Difference between revisions of "Syd of Valis"

From Sega Retro

(Added the story, a few more items, some notes on controls, and removed a small bit that was incorrect, as well as more readability adjustments.)
 
(45 intermediate revisions by 9 users not shown)
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{{stub}}
 
 
{{Bob
 
{{Bob
 
| bobscreen=SDValis_MDTitleScreen.png
 
| bobscreen=SDValis_MDTitleScreen.png
−
| publisher=[[Laser Soft]] (JP), [[Renovation]] (US)
+
| bobscreen2=ValisSD MD JP TitleScreen.png
−
| developer=[[Nihon Telenet]], [[I.S.C.]]
+
| tab1=NTSC-U
 +
| tab2=NTSC-J
 +
| publisher={{company|[[Laser Soft]]|region=Japan}}, {{company|[[Renovation Products]]|region=US}}
 +
{{company|[[Edia]]|system=Switch|inline=no}}
 +
| developer=[[I.S.C.]]{{ref|http://gdri.smspower.org/wiki/index.php/I.S.C.}}
 +
{{company|[[D4 Enterprise]]|system=Switch|inline=no}}
 
| system=[[Sega Mega Drive]]
 
| system=[[Sega Mega Drive]]
−
| sounddriver=
+
| sounddriver=[[SMPS Z80]]
 
| peripherals=
 
| peripherals=
 
| players=1
 
| players=1
−
| genre=Action
+
| genre=Action{{fileref|SDValis MD JP Box.jpg}}{{ref|https://web.archive.org/web/20200702232146/https://sega.jp/history/hard/megadrive/software_l.html}}
 
| releases={{releasesMD
 
| releases={{releasesMD
−
| md_date_us=1992-04{{fileref|SegaVisions US 08.pdf|page=58}}
+
| md_date_jp=1992-02-14{{ref|https://web.archive.org/web/20200702232146/https://sega.jp/history/hard/megadrive/software_l.html}}
−
| md_rrp_us=49.99{{fileref|GamePro US 037.pdf|page=42}}
 
−
| md_code_us=49126
 
−
| md_date_jp=1992-02-14
 
 
| md_rrp_jp=6,800
 
| md_rrp_jp=6,800
 
| md_code_jp=T-49103
 
| md_code_jp=T-49103
 +
| md_date_us=1992-04{{magref|sv|8|58}}
 +
| md_rrp_us=49.99{{magref|gamepro|37|42}}
 +
| md_code_us=49126
 +
}}
 +
{{releasesDigital
 +
|projectegg_date_jp=2003-11-11<ref>https://www.amusement-center.com/project/egg/game/?product_id=266</ref>
 +
|projectegg_rrp_jp=880
 +
|projectegg_code_jp=TEL2003
 
}}
 
}}
 +
{{releasesSwitch
 +
| switch_date_us_d=2023-04-27<ref>https://www.nintendo.com/us/store/products/syd-of-valis-switch/</ref>
 +
| switch_rating_us=e10
 +
| switch_date_jp_d=2022-12-22<ref>https://store-jp.nintendo.com/list/software/70010000056748.html</ref>
 +
| switch_rating_jp=a
 +
| switch_date_kr_d=2023-04-27<ref>https://store.nintendo.co.kr/70010000057754</ref>
 +
| switch_rating_kr=a
 
}}
 
}}
−
'''''SD Valis''''' (ＳＤヴァリス) is a remake of [[Telenet Japan]]'s 1989 MSX/TurboGrafx-16 game ''Valis II'' with new "<u>s</u>uper <u>d</u>eformed" graphics released in 1992 for the [[Sega Mega Drive]] in Japan; porting was done by [[Laser Soft]], a subsidiary. [[Renovation]] brought it to the US as '''''Syd of Valis'''''; while the box and manual call lead character Yuko, the game changes her name to Syd for whatever reason. The title screen is changed from ''SD Valis'' to the equally confusing ''Valis Syd'', presumably a localization error.
+
}}
 +
'''''{{PAGENAME}}''''', known in Japan as '''''SD Valis''''' (ＳＤヴァリス), is a [[Sega Mega Drive]] action game. A [[wikipedia:super-deformed|super-deformed]] remake of [[Telenet Japan]]'s 1989 game ''[[wikipedia:Valis II|Valis II]]'', it was first released in Japan in February 1992{{ref|https://web.archive.org/web/20200702232146/https://sega.jp/history/hard/megadrive/software_l.html}}. When localized for its American release two months later{{magref|sv|8|58}}, its title was erroneously interpreted as ''Syd of Valis'', presumably read verbally by a member of the localization staff unfamiliar with Japanese culture.
 +
 
 +
==Story==
 +
[[File:Syd of Valis, Yuko.png|thumb|Yuko]]
 +
After defeating Rogles (in ''[[Valis: The Fantasm Soldier|Valis]]''), Yuko takes the train home and goes about her regular life, still carrying the Valis sword around. One afternoon while eating pudding, Yuko is contacted by the deceased Reiko, who insists that Yuko return to Queen Valia immediately.
 +
 
 +
In the opening cutscene, the evil Megas appears before Yuko while she is eating an ice cream cone and challenges her to come to Vecanti to defeat him. Yuko transforms her ice cream into the Valis sword, and the adventure begins.
 +
 
 +
==Gameplay==
 +
{{ScreenThumb|Syd of Valis, Pause Menu.png|width=200|Pause menu}}
 +
The game is an action platformer similar to the other ''Valis'' titles. Yuko is moved with {{left}} and {{right}} and ducks with {{down}}. She jumps with {{C}}; if not swinging the sword, she double-jumps with {{C}} again while in the air. The physics are much floatier than in the other games. Yuko attacks by shooting projectiles with the Valis sword with {{B}}, which can be aimed with the D-Pad while swinging the sword (including swinging straight up while standing or straight down while in the air). The button can be held for continuous fire. Yuko also has screen-clearing bombs that can be used with {{A}}, which are limited but can be replenished by finding items.
  
−
As if that weren't enough, the cover features a number of characters who not only do not appear in the game, but are not related to the Valis universe at all with the exception of Yuko front and center. The cover is lifted virtually wholesale from '''''Sugoroku '92 Nari Tore Nariagari Trendy''''', a board game for the PC Engine CD-ROM by LaserSoft that featured a number of characters from various Telenet properties (Guy Kazama from '''''Last Alert''''', Yu and Rim from the '''''Cosmic Fantasy''''' series, and Tetsuya from '''''Super Albatross''''' among others). Why this particular cover was chosen is anyone's guess.  (As if to add one more scoop of localization shenanigans, the "Game Over" screen isn't translated at all!)
+
The game has multiple selectable weapons and armor suits that can be switched by pausing the game with {{Start}}. Additional weapons and armor are acquired from certain boss fights. Each weapon has a base attack power (A. Power) which is modified by the armor being used; each armor has a defense level (D. Power) and a speed statistic. Yuko's normal speed is 10; it can be raised to 15 (Yellow Armor or Super Armor) or 20 (Speed Suit) at the expense of control, especially when jumping, which can be a detriment in platforming-intensive areas. Each weapon can be powered up to Level 3 over the course of the game, which increases the size and damage of each shot.
  
−
This would be the last ''Valis'' release on a Sega system; Telenet Japan ceased all Sega development in 1993 and released ''Valis IV'' as a PC Engine/SNES exclusive.
+
Yuko's health is indicated by a health bar at the bottom of the screen. She loses a life if she runs out of health. Falling down a bottomless pit typically costs health rather than losing a life. Yuko's health can be replenished by finding items; defeating bosses also fully restores her health bar. Yuko gains additional health points after defeating certain bosses. The player is awarded an extra life every 5,000 points earned. The game ends if the player runs out of lives; there are no continues.
  
−
==Story==
+
===Weapons===
−
The manual features a brief comic (translated rather accurately in the US printing), where Yuko says after defeating Rogles (in ''Valis'') she took the train home and went about her regular life, still carrying the Valis sword around. One afternoon while eating a pudding, Yuko is contacted by the deceased Reiko who insists that Yuko return to Queen Valia immediately.
+
{{InfoTable|imagewidths=50|
 +
{{InfoRow
 +
| title=Normal Beam
 +
| sprite={{sprite | Syd of Valis, Weapons.png | 1.5 | crop_width=32 | crop_height=32 | crop_x=0 | crop_y=0}}
 +
| desc=A simple ball-shaped projectile is fired straight forward.
 +
}}
 +
{{InfoRow
 +
| title=Wide Beam
 +
| sprite={{sprite | Syd of Valis, Weapons.png | 1.5 | crop_width=32 | crop_height=32 | crop_x=32 | crop_y=0}}
 +
| desc=Shoots an arrow-shaped blade that does slightly more damage than the Normal Beam.
 +
}}
 +
{{InfoRow
 +
| title=Homing Beam
 +
| sprite={{sprite | Syd of Valis, Weapons.png | 1.5 | crop_width=32 | crop_height=32 | crop_x=64 | crop_y=0}}
 +
| desc=A star-shaped projectile seeks out near by enemies and damages them. It can sometimes become confused and circle enemies infinitely.
 +
}}
 +
{{InfoRow
 +
| title=3-Way Beam
 +
| sprite={{sprite | Syd of Valis, Weapons.png | 1.5 | crop_width=32 | crop_height=32 | crop_x=96 | crop_y=0}}
 +
| desc=Fires a projectile like the Normal Beam but in three directions (forward, up at 45 degrees, and down at 45 degrees).
 +
}}
 +
}}
 +
 
 +
===Suits===
 +
{{InfoTable|imagewidths=50|
 +
{{InfoRow
 +
| title=Normal Suit
 +
| info1name=D. Pow
 +
| info1=10
 +
| info2name=A. Pow
 +
| info2=10
 +
| info3name=Speed
 +
| info3=10
 +
| sprite={{sprite | Syd of Valis, Suits.png | 1.5 | crop_width=32 | crop_height=48 | crop_x=0 | crop_y=0}}
 +
| desc=A school uniform. It is the only armor Yuko has at the beginning of the game.
 +
}}
 +
{{InfoRow
 +
| title=China Dress
 +
| info1name=D. Pow
 +
| info1=15
 +
| info2name=A. Pow
 +
| info2=8
 +
| info3name=Speed
 +
| info3=10
 +
| sprite={{sprite | Syd of Valis, Suits.png | 1.5 | crop_width=32 | crop_height=48 | crop_x=32 | crop_y=0}}
 +
| desc=A pink ''cheongsam''. It provides slightly higher defense but very slightly lower attack power.
 +
}}
 +
{{InfoRow
 +
| title=Yellow Armor
 +
| info1name=D. Pow
 +
| info1=20
 +
| info2name=A. Pow
 +
| info2=10
 +
| info3name=Speed
 +
| info3=15
 +
| sprite={{sprite | Syd of Valis, Suits.png | 1.5 | crop_width=32 | crop_height=48 | crop_x=64 | crop_y=0}}
 +
| desc=Yuko's signature yellow armor. It provides higher defense and speed.
 +
}}
 +
{{InfoRow
 +
| title=Guard Suit
 +
| info1name=D. Pow
 +
| info1=10
 +
| info2name=A. Pow
 +
| info2=20
 +
| info3name=Speed
 +
| info3=10
 +
| sprite={{sprite | Syd of Valis, Suits.png | 1.5 | crop_width=32 | crop_height=48 | crop_x=96 | crop_y=0}}
 +
| desc=A white suit of armor that improves Yuko's defense substantially at the cost of attack power.
 +
}}
 +
{{InfoRow
 +
| title=Speed Suit
 +
| info1name=D. Pow
 +
| info1=20
 +
| info2name=A. Pow
 +
| info2=10
 +
| info3name=Speed
 +
| info3=20
 +
| sprite={{sprite | Syd of Valis, Suits.png | 1.5 | crop_width=32 | crop_height=48 | crop_x=128 | crop_y=0}}
 +
| desc=Blue bikini armor that provides the highest movement speed in the game. Oddly, the Speed Suit shows a D. Power of 20, the second highest of all armor, but seems to provide less defense than the Yellow Armor's 15 D. Power.
 +
}}
 +
{{InfoRow
 +
| title=Super Armor
 +
| info1name=D. Pow
 +
| info1=25
 +
| info2name=A. Pow
 +
| info2=20
 +
| info3name=Speed
 +
| info3=15
 +
| sprite={{sprite | Syd of Valis, Suits.png | 1.5 | crop_width=32 | crop_height=48 | crop_x=160 | crop_y=0}}
 +
| desc=Magical armor with the highest attack and defense in the game plus a speed boost.
 +
}}
 +
}}
  
−
The game itself has a very simple opening cutscene before the title screen where the evil Megas appears before Yuko while she's eating an ice cream cone and challenges her to come to
+
===Items===
−
Vecanti to defeat him. Yuko transforms her ice cream into the Valis sword, and 'the adventure begins'. The game itself opens with no cutscene, jumping straight to Act 1 Level 1 with no fanfare.
+
{{InfoTable|imagewidths=50|
 +
{{InfoRow
 +
| title=Small Recovery
 +
| sprite={{sprite | Syd of Valis, Items.png | 2 | crop_width=16 | crop_height=16 | crop_x=0 | crop_y=0}}
 +
| desc=Partially restores the health bar.
 +
}}
 +
{{InfoRow
 +
| title=Large Recovery
 +
| sprite={{sprite | Syd of Valis, Items.png | 2 | crop_width=16 | crop_height=16 | crop_x=16 | crop_y=0}}
 +
| desc=Fully restores the health bar.
 +
}}
 +
{{InfoRow
 +
| title=Invincible Shield
 +
| sprite={{sprite | Syd of Valis, Items.png | 2 | crop_width=16 | crop_height=16 | crop_x=64 | crop_y=0}}
 +
| desc=Temporarily makes Yuko invincible.
 +
}}
 +
{{InfoRow
 +
| title=Bomb
 +
| sprite={{sprite | Syd of Valis, Items.png | 2 | crop_width=16 | crop_height=16 | crop_x=32 | crop_y=0}}
 +
| desc=Gives the player another bomb.
 +
}}
 +
{{InfoRow
 +
| title=Point
 +
| sprite={{sprite | Syd of Valis, Items.png | 2 | crop_width=16 | crop_height=16 | crop_x=48 | crop_y=0}}
 +
| desc=Gives the player 300 bonus points.
 +
}}
 +
{{InfoRow
 +
| title=1 Up
 +
| sprite={{sprite | Syd of Valis, Items.png | 2 | crop_width=16 | crop_height=20 | crop_x=80 | crop_y=0}}
 +
| desc=Gives the player an extra life.
 +
}}
 +
}}
  
−
==Gameplay==
+
===Stages===
−
Attacking is somewhat different from other Valis games, as this time Valis can be aimed with the D-pad while hitting {{B}} to swing (including swinging straight down in mid-air). You can hold {{B}} to repeatedly swing, shooting magic bullets in the process. {{C}} jumps; if not swinging the sword, hitting {{C}} again double-jumps. {{Down}} crouches. {{A}} uses screen-clearing bombs, which are limited in quantity but can be restocked by finding rare Sphere icons. There are also 1-UPs, small hearts which heal an imperceptibly tiny amount of health, large hearts which refill the entire life bar, and Score Diamonds worth a meager 300 points. Every 5000 points, the player is awarded a 1-UP, which become very useful as the player cannot continue. Defeating any boss with a life meter will refill Yuko's life meter.
+
{{InfoTable|imagewidths=320|
 +
{{InfoRow
 +
| title=Reality
 +
| screenshot=Syd of Valis, Stage 1-1.png
 +
| screenshot2=Syd of Valis, Stage 1-1 Boss.png
 +
| screenshot3=Syd of Valis, Stage 1-2.png
 +
| screenshot4=Syd of Valis, Stage 1-2 Boss.png
 +
| screenshot5=Syd of Valis, Stage 1-3 Boss.png
 +
| tabs=yes
 +
| desc=
 +
}}
 +
{{InfoRow
 +
| title=Dream World
 +
| screenshot=Syd of Valis, Stage 2-1 Boss 1.png
 +
| screenshot2=Syd of Valis, Stage 2-1.png
 +
| screenshot3=Syd of Valis, Stage 2-1 Boss 2.png
 +
| screenshot4=Syd of Valis, Stage 2-2.png
 +
| screenshot5=Syd of Valis, Stage 2-3 Boss.png
 +
| tabs=yes
 +
| desc=
 +
}}
 +
{{InfoRow
 +
| title=Castle Vanity
 +
| screenshot=Syd of Valis, Stage 3-1.png
 +
| screenshot2=Syd of Valis, Stage 3-1 Boss.png
 +
| screenshot3=Syd of Valis, Stage 3-2.png
 +
| screenshot4=Syd of Valis, Stage 3-2 Boss.png
 +
| screenshot5=Syd of Valis, Stage 3-3 Boss.png
 +
| tabs=yes
 +
| desc=
 +
}}
 +
{{InfoRow
 +
| title=Megas' Territory
 +
| screenshot=Syd of Valis, Stage 4-1.png
 +
| screenshot2=Syd of Valis, Stage 4-1 Boss.png
 +
| screenshot3=Syd of Valis, Stage 4-2.png
 +
| screenshot4=Syd of Valis, Stage 4-3.png
 +
| screenshot5=Syd of Valis, Stage 4-3 Boss 1.png
 +
| screenshot6=Syd of Valis, Stage 4-3 Boss 2.png
 +
| tabs=yes
 +
| desc=
 +
}}
 +
{{InfoRow
 +
| title=Castle Megas
 +
| screenshot=Syd of Valis, Stage 5-1.png
 +
| screenshot2=Syd of Valis, Stage 5-2.png
 +
| screenshot3=Syd of Valis, Stage 5-2 Boss.png
 +
| screenshot4=Syd of Valis, Stage 5-3 Boss 1.png
 +
| screenshot5=Syd of Valis, Stage 5-3 Boss 2.png
 +
| tabs=yes
 +
| desc=
 +
}}
 +
}}
  
−
Of note in this game is the weapon/armor system. {{start}} opens a menu where you can select weapons and armor acquired from some boss fights.  Defeating particular boss-class enemies will give Yuko a sword and/or armor, which she keeps for the rest of the game and can switch at any time.  Each weapon has a base attack power (A. Power) which is modified by the armor being used; each Armor has a defense level (D. Power) and a Speed statistic.  10 speed is Yuko's normal speed; it can be raised to 15 (Yellow Armor or Super Armor) or 20 (Speed Suit) at the expense of control especially when jumping, which can be a serious detriment, especially in platforming-intensive areas.
+
==History==
 +
A European release was planned by [[Ubisoft]]{{magref|sfuk|1|10}} but it did not materialise.
  
−
Additionally (and not mentioned in the manual), after beating certain mid- or end-stage bosses, Yuko's health meter will increase by a small amount, until it reaches the maximum just before Act 5 starts.
+
===Legacy===
 +
''{{PAGENAME}}'' would be the last ''Valis'' title released on a Sega system; [[Telenet Japan]] ceased all [[Sega]] development in 1993, and later released ''Valis IV'' exclusively on the [[PC Engine]] and [[Super Famicom]].
  
−
There are four weapons:
+
The game was re-released as part of ''[[Valis Collection]]'' by [[Retro-Bit]] in 2022. It was also re-released as part of ''Mugen Senshi Valis Collection II'' for the [[Nintendo Switch]] by [[Edia]] on the same year. Once again, it was released for Nintendo Switch again on stand-alone format in December 2022 on Japan and April 2023 in Americas and South Korea. Both re-releases on the system keeps the [[Sega]] logo at the startup.
−
*Normal Beam: a simple ball-shaped projectile is fired straight forward
 
−
*Wide Beam: shoots an arrow-shaped blade; slightly more damage than the Normal Beam
 
−
*Homing Beam: a star-shaped projectile seeks out near by enemies and damages them; it can sometimes become confused and circle enemies infinitely
 
−
*3-Way Beam: fires a projectile like the Normal Beam but in three directions (forward, up at 45 degrees, and down at 45 degrees)
 
  
−
Each weapon can be powered up to Level 3 over the course of the game. An upgrade increases the damage of each shot, and in some cases the size of the projectile as well. The sword itself seems to do no damage.
+
==Versions==
 +
[[Renovation Products]] brought the game to the US as ''Syd of Valis''. While the box and instruction manual call the lead character Yuko, the game changes her name to Syd. The title screen is changed from ''SD Valis'' to ''Valis Syd'', presumably a localization error. The US cover is taken from ''Sugoroku '92 Nari Tore Nariagari Trendy'', a board game for the [[CD-ROM² systems|CD-ROM²]] by [[Laser Soft]]. It features a number of characters who not only do not appear in the game but are not related to the Valis universe at all with the exception of Yuko front and center. The other characters are from various Telenet properties, including Guy Kazama from ''Last Alert'', Yu and Rim from the ''Cosmic Fantasy'' series, and Tetsuya from ''Super Albatross''. Additionally, the "Game Over" screen and the credits are untranslated. The re-releases of the game on Nintendo Switch features new in-fly English translations in the Japanese ROM.
  
−
There are six suits of armor:
+
===Localised names===
−
*Normal Suit: a school uniform, and the only armor Yuko has at the beginning of the game
+
{{aka
−
*China Dress: a pink cheongsam; provides slightly higher defense but very slightly lower attack power
+
|us_name=Syd of Valis
−
*Yellow Armor: Yuko's signature yellow armor; provides higher defense and speed
+
|jp_name=ＳＤヴァリス
−
*Guard Suit: A white suit of armor that improves Yuko's defense substantially at the cost of attack power
+
|jp_trans=SD Valis
−
*Speed Suit: Blue bikini armor that provides the highest speed in the game
+
}}
−
*Super Armor: Magical armor with the highest attack and defense in the game plus a speed boost
 
  
−
(Oddly, the Speed Suit shows a D. Power of 20--second highest of all armor--but it seems to provide less defense than the Yellow Armor's 15 D. Power.)
+
==Production credits==
 +
{{creditstable|
 +
*'''Cast:''' あそう ゆうこ, きりしま れいこ, ヴァリア, ヴァルナ, ザルーガ, ギラン, ガイアス, ハイゼン, げんむこうてい メガス
 +
*'''{{rolloverText|デザイン|Design}}:''' かばやま だいきち
 +
*'''{{rolloverText|プログラム|Program}}:''' いまがわ とよひろ, わたなべ ぼのぼの
 +
*'''{{rolloverText|グラフィック|Graphics}}:''' あらい ともゆき, やいづ はんこ, かわさき かける, こうち こういち, しまだ ようこ
 +
*'''{{rolloverText|ミュージック|Music}}:''' ふじさわ みちお
 +
*'''{{rolloverText|テストプレイ|Test Play}}:''' わらこー, いなば あーん, YOU
 +
*'''{{rolloverText|アート・ディレクター|Art Director}}:''' かばやま だいきち
 +
*'''{{rolloverText|ディレクター|Director}}:''' SHIGEO TAKEI, [[I.S.C.|ISC CO.,LTD]]
 +
*'''{{rolloverText|プロデューサー|Producer}}:''' MASAMI HANARI, [[Laser Soft|LASER SOFT]]
 +
*'''{{rolloverText|エグゼクティブ・プロデューサー|Executive Producer}}:''' YUUJI FUKUSHIMA
 +
:[[Telenet Japan|TELENET JAPAN]]
 +
| source=In-game credits
 +
| pdf=Syd of Valis MD credits.pdf
 +
| console=MD
 +
}}
  
−
As in ''[[Valis III]]'', dialogue occurs throughout the game. {{C}} makes the text load faster and moves to the next line.
+
==Magazine articles==
 +
{{mainArticle|{{PAGENAME}}/Magazine articles}}
  
 
==Promotional material==
 
==Promotional material==
−
<gallery>
+
{{mainArticle|{{PAGENAME}}/Promotional material}}
−
File:SydofValis MD US PrintAdvert.jpg|US print advert
 
−
</gallery>
 
  
 
==Physical scans==
 
==Physical scans==
−
{{ratings
+
{{ratings|MD}}
−
| icon=MD
 
−
| famitsu=45
 
−
| famitsu_source={{num|168}}
 
−
| consolesplus=36
 
−
| consolesplus_source={{num|8|page=80/81}}
 
−
| gamepro=80
 
−
| gamepro_source={{num|37|page=40|pdf=GamePro US 037.pdf|pdfpage=42}}
 
−
| gamesx=40
 
−
| gamesx_source={{num|44}}
 
−
| joypad=63
 
−
| joypad_source={{num|7|page=78/79}}
 
−
| joystick=56
 
−
| joystick_source={{num|26|page=120}}
 
−
| megatech=47
 
−
| megatech_source={{num|4|page=24/25}}
 
−
| segapro=65
 
−
| segapro_source={{num|6|page=38|pdf=SegaPro UK 06.pdf|pdfpage=38}}
 
−
| segapro_1=35
 
−
| segapro_source_1={{num|18|page=67}}
 
−
| segapro_2=58
 
−
| segapro_source_2={{num|18|page=68}} <!-- As "Varis SD".  -->
 
−
}}
 
 
{{Scanbox
 
{{Scanbox
−
| console=Mega Drive
 
−
| region=US
 
−
| front=SDValis MD US Box.jpg
 
−
| cart=SDValis md us cart.jpg
 
−
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| manual=Sdvalis md jp manual.pdf
 
| manual=Sdvalis md jp manual.pdf
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}}{{Scanbox
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| console=Mega Drive
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| front=SDValis MD US Box.jpg
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| manual=Syd of Valis MD US Manual.pdf
 
}}
 
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==Technical information==
 
==Technical information==
−
===ROM dump status===
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{{mainArticle|{{PAGENAME}}/Technical information}}
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{{romtable|
 
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{{rom|MD|sha1=|md5=|crc32=|size=512KB|date=1992|source=Cartridge (US)|comments=|quality=good|prototype=no}}
 
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{{rom|MD|sha1=|md5=|crc32=|size=512KB|date=1992|source=Cartridge (JP)|comments=|quality=good|prototype=no}}
 
−
}}
 
  
 
==References==
 
==References==
 
{{NECRetro|title=Valis II|italics=yes}}
 
{{NECRetro|title=Valis II|italics=yes}}
 
<references/>
 
<references/>
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{{SydofValisOmni}}
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{{Valis}}

Latest revision as of 14:56, 22 April 2024

n/a

  • NTSC-U
  • NTSC-J

SDValis MDTitleScreen.png

ValisSD MD JP TitleScreen.png

Syd of Valis
System(s): Sega Mega Drive
Publisher: Laser Soft (Japan), Renovation Products (US)
Nintendo Switch
Edia
Developer:
Sound driver: SMPS Z80
Genre: Action[2][3]

















Number of players: 1
Release Date RRP Code
Sega Mega Drive
JP 		¥6,8006,800 T-49103
Sega Mega Drive
US 		$49.9949.99[5] 49126
Project Egg
JP ▼ 		¥880880 TEL2003
Nintendo Switch
JP ▼
Nintendo Switch
US ▼
Nintendo Switch
KR ▼

Syd of Valis, known in Japan as SD Valis (ＳＤヴァリス), is a Sega Mega Drive action game. A super-deformed remake of Telenet Japan's 1989 game Valis II, it was first released in Japan in February 1992[3]. When localized for its American release two months later[4], its title was erroneously interpreted as Syd of Valis, presumably read verbally by a member of the localization staff unfamiliar with Japanese culture.

Story

Yuko

After defeating Rogles (in Valis), Yuko takes the train home and goes about her regular life, still carrying the Valis sword around. One afternoon while eating pudding, Yuko is contacted by the deceased Reiko, who insists that Yuko return to Queen Valia immediately.

In the opening cutscene, the evil Megas appears before Yuko while she is eating an ice cream cone and challenges her to come to Vecanti to defeat him. Yuko transforms her ice cream into the Valis sword, and the adventure begins.

Gameplay

Syd of Valis, Pause Menu.png

Pause menu

The game is an action platformer similar to the other Valis titles. Yuko is moved with Left and Right and ducks with Down. She jumps with C; if not swinging the sword, she double-jumps with C again while in the air. The physics are much floatier than in the other games. Yuko attacks by shooting projectiles with the Valis sword with B, which can be aimed with the D-Pad while swinging the sword (including swinging straight up while standing or straight down while in the air). The button can be held for continuous fire. Yuko also has screen-clearing bombs that can be used with A, which are limited but can be replenished by finding items.

The game has multiple selectable weapons and armor suits that can be switched by pausing the game with  START . Additional weapons and armor are acquired from certain boss fights. Each weapon has a base attack power (A. Power) which is modified by the armor being used; each armor has a defense level (D. Power) and a speed statistic. Yuko's normal speed is 10; it can be raised to 15 (Yellow Armor or Super Armor) or 20 (Speed Suit) at the expense of control, especially when jumping, which can be a detriment in platforming-intensive areas. Each weapon can be powered up to Level 3 over the course of the game, which increases the size and damage of each shot.

Yuko's health is indicated by a health bar at the bottom of the screen. She loses a life if she runs out of health. Falling down a bottomless pit typically costs health rather than losing a life. Yuko's health can be replenished by finding items; defeating bosses also fully restores her health bar. Yuko gains additional health points after defeating certain bosses. The player is awarded an extra life every 5,000 points earned. The game ends if the player runs out of lives; there are no continues.

Weapons

Syd of Valis, Weapons.png
 Normal Beam
A simple ball-shaped projectile is fired straight forward.
Syd of Valis, Weapons.png
 Wide Beam
Shoots an arrow-shaped blade that does slightly more damage than the Normal Beam.
Syd of Valis, Weapons.png
 Homing Beam
A star-shaped projectile seeks out near by enemies and damages them. It can sometimes become confused and circle enemies infinitely.
Syd of Valis, Weapons.png
 3-Way Beam
Fires a projectile like the Normal Beam but in three directions (forward, up at 45 degrees, and down at 45 degrees).

Suits

Syd of Valis, Suits.png
 Normal Suit
D. Pow:
10
A. Pow:
10
Speed:
10
A school uniform. It is the only armor Yuko has at the beginning of the game.
Syd of Valis, Suits.png
 China Dress
D. Pow:
15
A. Pow:
8
Speed:
10
A pink cheongsam. It provides slightly higher defense but very slightly lower attack power.
Syd of Valis, Suits.png
 Yellow Armor
D. Pow:
20
A. Pow:
10
Speed:
15
Yuko's signature yellow armor. It provides higher defense and speed.
Syd of Valis, Suits.png
 Guard Suit
D. Pow:
10
A. Pow:
20
Speed:
10
A white suit of armor that improves Yuko's defense substantially at the cost of attack power.
Syd of Valis, Suits.png
 Speed Suit
D. Pow:
20
A. Pow:
10
Speed:
20
Blue bikini armor that provides the highest movement speed in the game. Oddly, the Speed Suit shows a D. Power of 20, the second highest of all armor, but seems to provide less defense than the Yellow Armor's 15 D. Power.
Syd of Valis, Suits.png
 Super Armor
D. Pow:
25
A. Pow:
20
Speed:
15
Magical armor with the highest attack and defense in the game plus a speed boost.

Items

Syd of Valis, Items.png
 Small Recovery
Partially restores the health bar.
Syd of Valis, Items.png
 Large Recovery
Fully restores the health bar.
Syd of Valis, Items.png
 Invincible Shield
Temporarily makes Yuko invincible.
Syd of Valis, Items.png
 Bomb
Gives the player another bomb.
Syd of Valis, Items.png
 Point
Gives the player 300 bonus points.
Syd of Valis, Items.png
 1 Up
Gives the player an extra life.

Stages

Syd of Valis, Stage 1-1.png

Syd of Valis, Stage 1-1 Boss.png

Syd of Valis, Stage 1-2.png

Syd of Valis, Stage 1-2 Boss.png

Syd of Valis, Stage 1-3 Boss.png

  • Syd of Valis, Stage 1-1.png

  • Syd of Valis, Stage 1-1 Boss.png

  • Syd of Valis, Stage 1-2.png

  • Syd of Valis, Stage 1-2 Boss.png

  • Syd of Valis, Stage 1-3 Boss.png

Reality

Syd of Valis, Stage 2-1 Boss 1.png

Syd of Valis, Stage 2-1.png

Syd of Valis, Stage 2-1 Boss 2.png

Syd of Valis, Stage 2-2.png

Syd of Valis, Stage 2-3 Boss.png

  • Syd of Valis, Stage 2-1 Boss 1.png

  • Syd of Valis, Stage 2-1.png

  • Syd of Valis, Stage 2-1 Boss 2.png

  • Syd of Valis, Stage 2-2.png

  • Syd of Valis, Stage 2-3 Boss.png

Dream World

Syd of Valis, Stage 3-1.png

Syd of Valis, Stage 3-1 Boss.png

Syd of Valis, Stage 3-2.png

Syd of Valis, Stage 3-2 Boss.png

Syd of Valis, Stage 3-3 Boss.png

  • Syd of Valis, Stage 3-1.png

  • Syd of Valis, Stage 3-1 Boss.png

  • Syd of Valis, Stage 3-2.png

  • Syd of Valis, Stage 3-2 Boss.png

  • Syd of Valis, Stage 3-3 Boss.png

Castle Vanity

Syd of Valis, Stage 4-1.png

Syd of Valis, Stage 4-1 Boss.png

Syd of Valis, Stage 4-2.png

Syd of Valis, Stage 4-3.png

Syd of Valis, Stage 4-3 Boss 1.png

Syd of Valis, Stage 4-3 Boss 2.png

  • Syd of Valis, Stage 4-1.png

  • Syd of Valis, Stage 4-1 Boss.png

  • Syd of Valis, Stage 4-2.png

  • Syd of Valis, Stage 4-3.png

  • Syd of Valis, Stage 4-3 Boss 1.png

  • Syd of Valis, Stage 4-3 Boss 2.png

Megas' Territory

Syd of Valis, Stage 5-1.png

Syd of Valis, Stage 5-2.png

Syd of Valis, Stage 5-2 Boss.png

Syd of Valis, Stage 5-3 Boss 1.png

Syd of Valis, Stage 5-3 Boss 2.png

  • Syd of Valis, Stage 5-1.png

  • Syd of Valis, Stage 5-2.png

  • Syd of Valis, Stage 5-2 Boss.png

  • Syd of Valis, Stage 5-3 Boss 1.png

  • Syd of Valis, Stage 5-3 Boss 2.png

Castle Megas

History

A European release was planned by Ubisoft[10] but it did not materialise.

Legacy

Syd of Valis would be the last Valis title released on a Sega system; Telenet Japan ceased all Sega development in 1993, and later released Valis IV exclusively on the PC Engine and Super Famicom.

The game was re-released as part of Valis Collection by Retro-Bit in 2022. It was also re-released as part of Mugen Senshi Valis Collection II for the Nintendo Switch by Edia on the same year. Once again, it was released for Nintendo Switch again on stand-alone format in December 2022 on Japan and April 2023 in Americas and South Korea. Both re-releases on the system keeps the Sega logo at the startup.

Versions

Renovation Products brought the game to the US as Syd of Valis. While the box and instruction manual call the lead character Yuko, the game changes her name to Syd. The title screen is changed from SD Valis to Valis Syd, presumably a localization error. The US cover is taken from Sugoroku '92 Nari Tore Nariagari Trendy, a board game for the CD-ROM² by Laser Soft. It features a number of characters who not only do not appear in the game but are not related to the Valis universe at all with the exception of Yuko front and center. The other characters are from various Telenet properties, including Guy Kazama from Last Alert, Yu and Rim from the Cosmic Fantasy series, and Tetsuya from Super Albatross. Additionally, the "Game Over" screen and the credits are untranslated. The re-releases of the game on Nintendo Switch features new in-fly English translations in the Japanese ROM.

Localised names

Also known as
Language Localised Name English Translation
English (US) Syd of Valis Syd of Valis
Japanese ＳＤヴァリス SD Valis

Production credits

  • Cast: あそう ゆうこ, きりしま れいこ, ヴァリア, ヴァルナ, ザルーガ, ギラン, ガイアス, ハイゼン, げんむこうてい メガス
  • デザイン: かばやま だいきち
  • プログラム: いまがわ とよひろ, わたなべ ぼのぼの
  • グラフィック: あらい ともゆき, やいづ はんこ, かわさき かける, こうち こういち, しまだ ようこ
  • ミュージック: ふじさわ みちお
  • テストプレイ: わらこー, いなば あーん, YOU
  • アート・ディレクター: かばやま だいきち
  • ディレクター: SHIGEO TAKEI, ISC CO.,LTD
  • プロデューサー: MASAMI HANARI, LASER SOFT
  • エグゼクティブ・プロデューサー: YUUJI FUKUSHIMA
TELENET JAPAN
Source:
In-game credits
Syd of Valis MD credits.pdf
[11]


Magazine articles

Main article: Syd of Valis/Magazine articles.

Promotional material

Main article: Syd of Valis/Promotional material.

Physical scans

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
{{{{{icon}}}|L}} Division by zero.
Based on
0 review
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
1700 igr dlya Sega (RU)
40
[12]
Beep! MegaDrive (JP) NTSC-J
50
[13]
Consoles + (FR)
36
[14]
Console XS (UK) NTSC-J
65
[15]
Famitsu (JP) NTSC-J
45
[16]
GamePro (US) NTSC-U
80
[5]
Games-X (UK)
40
[17]
Hippon Super (JP) NTSC-J
40
[18]
Joypad (FR) NTSC-J
63
[19]
Joystick (FR) NTSC-J
56
[20]
Mega Drive Fan (JP) NTSC-J
65
[21]
MegaTech (UK) NTSC-J
47
[22]
Sega Pro (UK) NTSC-J
65
[23]
Sega Pro (UK) NTSC-J
47
[24]
Sega Saturn Magazine (JP) NTSC-J
40
[25]
Video Games (DE)
79
[26]
Sega Mega Drive
 54
Based on
16 reviews

Syd of Valis

Mega Drive, JP
SDValis MD JP Box.jpg
Cover
SydofValis MD JP CartTop.jpg
SDValis MD JP Cart.jpg
Cart
Sdvalis md jp manual.pdf
Manual
Mega Drive, US
SDValis MD US Box.jpg
Cover
SDValis md us cart.jpg
Cart
Syd of Valis MD US Manual.pdf
Manual

Technical information

Main article: Syd of Valis/Technical information.

References

Necretro-round.svg
NEC Retro has more information related to Valis II
  1. ↑ http://gdri.smspower.org/wiki/index.php/I.S.C.
  2. ↑ File:SDValis MD JP Box.jpg
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 https://sega.jp/history/hard/megadrive/software_l.html (Wayback Machine: 2020-07-02 23:21)
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Sega Visions, "May/June 1992" (US; 1992-xx-xx), page 58
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 GamePro, "August 1992" (US; 1992-xx-xx), page 42
  6. ↑ https://www.amusement-center.com/project/egg/game/?product_id=266
  7. ↑ https://www.nintendo.com/us/store/products/syd-of-valis-switch/
  8. ↑ https://store-jp.nintendo.com/list/software/70010000056748.html
  9. ↑ https://store.nintendo.co.kr/70010000057754
  10. ↑ Sega Force, "January 1992" (UK; 1991-12-12), page 10
  11. ↑ File:Syd of Valis MD credits.pdf
  12. ↑ 1700 igr dlya Sega, "" (RU; 2001-xx-xx), page 233
  13. ↑ Beep! MegaDrive, "March 1992" (JP; 1992-02-08), page 37
  14. ↑ Consoles +, "Avril 1992" (FR; 1992-0x-xx), page 80
  15. ↑ Console XS, "June/July 1992" (UK; 1992-04-23), page 133
  16. ↑ Famitsu, "1992-03-06" (JP; 1992-02-21), page 37
  17. ↑ Games-X, "27th February-4th March 1992" (UK; 1992-02-27), page 26
  18. ↑ Hippon Super, "March 1992" (JP; 1992-02-04), page 83
  19. ↑ Joypad, "Avril 1992" (FR; 1992-03-1x), page 78
  20. ↑ Joystick, "Avril 1992" (FR; 1992-0x-xx), page 120
  21. ↑ Mega Drive Fan, "May 1992" (JP; 1992-04-xx), page 115
  22. ↑ MegaTech, "April 1992" (UK; 1992-03-20), page 24
  23. ↑ Sega Pro, "April 1992" (UK; 1992-03-19), page 38
  24. ↑ Sega Pro, "April 1993" (UK; 1993-03-11), page 67
  25. ↑ Sega Saturn Magazine, "September 1995" (JP; 1995-08-08), page 87
  26. ↑ Video Games, "6/92" (DE; 1992-05-29), page 46


Syd of Valis

SDValis MDTitleScreen.png

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Valis games for Sega systems
Valis III (1991) | Valis: The Fantasm Soldier (1991) | Syd of Valis (1992)
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