Beyond the Beyond

Infobox VG| title = Beyond the Beyond


developer = Camelot Software Planning
publisher = SCEI (JP)
SCEA (NA)
designer =
engine =
released = November 3, 1995 (JP)
August 31, 1996 (NA)
genre = Console role-playing game
modes = Single player
ratings = ESRB: Kids to Adults (K-A)
platforms = PlayStation
requirements =

"Beyond the Beyond" is a console role-playing game that was developed by Camelot Software Planning and published by Sony Computer Entertainment for the PlayStation in 1995. Beyond the Beyond was the first traditional console role-playing game available for the Playstation.cite web | author=Glenn Rubenstein (1996-12-1) | title=Beyond the Beyond at Gamespot|format= | work=Gamespot.com | url=http://www.gamespot.com/ps/rpg/beyondthebeyond/review.html?mode=gsreview| accessdate=2008-07-27 ]

Gameplay

Gameplay in "Beyond the Beyond" is, for the most part, standard for a console role-playing game. However, the turn-based battle system does contain one feature that was not standard in console role-playing games of the time. Dubbed the "Active Playing System", this feature allows the player to increase the chances of either landing an improved attack on an enemy or defending from an enemy attack by pressing the X button at the correct time during battle.

"Beyond the Beyond", unlike most RPGs of the PSX era, offers fewer side quests and only two secret characters. It is also shorter than most PSX offerings, with total gameplay time averaging between 20 and 40 hours. It has been argued that the gameplay time is extended due mostly to long and complex dungeons, frequent random encounters, and the steep difficulty of bosses.

Plot

Long ago in the world of "Beyond the Beyond", a battle raged between the 'Beings of Light' and the 'Warlocks of the Underworld'. Before the planet was destroyed, the two sides signed a treaty leaving the surface world to the Beings of Light and underground to the Warlocks. After hundreds of years of peace, inexplicable happenings begin to occur. The player must control Finn, a young swordsman, to stop the evil power that has broken the treaty and invaded the surface world. ["Beyond the Beyond" Instruction Booklet, pg.4-5]

Music

The soundtrack was composed by Motoi Sakuraba, who is well-known for his work on other Camelot Soft titles such as Shining Force III. The music did not take advantage of pre-recorded redbook audio, instead relying on the MIDI format.

Characters

Playable

*Finn - the 14 year old main character, in training to become a knight after his mother's death.
*Steiner - a baby dragon that Finn keeps and has the potential to assist in battle.
*Annie - a 13 year old friend of Finn's and daughter of Galahad, she fills the healing role during gameplay.
*Percy - a 20 year old knight at Marion Castle and Annie's older brother.
*Samson - revered for his bravery, the 32 year old soldier is cursed at the beginning of the game, making him as weak as the other characters.
*Edward - a 13 year old magician, he is the spoiled prince of Marion.
*Domino - a 28 year old pirate collecting treasure throughout the world.
*Tont - a young summoner who is living with his parents in the Village of Simone.
*Lorele - a monk, she is princess of the kingdom of Barbaros.

Non-Playable

*Galahad - the 50 year old former leader of Marion's knights, Finn's guardian and father of Percy and Annie.
*Kevins - at age 39 he is leader of the Marion Knights and as such was forced to entrust Finn to Galahad's care.
*Shutat - a mysterious man serving directly under the emperor of Bandore, he was taken over by an evil being named Akkadias.
*Ramue - a cold-hearted general reporting directly to Shutat, she has strong magical abilities.
*Dagoot - another of Shutat's 3 generals , he is an expert in archery.
*Yeon - a strange goblin-like being, he is the last of Shutat's generals and has magic rivaling that of Ramue.

Reception

Despite being almost universally panned by critics, "Beyond the Beyond" has nevertheless garnered a certain amount of underground praise from fans on the internet. The game maintains a 44.4% average rating on Game Rankings, pooling reviews from 8 separate online sources, and was most harshly criticized by the Official Playstation Magazine receiving a score of 0.5 out of 5.cite web | author=GameRankings staff | title=Beyond the Beyond at Game Rankings |format= | work=GameRankings.com | url=http://www.gamerankings.com/htmlpages2/196754.asp| accessdate=2008-07-11 ]

External links

*moby game|id=/beyond-the-beyond|name="Beyond the Beyond"
*GameFAQs|type=/console/psx|num=196754|name="Beyond the Beyond"

References