Tail of the Sun
Encyclopedia
is a 3D
action
and role-playing game developed by Artdink
and released on the PlayStation.
The player's ultimate objective is to build a tower of mammoth
tusk
s that reaches the sun. To this end, he or she must gather enough food for the tribe to thrive and multiply, while exploring a large map full of various creatures and oddities.
The game was re-released in Japan on PlayStation 3
and PlayStation Portable
as a PSOne Classic in 2006.
, but by flora rendered in the form of Mochi of various shapes and colors, which have varying effects on one's health and various stats.
While exploring the fairly vast landscape, the player's character will need to sleep, and will often choose to do so while in the middle of hunting or swimming. One notable difference between the Japanese and North American releases of the game is that the latter allows the player to wake his or her caveman up when this occurs.
's earlier 'non-game' Aquanaut's Holiday
. While Tail of the Sun never experienced widespread commercial success in either the US or Japan, it is still considered as somewhat of a cult masterpiece within some critical circles. The game was enjoyed by the GameInformer web staff, during the "Super Replay" that featured the entire game. The game received a 7.25 from GameInformer, as noted in the Super Replay.
3D computer graphics
3D computer graphics are graphics that use a three-dimensional representation of geometric data that is stored in the computer for the purposes of performing calculations and rendering 2D images...
action
Action game
Action game is a video game genre that emphasizes physical challenges, including hand–eye coordination and reaction-time. The genre includes diverse subgenres such as fighting games, shooter games, and platform games, which are widely considered the most important action games, though some...
and role-playing game developed by Artdink
Artdink
is a Japanese developer of console and computer games, currently based in Tsukishima, Tokyo.By far Artdink's biggest international success was the award-winning A-Train strategy game released for the PC and Amiga, which was published by SimCity creators Maxis...
and released on the PlayStation.
The player's ultimate objective is to build a tower of mammoth
Mammoth
A mammoth is any species of the extinct genus Mammuthus. These proboscideans are members of Elephantidae, the family of elephants and mammoths, and close relatives of modern elephants. They were often equipped with long curved tusks and, in northern species, a covering of long hair...
tusk
Tusk
Tusks are elongated, continuously growing front teeth, usually but not always in pairs, that protrude well beyond the mouth of certain mammal species. They are most commonly canines, as with warthogs, wild boar, and walruses, or, in the case of elephants and narwhals, elongated incisors...
s that reaches the sun. To this end, he or she must gather enough food for the tribe to thrive and multiply, while exploring a large map full of various creatures and oddities.
The game was re-released in Japan on PlayStation 3
PlayStation 3
The is the third home video game console produced by Sony Computer Entertainment and the successor to the PlayStation 2 as part of the PlayStation series. The PlayStation 3 competes with Microsoft's Xbox 360 and Nintendo's Wii as part of the seventh generation of video game consoles...
and PlayStation Portable
PlayStation Portable
The is a handheld game console manufactured and marketed by Sony Corporation Development of the console was announced during E3 2003, and it was unveiled on , 2004, at a Sony press conference before E3 2004...
as a PSOne Classic in 2006.
Gameplay
When the game begins, it drops the player off at his home village with no goals, objectives, or guidance. The protagonist is free, from the outset, to go nearly anywhere and do basically anything. The landscape the player character inhabits is not only shared by a variety of polygonal faunaFauna
Fauna or faunæ is all of the animal life of any particular region or time. The corresponding term for plants is flora.Zoologists and paleontologists use fauna to refer to a typical collection of animals found in a specific time or place, e.g. the "Sonoran Desert fauna" or the "Burgess shale fauna"...
, but by flora rendered in the form of Mochi of various shapes and colors, which have varying effects on one's health and various stats.
While exploring the fairly vast landscape, the player's character will need to sleep, and will often choose to do so while in the middle of hunting or swimming. One notable difference between the Japanese and North American releases of the game is that the latter allows the player to wake his or her caveman up when this occurs.
Reception
Upon its release, the game drew critical comparison to ArtdinkArtdink
is a Japanese developer of console and computer games, currently based in Tsukishima, Tokyo.By far Artdink's biggest international success was the award-winning A-Train strategy game released for the PC and Amiga, which was published by SimCity creators Maxis...
's earlier 'non-game' Aquanaut's Holiday
Aquanaut's Holiday
Aquanaut's Holiday is an early PlayStation game by Artdink, in which the player assumes the role of an overworked marine explorer who returns to the water for pleasure after having brought harmony to the world's oceans...
. While Tail of the Sun never experienced widespread commercial success in either the US or Japan, it is still considered as somewhat of a cult masterpiece within some critical circles. The game was enjoyed by the GameInformer web staff, during the "Super Replay" that featured the entire game. The game received a 7.25 from GameInformer, as noted in the Super Replay.