Xak: The Tower of Gazzel (PC-88 Paradise) Unexpected hidden 8bit gem in the Xak series! Also for MSX

[@CptJistuce]

My headcanon for how they escaped the collapsing tower in the ending is simple: They didn't. They just tanked the fall damage and pulled themselves out of the rubble. If a literal god can't kill them, falling rocks darn sure won't.

[@Belgand]

Falling rocks are the ultimate TPK. Nobody can survive that!

[@krazykuz13cmc]

Or they just died

[@JohnHassink]

They had a teleport scroll left.

[@Toon_Pirate]

I'm glad that Fray finally got to come along on an adventure

[@Conan_the_Based]

Everything is still bright and cheery with the good guys pulling through at the last moment every time, as we move into the very grimdark Xak III.

[@NIMPAK1]

The legomaniac is back.

[@ramonribascasasayas7877]

Funny you place this video now! This weekend, one of the musicians of this game, Tadahiro Nitta was at MSX Goto 40, at Amsterdam. And yeah, the intro music of Tower of Gazzel was played! Videos of the event coming soon!

[@BasementBrothers]

They played music from this game?! I'm surprised! That's so cool though.

[@JohnHassink]

@@BasementBrothers And from Fray. Also, mister Nitta performed "Boroz Forest" on stage with us on shakuhachi.

[@Isteak80]

Ah yes, playing games on my graphing calculator is like one of my core memories from the late 1990s.

[@MiBrCo4177]

The only game I remember playing on my t86 was Phoenix lol The perfect shooter.

[@DracMazoku]

Thanks again for chronicling so much PC-88 stuff in so much details! It's a gaming scene I have zero knowledge on, and I truly love seeing it through your videos!

[@Leoj305]

A new Video! A nice little break from me slowly making my way through your back log

[@MiBrCo4177]

Just binged the other Xak vids and I'm loving this series. I have yet to watch your other videos containing Brandish and Xanadu but the Ys vids our top-notch. Games like Valis, Brandish, Xanadu, Ys, Legend of Heroes (Gagharv trilogy and Dragons) seriously need to see a remake. I know they released a remade version of Dragons Lair from thr TG-16 era just the other year on modern consoles with gorgeous redrawn sprites and colorful backgrounds -which is amazing if anyone has yet to try it- but these older ones really need some love. There's a definite charm that can be found with these types of games from yesteryesr.

[@BasementBrothers]

Haven't made a video on Brandish yet, but need to eventually. There's a pretty great remake of Brandish 1 on the PSP. Also, Revival Xanadu on PC-98 and the version of Xanadu on Falcom Classics (Sega Saturn) are pretty good remakes of Xanadu.

[@roezlf]

appreciate your videos a lot. keep up the good work & thank you for sharing these often forgotten titles with a wider audience

[@_Jay_Maker_]

Thought I recognized that art style. Kia Asamiya is a legend.

[@quarkbent9165]

Thanks for being a good virtual friend, Mr. Jakes.

[@Zeithri]

I've seen so many pictures of the Cover art of this Xak game, it made me curious on the series as an whole. And yes, I do believe I have stumbled across the 'Xak III Tower of Gazzel' so learning that it isn't Xak III is a revelation. 21:02 - The Warrior of Light spotted.

[@ggbetz]

This series always interested me, thanks for your hard work!

[@EdmondDantes224]

Other things worthy of the title "Eternal Recurrence" -Asking you what movies those clips are from. -Waiting for the next Basement Brothers video. -Making puns from all these names and titles. -Rocking to the 80s and 90s-tastic RPG music that reminds me why I love this era.

[@Faust333]

not even three minutes in and I get a free airplane clip man you got me good almost spilled my drink lol

[@Dradeeus]

Wow, when they show the evil guys, they are SUPER evil. Goes from cute to HR Geiger.

[@ARAVideogames]

great covering! My fav willl always be Xak 3 though

[@beowulf848]

Alright! More Xak! Been waiting for the 3rd game to be done 😊

[@randam3389]

Thank you for this video. I had the opportunity at the time of playing the MSX2 version, which features some nice MIDI MT32 music at the intro if you have the necessary hardware (a MSX Turbo-R with a MIDI module, preverably a Roland CM32L)

[@JohnHassink]

Great video, as always. The "Boroz Forest" music from Xak II technically isn't the only "recycled" song in the game. When you have Fray as a support member and let her, instead of Horn, try to play on Powell's flute at the statue, the town theme from "Fray" will sound. At least, in the MSX2 version, but I'll assume it's the same in the PC-88 one.

[@BasementBrothers]

Yeah, I remember that part. You'll recall though that there is no version of Fray for PC-88... so it's probably recycled from the PC-98 version.

[@tylerlacor8116]

Yesss Another PC-88 Paradise!

[@kadnhart6661]

My favorite bits of these videos are whenever you highlight the soundtrack, despite never playing any PC-88 games I've always loved the weird little soundboard. You should consider compiling your favorite soundtracks for its own playlist upload!

[@willkelmanpenapena3551]

That ending theme goes hard

[@raziyatheseeker]

Funny timing, I was thinking back on your Xak videos the other day. They almost feel like they're leaning into their "Ys Killer" feel with the whole tower thing, given the first two games. And Origin, as you mentioned. I... will admit, I was not expecting the premium goods! A support character does seem like a cool concept. It's also neat that they tried to give some of the randos in Xak 2 their time to shine. While interesting that they kept Latok (sp?) at a high level, I'm on the fence about them leaning into puzzles at the expense of combat. Kinda reminds me of Zelda: Oracle of Ages, versus Oracle of Seasons. But forcing you to git gud with the bosses seems a great gameplay concession. All in all, cool to see this covered!

[@jfkoetse]

There is even a game from Micro Cabin with the title " The Tower of Cabin" ...

[@marcellosilva9286]

Your videos are so comfy, Mr. Jakes

[@fmsyntheses]

If you like the world and characters, this is going to be a nice little diversion that it didn't break Microcabin to make. Like a 'bottle episode' of a running series. The art assets may be ported, but they all look great. The premise also reminds me of the first Brandish, which is one of my favorite games.

[@BasementBrothers]

Oh yes. Brandish also has a tower! That's right.

[@madson-web]

Another great episode!

[@Izquierda]

Totally relate to the urge to play games on their original systems. PC88/98 seem a bit more of an exception though given that they are usually highly similar except more playable on a 98. I think I'll go for the latter when I get through my backlog and give the Xak series a try.

[@BasementBrothers]

Yeah, since the PC-88/98 versions were both developed simultaneously, there is definitely an argument that the PC-98 version is also the original... and also the superior original. On the other hand, they still limited the graphics to the PC-88's capabilities even in the 98 version, so I would argue that the PC-88 is the true target platform.

[@JohnHassink]

Regarding the drago ring as an item that indeed has no use in the game - That puzzle with the pillars on the Floor of Fire nets you some kind of ring which I've never found use for. You can just beat the game without ever having to solve that puzzle.

[@BasementBrothers]

Yeah, the "Ring of Fearia" you get from that chest is apparently just a gag. You can use it at the fork on the 5th floor to get a different message depending on what support character you have, but it apparently isn't necessary to finish the game. You're right.

[@thepld]

"The fog's getting thicker!!" "And Leon's getting laaarrggeerrr!!"

[@TheTransientOne1]

Hmmm, the chara arts in the dialogues remind me quite a lot (Feru, for instance) of Asamiya's style in the nineties. Compiler & co. and the Silent Mobius gals, I mean.

[@BasementBrothers]

Kia Asamiya is the character designer.

[@TheTransientOne1]

@@BasementBrothers Ah, yappari.

[@mousebetr]

That zany Xak crew is at it again!

[@RBunctious]

Project Egg with the Original Xanadu is coming on De.14th for Switch in both English & Japanese. Excited.

[@RBunctious]

@NaNoRarh Store, $6 U.S. $7.50 or so CDN Also on the North American eShop. Xanadu-only is available for now, excited for the future.

[@BasementBrothers]

The thing about the original Xanadu is that it's already in English to begin with. It will be interesting to see which games EGG decides to bring to the North American store in the future. (Also, original Xanadu is unfortunately not going to be most people's cup of tea I imagine...)

[@sneakyskunk1]

I am genuinely surprised that those floppys still work. I'd always heard that format was ridiculously fragile. This series has been fascinating to me, as I really only know the PC 88 by reputation. These videos have been hugely educational.

[@BasementBrothers]

True they are fragile and I have plenty that don't work anymore. But in my experience, the majority of floppy disks actually do still work today if they have been taken care of. Especially professionally released ones (as opposed to simply written using somebody's computer).

[@sneakyskunk1]

@@BasementBrothers I imagine you probably backed all of them up on more modern media where possible. Video game lost media is going to be a huge problems as time goes on. Historians like your self are an invaluable window to the past. Thank you for your hard work.

[@BasementBrothers]

No need to back them up. Pirates on the Internet have already done the work for me in the case of this game, as well as most of the games I cover on this channel. If I manage to get my hands on anything not easily available on the Internet though, I will take appropriate measures to preserve.

[@sneakyskunk1]

@@BasementBrothers That is the sad truth of game preservation. The pirates are doing a better job of curation than the companies responsible for the games. I imagine you have had to go sailing on the high seas a few times.

[@Longlius]

The weird insistence on platforming in Xak kinda reminds me of Origin's bizarre decision to make platforming an integral part of Ultima VIII. Feels like a lot of RPG franchises were experimenting with weird stuff like that in the early 90s.

[@Belgand]

It's a bit outside of your usual content, but it would be great to get a video on 16bit Sensation: Another Layer once the season ends. You mentioned it in a previous video and it's been a great watch. I think it would fit in perfectly with the general coverage of the PC-88/98 even though you typically stay away from the bishoujo/eroge that it focuses on. It would also be a nice excuse to show off your PC-98 cosplay. ;)

[@astrades2601]

Maybe not any hidden gem, but still interesting video. In past years devs surrely were more liking to experiment with formula of their series and they were making side games like this. And box arts are great :D

[@PixelReality1]

XAK - недооцененая серия Очень красивая и интересная, как по графике и сюжету, так и по музыке. Музыка на PC-88 это нечто не из этого мира Groovy

[@ACanuckNamedTex]

oh wow, I played this one, on the MSX because it has a fan translation (a very terrible translation but it's the only one).

[@BasementBrothers]

Yeah, they were so limited by the number of letters they could display at once. I also noticed that reason for Acrila and Berzes' taking offense in the opening was changed completely.

[@pablozambrano16]

Gorgeous Kia Asamiya art

[@svabosvabo3257]

Kia Asamiya

[@_Tizoc_]

Xak rules honestly cooler in vibe and lore than YS. I know, crucify me.

[@darktetsuya]

seems like an interesting one! well outside of that platforming stuff, trying to do that in an overhead view seems worse than trying to do platforming in the double dragon games, haha. since the MSX2 version is in english I might be curious to look it up that way and emulate it. always love these videos on the Japanese side featuring franchises I've just never played before!

[@armandogavilan1815]

As a collector, the PC-88 always got my attention, never touched one, games looks amazing and love some soundtracks like Sorcerian, the only thing is that scrolling, just because of that I couldn´t play the games I think!

[@BasementBrothers]

Yeah, if you need smooth scrolling, then early Japanese PC's are probably not for you. Stick to consoles or maybe X68000 or FM Towns.

[@armandogavilan1815]

@@BasementBrothers Yes, it is really intense, wish some emulation was possible to keep a higher fps count, I do collect its soundtracks, got a lot and many gems in there!

[@EdmondDantes224]

So umm, yeah, what IS that Arnold movie where the kid keeps saying "you see that? the tower?" Usually I recognize your references but that one I don't.

[@BasementBrothers]

Kindergarten Cop

[@Belgand]

Oh no, the most sinister villains of all... real estate flippers!

[@Shinesart]

Ok so I'm currently using neko project II to emulate pc98 painting software called JIDAI. How can I save the file I drew in my hardrive instead of in the rom image.

[@BasementBrothers]

Disk Explorer

[@Shinesart]

@@BasementBrothers Thanks

[@SNKev411]

I really want to buy this computer, but I don’t know which version is the best one to buy the PC 98DO plus impossible to find and I know that it can run both PC 98 and 88 games

[@BasementBrothers]

Well, just a warning, the 98DO series are pretty good as PC-88's, but as PC-98's they will only be able to play earlier titles from the 80's. There unfortunately isn't any system that will play all PC-88 and 98 games. For PC-88, really any 8mhz model will work great. If you want soundboard II, then the 8801FA or later. If you want to be able to also play the PC-88VA games, then you could try to get a PC-88VA... but working ones tend to be very pricey. One of the later 8mhz models like my PC-8801MC will probably give you the best bang for your buck. 98DO could also be OK... as long as you think of it as mostly a PC-88 that can also play a few 98 games as kind of a bonus. It doesn't have Soundboard II though.

[@SNKev411]

@@BasementBrothers thanks that’s really interesting I’m a big fan of your channel. In fact I have three PC 9821s because I want to tinker around with it and see if I can put a circuit board so I can place on original hardware

[@SNKev411]

I’m a big fan of retro computers I have the sharp X 68,000 xvi and the red zone I really want to get the sharp X1 twin if I ever see it available. I wish these computers were available in the US. 🫤 but these computers are so pricey.

[@BasementBrothers]

That's a lot of 9821's! What are you hoping to do with the circuit board?

[@SNKev411]

@@BasementBrothers planning to put some roms on a chip and run the games

[@MrSegmentfault]

That MSX2 port may run like crap but it's soundtrack surely is the 'definitive edition'.

[@apollolux]

For some reason, I'm getting flashbacks to Lagoon instead. :P

[@belstar1128]

you think that some people in 1991 saw the pc 88 in shops and thought .i am not buying this its from 3 years ago .

[@BasementBrothers]

Haha. But in all seriousness, the last PC-88's were made in 1989. By 1991 people were buying PC-98's and I don't think new PC-88's were even on store shelves anymore. The PC-88 userbase by that time were just folks holding onto their old PC-88's refusing to upgrade.

[@belstar1128]

@@BasementBrothers there was a computer made in 1987 that had the number 83 in its name Too. but it was one of those super expensive "mini" computers. so I am sure that the people buying it did a lot of research.

[@Wyrdwad]

The MSX2 version may be the only one that's translated, but... can you really call that "translated"? ;) The problem with a lot of MSX fan-translations is that an extraordinarily large number of them were/continue to be done by a guy who goes by the name Django, and Django translations are... problematic. For one thing, Django allegedly doesn't actually speak Japanese, instead using Google Translate and other resources to "translate" lines for him... and he also doesn't speak English very well, so his attempts to shorten those auto-translations usually introduce a mess of grammar and spelling errors. And the reason he has to shorten them is because his hacking skills only really allow him to do character-by-character substitution -- rarely is he able to expand the text beyond the number of characters used in the original Japanese, so he has to crunch everything down to fit within the exact same number of letters. The end result is something that's honestly, at least IMHO, a worse experience than just feeling your way through the game in Japanese. But then, I'm also a Japanese-to-English translator by trade, so when I see a fan-translation being so half-heartedly thrown together, it kind of makes me physically shudder! Heheh. It's sad, because he's done a lot of games that really deserve a more nuanced translation, but now often get passed over by more conscientious fan-translation groups because "oh, it's already been translated." That said, the MSX2 version of Gazzel seems to be quite a good port -- like Xak II, it's actually been optimized for the R800 processor if you're using an MSX Turbo R, and plays at a rather nice clip if you're using a tR system. Also like Xak II, though -- and the MSX2 version of Fray -- it's a bit frustratingly laggy to the point of ALMOST being unplayable if you're not. Thank goodness for the R800! Not a lot of games made use of it, but whenever a game did, it always made a HUGE difference.

[@BasementBrothers]

Yeah, I know. So many MSX translation patches appear to be terrible... if not for other reasons, because the unchanged character limits from the Japanese versions. I'm not really the guy who can tell people much about English patches since I don't use them... aside from sometimes getting a little footage... and to report that they exist at all. I think with this particular game, though, English speakers will be better off with the patched version, since you really need to be able to (at least partially) understand the hints given in the game in order to play it at all.

[@Wyrdwad]

@@BasementBrothers Yeah, that's a bit of a Catch-22 indeed. I guess there are indeed cases where "something is better than nothing," as it were. Still frustrating to see, however! But I kind of get it, as fan-translating a game RIGHT is neither quick nor easy to do. It's why despite my own dabbling in a bunch of different fan-translations of MSX titles to date, only two have ever actually been released thus far (A Life M36 Planet, and Mitsume ga Tooru). Django's approach is like the mass-market production line approach to fan translation. The quality may be rubbish, but I guess you can't fault the guy's output! He's got dozens of games under his belt at this point.

[@noirlavender6409]

You're amazing thanks for the content, if i wasn't poor I'd be throwing money at you