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After D&D and before not-D&D, let's play Princess Crown
You've probably heard of Vanillaware, the Japanese developer founded by George Kamitani who focuses on side-scrolling games with gorgeous 2D art. Let's take a trip back in time 15 years before Dragon's Crown, Muramasa, and Odin Sphere: back to the year 1997. Having completed work on Dungeons & Dragons: Shadow over Mystara, the penultimate Capcom-developed arcade brawler, Kamitani went on to work with Atlus as art director for a title that would begin his trademark graphical style. While released near the end of the Saturn's Japanese lifespan, it proved to be a landmark title for Kamitani who went on to found Vanillaware several years later.
So wait, this was never released outside Japan?
That's correct, the chuckleheads at Sega America wouldn't allow anything interesting or original on Saturn. A PSP port was released in 2005 but Sony's localizing standards (and the fact it was emulated so a translation wouldn't really be possible sans some crappy PS1 Chrono Trigger shit) kept it from our grubby mitts. I'll be playing the PSP version and using a long lost translation guide from "Anoop," one of the editors at Andriasang. It used to be hosted there but has long been removed and cast to the furthest depths of the internet where only a few Megaupload links remain. The guide covers the entirety of the main story which forms about 90% of the game. Three additional side stories are unlocked after completing the game but they're short and only expand on side characters.
I have about a 3rd grade knowledge of Japanese but the translation is solid enough. I'll be rewriting parts I don't agree with or where Anoop injects his own humor but these are rare. Perhaps after finishing this LP I'll be skilled enough to personally translate the final side-scenarios.
What's this game about?
In short, Princess Crown is a side-scrolling RPG with a real-time action battle system. Fights are typically one-on-one (multiple monsters tag out). You can move left and right, jump, dash, hold back to defend, and pull off a variety of attacks (low, high, dash, and so on) based on your directional and button combinations very similar to fighting games. Outside of combat you perform typical RPG stuff: talk to NPCs, purchase equipment, and craft items.
LP Style
Screenshots will portray the action while character portraits denote individual dialog. I'll be editing the dialog boxes for English. Additionally I'll create a full inventory section which translates item names and the like in case you want to play the game yourself via a translation guide. Words in italics are my personal additions and will be used as caption flavor text.
Princess Crown Chapter I: Once Upon a Time...
Once upon a time, in the far-away land of Valendia, a just Queen governed her subjects fairly and all lived in peace and great prosperity.
One night, however, a demon bent on destruction attacked Castle Valendia.
Valendia's finest come to their castle's defense but the demon overwhelms them.
Jestonai, castle wizard and royal adviser, surveys the damage before him.
: I... will protect... the queen until I can breathe no more...
: Lord Jestonai! The monster approaches the stairway!
: Fear not, Brave knight! The stars have told a tale of such evil before. The villain attempts the highest crime known to any man. He longs to bring the forces of darkness into the royal lineage but this usurption shall proceed no further for magic shall prevail!
Jestonai blasts the demon with lightning but the monster is unharmed!
The guards press to attack only to be swatted aside like flies.
: HA HA HA! Is this the limit of your attack, old wizard?
The demon retaliates in kind. Even Jestonai, an old and powerful magician, is sorely pressed.
: I have no time for these pests! Bring the queen to me by order of the Demon King himself!
: Never has the castle seen a day so dark as this! Stand back, Lord Jestonai, for the demon charges again!
Queen Elfaran of Valendia leaps into battle.
: Your Highness!
: You've injured my knights, brought pain and suffering upon my subjects, and damaged my palace. I shall tolerate it no more! My knights and I shall strike you down.
Queen Elfaran rallies her soldiers.
: Our bravest moment is upon us, fellow knights! Charge the demon, in honor of Her Highness, our queen!
The knights attack in vain...
But their sacrifice buys Jestonai time to ready his spell.
: Your Highness, my magic is upon the royal sword! Strike with haste!
: Your wicked plan ends here, demon. The Royal Family line shall stay pure for
generations to come.
With her empowered sword, Elfaran strikes a single blow against the demon...
And sends him back to hell.
Skipping some story elements to show a combat scene. This combat scene will be like 10x longer than most because it's intended as a tutorial.
Sir Kwein, leader of the Cado Knights, instructs Princess Gradriel on the finer points of sword combat. It's a long lesson filled with details laymen wouldn't understand without practice.
: Shall we begin our bout? Be fierce in your attacks, Princess, for I, Sir Kwein of the Cado Knights, am an unrelenting opponent.
Having finished his lecture, the veteran knight and young princess prepare to spar.
Sir Kwein's first attack is predictable. Princess Gradriel anticipates it...
And swiftly dodges behind the knight.
Kwein guards against Gradriel's attack and distances himself from the princess.
Gradriel performs a rushing thrust, a technique that quickly closes the distance between her and the enemy.
Gradriel opens up into a vicious combo...
Then finishes her flurry with a decisive special attack!
The attack leaves her winded and she pauses to catch her breath.
Gradriel regains her composure quickly enough to deflect Sir Kwein's incoming attack.
She retaliates with a jumping slash, breaking through the knight's defenses.
Sir Kwein replies in kind, seriously injuring Gradriel.
Gradriel backs off and selects a delicious heart fruit from her inventory.
The effect is weak but every bit counts.
Eventually, Gradriel finishes off Sir Kwein with her special attack. The spar is over.
: Of course, fighting a real monster is a more arduous task.
: Splendid, Princess. You do honor to the royal sword but your bed time is at hand. Let us head up to your room.
Gradriel departs with Jestonai. A growing princess needs her sleep.