Vay
Encyclopedia
Vay is a 2D anime fantasy/science fiction RPG published
and developed
by SIMS in Japan
for the Sega CD Console. Working Designs
localized and published the American release.
) escapes the battlefield. Its guidance system is broken and the pilot is dead, but it continues hurtling outward into space.
After a time, it crashes into the planet of Vay. This planet is inhabited by people, but they have little technology. The machine, programmed only for death, rampages across the planet killing and destroying anything it sees.
It took the combined forces of the five strongest wizards on the planet to stop the machine. Its power was sealed away in five magical orbs, which were taken to far away hidden places. The machine itself was also locked away. In time, however, the legend of the machine was nearly forgotten by all.
While in the middle of their wedding ceremony, the castle is attacked by a large fleet of robots. During the siege, Lorath Castle is reduced to ruins, and Elin is kidnapped by one of the machines. Sandor vows to rescue his betrothed from her captors, and the story unfolds from this point.
The challenge scaling in this title is quite erratic. Some of the bosses are much more powerful than their surrounding area/enemies may indicate. At the same time, more powerful creatures may offer less experience/gold than weaker variants.
point of view behind the characters, rather than a traditional left-to-right style.
The full motion video is in Anime and shows up at several important plot points (as well as the intro screen). Voice acting (FMVs only) is also present.
The soundtrack in Vay varies in style. Most dungeons and towns have the same songs, but a desert theme and a humorous battle theme are present. While much of the tracks have a campy feel, the most memorable tracks (battle songs, boss songs, and the final dungeon) have a techno-style.
Antagonists
and iPod Touch
platforms. This version also includes content which was not released in the original Sega CD version of the game as "Extra" content once you have finished the game.
Some names in the iPhone and iPod touch vary between the other one.
The most recent update to the software was on July 4, 2009.
Video game publisher
A video game publisher is a company that publishes video games that they have either developed internally or have had developed by a video game developer....
and developed
Video game developer
A video game developer is a software developer that creates video games. A developer may specialize in a certain video game console, such as Nintendo's Wii, Microsoft's Xbox 360, Sony's PlayStation 3, or may develop for a variety of systems, including personal computers.Most developers also...
by SIMS in Japan
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...
for the Sega CD Console. Working Designs
Working Designs
Working Designs was an American video game publisher that specialized in the localization of Japanese console role-playing games, strategy video games and top-down shooters for various video game platforms. Though the company had published many 'cult hits', it was known best to fans as the...
localized and published the American release.
Background
Over a millennium ago, in a far away part of the galaxy, a huge interstellar war had taken place. During the conflict, a large machine (mechaMecha
A mech , is a science fiction term for a large walking bipedal tank or robot, including ones on treads and animal shapes.-Characteristics:...
) escapes the battlefield. Its guidance system is broken and the pilot is dead, but it continues hurtling outward into space.
After a time, it crashes into the planet of Vay. This planet is inhabited by people, but they have little technology. The machine, programmed only for death, rampages across the planet killing and destroying anything it sees.
It took the combined forces of the five strongest wizards on the planet to stop the machine. Its power was sealed away in five magical orbs, which were taken to far away hidden places. The machine itself was also locked away. In time, however, the legend of the machine was nearly forgotten by all.
Setting
In the kingdom of Lorath, Prince Sandor is about to wed his love, Lady Elin. The most important dignitaries of the four kingdoms have attended, ensuring that the kingdom of Lorath is secure for another generation.While in the middle of their wedding ceremony, the castle is attacked by a large fleet of robots. During the siege, Lorath Castle is reduced to ruins, and Elin is kidnapped by one of the machines. Sandor vows to rescue his betrothed from her captors, and the story unfolds from this point.
Gameplay
Vay is an archetypal JRPG. Characters gain experience and gold by defeating monsters via random encounters. You can purchase new equipment and items, and most of the characters can learn new spells as their levels advance. The game also features a rudimentary AI system, allowing the characters to fight for you automatically. There are few real puzzles in Vay, aside from the occasional maze.The challenge scaling in this title is quite erratic. Some of the bosses are much more powerful than their surrounding area/enemies may indicate. At the same time, more powerful creatures may offer less experience/gold than weaker variants.
Graphics & sound
The game's graphics have somewhat simple landscapes. Most NPCs and human characters are minimal in size but have high detail, while most monsters are quite big and have even higher detail. Battle graphics have different looks for different weapon strikes and clear differences in same-spell types, but has simple two to three frame idle/attack/defend/etc. animations. Battles are also seen at a third-personThird-person shooter
Third-person shooter is a genre of 3D action games in which the player character is visible on-screen, and the gameplay consists primarily of shooting.-Definition:...
point of view behind the characters, rather than a traditional left-to-right style.
The full motion video is in Anime and shows up at several important plot points (as well as the intro screen). Voice acting (FMVs only) is also present.
The soundtrack in Vay varies in style. Most dungeons and towns have the same songs, but a desert theme and a humorous battle theme are present. While much of the tracks have a campy feel, the most memorable tracks (battle songs, boss songs, and the final dungeon) have a techno-style.
Characters
Protagonists- Sandor or Heibelger is Vay's protagonist, and the Prince of Lorath. He takes it upon himself to rescue his bride Elin, and eventually becomes the pilot of the legendary Armor of Vay.
- Pottle is the apprentice of Otto, a well-known wizard. He wields considerable magical power.
- Rachel is a mercenary that relies on brute strength to defeat her enemies.
- P.J., or Prudence Jurissa, is young woman who wields powerful magic. She quickly develops a crush on Sandor after their initial meeting.
- Lynx is a free-spirited, hard-drinking bard. He's a well-rounded combatant but has a rude and questionable demeanor.
- Kinsey is the Captain of the Pirates of Exeter Village. She allows the party use of her ship at a key point in the story.
- Otto is an elderly but wise wizard. He offers advice to Sandor frequently throughout the game.
Antagonists
- Jeal is the ruler of the Danek Empire. He lusts after the power that the Vay Armor is rumored to bestow upon its pilot.
- Sadoul is Jeal's adviser. He seems to have Jeal's best interests in mind, but seems to have an unhealthy interest in the Vay Armor as well...
iPhone Edition
On July 11, 2008 a ported version of Vay was released by SoMoGa, Inc. for the iPhoneIPhone
The iPhone is a line of Internet and multimedia-enabled smartphones marketed by Apple Inc. The first iPhone was unveiled by Steve Jobs, then CEO of Apple, on January 9, 2007, and released on June 29, 2007...
and iPod Touch
IPod Touch
The iPod Touch is a portable media player, personal digital assistant, handheld game console, and Wi-Fi mobile device designed and marketed by Apple Inc. The iPod Touch adds the multi-touch graphical user interface to the iPod line...
platforms. This version also includes content which was not released in the original Sega CD version of the game as "Extra" content once you have finished the game.
Some names in the iPhone and iPod touch vary between the other one.
The most recent update to the software was on July 4, 2009.
External links
- Vay at RPG Classics Detailed walkthrough
- Vay at FantasyAnime Movie clips and screen captures
- Vay at SoMoGa Inc. Official site for Vay (iPhone edition)