Virtual Hydlide
A 3D remake of the 1984 original Hydlide.
In 1995, T&E Soft created Virtual Hydlide, an action role-playing game that updated the 1984 original Hydlide. It used full 3D graphics and a main character based on a real actor. Sega released it in Europe and Japan, while Atlus handled the North American version for the Sega Saturn. Critics had mixed feelings, praising the visuals, 3D worlds, and soundtrack, but finding the gameplay lacking.
Quick Facts
- Developer
- T&E Soft
- Publisher
- JP/PAL
- Sega
- NA
- Atlus
- Designer
- Tokihiro Naito
- Programmer
- Kentaro Nishiwaki
- Artist
- Toyokazu Hattori; Yoshinori Kiritani
- Composer
- Yumi Kinoshita
- Genre
- Action role-playing
- Modes
- Single-player
Facts from the source article.
Gameplay
In Virtual Hydlide, the player explores the world of Hydlide, searching dungeons for weapons and armor. Unlike most RPGs, the player character levels up only after completing specific objectives rather than gaining experience points. Each new game generates a different world: the developers designed over 20 maps for each of the seven dungeons and over 20 maps for the overworld. When starting a new game, maps are randomly selected from these sets, creating more than 25 billion possible game worlds. Each world is identified by an alphabetic code that can be entered to replay favorite designs or compete for high scores. Non-boss enemies respawn continuously in random locations.
Reception
Next Generation described the game as visually stunning with its over-the-shoulder viewpoint and fully 3D environments, but found the gameplay awkward and tedious. GamePro noted that the visuals take time to get used to due to confusing camera angles, clunky scrolling, and graininess that makes items hard to spot, and criticized the outdated sound effects and difficulty judging enemy distance. However, GamePro praised the medieval orchestrated soundtrack and said the game grows on the player, concluding that while most gamers would be put off, some would find it worthwhile for its next generation elements. The game has been run multiple times at Games Done Quick events in the Awful Block.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who designed Virtual Hydlide?
Virtual Hydlide was designed by Tokihiro Naito.
Who composed the music for Virtual Hydlide?
The music for Virtual Hydlide was composed by Yumi Kinoshita.
More in Atlus Games of the 1990s
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