• Tag Archives Working Designs

  • Vay (Sega CD)

    Posted on by Azrael Comment

    Source: EGM 2 – Issue Number 2 – August 1994


    Working Designs was famous for their anime based games and JRPG style games. There were several games that they developed for the TurboGrafx-CD and the Sega CD that are highly sought after today and Vay is one of those if the prices on eBay are any indication. This ad for the Sega CD version of Vay is from the August 1994 issue of EGM^2.

    Vay combines future tech with magic. The basic story is that a massive machine leftover from an interstellar war crash lands on a planet called Vay. This planet has little technology but lots of magic. The machine is still programmed for destruction so it continues to rampage across the planet. For some reason the machine (or robots issued from it) kidnap a princess complicating the plot. The plot being of course to stop the machine and rescue the princess.

    Vay is a pretty typical JRPG in terms of game play. While the story is pretty generic, the game world is large and the game play is pretty solid if you like this kind of game. The CD format was the exception rather than the rule during the time in which it was released so the large number of cinematic sequences, CD quality music and voice acting was rather novel for the time enhancing the experience somewhat.

    Sega CD was the only format for which this game was originally released. However, there was an iPhone and iPod Touch version released in 2008 with a new voice cast and other new content. It was also updated again in 2012. Otherwise, you will probably have to track down an original Sega CD or use emulation if you want to give this one a try. If you are a fan of JRPGs then you definitely want to at least give this one a try.


    📂This entry was posted in Retro Games Sega Genesis 📎and tagged

  • Exile: Wicked Phenomenon (TurboGrafx-16 SuperCD / Turbo Duo)

    Posted on by Azrael Comment

    Exile: Wicked Phenomenon (Turbo SuperCD/Duo)

    http://darth-azrael.tumblr.com/post/172200632205/videogameads-exile-wicked-phenomenon-working

    Exile: Wicked Phenomenon is a sequel to Exile which was itself a remake of XZR II which was released only in Japan for various computer popular there such as the NEX PC-8801, NEC PC-9801 and MSX2. The original XZR was also released only in Japan. However, Both Exile and Exile: Wicked Phenomenon were released in North America. While Exile was released for both the TurboGrafx-CD and Sega Genesis, Exile: Wicked Phenomenon was only released for the TurboGrafx-16 SuperCD / Turbo Duo.


    All of the games in the XZR / Exile series are action RPGs. Exile: Wicked Phenomenon is similar to Zelda II in that it has top down POV as well as 2D side-scrolling action sequences depending on what you are doing. However, in Exile: Wicked Phenomenon you control a party of adventurers and you can switch between them in the action sequences depending on the capabilities you need. Oddly, you can also take drugs to temporarily increase your abilities. Not sure that’s a particularly good lesson…


    The plot seems pretty generic. You play the role of a Middle Eastern Assassin. After the previous iteration of the series you became separated from your friends. You run across a prophet who tells you about a curse and that the destiny of the world is in your hands (of course). As you journey to discover the source of this curse you run across some of your old friends (and enemies) and get down to business.


    The story is a little weak but overall this is an excellent game. Perhaps not quite as good as the Ys series for instance but still something you’ll enjoy if you like action RPGs. Unfortunately, this one is more difficult (or expensive) to find than your average game. As far as I know you can only play this on a TurboGrafx-CD with Super System card or a Turbo Duo. It can probably be emulated acceptably also but I don’t have much experience emulating CD games for the TG-16.






    📂This entry was posted in Retro Games TurboGrafx-16 📎and tagged