Snatcher - Does it live up to the hype?

[Barone]

If someone is going to drop the cash to play Snatcher wouldn't they already know this going in? If a person hates a certain genre why buy or even emulate that type of game? This where I think it gets an unfair amount of flak.

Pretty much this.

And all these complaints about the lack of this or that just make me think that the Japanese companies were right when they chose to not bring more adventures like that to the ocident... People don't know how to appreciate it in this side of the globe.
Also, the game itself is not guilty for the nonsense amount of hype that it received from some otakus behind magazines, blogs and YT reviews.

If you don't find Snatcher entertaining or enjoyable, you'll just hate 99% of the other graphical adventures released in Japan during late '80s and early '90s.

My 2 cents...

[Genesis Knight]

I dig it. If you don't know what you're getting with it, then I guess sorry? But for an interactive comic it's excellent - the quality of the voice acting and localization is top-notch for the time, and the artwork/music is very memorable.

Just finished playing through my copy a few weeks ago. Very impressed.

[Obviously]

It's an interesting game and I really like the 90's cyberpunk anime style. It's not spectacular but I'm not a big fan of Kojima to begin with. I think it's deserving of its classic status though.

[Zz Badnusty]

If someone is going to drop the cash to play Snatcher wouldn't they already know this going in? If a person hates a certain genre why buy or even emulate that type of game? This where I think it gets an unfair amount of flak.

Ah yeah, in the context of "today", yeah.

In 1994 I don't think the US game media even knew how to classify the genre. With the media talking down PC conversions, point and click, and FMV games, it was quite misleading to read the 100% reviews in Gamefan and then buy the game and discover that it is a point and click game converted from an old Japanese computer sysyem. And that the story is a fan-level mashup of Blade Runner, Robocop and other contemporary (late 80's) source material.

[Iron Lizard]

Ah yeah, in the context of "today", yeah.

In 1994 I don't think the US game media even knew how to classify the genre. With the media talking down PC conversions, point and click, and FMV games, it was quite misleading to read the 100% reviews in Gamefan and then buy the game and discover that it is a point and click game converted from an old Japanese computer sysyem. And that the story is a fan-level mashup of Blade Runner, Robocop and other contemporary (late 80's) source material.

I was already very familiar with it as EGM had reviewed for the PC-Engine already. I already knew what I was getting into when I bought it new. I never read the GameFan review until now but they do actually explain what kind of game it is in the second page...

http://junkerhq.net/Snatcher/Magazin...FanReview1.jpg

http://junkerhq.net/Snatcher/Magazin...FanReview2.jpg

http://junkerhq.net/Snatcher/Magazin...eFanReview.jpg

[Zz Badnusty]

Good for you.
Your experience doesn't invalidate mine and many other people's.

[Iron Lizard]

Good for you.
Your experience doesn't invalidate mine and many other people's.

Of course it doesn't however Gamefan didn't do what you said it did.

[Zz Badnusty]

Yes I see I had forgotten about Nick Rox's overview article.

Reading that article and the text accompanying the numbered ratings it isnt hard to see why expectations were high when I went and purchased Snatcher.

"Most involving storyline ever..."
"Ungodly carnage, the greatest story ever, and an interface that is just the coolest."

And in Rox's article he makes misrepresentations like saying "skull with maggots writhing in its mouth..." - writhing implies animation.
They hype up the shooting sequences which are utter garbarge. They proclaim this single release go be the greatest Sega CD game ever.

In answer to this thread: No, Snatcher does not live up to the hype.

[Iron Lizard]

Yes I see I had forgotten about Nick Rox's overview article.

Reading that article and the text accompanying the numbered ratings it isnt hard to see why expectations were high when I went and purchased Snatcher.

"Most involving storyline ever..."
"Ungodly carnage, the greatest story ever, and an interface that is just the coolest."

And in Rox's article he makes misrepresentations like saying "skull with maggots writhing in its mouth..." - writhing implies animation.
They hype up the shooting sequences which are utter garbarge. They proclaim this single release go be the greatest Sega CD game ever.

In answer to this thread: No, Snatcher does not live up to the hype.

Point taken.

[profholt82]

How f---ing dare anyone out there make fun of Snatcher after all it has been through! LEAVE SNATCHER ALONE! You are lucky it even plays for you BASTARDS!
LEAVE SNATCHER ALONE!

[Why-Disciple]

I fucking love Snatcher, it's probably my single favorite game of all time, all things considered, so I gotta defend it here. It did so much right, the storytelling, the interactivity, the feeling that you were in the shoes of the protagonist (don't think any role-playing game can do that this well, imo), the horror aspect, the edgy suspense, it all just clicked so well with me. I guess it's not for everyone though, I'm personally not one for games that put too much focus on story rather than gameplay, but in this case the gameplay... was the story. I'd say it's more than just an interactive comic in that sense, there's a little more to it, but again, it's one of those games that has to be up your alley for you to properly enjoy it. For games like this, I'd say it's fantastic.

[bultje112]

snatcher was and is an incredible game. it took my girlfriend at least 10 hours the first time she played it, but she explored whatever she could and is a slow gamer. the game isn't short. I hate it when people sya such things when fun or impressions can't be measured in time or money.

the third act is the best of them all with some great plottwists and it doesn;t get as silly as games like meat gear solid 2. snatcher has some truly big surprises in them and with limited possiblities creates and incredible sandbox cyberpunk game atmosphere.

[Sega Uranus]

I love Snatcher, one of my favorite games for certain and I was never really a big fan of slower paced games like this. I have not played it in a few years, but I want to change that sometime around Christmas this year (game takes place right before Christmas). Anyone who has not played it yet NEEDS to take my advice when I say hook up the Konami Justifier up to the game at all times. Having that gun readied by your side when a Snatcher may come out at any one moment seriously adds a lot to the game.

How did Kojima connect the story of Snatcher with Metal Gear? I remember seeing people react poorly to the whole concept a few years back, but I never looked into it. I never really payed much attention to the story in Metal Gear games (for good reason), but I was thinking about replaying a few of them again this year too, especially after the HD releases and Metal Gear Solid 4 getting achievement support.

[Zz Badnusty]

I could certainly hold Snatcher in a higher regard if it had an original story. The production and presentation is first class.
The trite and derivative story is what really turns me off.

[bultje112]

I love Snatcher, one of my favorite games for certain and I was never really a big fan of slower paced games like this. I have not played it in a few years, but I want to change that sometime around Christmas this year (game takes place right before Christmas). Anyone who has not played it yet NEEDS to take my advice when I say hook up the Konami Justifier up to the game at all times. Having that gun readied by your side when a Snatcher may come out at any one moment seriously adds a lot to the game.

How did Kojima connect the story of Snatcher with Metal Gear? I remember seeing people react poorly to the whole concept a few years back, but I never looked into it. I never really payed much attention to the story in Metal Gear games (for good reason), but I was thinking about replaying a few of them again this year too, especially after the HD releases and Metal Gear Solid 4 getting achievement support.

umm, nothing. he simply added things from policenauts and snatcher to mgs4(like little metal gear you would have in mgs4), like he has done in the past. nothing storyline wise and I've never heard any critisism of this either.

I could certainly hold Snatcher in a higher regard if it had an original story. The production and presentation is first class.
The trite and derivative story is what really turns me off.

what did they steal the storyline from then?