Beyond the Beyond
Encyclopedia
Beyond the Beyond, known in Japan
as , is a role-playing video game
that was developed by Camelot Software Planning
and published by Sony Computer Entertainment
for the PlayStation in 1995. Though not the first role-playing game released for the PlayStation, Beyond the Beyond was the first RPG available in the west for the console using a traditional Japanese RPG gameplay style á la Final Fantasy
and Phantasy Star
.
. However, the turn-based
battle system does contain one feature that was not standard in role-playing games at 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. It is similar to the timing-based attacks in the later role-playing game Final Fantasy VIII
(1999).
Beyond the Beyond has a total gameplay time averaging between 20 and 25 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.
, who is well-known for his work on other Camelot Soft titles such as Shining Force III
and the Golden Sun
series along with other series' such as Star Ocean and Valkyrie Profile. The music did not take advantage of pre-recorded redbook audio, instead relying on the MIDI
format.
s, Beyond the Beyond has nevertheless garnered a certain amount of underground interest from fans on the Internet
. The game maintains a 44.4% average rating on GameRankings, pooling reviews from 8 separate online sources. Its highest score was 7.5 out of 10 from Electronic Gaming Monthly
, while it was most harshly criticized by the Official PlayStation Magazine receiving their lowest possible score of 0.5 out of 5. Other review scores for the game included a C from Game Revolution
, 6 out of 10 from Electric Playground, and 5.5 out of 10 from GameSpot
.
However, there are confirmed reports of a sequel in production.
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
as , is a role-playing video game
Role-playing video game
Role-playing video games are a video game genre with origins in pen-and-paper role-playing games such as Dungeons & Dragons, using much of the same terminology, settings and game mechanics. The player in RPGs controls one character, or several adventuring party members, fulfilling one or many quests...
that was developed by Camelot Software Planning
Camelot Software Planning
is a Japanese video game developer established in 1990 under the name Sonic! Software Planning and to date is best known for partnering with Nintendo on many of Nintendo's spin-off franchise games such as Mario Tennis and Mario Golf, as well as the role-playing game series Golden Sun...
and published by Sony Computer Entertainment
Sony Computer Entertainment
Sony Computer Entertainment, Inc. is a major video game company specializing in a variety of areas in the video game industry, and is a wholly owned subsidiary and part of the Consumer Products & Services Group of Sony...
for the PlayStation in 1995. Though not the first role-playing game released for the PlayStation, Beyond the Beyond was the first RPG available in the west for the console using a traditional Japanese RPG gameplay style á la Final Fantasy
Final Fantasy
is a media franchise created by Hironobu Sakaguchi, and is developed and owned by Square Enix . The franchise centers on a series of fantasy and science-fantasy role-playing video games , but includes motion pictures, anime, printed media, and other merchandise...
and Phantasy Star
Phantasy Star
is the first installment in Sega's renowned series of the same name. It was released for the Sega Master System in Japan on December 20, 1987, and then in North America and Europe in 1988. It is considered one of the pioneers amongst console role-playing games, both for its advanced graphics...
.
Gameplay
Gameplay in Beyond the Beyond is, for the most part, standard for a role-playing video gameRole-playing video game
Role-playing video games are a video game genre with origins in pen-and-paper role-playing games such as Dungeons & Dragons, using much of the same terminology, settings and game mechanics. The player in RPGs controls one character, or several adventuring party members, fulfilling one or many quests...
. However, the turn-based
Turn-based strategy
A turn-based strategy game is a strategy game where players take turns when playing...
battle system does contain one feature that was not standard in role-playing games at 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. It is similar to the timing-based attacks in the later role-playing game Final Fantasy VIII
Final Fantasy VIII
is a role-playing video game released for the PlayStation in 1999 and for Windows-based personal computers in 2000. It was developed and published by Square as the Final Fantasy series' eighth title, removing magic point-based spell-casting and the first title to consistently use realistically...
(1999).
Beyond the Beyond has a total gameplay time averaging between 20 and 25 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.Music
The soundtrack was composed by Motoi SakurabaMotoi Sakuraba
is a Japanese composer of video games, anime series, and television dramas as well as independent progressive rock albums.-Biography:Motoi Sakuraba was born in Akita Prefecture, Japan...
, who is well-known for his work on other Camelot Soft titles such as Shining Force III
Shining Force III
is a video game designed for the Sega Saturn by Camelot Software Planning. It is a continuation of the Shining series. Comprising three separate but overlapping storylines, the Japanese version of Shining Force III was released in three volumes, known as:...
and the Golden Sun
Golden Sun
Golden Sun, released in Japan as , is the first installment in a series of fantasy role-playing video games developed by Camelot Software Planning and published by Nintendo. It was released in November 2001 for Nintendo's Game Boy Advance and was followed by a sequel, Golden Sun: The Lost Age, in...
series along with other series' such as Star Ocean and Valkyrie Profile. The music did not take advantage of pre-recorded redbook audio, instead relying on the MIDI
Musical Instrument Digital Interface
MIDI is an industry-standard protocol, first defined in 1982 by Gordon Hall, that enables electronic musical instruments , computers and other electronic equipment to communicate and synchronize with each other...
format.
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 the game as a Cleric. It is implied that she has a crush on Finn.
- 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 and loses much of his strength shortly after appearing.
- Edward - a 13-year-old magician and the prince of Marion. Has the highest MP of all the magic users specializes in mostly Fire,Ice,thunder attributed spells. He's pretty slow at first but after being upgraded he becomes the fastest in speed. Has the lowest defense of anyone in the game.
- Domino - a 28-year-old pirate collecting treasure throughout the world who joins the party in order to pay his debt to Finn, who saved his life. Equipped weapon is the throwing knife he's an awesome character. Pretty bad when you first get him as he seems weak for a lv.15 character but after being upgraded he will become one of your best assets your best asset. Has the Greatest luck in the game.
- Tont - a young summoner who is living with his parents in the Village of Simone, he was accidentally transformed into an anthropomorphic blob by a potion.
- Lorele - a monk and the 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 his son Finn to Galahad's care, he supposedly sacrificed himself by staying in Hell at the end of the game to prevent Akkadias's forces from invading the surface, but was brought back to the surface world by Finn, who flew to Hell on Steiner to save him.
- 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 witch reporting directly to Shutat, she has strong magical abilities. She places a curse on Samson in Marion to render him weak, in order to make the heroes appear as frauds to Zalagoon's king.
- 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, he is a minion of Akkadias sent to monitor Shutat.
- Zeon - the Village chief of Simone as well as the strongest magician in the world.
- Glade - adviser to the king of Zalagoon, he planned to betray Zalagoon with the Bandore forces by using Samson's curse against the party, but once his scheme is exposed, he went insane with fear and turned himself into a monster with Shutat's pill.
- Akkadias -A evil being that fills the "Devil" role and is the ringleader behind the "Vicious Ones" and is the final boss of the game.
Reception
Despite being mostly panned by criticCritic
A critic is anyone who expresses a value judgement. Informally, criticism is a common aspect of all human expression and need not necessarily imply skilled or accurate expressions of judgement. Critical judgements, good or bad, may be positive , negative , or balanced...
s, Beyond the Beyond has nevertheless garnered a certain amount of underground interest from fans on the Internet
Internet
The Internet is a global system of interconnected computer networks that use the standard Internet protocol suite to serve billions of users worldwide...
. The game maintains a 44.4% average rating on GameRankings, pooling reviews from 8 separate online sources. Its highest score was 7.5 out of 10 from Electronic Gaming Monthly
Electronic Gaming Monthly
Electronic Gaming Monthly is a bimonthly American video game magazine. It has been published by EGM Media, LLC. since relaunching in April of 2010. Its previous run, which ended in January 2009, was published by Ziff Davis...
, while it was most harshly criticized by the Official PlayStation Magazine receiving their lowest possible score of 0.5 out of 5. Other review scores for the game included a C from Game Revolution
Game Revolution
Game Revolution or GR is a gaming website created in 1996. Based in Berkeley, California, the site includes reviews, previews, a gaming download area, cheats, and a merchandise store, as well as webcomics, screenshots, and videos...
, 6 out of 10 from Electric Playground, and 5.5 out of 10 from GameSpot
GameSpot
GameSpot is a video gaming website that provides news, reviews, previews, downloads, and other information. The site was launched in May 1, 1996 by Pete Deemer, Vince Broady and Jon Epstein. It was purchased by ZDNet, a brand which was later purchased by CNET Networks. CBS Interactive, which...
.
However, there are confirmed reports of a sequel in production.