Xak III: The Eternal Recurrence (PC-98 Paradise) a 16bit action RPG for Japanese PC's & TurboGrafx

[@MarquisDeSang]

where does the CRT filter come from? The game itself?

[@BasementBrothers]

That's just how the game outputs. It isn't a CRT filter. I didn't do anything to it.

[@benisser]

They're conserving video memory by only drawing half of the lines

[@Nukle0n]

The PC-98 was a very high resolution color computer for the time, it was made with the main objective of rendering kanji, so you have a high resolution and not a lot of power to use it for moving imagery. This is one of the tricks used to fill the screen but have performance that isn't horrible.

[@BasementBrothers]

True, it probably is a trick to improve performance. Most PC-98 games chose to double up the lines, though, rather than leaving blank black lines like this one. Though they did often do that on PC-88 ports. In this particular game, it seems like it might be a weird holdover from the earlier Xak games... which were originally for the 88.

[@MrAlan1828]

@@Nukle0n 640x400

[@Belgand]

"I hate this place! It's bright everywhere!" Yeah, I've mistakenly left the house during the day myself.

[@GeovaneSanciniSR]

Artist: How much blood do you want in those cutscenes? Scenario Writer: YES. Holy shit, the game is kinda brutal for a 16-bit title.

[@eclat4641]

Way back in thought there would have been lots of games with blood , but there isn’t … so this is a surprise!

[@asteria9963]

So many channels tackle the same content that is commonly available to english-speaking audiences. Having channels like yours is such a breath of fresh air. Thanks for making these. They're super interesting.

[@Belgand]

Also, the more attention gets focused on them the more likely they are to get an English patch.

[@stevebobhorace]

I'd like to see a top ten

[@Garrette63]

What if we got the hundredth video on how Sweet Home is the first Resident Evil instead.

[@RetroGamingNook]

I cannot express how important these are for historical gameplay archives… plus they are fun as hell to watch today. Thank you as always.

[@thekinghasnoname4858]

My thoughts exactly. Huge gaming history contribution, as well as great video to watch.

[@IPLayedVR42Long]

The entire presentation of Xak 3 looks spectacular!

[@alexanderredmond1795]

This is like the ur-example of the early 90s anime aesthetic - shoulderpads for days and excessive violence for violence's sake. Feels like something I'd rent from the local video store in 1992, and had to wait for parents to sleep so nobody could see what I was watching.

[@livanbard]

The world post berserk and fist of the north star

[@kapparomeo]

I don't often comment on the videos, but just to drop in and say that I do appreciate that you take the time to go over the hardware and installation required to make the game function. Everyone these days is too used to smartphone drop-and-go, some time to appreciate the technical details behind the game itself adds depth to the understanding of the experience.

[@BasementBrothers]

The installation and parts where I talk about the hardware are often my favorite parts of my videos... that and the part where you get to hear the ending BGM without me talking over it at the very end of the videos. ;)

[@boostmixmusicgames]

Everyone who knows what is up loves the Xak games over here in Japan - I uploaded a remastered version of the soundtrack for all three games because I am a huge fan of the composers! (Ryuji Sasai, Yukiharu Urita and Tadahiro Nitta)

[@beowulf848]

I'm actually really impressed with the quality and level of detail in those character portraits. They look really good!!

[@Zero_Tester]

Yeah the Xak potrait art quality has always been top notch,glad it got coverage in this channel,hopefully Anearth Fantasy next time as well

[@madson-web]

That's Kia Asamiya for you

[@ereviscale3966]

So did asamiya make them or "Hyakkimuru"?

[@Braven-j7m]

we really need more games that are not afraid to make the bad guys actually act like bad guys. surprised I have not seen this game but would love to see more like it

[@Zero_Tester]

That remind me in one of the Xak games i have played longtime ago,the princess was brutally squished to deat in early part of the game,definitely not yer typical heroes save the people setting

[@Obscusion2]

@@Zero_Tester That's literally this game. That's the opening to Xak III you're talking about.

[@malkmut2189]

Fearing the day Rob Necromancer and Jim Suspender join forces.

[@zed-xr4353]

I laughed far too hard at this. lol

[@TheFireRed]

Suspenderrrrrrr!!! *shakes fist*

[@Gamesackfan-bn6eg]

And Dork and kook.

[@quarkbent9165]

Thank you for seeing this series through :)

[@zed-xr4353]

Those chonky cables for that external drive, what a time to be alive!

[@madson-web]

I wish there were some Xak renaissance. So many games have got a new chance over the years.

[@freakyzed8467]

Mr. External Floppy Drive is a great guy. The kind of dude that would help you move a couch and use his own truck to do it.

[@BAIGAMING]

Rob Necromancer appeared in this game before Rob Zombie's first album?!

[@xnamkcor]

"He took the stage name "Rob Zombie" from Bela Lugosi's 1932 horror film White Zombie, from which he also took White Zombie's band name. The name first shows up on White Zombie's 1989 EP God of Thunder."

[@Nemo2342]

I'm sad that this is the last we'll here of deeples, but I am glad I got to see the Xak series to the end.

[@nathanc6516]

Thanks for the content. Your series on these old Japanese RPGs that I never even knew existed is one of my favorite video game series online. Keep up the quality work!

[@ExhydraEx]

6:41 I would have immediately attempted to kill Bobby the moment he mentioned that he was beginning to acknowledge the usefulness of weapons. You can never be too safe. He could have been a demon disguised as character development!

[@EpicSalokin]

that sound of a floppy being read... takes me back

[@Shuukuriimudaisuki-sama]

It's somehow very soothing and nostalgic. Never started thinking about just how many memories that sound might dredge up until I started watching this channel.

[@EpicSalokin]

@@Shuukuriimudaisuki-sama like a dot-matrix printer in the background.

[@jamesrule1338]

I did a double take when I heard that they had to go save Farland.

[@GranMaese]

I love this channel so much. I've been able to enjoy games that I was never able to play as a kid [and some I never even heard about] and now I'm a fan of all of them, thanks to Mr. Jakes.

[@renenegrete9518]

there's a ton of love put into your videos, thank you, I really enjoyed event the use of the extra midi de vices

[@SwannyTheMike]

Since he can create zombies, does that mean Rob Necromancer is Rob Zombie's father?

[@eclat4641]

I hope so

[@dunnono00]

There's something beautiful, haunting, and a little melancholic about these Japanese computer games that seldom get translated or ported. Looking at those sepia tinged manuals, the older artwork, listening to the chiptunes... man I'm old and I'm only going to get older. welp

[@Marcusianery]

I got one of those old Japanese games, imported pretty cheaply and its just special. An gaming relic! Melancholic nostalgia in a way!

[@michaeldougherty6036]

The artwork is glorious, especially for the time.

[@RiderWithTheScarf]

Wow, the new portraits and artstyle for this entry are...quite familar in a way. The style at least, certaint types of PC-98 used that kind of artstyle and it was memorable. Kind of the style of the times in a way. Oh...so it was Hyakkimaru/bing_chang. No wonder it seemed familiar, somewhat. Mostly knew him for his mecha designs. Didn't recognise Kia's artstyle for Xak, pretty nice. He's one of those artist that had great evolutions on his style, Nadeshiko is his earliest example I can remember, with his later endeavours reminding me of his more mature manga, like JUNK ~ Record of the Last Hero, where he made the characters more detailed and human-like. It's the one I'm more familiar with as well since though given how close the box arts look to what his style would become at the time, with Latoc looking close to Tomoru from Detonator Orgun, I should have guessed.

[@wesherbst1526]

I've beaten Xak I on SFC and Xak III on Pc Engine CD. Loved both game. Xak III was a really messed up, but great game.

[@eclat4641]

Because of the gore?

[@wesherbst1526]

Not necessarily just because of that, because of how just...hardcore it went. LIke that scene near the end where you watch the other party fight that boss fight against those big guys. Don't wanna spoil too much. But it just rolled so hard. There's no other RPG out there like it. I truly felt like I was in a bad situation the entire game, that just wasn't letting up. The ending was cathartic--when you get the cape onwards, and were the last one standing. So good. I beat the final boss in one try and I think I only got hit one time. I was like, really down to end the story on my terms, after watchin gall the bad stuff go down. Such a great game.@@eclat4641

[@remka2000]

The scrollings/motions are what they are, but the art is absolutely beautiful.

[@Ryusennin]

Thanks for another great review! As far as I know, Michitaka Kikuchi (Kia Asamiya) was only responsible for the package illustrations in Xak 2 on PC-88 and Xak 1 & 2 on PCE. Nobuteru Yuki did the package for Xak 3.

[@BasementBrothers]

Kia Asamiya also did the cover illustrations for Tower of Gazzel, and was the main character designer for Xak II. Those designs then carried through until Tower of Gazzel. So I would call it "most" of the series. I never did mention who did the package for 3.

[@jhonmarston1234]

The scene with the necromancer pathetically begging for forgiveness before dying horribly seemed very Jojo-esque to me. That's how a lot of the bad guys in Stardust crusaders die.

[@SNKev411]

Can I be an honorary brother of yours. You guys have the dopest collection

[@SNKev411]

Man trying to find Japanese computers of the 80s and so tough I really want to get the sharp X1 twin it looks so cool

[@Conan_the_Based]

We'll never get to know definitively if all of Fray's hard work paid off. Phooey....

[@zintosion]

Hello Mr external 5" floppy drive !

[@david_aug_1017]

Holy crap the character designs are incredible.

[@909crime]

that five inch drive is so fuckin cool

[@drowningin]

When floppies were floppy ♥️

[@Blackcrow911]

Always look forward to the videos!

[@theeightoclock]

Wow this is dark. Love it

[@mousebetr]

When there's a new Xak video, the X stands for "Xtra Xak content"

[@MarginalSC]

The presentation of this game is frankly amazing.

[@JesseDylanMusic]

I came for the game, but I LOVE all the technical details about the PC-98 (etc), the disks/installation, everything surrounding it and the game itself. So glad you include that type of stuff and not just the game alone! That was all part of the experience, and you’re helping us live it vicariously!

[@sohousama]

I remember watching videos of this game back in like 2015 and seeing the farland King and princess cutscene and asking my brother to translate what they were saying. It's pretty cool seeing it all in context now and man it was gory and somewhat disturbing! Thanks for covering this and all the other games you cover!

[@FreakinOutOnAudio]

Hey, longtime lurker/watcher of the channel. Absolutely love it... always fascinated by the forgotten Japanese computer games. even the ones that got console ports and made it overseas often have so many differences.

[@CryingFreeman91]

I've been waiting for this.

[@sunderark]

An rpg on the PC-98 catered for adults? This is the he first time ive seen one on the PC98. Cough.

[@Popebug]

I like the clouds on the overworld map, it's a cute detail

[@WhatAboutZoidberg]

This is so cool. As someone who didn't grow up with anything like this, this is an awesome lens into the past. Also, showing the install sequence is amazing.

[@allisonh2048]

Looooooooooooooooooooove the portrait art style in this one, so good. Thanks for another good video!

[@weirddudehi]

Eternal Recurrence was my first PC Engine Duo game in 1995, I have great memories of that game, years later I was able to get the Fujitsu FM Towns version, which impressed me a lot.

[@Weremole]

This game has some amazing art. I also LOVE the monster designs.

[@PropaneWP]

Love the 90's style artwork. The manual looks really nice as well.

[@brandonwaters4955]

love the spritework and game border especially

[@narsiliel_Xaan]

This is crazy watching the evolution of the medium. This game feels much closer to Diablo 1 and similar isometric ARPGs from a couple of years later than it does to previous PC-88 RPG titles. Just radically different from the previous Xak games. You can tell they were having an absolute blast with the new graphics engine.

[@MoonlitSlime]

I know it's kind of a PC-98 calling card, but when those sprite portraits first popped up I let out an audible "damn!" because they just look so nice!

[@Novapoid]

Gotta give this review extra credit for showcasing which artists worked on each game; whenever I'm surfing twitter and seeing all those retro games cg arts, I often wonder which unsung heroes drew them and I wish I could have a comprehensive list. I'm also surprised by the amount of graphic violence Xak III has! It adds some drama imo. I'd like to see remakes of these games as long as they keep the gritty aspect and the cool looking bosses.

[@Zeithri]

Now I want to play this series even more. Thank you Mr. Jakes!

[@ARAVideogames]

Great presentation! It's also My personal favourite from the Xak series

[@DKarkarov]

That sound track honestly sounds really good, it reminds me a lot of those old retro genesis rpgs. Makes me want to go look for a download. Thanks for another great video from the basement.

[@raziyatheseeker]

Hi there, Mr External Floppy Drive! I don't know why the concept of an external floppy drive is weird to me, but it makes sense in retrospect. I'm just used to them being directly in the computer hardware itself. Then again, I also know that say, external DVD drives exist these days, and the last computer I owned had no DVD drive. Anyway! Awesome, the finale for Xak. Washed out or not, I really like the details on those face portraits. The laugh lines on Latok's mom are a great touch I wasn't expecting. Wounded soldiers in RPGs never manage to last longer than their bad news, don't they? I like the idea of a "what do" option in Consult. It's great that they expanded upon the companion system from Tower of Gazzel, and it looks like the companions are pretty effective too. I also like being able to tweak their AI for dhow they act. And all of this back in '93! Kinda weird that it only seems like Fray has MP, though. Jeez, they didn't pull punches for that intro. It's cool to see old characters return for the finale, from Latok's old buddies as NPCs (and t̴̹̓h̷͒ͅȩ̴͒ ̶̬̓p̶͚̂i̸̬͊x̴͎̀i̶̞̋e̶̾͜), to Fray n' Rune, to the last stand(s) of Rob Necro. Heck, it's good that the platforming is actually decent now, let alone much more forgiving. Interesting that they put all that effort into the opening castle dungeon, from the BGM (all things considered) to its size as a dungeon. And hey. Final Fantasy 6 also had its share of wackiness, for being a more mature game. :p

[@BasementBrothers]

Heheh. Well, I still remember when USB 3.5inch floppy drives were a common accessory to drag around with your laptop. Thanks for your support as always!

[@_Tizoc_]

I love the style, vibe, and animation of this game so much. The tone of light hearted silliness and brutal desperation and violence are really cool in juxtaposition with one another. All the portraits in this game in particular rule so hard. The attitude and atmosphere of the demons is especially depressing and vibrant.

[@SobKnight]

this channel is so good

[@CrimRui]

Art really is breathtaking. Wish we had more of this dark and gritty style today.

[@MrDarkNao]

Beatiful Sprites and animations. I really love it! Like you said: Nostalgia for a game I've never played before. That final kinda makes me sad... Sword the faithful partner who sacrifices himself for the good of his friend. And Queen too.

[@TheSocialGamer]

Wow, that external drive unit looks stunning like the computer. This is wild with so many disks. 😅

[@MrAlan1828]

Gotta love the locking disk part after you insert the disk

[@ProjectRedfoot]

This show rules, yo!

[@MrDarkNao]

Spacial thanks for this video

[@tobormax]

I got to admit, when you originally said “Farland” I was like “the Farland? That’s weird.” So thanks for clarifying.

[@richardpage9474]

The interlacing on the 98 drives my eyes crazy.

[@BasementBrothers]

That's just this game, not most other games on the 98.

[@Palooka37]

​@@BasementBrothersI was going to ask about this, the lines only seem to be in the game window and not in the HUD. Very strange choice.

[@ahaetulla]

I love the character portraits in this game. Pretty sick

[@darktetsuya]

always love watching these! apparently Xak 1 is on switch via EGGch, although the language barrier would probably get in the way a lot more than Ys (which I still have to get back to!)

[@ereviscale3966]

Really bummed I couldn't find any more art by Kouji Nakakita searching different ways (besides other Project I works). They look so cool!

[@ggbetz]

Well, no question why this was the translated one. I dont think I've seen a more violent rpg. Also, glad to know its the xak game most worth my time to play! Not around my family tho, sheesh. Another great video dude! I hope you look at the tower of cabin.

[@moejuggler6033]

The brothers are back!

[@nickblomgren]

ALL HAIL DORK KART! Good lord, if that name isn't in someone's future D&D campaign.

[@agaba5500]

whatever this is i want more of it. i love this style

[@GatsuRage]

8:11 daaaaaamn I did not expect that lol

[@alexpetrovich85]

Thanks for the video. Had a weird experience watching it; can only be described as nostalgia for a game I never played. Been feeling this a lot, not sure how to describe the emotion. Anywho, thanks again Basement Bros! 👋👍

[@BasementBrothers]

"Nostalgia for games you've never played" should be the slogan for PC-88/98 Paradise.

[@arielleone4416]

Is that me or is it that The Voice of Moon used between 09:22 and 11:46 here is extended than I remember? I played this game on Neko Project II and I listened that track many times before and I never heard of such extended version

[@BasementBrothers]

Good catch! Yeah, I noticed that too. The BGM used in the video is from the CD "Xak 3 Original Game Soundtrack" (DPCX-5007). It seems to have an extra part on that one track that isn't in the game.

[@arielleone4416]

@@BasementBrothers I went to Khinsider to listen to it with the Xak 3 Original Game Soundtrack and it is the exact version that you stated

[@ACanuckNamedTex]

I played this on PC Engine CD. I have a feeling it wasn't that great of a translation though. Latok is named Ratok and there's an NPC that makes a really absurd line about United States party politics.

[@Nukle0n]

I don't really know the pc98 much but my guess is that the conversation screen is using a different kind of screen mode/resolution, probably something higher res but without the scrolling? Would maybe explain why the brightness is off like that.

[@BasementBrothers]

Yeah, it's definitely a different mode, but it looks like they probably could have made the background black if they'd wanted to. Thanks.

[@Nukle0n]

​@@BasementBrothers even though the emulator has it too it might be a bug still, potentially a thing with later model PC-98? Maybe it wasn't so bright on the models that were out when they developed it. It reminds me a bit about how later editions of the SNES and Genesis/MD had small glitches in older games because of really small changes between hardware revisions. And of course this is a computer, on an IBM-compatible you would have a ton of stuff like this, like infamously one of the Commander Keen games has several options for fixes with SVGA video cards because it uses so many undocumented tricks in the VGA video cards that didn't always work on later cards.

[@BasementBrothers]

I think people were just used to seeing weird bright images sometimes on CRT's back then. Most people generally didn't care as much about that kind of thing. At least that's the way I remember the early '90s anyway.

[@astrades2601]

Oh wow, how over the top gore is this game, but you say it's still can be silly, interesting. And i like how game itself and characters portraits are looking and this big sprites of monsters are awesome. And as always great video.

[@TonyTonyRedgrave]

The portrait and sprite art are both really outstanding.

[@livanbard]

The sprite work in the cutecnee is pretty amazing.

[@Gonzalo_105]

the party system in this game looks so cool.

[@TimLobster]

Wonderful video as always. This channel is what inspired me to get my own PC-98! I did have a question though: What setup do you use to capture footage from your PC-98, I'd like to do so myself!

[@BasementBrothers]

I'm still using a Framemeister, but just recently purchased a retrotink 4K on the way. Framemeister looks quite good for PC-98, but it's really unfortunate that when you magnify the image to fill the screen while retaining the 16:10 aspect ratio, the image displays too far to the right and can't be fixed. (I readjust the alignment in Adobe Premiere for my videos, but have to view the image off-center while playing.) If you have the money to invest and can manage to snag one, I would recommend getting a Retrotink 4K. It's definitely the way forward. I was able to try out my brother's with our X68000 and it worked awesome! (Even for just 1080p, not just 4K.)

[@Debbie-qs2xo]

20:15 😊 (like an old tv production company logo.)

[@MrAlan1828]

Funny I was just playing Xak III and switched over to the PC Engine version for some CD music then this popped up

[@sukotsutoCSSR]

I see all these "retro" style indie games today going for the SNES/Genesis look, I wish some would draw inspiration from the 90s fantasy anime shoulderpad and sorcery aesthetic - all with OVA violence.

[@Your_Degenerate]

I quite enjoy listening to Deeple.

[@23Scadu]

I wonder if Rob Necromancer created Rob Zombie.

[@espfusion]

That's a handsome external floppy drive if I do say.

[@theclovercross]

this has been agreat series to follow along!

[@bstarjam466]

Great way to end my Sunday! Another Basement Brothers vid. 😊. Dare I say...is that Kia Asamiya on the illustrations? That style looks so familiar 🤔 ...

[@bstarjam466]

Never mind, 😅 I just heard that it certainly was Asamiya.

[@JesusSaves86AB]

Ah the 90's. When many games came with books and fancy cases. Now you're lucky to get the whole game.

[@Marcusianery]

Looks pretty damn radical this game. Looks a bit like the Ys series.

[@CorporalDanLives]

Where is it.. where is it... 0:48 Oh yeah there it is

[@NoelComiX]

love your stuff! why does the contrast dim so much?

[@RoryStarks]

hell yeah, lucienne's quest for 3DO

[@bluedragon219123]

The mid/late 80's to early/mid 90's was REALLY bloody in entrainment, in Holywood and Japan, until it was realized that it might be affecting people. It was becoming, relatively, "mainstream" even with it appearing in what would be considered unnecessary appearances. Blessedly that stopped after people realized, and complained and even got the government involved, as it was seen as pushing people, especially kids, to be more violent and other issues. Still Great Job on the Video! :)

[@goranisacson2502]

So as a recent arrival at this channel I watched this video without having seen ANY of the previous Xak videos... while I probably missed a lot, I still had a great time getting thrown into the deep end of this ride. And I suppose I've seen enough RPG plots that I kept up pretty well with everything... and even felt the melancholy you spoke of at the end. While I haven't followed THIS series until it's end, I have followed ENOUGH longrunners to their finale to feel that mood when you turn the last page of it all. Though I don't put much stock in romance subplots, I definitely know people who'd be REAL mad that the lead and his, I presume, childhood friend doesn't explicitly get hitched. A question though: maybe I just didn't pick up on it, but the father means to fight the demonic forces by somehow drawing out their God and killing him, I get that... but are those massive dudes he invades the first castle with and who kills the king his "allies" at that time? Aren't they also demons? Or are the demonic forces who kill the king and princess a separate force from Dark Helmet-Wearing Father and his monster armies?

[@BasementBrothers]

Thanks for watching. So glad you joined, even if it's for just the last video! Good question. Yeah, actually I was confused too at first when I was playing the game. His father and allies are completely separate from the demons who attack Farland Castle at the beginning of the game. That really wasn't clear to me either when I first saw them. Although they are not allied with the "demons" (妖魔), some of them appear to be monsters of some sort, like that lizard guy. One of the ladies is also undead, and it shows her fading away at the end after they've completed their mission. The other lady has to fight her father in the demon world (it really isn't expanded upon much, but apparently her father is allied with the demons for some reason. They're both humans I believe.) There's a lot going on and it seems like the developers didn't have enough time to necessarily fit it all into the game. But anyway, the short answer to your question is that they're completely separate from the demons, and in fact, they are against them.