Illusion City

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Illusion City
Developer(s)Microcabin[a]
Publisher(s)Microcabin[b]
Director(s)Yasuhiko Nakatsu
Designer(s)Yasuhiko Nakatsu
Programmer(s)Katsumi Ito
Yasuhiko Nakatsu
Artist(s)Kouji Nakakita
Yasuhiro Jinnai
Yukio Kitta
Writer(s)Masashi Katō
Composer(s)Tadahiro Nitta
Yasufumi Fukuda
Yukiharu Urita
Platform(s)MSX Turbo R, PC-88, PC-98, FM Towns, X68000, Sega Mega-CD
Release
December 14, 1991
  • MSX Turbo R
    • JP: December 14, 1991
    PC-88, PC-98
    • JP: January 18, 1992
    FM Towns
    • JP: March 1993
    X68000
    • JP: May 1993
    Mega-CD
    • JP: May 28, 1993
Genre(s)Role-playing
Mode(s)Single-player

Illusion City[c] is a role-playing video game originally developed and published by Microcabin for the MSX Turbo R home computer. It was later ported to PC-88 and PC-98 computers, FM Towns, X68000, and Sega Mega-CD. The story takes place in the 21st century after Hong Kong was devastated by a demonic attack, before the crisis was isolated and the region was reformed under new order by SIVA corporation. The game follows demon hunter Tianren, gathering information in order to unravel the mystery surrounding the demonic beings and SIVA corporation. Gameplay features a growing party led by Tianren navigating the city, talking with non-playable characters, exploring complex areas, and taking part in turn-based battles against enemies.

Illusion City was developed by "Project I", a group within Microcabin which previously worked on Fray in Magical Adventure (1990) under the name "Team Piku Piku". Yasuhiko Nakatsu acted as director, planner, and co-programmer. His motivation for creating the game was because he wanted to bring more world variety into the role-playing genre. The character design concepts were created by Kouji Nakakita under the pseudonym "Hyakkimaru", with Yukio Kitta acting as art illustrator. Masashi Katō, who worked on Xak II: Rising of the Redmoon, served as scenario writer. The music was composed by Tadahiro Nitta, Yasufumi Fukuda, and Yukiharu Urita.

Illusion City proved popular among Japanese players and garnered favorable reception from critics, but the Mega-CD version received mixed response and sold over 2,164 copies in its first week on the market. Retrospective commentary has been more positive.

Gameplay[edit]

Top: Tianren exploring the map.
Bottom: A battle taking place.
(MSX Turbo R version showcased)

Illusion City is a Japanese role-playing game. The player controls the main character Tianren, a demon hunter gathering information in order to unravel the mystery surrounding the demonic beings and SIVA corporation. It features a growing party led by Tianren navigating the city, talking with non-playable characters, exploring complex areas, and taking part in turn-based battles against enemies.[2][3][4][5][6][7]

Synopsis[edit]

Setting and characters[edit]

The story takes place in the 21st century after Hong Kong was devastated by a demonic attack, before the crisis was isolated and the region was reformed under new order by SIVA corporation.

Plot[edit]

Development[edit]

Illusion City was developed by "Project I", a group within Microcabin (known for the Xak series) which previously worked on Fray in Magical Adventure under the name "Team Piku Piku".[8][9][10] Yasuhiko Nakatsu (who worked on Fray) acted as director, planner, and co-programmer with Katsumi Ito.[4][8][10][11] The character design concepts were created by Kouji Nakakita under the pseudonym "Hyakkimaru", while Yukio Kitta served as art illustrator and Yasuhiro Jinnai was responsible for the monster designs.[4][8][11] Nakakita and Jinnai also contributed as a co-graphic artists alongside Fumihide Aoki, map designer Hitoshi Suenaga (who also worked on Fray), Kenzo Furuya, Yasuaki Kubo, and Yoichiro Kawaguchi.[4][10] Masashi Katō, who worked on Xak II: Rising of the Redmoon, is credited as scenario writer.[4][12] Other staff members assisted in the production such as Etsuko Taniguchi and Rika Niimi.[4][8]

Nakatsu revealed that the motivation for creating Illusion City was because he wanted to bring more world variety into the role-playing genre.[11] Nakatsu explained the game became exclusive to MSX Turbo R was because it required between 3-4 times the amount of memory for processing speed compared to the Xak series.[11] He also elaborated that porting the game as is to MSX2/MSX2+ machines was impossible from both memory and speed standpoints.[11] Nakatsu commented that the most difficult aspect during development for him was synchronizing animation processing and command selection.[11] Nakatsu also stated the reason for the "beautiful" characters was due to many of the staff being shōjo manga readers.[8]

The music was composed by former Microcabin collaborators Tadahiro Nitta, Yasufumi Fukuda, and Yukiharu Urita.[4][13][14][15][16] Nitta composed the music using a proprietary sound driver called "Yumirin", which was used in previous Microcabin releases including Fray.[15] Nitta stated that the music was composed and programmed as an independent part of the composition stage.[15] Nataksu expressed regret not being able to use PCM sound due to memory constrains.[11]

Release[edit]

Illusion City was first published for the MSX Turbo R on December 14, 1991, by Microcabin (although some sources list November 1991).[17][18][19][20] It was followed by conversions for the PC-88 and PC-98 computers on January 18, 1992.[17][21][22][23] The PC-98 version was co-programmed by Akira Misoda, Katsumi Ito, Koji Yamada, and Shojiro Aoki.[4] That same year, an album containing the game's original soundtrack titled All Sounds of Illusion City was distributed in Japan by Datam Polystar on April 25.[16][24] It was also ported to FM Towns,[25][26] X68000,[27][28] and Sega Mega-CD in 1993.[1][29] Both the FM Towns and X68000 versions were distributed by Takeru physically and through Takeru-branded software vending machines, which allowed users to download games by inserting a blank floppy disk.[26][27][28] The Mega-CD version was developed by Aisystem Tokyo, a Japanese game developer which had previously worked on other conversions for Mega-CD such as The Ninja Warriors (1987) and Night Striker (1989), featuring additional music tracks composed and arranged by Hirokazu Ōta.[1][14] Neither version was officially released outside Japan, although an unfinished English fan translation by Adriano Cunha of A&L Software for the MSX Turbo R version exists.[30][31][32] Between 2009 and 2017, the PC-98 version was re-released in digital form for Microsoft Windows through D4 Enterprise's Project EGG service.[33][34]

Reception[edit]

Illusion City garnered favorable reception from critics, but the Sega Mega-CD version received mixed response.[38] The Japanese publication Micom BASIC Magazine ranked the game at the number three spot in popularity on their April 1992 issue.[39] Public reception towards the Mega-CD release was more positive; readers of Mega Drive Fan and the Japanese Sega Saturn Magazine voted to give it scores of 22.9 out of 30 and 8.093 out of 10 respectively, ranking among Mega Drive and Mega-CD games at the number 98 spot in a 1995 poll by Sega Saturn Magazine.[40][41] According to Famitsu, the Mega-CD port sold over 2,164 copies in its first week on the market.[42]

The Japanese MSX Magazine reviewed the original MSX Turbo R version, being impressed with the game's visuals and stating they have never seen an role-playing game of such a large scale on MSX.[43] A writer for MSX Computer Magazine also reviewed the MSX Turbo R release, drawing comparison with SD Snatcher (1990) due to its cyberpunk atmosphere. They praised the game's stereo music, fluid graphical animations for taking advantage of the MSX Turbo R hardware, and overall quality, proclaiming that "Illusion City is big, extensive and above all very beautiful".[44] Reviewing the Mega-CD version, Beep! Mega Drive magazine compared it unfavorably with Snatcher (1988). They found it dated and unpolished due to its inherent nature as a PC game, criticizing the scenario as well as the "unfriendly" battle and event sequences, but commended its engrossing setting.[35]

Dengeki Mega Drive's four reviewers also reviewed the Mega-CD port, expressing that the game did not translate well from PC to console, finding its story good but sluggish and faulted the jerky screen scrolling. They also felt that it played more like an adventure game than an RPG.[37] Famitsu's four editors reviewed the Mega-CD conversion as well, expressing that the game was directed like a movie. They gave positive remarks to the game's visuals, character animations, scenario, and futuristic Hong Kong-esque setting, but they felt the role-playing elements were weak.[36] Oh!X's Zenji Nishikawa gave the X68000 version positive remarks for its setting, graphics, and audio, but noted that the game's speed and text was slower than the PC-98 version.[45]

Retrospective coverage[edit]

Retrospective commentary for Illusion City has been more positive.[12] An editor for the Japanese gaming book Mega Drive Encyclopedia recommended the Sega Mega-CD version for players tired of modern role-playing games, highlighting the muddy and interesting relationships of characters and enemies with the main protagonist.[46] David Borrachero of Spanish gaming magazine RetroManiac called it the best RPG created by the creators of the Xak series, but criticized the abrupt character movement in the FM Towns version.[25] MeriStation's Francisco Alberto Serrano labelled the original MSX Turbo R version as "a true masterpiece", lauding its atmosphere, soundtrack, and futuristic visual work.[30] In a retrospective analysis of the PC-98 version, a writer for Dengeki Online praised the game's detailed pixel art, unique atmosphere, intertwining storyline, characters, and battle system.[17]

Notes[edit]

  1. ^ Ported to Sega Mega-CD by Aisystem Tokyo.[1]
  2. ^ FM Towns, and X68000 versions were published by Takeru.
  3. ^ Japanese: 幻影都市(イリュージョンシティ), Hepburn: Genei Toshi
  4. ^ Average of four scores: 7/10, 4/10, 4/10, and 6/10.[35]
  5. ^ Average of four scores: 6/10, 7/10, 6/10, and 7/10.[36]
  6. ^ Average of four scores: 58%, 55%, 42%, and 40%.[37]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c "＜ゲームソフト受諾開発＞" (in Japanese). Aisystem Tokyo. 2004. Archived from the original on 2004-12-14. Retrieved 2023-05-02.
  2. ^ "New Soft: 幻影都市 —ILLUSION CITY—". MSX Magazine [ja] (in Japanese). No. 97. ASCII Corporation. November 1991. pp. 12–13.
  3. ^ 幻影都市 (Data Book) (Japanese ed.). Microcabin. December 14, 1991.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h 幻影都市 (Operation Manual) (Japanese ed.). Microcabin. December 14, 1991.
  5. ^ Itabashi (December 1991). "パソコン・ソフト Part 1: 年末はこのゲームをチェックしろ — 幻影都市 (イリュージョン•シティ)". Micom BASIC Magazine [ja] (in Japanese). No. 114. The Dempa Shimbunsha Corporation [ja]. p. 231.
  6. ^ "幻影都市 —ILLUSION CITY—". MSX Magazine [ja] (in Japanese). No. 98. ASCII Corporation. December 1991. pp. 10–11.
  7. ^ "幻影都市". MSX Magazine [ja] (in Japanese). No. 102. ASCII Corporation. April 1992. pp. 26–29.
  8. ^ a b c d e "Super New Soft: マイクロキャビンからサイバ ー なRPG (登場!) - 幻影都市". LOGiN (in Japanese). Vol. 10, no. 20. ASCII Corporation. October 18, 1991. pp. 14–15.
  9. ^ Microcabin (April 25, 1992). LINER NOTES. Datam Polystar. {{cite book}}: |work= ignored (help)
  10. ^ a b c "MSXにおくる手紙". MSX Fan [ja] (in Japanese). No. 87. Tokuma Shoten Intermedia. August 1995. pp. 6–9. (Translation by Arc Hound. Archived 2022-10-21 at the Wayback Machine).
  11. ^ a b c d e f g "Fan Attack: 幻影都市の開発者インタビュー!!". MSX Fan [ja] (in Japanese). No. 57. Tokuma Shoten Intermedia. December 1991. p. 15.
  12. ^ a b Illusion City. Bitmap Books. November 8, 2021. pp. 1–652. ISBN 978-1838019143. {{cite book}}: |work= ignored (help)
  13. ^ "ハイドライド内藤氏、テグザー五代氏など登壇のレトロゲームトークショーを12月2日（土）開催！ 新橋ツクモ". AKIBA PC Hotline! (in Japanese). Impress Corporation. November 20, 2017. Archived from the original on 2022-11-27. Retrieved 2023-05-07.
  14. ^ a b James Brunner; Brian Mosley (December 2018). "Illusion City – PA105" (Podcast). Pixelated Audio. Archived from the original on 2019-04-22. Retrieved 2023-05-09.
  15. ^ a b c Pac (December 3, 2021). "Microcabin music staff interview". MSX Resource Center. Microcomputer & Related Culture Foundation. Archived from the original on 2021-12-04. Retrieved 2023-05-02. (Japanese Transcription by MSX Resource Center. Archived 2021-12-03 at the Wayback Machine).
  16. ^ a b Fuentes, Edgar S. (March 9, 2022). "Vandal Game Music: 'Noises of the City'. Micro Cabin Sound Collection". Vandal (in Spanish). El Español. Archived from the original on 2022-03-09. Retrieved 2023-05-02.
  17. ^ a b c Cana☆Men (December 14, 2021). "『幻影都市』30周年を祝う特別企画！日本で生まれたサイバーパンクRPGの名作を振り返る【周年連載】". Dengeki Online (in Japanese). ASCII Media Works. Archived from the original on 2021-12-13. Retrieved 2023-05-03.
  18. ^ Yamashita, Akira; Kōryū (December 1991). "Super Soft Hot Information: Personal Computer (パソコン) - 新作ソフトDataBase". Micom BASIC Magazine [ja] (in Japanese). No. 114. The Dempa Shimbunsha Corporation [ja]. pp. 246–249.
  19. ^ Maeda, Hiroyuki (May 28, 2020). "2". MSX Game Software All Catalogue. Perfect Catalogue (in Japanese). G-Walk [ja]. pp. 1–224. ISBN 978-4867170281. {{cite book}}: |work= ignored (help)
  20. ^ "幻影都市 -ILLUSION CITY- (MSX)". Suruga-ya.jp (in Japanese). Archived from the original on 2023-05-03. Retrieved 2023-05-06.
  21. ^ Maeda, Hiroyuki (May 16, 2022). "2". PC-8801 Game Software All Catalogue. Perfect Catalogue (in Japanese). G-Walk [ja]. pp. 1–240. ISBN 978-4867174081. {{cite book}}: |work= ignored (help)
  22. ^ Maeda, Hiroyuki (December 27, 2022). PC-9801 Game Software All Catalogue. Perfect Catalogue (in Japanese). G-Walk [ja]. pp. 1–288. ISBN 978-4867175163. {{cite book}}: |work= ignored (help)
  23. ^ "幻影都市 -ILUSION CITY- (PC-9801)". Suruga-ya.jp (in Japanese). Archived from the original on 2021-06-12. Retrieved 2023-05-06.
  24. ^ "All Sounds of Illusion City | PSCX-1043". VGMdb. Archived from the original on 2011-07-11. Retrieved 2023-05-02.
  25. ^ a b Borrachero, David (August 2013). "Japon BITS: La historia del FM TOWNS — Los mejores juegos del FM Towns". RetroManiac Magazine (in Spanish). No. 8. RetroManiac. pp. 104–107.
  26. ^ a b "幻影都市". Oh!FM Towns [ja] (in Japanese). SoftBank Creative. 1993.
  27. ^ a b "The Softouch - Software Information: 幻影都市". Oh!X [ja] (in Japanese). No. 133. SoftBank Creative. May 1993. p. 17.
  28. ^ a b Maeda, Hiroyuki (October 27, 2020). "2". X68000 Game Software All Catalogue. Perfect Catalogue (in Japanese). G-Walk [ja]. pp. 44–189. ISBN 978-4867171011. {{cite book}}: |work= ignored (help)
  29. ^ ソフトウェア一覧（ソフトライセンシー発売）| メガCD. SEGA HARD Encyclopedia (in Japanese). Sega. 2022. Archived from the original on 2019-06-10. Retrieved 2023-05-01.
  30. ^ a b Alberto Serrano, Francisco (August 3, 2020). "Regreso al Pasado: 30 Años, 30 juegos de MSX". MeriStation (in Spanish). PRISA. Archived from the original on 2021-10-10. Retrieved 2023-05-01.
  31. ^ "Illusion City - The Translation". A&L Software. May 17, 2005. Archived from the original on 2012-10-17. Retrieved 2023-05-07.
  32. ^ Rigues, Rafael (November 2009). "Dossie MSX: O mundo é dos experts! — Cinco Jogaços (E Uma Bomba)". OLD!Gamer (in Portuguese). No. 2. Editora Europa. pp. 48–57.
  33. ^ "【リリース】「プロジェクトEGG」にPC-9801版「幻影都市」が登場。本日より配信". 4Gamer.net (in Japanese). Aetas Inc. October 27, 2009. Archived from the original on 2009-11-02. Retrieved 2023-05-02.
  34. ^ "「プロジェクトEGG」，「幻影都市（Windows10対応版・PC-9801版）」を配信開始". 4Gamer.net (in Japanese). Aetas Inc. December 12, 2017. Archived from the original on 2017-12-14. Retrieved 2023-05-02.
  35. ^ a b "BEメガドッグレース: 幻影都市 —ILLUSION CITY— (CD)". Beep! Mega Drive (in Japanese). No. 45. SoftBank Creative. June 1993. p. 22.
  36. ^ a b "NEW GAMES CROSS REVIEW: 幻影都市 ~ILLUSION CITY~ (メガドライブ CD-ROM)". Famitsu (in Japanese). No. 233. ASCII Corporation. June 4, 1993. p. 38. (Transcription by Famitsu.com).
  37. ^ a b "新作ソフトプレビュー: 幻影都市 ~ILLUSION CITY~ (CD)". Dengeki Mega Drive [ja] (in Japanese). No. 3. MediaWorks. June 1993. p. 32.
  38. ^ a b "TV Game･Broad-Way: 幻影都市 ~ILLUSION CITY~ (CD)". Hippon Super [ja] (in Japanese). Vol. 3, no. 30. Takarajimasha. June 1993. p. 40.
  39. ^ Yamashita, Akira; Kōryū (April 1992). "Super Soft Hot Information: Personal Computer (パソコン) - Hot 40". Micom BASIC Magazine [ja] (in Japanese). No. 117. The Dempa Shimbunsha Corporation [ja]. pp. 230–233.
  40. ^ メガドラ読者レース. Sega Saturn Magazine (in Japanese). No. 9. SoftBank Creative. September 1995. p. 83.
  41. ^ 超絶 大技林 '98年春版: メガドライブ - 幻影都市 ~Illusion City~ (Special) (in Japanese). Vol. 42. Tokuma Shoten Intermedia. April 15, 1998. p. 826. ASIN B00J16900U. {{cite book}}: |work= ignored (help)
  42. ^ "Game Search". Game Data Library. Archived from the original on 2023-01-01. Retrieved 2023-05-02.
  43. ^ "MSX Software Review: 幻影都市". MSX Magazine [ja] (in Japanese). No. 103. ASCII Corporation. May 1992. p. 22.
  44. ^ "Besprekingen: Illusion Ciy spel voor turbo R". MSX Computer Magazine (in Dutch). No. 54. Aktu Publications b.v. May–June 1992. pp. 21–23.
  45. ^ Zenji, Nishikawa (July 1993). "The Softouch - Game Review: 幻影都市 - 劇団 VR システム公演". Oh!X [ja] (in Japanese). No. 135. SoftBank Creative. p. 41.
  46. ^ メガドライブ大全: 幻影都市 ~ILLUSION CITY~ 「Chapter 06 1993年」 (in Japanese). Ohta Publishing. September 29, 2004. p. 169. ISBN 9784872338805. {{cite book}}: |work= ignored (help)

External links[edit]

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