[Timeless RPG to play now] No. 4 “Linda Cube Again” (1997)

! Notice!If you are not comfortable with grotesque or cruel expressions, or if you are under the age of 18, please refrain from viewing.

A serialized corner that introduces the charm of retro RPG titles that you can enjoy even if you play them now.Timeless RPG to play now”. Thanks to you, we were able to safely celebrate the third time. 『Last VI』、『Lunatic Dawn'', we have continued to introduce works with a strong fantasy color that you want to play seriously, but in the third installment we will introduce a slightly different theme, the classic Japanese psychological RPG ``linda cube” Introducing.

The original version was released as PC Engine CD-ROM 2 software in 1995, and is also known as the first consumer RPG title to be recommended for ages 18 and up due to its brutal depictions and shocking content. However, the original work cannot be said to be a title that can be played easily from now on, including the hardware aspect. Therefore, this time we will introduce the 1997 PlayStation remake of ``linda cube againWe would like to provide you with a preview of ``.

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Until a few years ago, the PlayStation version of "Linda Cube Again" and the Sega Saturn version of "Linda Cube Complete Edition" were priced at a premium in stores, and you rarely saw them, but now they are available on PSN.game archivesIt is now possible to easily obtain it from.

The difference between "Again" and the "Complete Edition" is that the Complete Edition is based on Linda Cube Again, but has added extras such as a graphic appreciation mode, a soundtrack, and a "Kokubu Meijin" mode that challenges the development staff to record their progress. In addition, on PlayStation, the expressions are relaxed due to hardware constraints, and the age classification is 18 and over, just like the original.

I haven't played the original version, so I can't really give you a detailed comparison, but I don't think there's a big difference between the PS and SS versions in terms of brutal depictions, and the first thing that comes to mind is that the heroine Linda's hair color has been changed. Also, there is an animal that does not appear in the PS version called ``old-fashioned pig''. It seems that the complete version is much easier to obtain than before, so if you are interested, you may want to check that out as well.

For those looking for an unprecedented RPG

「For those looking for an unprecedented RPGAs the catchphrase suggests, the most distinctive feature of this game is its unconventional game design at the time, including the story, bizarre characters, systems, and text full of dark humor.

The story takes place on a planet called Neokeonia, which is very similar to Earth. This planet is destined to be destroyed by a gigantic meteorite in 8 years, and the goal of the game is for the player to control Ken, a ranger, and protect all 120 species of animals in pairs before the end of the world.

Scenarios from A to C are prepared for the story, and although they share the same worldview and characters, each story unfolds completely differently. The main focus is on collecting the animals mentioned above, but the shocking incidents that occur during that process are the reason why it is still considered a masterpiece.

It's okay to use cowardly tactics

In all scenarios, the ultimate goal is to collect animals, and the means to do so vary. The basic method is to let the player die in battle and then capture him, but this is a rare type of RPG game in which the difficulty increases as you level up. As your level increases, your stats and special skills will increase, giving you an advantage in battle, but if you become too strong, you run the risk of killing the animal before you can capture it.

In such cases, one option is to substitute animals sold at stores or at auctions, or if you have the means, pay a hunter to capture them. Although the limit is limited, you can borrow money, so you don't have to make any effort as long as you can gather the animals.

Time passes moment by moment during the game, and after 8 years, the game will be forced to end. There is no way to prevent falling meteorites or slow their progress, so the key to strategy is how to act within the limited time.

That said, with the exception of certain scenarios, you can adjust the difficulty level yourself, so you don't have to make very severe moves, and you can enjoy the adventure freely in your own way.

As mentioned above, the scenarios are divided into three types: A and B emphasize the story, and C emphasizes freedom. The former two scenarios may contain many spoilers, so we will only introduce images and a brief overview. In short, it depicts an intense story with the theme of "distorted love," and is littered with grotesque productions and a world view full of madness that were truly unusual for a domestic RPG at the time.

I think there are many Game*Spark readers who like non-linear foreign RPGs, and Scenario C in particular is an ambitious work that skillfully combines foreign works with a high degree of freedom and JRPG elements, and will surely satisfy you. Should be. Although the worldview is very different, it may be easier to understand if you imagine a ``Pokemon'' game where you can do whatever you want in all areas from the start of the game.

By the way, according to a comment from producer Shoji Masuda written in the manual, this work was driven by the stress that came from the production process of classic RPGs like Tengai Makyou II, and that the "garbage that came out of Tengai II" was the driving force behind this work. It's called "Linda Cube". Even after ``Linda Cube,'' he continued to release powerful works such as ``Go Beyond My Corpse'' and ``Look at My Dragon.''

There is also a slightly dangerous sex appeal element.

Although the PS version has a lower target audience of 15 and over, there are love hotels in facilities that are equivalent to inns in general RPGs, and when camping with Linda, there are fewer tissues in the item column, so it is not directly targeted. , some pretty risqué depictions of sex appeal also appear.

In particular, the last-minute lines that Minami Takayama, who is well-known for Kiki from ``Kiki's Delivery Service'' and Conan from ``Detective Conan,'' take on are also memorable.

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It's a strong game, but since it's a consumer remake, the game balance has been carefully thought out, making it the easiest title to play among the titles we've introduced so far in this project. I also lent this game to a friend who doesn't normally play RPGs, and he seemed to be able to complete all the normal scenarios, so I would also recommend this game to people who mainly play action and shooter genre games.

This time, due to spoilers, we have delivered a preview that focuses on the system and overall overview rather than the story, but if you are interested, please be sure to check out the madness with your own hands (image searches are strictly prohibited!) Try to unravel the full story and mystery of the ark.

(C)1997 Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. Under License from Alfa System, MARS, and NEC BIGLOBE,Ltd.