Astal, a Sega Saturn game that gained a reputation as a cult classic
Kisuishou Densetsu Astal (輝水晶伝説 アスタル, lit. “Shining Crystal Legend Astal”)
Today we have Astal, a 1995 platform video game developed and published by Sega for the Sega Saturn. It was released early in the Sega Saturn’s life and used hand-drawn graphics. The animations for the cutscenes were provided by Tokyo Movie Shinsha (today TMS Entertainment, which is owned by Sega themselves!). The game was first released in Japan before subsequently seeing a release in North America and Brazil, though this newsletter isn’t written in Brazilian Portuguese (I know some Brazilian Portuguese by experimenting with Mauricio de Sousa’s Turma da Monica (“Monica and Friends” in the English-speaking countries), but not European Portuguese). The game was not a launch title in Western regions, though it was brought to the Saturn in its “software drought” period, created when Sega of America unexpectedly brought the console’s launch several months forward. Though reviews of the game were not stellar, it became a common and relatively well-known Saturn title in the regions it was sold in due to a lack of alternative software. Astal has yet to be brought to any other platforms or see any sequels since its release.
The player must guide the title character through the course of a level while avoiding or eliminating obstacles and opposing forces. In addition to running and jumping, different button combinations allow for punching or throwing enemies. The ground can be punched to stun opposing enemies nearby, and a blowing attack can be charged by inhaling and exhaling, which blows enemies or obstacles away from the character. Certain parts of the level's environment, such as trees or rocks, can also be picked up and thrown. Defeating special glowing enemies charges up a meter that allows for the use of a bird character who assists the player. A limited asymmetrical co-op mode includes a second player controlling the bird character’s action, which includes wing attacks and divebombing.
The game had a number of differences between its Japanese and English language releases. In the Japanese version, Astal has five life points and unlimited continues. This was dropped to three life points and one continue in the North American version. In the Japanese version, the song “Let Me Try Again” that plays during the game’s intro movie includes vocals. The North American version is instrumental. However, the vocal version can be heard by playing the game’s CD in a standard CD player.
The Japanese voice cast had the titular character being voiced by Ai Orikasa (Tenchi Muyo!’s Ryoko), Leda, Yuri Shiratori, with Antowas and the Narrator being played by Aya Hisakawa (Dragon Ball’s second and current Bulma), Geist being played by Ryo Horikawa (Dragon Ball’s Vegeta, Power Stone’s and its sequel’s Falcon, and another Falcon in Smash Bros.), and Jerado, Daisuke Gouri (first Heihachi Mishima in Tekken, deceased early 2010). The monsters were voiced by Saori Wada, Toshiyasu Kamiko, Naoko Hamada, and Yasumaru Hotta. All voices in the North American version are performed by Lani Minella (who went on to voice Sonic Adventure 2’s Rouge the Bat around six years later).
That’s it for the review of this video game, as I didn’t own the game when I had a Sega Saturn. And for those leaving America, please reconsider moving to Canada since the country has banned foreign buyers and foreign renters until the end of 2026. Consider moving to Japan, the UK, or France instead… but not Germany at all due to its strict youth protection laws regarding video games, anime, and manga containing violence. Steam has removed a massive catalog of games for German buyers (those without a USK rating).
