Importance of Vectorman

[GEN ESIS GAMER]

This series began on Genesis/Mega Drive, near the end of the consoles run, but it is one of the most loved by fans, including me. I just wish we could have some type of re-make.

[Jesse813]

a modern remake would be awesome, though at the same time I kinda hoping they don't since SEGA has been ruining a lot of old franchises w/ these craptastic newer games just using a familiar name to milk the cash cow *cough*Sonic*Cough*Golden Axe*Cough*Phantasy Star*Cough*

[GeckoYamori]

A remake was in the works during the last generation, but it was canned.











.....












..... Ready for it?













http://i49.tinypic.com/1eq2ki.jpg
http://i48.tinypic.com/4v60rd.jpg

[Mark Robert]

I like the Vectorman series. No one can deny the technical achievements these games brought to the table at the end of the Genesis lifespan. :D

[Melf]

Our article on the PS2 remake has a video of the game in action.

[Jesse813]

it does? I'll have to read that article again since I didn't notice a video last time.

[djshok]

It would be cool if they remade in 3D but kept the original style and look of the game, instead of that masterchief wannabe thing.

[ThugsRook]

all VectorMan needs is some HQ rendering :cool:

[Nick16]

It would be cool if they remade in 3D but kept the original style and look of the game, instead of that masterchief wannabe thing.

The graphics WERE made in 3D!
Of course you're talking about the actual gameplay style, which would definitely work on a 3D plane, but SO many games use the formula Vectorman set, it's a shame that it'll remain in the past.

[zetastrike]

It would be awesome to see a new Vectorman game with modern visuals and a real trance soundtrack, but kept in 2D. Sega would probably botch it, though.

[Christuserloeser]

Anyone ever beat any of the games ?

[QuickSciFi]

Vectorman has aged beautifully. If I had a top 10 list of games (heck, a top 5), for the Genny, it would be in it. I too would love to see a sequel of sorts.

[old man]

It would be awesome to see a new Vectorman game with modern visuals and a real trance soundtrack, but kept in 2D. Sega would probably botch it, though.

Does Sega even have any of the developers left who used to make their best games? I know Naka left, and I haven't heard anything about him or the other's since.

[ooXxXoo]

It would be awesome to see a new Vectorman game with modern visuals and a real trance soundtrack, but kept in 2D.

Yeap, I'd like to see 2D too....Sort of like what Konami did with the Contra Shattered for PS2

[Pulstar]

Does Sega even have any of the developers left who used to make their best games? I know Naka left, and I haven't heard anything about him or the other's since.

Except that Vectorman was made by BlueSky Software which wasn't owned by Sega afaik.

And this is what a trance soundtrack of Vectorman would sound like!
wagz.siamey.com (http://wagz.siamey.com/)

[Zebbe]

Trance is trash, long live spacesynth !!

[JRedmond3]

Anyone ever beat any of the games ?

Vectorman 1 and 2 were pretty difficult. I can distinctly remember beating Vectorman 1 with ease after a while though, I played it recently and it was tougher than I had thought it was. What I can recall about Vectorman 2 is that the end boss was insanely difficult but the rest of the levels I don't recall as being that bad.

As for the games themselves, I've never really been a huge fan. I mean I would still recommend Vectorman to anyone with a Genesis but there's just something about the series that throws me off I can't quite put my finger on.


Does Sega even have any of the developers left who used to make their best games? I know Naka left, and I haven't heard anything about him or the other's since.

Naka went off and made his own game company called Prope(I think). The only game that I know of he's developed so far is called Let's Tap on the Wii(that didn't come out right). The thing I've always wanted to see is Sega hand the reins of one of their franchises over to Treasure. Ideally Sonic but Streets of Rage would be nice to as long as they got Yuzo Koshiro and his sister involved.

[ThugsRook]

Anyone ever beat any of the games ?
VectorMan 1 & 2 are not very difficult games, even on "Insane" difficulty.

like any game, once you know the ins & outs it gets very simple.

:)

[TmEE]

Only thing I hate about the Vectormans is the music....

[ThugsRook]

Only thing I hate about the Vectormans is the music....
aw man, the music rocks :cool:

[Pulstar]

Trance is trash, long live spacesynth !!

Vectorman with Koto BGM! TmEE have you written an mp3-to-VGM app yet? :D (yes yes I realise the absurdity of the notion :p)

[Christuserloeser]

As for the games themselves, I've never really been a huge fan. I mean I would still recommend Vectorman to anyone with a Genesis but there's just something about the series that throws me off I can't quite put my finger on.

Not a fan either. I played the first one a few times and made it to level 3 or 4 or whatever, but that's about it. I haven't played it in years but I am already tired of the game just by thinking about the first level.

[ThugsRook]

WARNING... my youtube Vectorman spoiler vids


health ball locations (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hr9jGr9_V-M)

day 1 - alternate route (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E97Fh5_FGDE)

satellite locations (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nSF7Ji1FsBU)


:opa:

[Elusive]

Doesn't Vectorman use the GEMS engine (*spits*)? I swear, all GEMS games seem to use that same drum sample that sounds like a spoonful of soggy porridge hitting some concrete.

(not to mention that awful, grindy, overdrive-y electro-guitar SFX that sounds like you're scraping steel wool over a cheesegrater, urgh)

[Pulstar]

Listen to some tunes on the 'tube before being judgmental. I like its upbeat music despite being composed via GEMS.

[kool kitty89]

Doesn't Vectorman use the GEMS engine (*spits*)? I swear, all GEMS games seem to use that same drum sample that sounds like a spoonful of soggy porridge hitting some concrete.

(not to mention that awful, grindy, overdrive-y electro-guitar SFX that sounds like you're scraping steel wool over a cheesegrater, urgh)

Gems can sound good with a non-standard instrument set, like Earthworm Jim(2), and some others manage to get OK music, though still brought down due to GEMS. (like Comix Zone) I think Vector Man has above average music for standard Gems, more than the generic adlib soundign stuff for some games. (granted Adlib by comparison was also not nearly taken proper advantage of, let lone the enhancements of the SB Pro and especially the OPL3 of SB-16; for one stark comarison you can look at Star Wars X-Wing on floppy vs DOS CD edition, CD has marked improvement usign the same settings, and slight improvement over that with 4-op FM enabled -slightly more complex, standard OPL2 sound a ton better on the '94 CD release than the '93 Floppy release though)
Wow, off topic. ;)

[roundwars]

Only thing I hate about the Vectormans is the music....

Funny, the music is the one thing I actually like about it.

[Why-Disciple]

A Vectorman thread that I haven't been a part of? Goodness gracious, something needs to be done about that.


WARNING... my youtube Vectorman spoiler vids


health ball locations (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hr9jGr9_V-M)

day 1 - alternate route (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E97Fh5_FGDE)

satellite locations (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nSF7Ji1FsBU)


:opa:

Lol, I've played this game so damn much I pretty much knew about all this before.

If Capcom can continue the Megaman franchise, then Sega should be able to do the same, considering they're continuing Sonic 1-3 now, and considering Megaman isn't near as good as Vman.

[TmEE]

Vectorman with Koto BGM! TmEE have you written an mp3-to-VGM app yet? :D (yes yes I realise the absurdity of the notion :p)

Koto music would kick ass in that game, and Laser Dance too (I bought a CD a little ago, waiting for it to arrive... soon I'll be hunting the vinyls too).
(and one can convert a MP3 to VGM, its that its pretty much same as converting the MP3 to 8bit mono WAV, and you will have a bit larger file :P).

[Pulstar]

But then will Fusion load it? And I know next to nothing about hexing in the new VGMs into Vectorman's ROM :D

[shinobimusashi]

i personally think that sega shouldve made vectorman the saturn mascot, he was perfect for that system. also i think the franchise wouldve worked perfectly as a 3d first person shooter(ala metroid prime) with all of the original vectorman power ups, weapons and heart. nonetheless it was characters like vectorman and sketch turner that sega needed to sell the saturn in 95 they were perfect for that window in time and i think they wouldve sold a few saturns. too bad they squandered those franchises away during the 32 bit era(as well as sonic, shinobi,streets of rage, and ecco the dolphin) i guess they just decided that they were through with anything that had much to do with the genesis. DUMBASSES!! now theyre trying to revive those same franchises in an attempt to win back some respect.

[mrbigreddog]

What about a Wiiware Rebirth?

[TmEE]

But then will Fusion load it? And I know next to nothing about hexing in the new VGMs into Vectorman's ROM :D

you can't just put the VGM into the ROM.... a lot of hacking needs to be done to get things working... Vectorman uses the shitastic GEMS for music, so one could borrow music from Sonic Spinball or comix Zone or other games that use GEMS...

[tomaitheous]

While I'm not a fan of the game, it is what it is. The gimmicky "ball" animation for the main character came off as old hat stuff by the time the game came out (and generic IMO. It was too played out, even if not on the Genesis). But, there's more to the game than just being annoyed by the way the character looks - and so the game itself gets past the gimmicky effects. But a sequel for a 3D platformer? I just don't see the reason or anything about the game that would translate into that type of form. I mean, other than a few tie ins like names and such, it wouldn't even be the same game. And, there's no real reason to keep license/lore of the game into the following generations - IMO. Unless you kept it 2.5D. But still. Meh - I just don't see providing anything useful moving to the 3D environment. Some classic games just don't translate into 3D games very well, because they rely heavily on their style of gameplay of the current format and that totally changes when moving out of the 2D environment, and not rely on their content/characters/story/etc as much. You start adding to make up for that, and you come off with a completely different game.

[Why-Disciple]

Can someone explain why so many people find this game mediocre? I've heard it called generic and boring, but it's not- it's fast paced and satisfying as hell. I've heard it called linear with no replay value, but it's not- there are plenty of secrets and alternate routes. The only run n gun game on the Genesis I can possibly see as being better is Gunstar.

[tz101]

Some classic games just don't translate into 3D games very well, because they rely heavily on their style of gameplay of the current format and that totally changes when moving out of the 2D environment, and not rely on their content/characters/story/etc as much. You start adding to make up for that, and you come off with a completely different game.

...like Super Mario 64 and Sunshine. Just not very good games at all when compared to the 2D side scrollers of consoles past.

[GeckoYamori]

I do find the Vectorman games a rather mundane experience. The levels mostly felt kind of barren, uninteresting and just dragged on for too long. I was also annoyed by how the characters were too large compared to the scale of the screen, making it hard to predict what you'll be running/jumping into.

[overbound]

I really liked the first Vectorman the second one too. But is it just me or were the graphics in Vectorman 2 not quite as good?

[Mark Robert]

The technical merits of the Vectorman games are without question. As far as fun factor goes, they are rather dull experiences IMHO. The Vectorman series doesn't even break my top 50 list.

[tomaitheous]

Can someone explain why so many people find this game mediocre? I've heard it called generic and boring, but it's not- it's fast paced and satisfying as hell. I've heard it called linear with no replay value, but it's not- there are plenty of secrets and alternate routes. The only run n gun game on the Genesis I can possibly see as being better is Gunstar.

Don't mind us haters ;)

[KnightWarrior]

Do Vectorman 3 with Genesis Graphics

[kool kitty89]

While I'm not a fan of the game, it is what it is. The gimmicky "ball" animation for the main character came off as old hat stuff by the time the game came out (and generic IMO. It was too played out, even if not on the Genesis). But, there's more to the game than just being annoyed by the way the character looks - and so the game itself gets past the gimmicky effects. But a sequel for a 3D platformer? I just don't see the reason or anything about the game that would translate into that type of form. I mean, other than a few tie ins like names and such, it wouldn't even be the same game. And, there's no real reason to keep license/lore of the game into the following generations - IMO. Unless you kept it 2.5D. But still. Meh - I just don't see providing anything useful moving to the 3D environment. Some classic games just don't translate into 3D games very well, because they rely heavily on their style of gameplay of the current format and that totally changes when moving out of the 2D environment, and not rely on their content/characters/story/etc as much. You start adding to make up for that, and you come off with a completely different game.

I think vector man is th eonly game I own with the "ball" type graphics, though Yoshi's Story is a bit like that at times. but an even later game, so it it was old had with VM ...)

I'm kind of a sucker for smoothe animation too, or at least in some cases. (soemtimes it doesn't matter, but other times it seems to actuall improve the feel of the game on a subconcious level)

[Why-Disciple]

As the biggest fan of this game on the forum (I'm willing to bet), I feel it's my duty to defend this game.

The levels mostly felt kind of barren, uninteresting and just dragged on for too long. I was also annoyed by how the characters were too large compared to the scale of the screen, making it hard to predict what you'll be running/jumping into.

Too long? It was 16 levels and could be finished in half an hour. That's like 2 minutes per level. How short do you want it to be? (I'm referring to Vectorman 1, as V2 was more drawn out like you say, admittedly)

Characters were too large? They weren't any bigger than, say, Earthworm Jim, among many others, which also involved a lot of jumping.


As far as fun factor goes, they are rather dull experiences IMHO.

Explain to me why it's dull. It's very fast paced, the explosions are huge enough to shake the screen, you can shoot in all directions, unlike Shinobi or Megaman for example, and there's plenty of variety between levels. What does it need to be more exciting?

[jerry coeurl]

An interesting main character, for starters. And yeah, the level backgrounds just seem so sparse and uninteresting.

I don't hate Vectorman's games, I just think they're rather mediocre. I spent like 2 bucks on a cart-only copy of the first game, and if I'd spent any more than that I'd feel a little ripped-off.

[Dirt Ball Gamer]

Upon revisiting vectorman when I got back into 16 bit gaming I didn't like it at first(I liked it as a kid). Then I started playing it with my sega arcade stick and found I could play it a little better than with I could with a joypad. Using turbo on the fire button is helpful. I really enjoy the game every once in a while, its fun and I like the art style. The gameplay could have been better for sure, but it does it's job well enough. A modern 3d sequel could be cool, as long as it stays arcadey.

[shinobimusashi]

While I'm not a fan of the game, it is what it is. The gimmicky "ball" animation for the main character came off as old hat stuff by the time the game came out (and generic IMO. It was too played out, even if not on the Genesis). But, there's more to the game than just being annoyed by the way the character looks - and so the game itself gets past the gimmicky effects. But a sequel for a 3D platformer? I just don't see the reason or anything about the game that would translate into that type of form. I mean, other than a few tie ins like names and such, it wouldn't even be the same game. And, there's no real reason to keep license/lore of the game into the following generations - IMO. Unless you kept it 2.5D. But still. Meh - I just don't see providing anything useful moving to the 3D environment. Some classic games just don't translate into 3D games very well, because they rely heavily on their style of gameplay of the current format and that totally changes when moving out of the 2D environment, and not rely on their content/characters/story/etc as much. You start adding to make up for that, and you come off with a completely different game.

the vectorman character has a distinct personality and attitude that i think would translate just fine to 3d

[tomaitheous]

the vectorman character has a distinct personality and attitude that i think would translate just fine to 3d

That statement is pretty empty. How would it translate? Details, man, details. What would you expect of such a translation. Again, details. Anyone can say "game x" would be awesome in 3D. Just because they were a fan of the 2D version. I personally don't think there's enough substance there for it to translate into any sort of "good" 3D game. 3D game, not 2.5D or just straight super 2D. Even if the game ended up being pretty good, it would have very little in common with the previous 2 (assuming they made a great game to begin with). I mean, there's really not much you can salvage from the series other than the name. The main character would probably be very different looking too. If they did keep that balls look, it would look like ballz (as in bad, as in not a good thing, etc. I.e. - it would look like total ass).

[shinobimusashi]

That statement is pretty empty. How would it translate? Details, man, details. What would you expect of such a translation. Again, details. Anyone can say "game x" would be awesome in 3D. Just because they were a fan of the 2D version. I personally don't think there's enough substance there for it to translate into any sort of "good" 3D game. 3D game, not 2.5D or just straight super 2D. Even if the game ended up being pretty good, it would have very little in common with the previous 2 (assuming they made a great game to begin with). I mean, there's really not much you can salvage from the series other than the name. The main character would probably be very different looking too. If they did keep that balls look, it would look like ballz (as in bad, as in not a good thing, etc. I.e. - it would look like total ass).

i dont know what to tell you about the ball type of graphics that the vectorman sprite as well as several enemies use, if you dont like em than you dont like em, but i dont know how else they could keep his signature look intact without changing the "balls"

i think the 2 genesis vectorman games do the whole "balls" thing pretty good, especially since they come in to play with most of the power-up morphing animations. its definetly done with style unlike the other times ive seen the effect used in other games.

i dont like any of the shots or videos of the cancelled 128 bit title at all they do not look like anything vectorman to me and that game was sure to be the kind of dissapointment we've all come to expect of modern day third party developer sega.

some of the things that made the 2d games great like, the radical changes in gameplay styles from level to level, the sence of gravity with the booster jump, the wild abstract power ups/morphs, all of the different kinds of awesome weapons(which stand up well to any other run n gun shooter on the genesis), the enemys, the attitude that the character had like the things he would say from time to time and the things he would do when you would stand still for too long(and that freakin awesome intro scene from vectorman 2) all wouldve carried over quite well to the 3d realm.

[tomaitheous]

i dont know what to tell you about the ball type of graphics that the vectorman sprite as well as several enemies use, if you dont like em than you dont like em, but i dont know how else they could keep his signature look intact without changing the "balls"

I think you mean "without not changing". But yeah, that's my point. It's such a signature look of him and the game, right? Not that I'm fond of the that look, but I do recognize that it wouldn't really be the same. I dunno, maybe they'd think of something clever or appropriate. But definitely not the designs in that canceled (you brits don't spell it right!) version.

[Nunzio]

Vectorman was the first Genesis game I ever played in a Toys R Us display in 94 or so. When I saw it my mind was blown. Even after playing DKC I thought it was insane. My Mom forbid me from playing it because she thought the intense graphics would give me brain damage. Really.

Vectorman was so important. The buzz at school was like nothing I ever saw again. Pokemon was too accessible, Vectorman was like a legend.

[Mark Robert]

As the biggest fan of this game on the forum (I'm willing to bet), I feel it's my duty to defend this game.


Too long? It was 16 levels and could be finished in half an hour. That's like 2 minutes per level. How short do you want it to be? (I'm referring to Vectorman 1, as V2 was more drawn out like you say, admittedly)

Characters were too large? They weren't any bigger than, say, Earthworm Jim, among many others, which also involved a lot of jumping.



Explain to me why it's dull. It's very fast paced, the explosions are huge enough to shake the screen, you can shoot in all directions, unlike Shinobi or Megaman for example, and there's plenty of variety between levels. What does it need to be more exciting?


It's dull because you encounter the same enemies (except the bosses of course) and level layouts over and over again. The platform levels play pretty much the same to me. It makes Vectorman feel very repetitious.

[ThugsRook]

It's dull because you encounter the same enemies (except the bosses of course) and level layouts over and over again. The platform levels play pretty much the same to me. It makes Vectorman feel very repetitious.
it can feel dull and a bit long if you dont know what youre doing, and getting distracted. i think thats the point. if you do know what youre doing the game is very fast and can be completed in about 30-40mins.

:)

[Ash]

I liked Vectorman, and seeing it the first time impressed me in it's speed and smoothness and those cool bonus levels with snazzy special effects that could put the SNES in it's place. Vectorman was good, and probably too good because Vectorman 2 brought nothing new and exciting to the table like the first did.

[molotovwars]

This thread reminded me of how much I used to love Vectorman. I never forgot, but it prompted me to track down a US copy out in here Korea along with a Mega converter to play on my Korean MD. Loving the game again, especially the music.

[Flygon]

My Mom forbid me from playing it because she thought the intense graphics would give me brain damage. Really.
You can get brain damage from pallarax (Or however the hell you spell it) scrolling? :daze:

[Elusive]

I think the combination of the large sprites & zoomed-in view, plus the loose controls put me off the game - it's hard to tell enemies from background items, too.

I keep meaning to give it a fair chance, though. *stares wistfully at towering 'To Play' pile*

[nomad83]

Vector Man 1 was the 2nd genesis game I got and I got Vector Man 2 shortly after do to how much I loved the 1st one.

[shinobimusashi]

You can get brain damage from pallarax (Or however the hell you spell it) scrolling? :daze:

if thats true my brain is fried from shinobi III!!!

i counted 10 different levels of blazing fast parralax in the first surfing stage and that was just on the bottom half of the screen!!!:daze:

[GEN ESIS GAMER]

I would just hope if Vectorman is brought back, that sega wouldn't mess it up like they did sonic.

[Bablefish]

I really like Vectorman 1, the levels are cool and the bosses are great. But Vectorman 2 isn't as good as the original.

[MitsuruX]

What about a Wiiware Rebirth?

I think would be the best way to do the game justice.. Konami has been doing a pretty good job with these "rebirths" (Contra Rebirth is great!!), and it would defiantly be a good way for Sega to reintroduce some of these franchises to people unfamiliar with them.. (also i would assume that the finacial risks would be less etc.)

I would hope that a new game in the series stays true the the Genesis games yet expand upon them.. with more weapons etc. :arrow: