Best Graphics on Sega Saturn

[Original_Name]

This topic has been brought up before on these boards, but it was more than half a decade ago, and I'm certain that the community is far more knowledgeable about the console now than we were back then. On top of that, Racketboy's brief overview from "Games That Pushed The Limits[...]" which hails from even further back is one of very few articles which explores this topic at all.

The Sega Saturn is an exceptional case when considering its best graphics, since there is a widely recognized divide between its 2D and 3D performance, yet it had a 3D style all its own which held an incredible visual impact and charm when used by knowledgeable and dedicated programmers of the time. Despite its limitations, there's a fullness, resolution, and blooming sense of light and color that's completely unique to the Saturn.

I see no reason to limit the discussion to one graphical style or the other, though; visually, the Sega Saturn is a fascinating system to explore from all angles. Also, it's of no worry to mention a game that is of dubious gameplay quality -- there are plenty of Saturn game recommendation threads across the Internet, it's discussions of graphics which are lacking. So, for instance, if you want to mention something that's essentially a tech demo like Digital Dance Mix: Namie Amuro, then feel free.

I'll start by contributing some lesser-known exemplary titles:

Ninpen Manmaru

One of the most wide-open games on the Saturn to feature such impressive 3D, the title displays a rare expressiveness with polygons on the Sega Saturn, rounding off certain platforms or rendering jagged cliff sides in a cartoony manner. The game's color pallet makes great use of pastels, applied to various textures to compose a world of believable cottages, river sides, and forests. One of the handful of 3D titles on the Saturn to feel effortlessly expressive and natural.

Bulk Slash

If ever there was a game to sum up the Sega Saturn, this would be it. Combine elements of Virtual On: Cyber Troopers, Thunder Force V, and GunGriffon with a color pallet which recalls Burning Rangers and NiGHTS into Dreams... along with the anime influence that pervades the Saturn's import library and you've got Hudson Soft's Bulk Slash. Each stage is entirely distinct from the last, seeing you in new cityscapes, terrain, atmospheres, and even weather depending on which mission you play. Bulk Slash looks just as impressive in sprawling futuristic cityscapes as it does in the snowy tundras; just as impressive in labyrinthine factories as it does in the wide-open outer-reaches of space. Every color feels deliberate and expressive, washing your eyes over like a psychedelic petrol oil slick in one futuristic metropolis, then painting the world in industrial grays and browns in the next to express just how far you've traveled since your last mission. Not to mention that the boss designs and animations are absolutely superb. I can force myself to understand the reasons why a lot of titles for the Saturn weren't localized, but this masterpiece is absolutely not one of them.

Silhouette Mirage

There's a ton of impressive 2D on the Saturn, but I have a soft spot for this title in particular. Although it also saw a PlayStation release, entire background layers were removed, many of which being extremely large, impressive assets which greatly contributed to the sense of location and scale. Visually-speaking, if you've only played Silhouette Mirage on PlayStation, you're really missing out, which is a shame because the art direction in this game is tremendous. In typical Treasure fashion, the design of the game's world balances detailed urban decay with high fantasy; post-apocalyptica with Saturday morning cartoon fun; organic and expressive lines with cybernetic claustrophobia. It has to be mentioned that the title prominently features transparency effects - the high-water mark of graphical achievement on the Sega Saturn - in its impressive special effects, making every special attack and boss battle colorful and exhilarating.

Cotton 2/Boomerang

Although this title also features impressive transparency effects, I include it because it combines graphical effects which blew minds in early 90's arcade and console gaming - extensive sprite-scaling, rotation, and combining into large, segmented characters - with the incredible detail and fluidity afforded by the Saturn's more formidable 2D capabilities. I typically avoid using the word "lush" because it's become overused to the point of borderline meaninglessness, yet its connotations of "profuse and delightful" describe the background detail of this game perfectly. Everything has a tasteful gloss and sheen, giving the impression of an oil painting come to life. The game harnesses the power of the Saturn and hones it with great art direction to make techniques that have made most games seem corny in retrospect feel as fresh and exciting as ever. It's over-the-top in much the same way as other sprite-scaling extravaganzas, but it has a profound sense of class.

[d123456]

Nice thread.
I would say Sega Rally, because of it's nice frame rate.

[Weekend_Warrior]

For North American releases, I'd have to say Virtua Fighter 2

[RyaNtheSlayA]

Panzer Dragoon 2 would be my pick.

[BoneSnapDeez]

Magic Knight Rayearth. Not the most technically impressive, but it always looked the prettiest to me.

[ninjainspandex]

No Panzer Dragoon Saga?

[BoneSnapDeez]

^ Great game but I don't find it particularly nice to look at.

[ninjainspandex]

I found that game breathtakingly gorgeous except for the on foot areas that just looked awkward. The boss models in that game were amazing.

[rufus777]

.

[hashiriya1]

Radiant Silvergun is beautiful on Saturn.