Developer Interview: Yoshihisa Tomita on Evolution World of Sacred Device For Sega Dreamcast

This is an interview with Yoshihisa Tomita from Sting Co., Ltd, director of the Sega Dreamcast RPG Evolution: The World of Sacred Device. It was originally published on the game's official US website, and a small portion of the interview can be found in the game's manual.

When did you first start working on Evolution?

The original Evolution was planned two or three years ago. It was set to be an RPG for the Sega Saturn. In the end, the settings and the game system were much different from the Evolution we originally planned.

Is everyone on the team a big fan of adventure/RPG games?

We have our favorites, but yes, most of us play RPGs often.

Tell us about the concept behind Evolution's theme, the premise.

Basically, even when there is adversity to endure, never back down and always think positive.

What inspired the development of the Evolution characters? Do you have a favorite?

We developed the story line then decided on each character's personality and role. We chose cheerful friendly characters because it gives life to the story. My favorite character is Chain, she's cute. She has a crush on Mag, but cannot express her mind. A problem a lot of us experience.

Why did you choose an anime-type look for Evolution characters and environments instead of a more realistic approach?

Everyone goes for realistic 3D graphics now. With evolution, we wanted to show that it is possible to create unique and cute anime-style characters. However, we also wanted to demonstrate the technique of high quality textures, even though it is anime.

Why did you decide to use the name of weapons for the character names?

The person in charge of the Evolution setting, Mr. Matsumura, loves the military. It was his idea to use the different type of weapons as character names. The names are not in accordance with the image of the weapons. We selected each name by the sound image which Japanese people hear.

Why did you decide to go with randomly generated dungeons?

We always intended to make good use of what we started in Baroque.

Are there multiple towns or just the main town near the ruins?

Several countries and towns are part of the story, but only one town, named Pannam actively appears in the game. Mag's house is here, which is his base of operation.

Are the dungeons the only location that combat takes place in?

Ah-ha! Basically yes… but there are special exceptions. You will see!

What kind of enemies are included in the dungeons?

Most of them are huge insects and great beasts native to the world. There are, however, extremely powerful and bizarre boss monsters at the end of every dungeon.

Explain the combat in Evolution? Are you introducing an all-new system?

Combat is the typical 'choosing command' style, but you actively put your party in 3x3 squares. The action takes and movement order, as well as each parameters changes depending on the position of the characters, so you will have to consider strategies in battle.

How did you take advantage of the Sega Dreamcast hardware?

By virtue of the GD - ROM, it became possible to handle large capacity data at high speed. Only on the Dreamcast can we make an RPG game with characters using thousands of polygons along with high quality textures. You can see these advantages in the game. In the past, there was a large discrepancy between the quality of a game and a movie. With the Dreamcast the difference is negligible.

Any final thoughts?

We created Evolution with enthusiasm and passion over. We hope you recognize this passion and enthusiasm even more than the 3D design and new technical aspects.

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Sega Saturn RPGs - The Complete List of the Best Sega Saturn Role-Playing Games!

While the original Sony PlayStation may have stolen the show when it came to role-playing games in the 32-bit era, the Sega Saturn was definitely no slouch in the RPG department. The system featured quite a number of original, unique, and very enjoyable titles in the genre. And somewhat shockingly, almost all of the Saturn RPG games we'll cover here have remained exclusive to the platform. So, without further ado, let's take a look at some of the best RPGs the Sega Saturn had to offer in this complete list of every Saturn role-playing game currently playable in English.

Albert Odyssey: Legend of Eldean

Albert Odyssey: Legend of Eldean is your typical run-of-the-mill Japanese RPG that does a lot of things really well - its 2D graphics look great, the turn-based battles are intuitive and well-executed, and the adventure is engaging throughout. The game doesn't attempt to reinvent the genre or try to be the next big thing in J-RPG gaming - it's just a simple, well-made RPG with an enjoyable quest. And that's a good thing! This is actually one of the more polished and well-rounded RPGs on the Sega Saturn. If you're looking for a traditional turn-based Japanese RPG for your Saturn collection, Albert Odyssey is a great option to check out.

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Dragon Force

Dragon Force is a very deep strategy RPG that features epic battles with hundreds of soldiers on screen at once. The game is hardcore and pretty intimidating for first time players - reading the manual here is going to be a must. You'll spend a lot of time managing your troops and castles outside of battles, and you need to strategize which castles you'll attempt to take over based on a lot of different factors. Dragon Force offers 8 different storylines depending on which character you choose to play as, so there's plenty of replay value here. If you want a very in-depth strategy RPG for your Sega Saturn, look no further than Dragon Force

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The Legend of Oasis

The Legend of Oasis (known as The Story of Thor 2 in Europe) is a sequel to the underrated action-RPG Beyond Oasis for the Sega Genesis. The game offers an overhead 2D Zelda-like experience filled with puzzles and exploration. Combat here is quick and responsive with a lot of different moves and attacks you can perform - there's even a combo system in place, making the combat feel sort of like a beat-'em-up game. The game also has a unique buddy system allowing you to summon elemental spirits that you unlock as you progress to help you solve puzzles and fight enemies. All in all it's a fantastic action-adventure RPG and a great addition to the Sega Saturn's library.

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Dark Savior

Dark Savior is a game in Climax Entertainment's LandStalker series, combining platforming and RPG elements in a unique adventure. If you're familiar with LandStalker you'll have a good idea on how this one plays. There's a lot of very tricky platforming thanks to the game's isometric viewpoint, but it definitely becomes easier once you get used to it. Battles in the game are pretty interesting, taking inspiration from one-on-one fighting games. Dark Savior also has plenty of replay value with branching storylines where the choices you make impact the rest of the game. It's a great platforming-heavy action-RPG that is still exclusive to the Sega Saturn.

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Shining Wisdom

Shining Wisdom is an overhead Zelda style action-RPG spinoff game in the Shining Force series. It's nowhere near as polished as your average Legend of Zelda game, but it offers a cute and engaging action-RPG adventure with some small quirks and flaws. The game features real-time combat, exploration and puzzle-solving that requires the use of the new abilities you learn as you progress throughout the game, similar to Zelda, along with a compelling story and charming characters. There weren't many Zelda-like games released on the Sega Saturn, and despite some of Shining Wisdom's minor peculiarities, it's still a good action-RPG that's exclusive to the Saturn and worth checking out.

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Virtual Hydlide

Virtual Hydlide is a remake of the classic action RPG Hydlide. This is the only western-style RPG released for the Sega Saturn in North America, playing kind of like an early Elder Scrolls game. While the game has a poor reputation due to its poor framerate and somewhat janky gameplay, if you can get used to its quirks there's actually a good adventure to be had here. You'll embark on a quest to save the princess, battling monsters while exploring a vast 3D world. If you're looking for an RPG for the Saturn that's very different from the standard fare, Virtual Hydlide is a unique and underrated exclusive RPG for the system that might be up your alley.

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Shining Force III

Shining Force III is the Sega Saturn exclusive third game in Sega's classic strategy-RPG series Shining Force. The game offers a tactical RPG experience with an epic adventure set in a richly detailed medieval world. Fans of the Shining Force series will feel right at home here as Shining Force III features the same classic gameplay formula as the earlier games, but this time with a 3D presentation.  The game's branching storyline and tactical depth make it a standout entry in the Shining series. Sadly, Shining Force III as we know it in the west was only the first of three separate releases in Japan, with each game offering a different scenario with its own plotline. Even though we never got the full game outside of Japan, Shining Force III is a great (and extremely expensive) tactical role-playing game that is a must-play for every Saturn RPG fan.

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Herc's Adventures

Herc's Adventures takes a comedic twist on the RPG genre, offering a lighthearted adventure inspired by Greek mythology. It's very similar to Zombies Ate My Neighbors from the same development team, appearing to run on an updated version of that game's engine, but Herc's Adventures takes place in a large open world with action-RPG elements. You can control one of three heroes - Herc, Atlanta, or Jason - in a quest to save the goddess Persephone from Hades and restore balance to the world. The game features action-oriented overhead gameplay with plenty of puzzles to solve, a humorous story, and even a cooperative multiplayer mode. Herc's Adventure's is definitely a hidden gem for the Saturn, offering a fantastic 2D action-RPG that's brimming with personality.

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Blazing Heroes/Mystaria: The Realms of Lore

Blazing Heroes, also released as Mystaria: The Realms of Lore, is a turn-based strategy RPG in the same vein as the Shining Force games. The majority of the game is spent in grid-based tactical battles, although there are some towns and other areas to explore outside of battles as well. It's your typical strategy RPG, and it's actually really well done. Definitely a hidden gem on the Sega Saturn for strategy RPG enthusiasts.

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Guardian Heroes

Guardian Heroes is a beat-em-up with some light RPG elements made by legendary developer Treasure. While the game is really all about the action, your character levels up as you gain experience through fighting enemies, allowing you to upgrade your stats at the end of each level, and you're presented with decisions at times which lead to many branching paths. It's also a lot heavier on story than most games in the genre as well, and features plenty of cutscenes and dialogue. This brawler also features a 2-player co-op mode so you and a friend can play through the story together, as well as a chaotic 6-payer melee mode that's very reminiscent of the Super Smash Bros games. The aesthetics are also on-point, with some great 2D graphics and a fantastic soundtrack. All in all, Guardian Heroes is a fairly deep and extremely fun beat-em-up/RPG mash-up that offers hours of entertainment with a cool story and plenty of replay value. This unique game is definitely one of the best ever made for the Saturn and should be experienced by every fan of the system.

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Shining the Holy Ark

Shining the Holy Ark is the sequel to the Sega Genesis game Shining in the Darkness, and is yet another game in Sega's Shining series to make an appearance on this list, joining Shining Wisdom and Shining Force III. Unlike the previously mentioned games, Shining the Holy Ark offers a traditional dungeon-crawling RPG experience, played from the first-person perspective. You'll assemble a party of adventurers to explore labyrinthine dungeons, battle monsters, and unravel the mysteries of the Holy Ark. The game features an engaging story, challenging battles, and a richly detailed world portrayed with a unique art style and some great graphics for the console. If you like these old-school dungeon crawlers, Shining the Holy Ark is another Sega Saturn exclusive RPG that shouldn't be missed.

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Magic Knight Rayearth

Magic Knight Rayearth is a bit of a bittersweet game for the Sega Saturn, as it was the last Saturn game released in North America. It's based on the popular manga and anime series Magic Knight Rayearth, and the Saturn-exclusive game is an action RPG where you play as three schoolgirls transported to the magical land of Cephiro. The game plays similarly to titles like The Legend of Zelda and especially The Secret of Mana, as you'll explore the world in a top-down 2D perspective and engage in real-time battles with enemies, switching between the three characters on the fly to take advantage of each girl's unique abilities. It's a fantastic action RPG with great graphics, nice anime cutscenes, and an endearing story. As a highly sought-after and rare release, it'll cost you a small fortune for an authentic copy of the game, but serious Saturn collectors and RPG players are going to want to have this awesome game in their collection.

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Panzer Dragoon Saga

Here it is, the holy grail of the Sega Saturn. Panzer Dragoon Saga is a legendary RPG that was only released on the Sega Saturn, and seeing as the source code for the game was lost long ago, it will most likely remain an exclusive to the console. The game takes the lore and aesthetics of the first two Panzer Dragoon and transforms the series from the arcade-style rail shooters of Panzer Dragoon 1 & 2 into an epic RPG adventure. The battles are a lot more action-oriented than your standard RPG fare, as you'll constantly have to change positions on the fly to gain the advantage. The game's story, cutscenes, and atmosphere will have you hooked into its intricately designed world of fantasy, with some of the nicest art direction of the 32-bit era. From the graphics to the gameplay, Panzer Dragoon Saga is a role-playing adventure that simply should not be missed - be prepared to shell out a large sum of money if you want a North American copy of the game, but it's well worth it for its collectability and the fantastic journey it takes you on. Sega and Team Andromeda really outdid themselves with this title. A true classic in every sense of the word, and one of the best RPGs ever made!

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That's all of the RPGs for the Sega Saturn that were released in North America and Europe. However, there are a handful of Japan-only role-playing releases that have been translated into English by fans. We'll take a look at these titles below: