Euphory

Ventured into an actual RPG this time.It’s called Euphory. Even before I played, I noticed some major differences to most games I’d played and introduced on the X1 before. This game was designed for the Turbo series and above, so it utilizes 640×400 resolution at 24kHz refresh rate, a big jump in hardware and disk capacity requirements. It also leverages the FM sound modulation instead of PSG, so it has more of a melodic sound than most previous games.

That said, the graphics look clean, but not incredibly impressive, and the music is really simple so while the hardware makes it sound distinct from the PSG experience, the end product isn’t that impressive.

But it seems like a pretty good game. Much more an RPG than Dragon Buster was, in this game you name your character, buy and sell weapons and character power-ups, manage an inventory, can explore the world freely instead of linearly, etc. Doesn’t have the traditional stats, though. The underlying story is you need to find a cure for your mother’s illness, although I assume it involves some far more sinister scenario once you get deep enough into the game.

There is a good variety of background imagery, it seems. It also allows you to explore underwater as well as on ground. One really unique feature is that you can play two players simultaneously – the brother and the sister – as you make your way through your quest.