pressed while jumping (via using the C button), he will punch down with both fists. The B Button is also used to lift certain pieces of scenery, such as trees or boulders, and throw them. Astal's final method of attack is blowing. Pressing up on the D-pad will allow him to inhale air, and holding forward and pressing B immediately after will blow this air out, literally blowing away all enemies directly in front of him.
Within each level are a number of glowing enemies. Defeating them will charge a meter in Astal's HUD located at the bottom of the screen. When A, X, Y or Z is pressed the bird will pinball around the screen, retrieving items and killing enemies.
Astal also includes a 2-Player Co-Operative mode, with a second player controlling the bird. The bird can strike at the enemy with wings and beak using the B button, launch an arrow attack by holding down and then releasing the B button, or dive bomb the enemy by pressing and holding the C button while using left and right on the D-pad to control direction. The bird can also dash across the screen by pressing left or right twice and holding.
Astal often makes cameo appearances (usually in background shots, architecture, or large group shots) in the Sonic The Hedgehog comic book series by Archie Comics, courtesy of artist Patrick Spaziante (who, given the frequency that Astal appears in this series, is more than likely an avid fan of the game). Astal (and the bird) have a one panel cameo in Sonic the Hedgehog issue #50. They appear alongside Bark the Polarbear, Bean the Dynamite, Ray the Flying Squirrel, Ristar, and Deku from Fighters Megamix fighting against the Overlanders (Humans) in a flashback/dream sequence of Dr. Robotnik. On the cover of #51, Astal appears in the audience, looking up to Sonic, Tails, and Princess Sally standing on the podium and celebrating their victory over Dr. Robotnik. On the cover of #125, he is behind the "5" card held by Mighty the Armadillo. He is on the cover of Sonic Super Special No.9, as a doll of Tails.
In the Japanese version, the song "Let Me Try Again" that plays during the game's intro movie includes vocals. The North American version is instrumental. However, the vocal version can be heard by playing the game's CD in a standard CD player.
All voices in the U.S. version are performed by Lani Minella, who has voiced many different video game characters in her career, with her voice appearing in such games as Diablo II, Half-Life, Soul Calibur III, Ghost Dogs of Moon Lake, and more. Her most well-recognized roles, however, are Rouge the Bat & Omochao in Sonic Adventure 2, and Sonic Heroes.