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Guardian Heroes FAQ

Version 1.8




Maintained by :
DkReaver
dkreaver@inlink.com
The original of the most current version of this FAQ resides at:

Guardian Heroes FAQ http://www.inlink.com/~dkreaver/saturn.html

This material is part of The Sega Enthusiast HomePage
(http://www.inlink.com/~dkreaver/saturn.html)

This FAQ represents a substantial investment of time on my part, please do not
publish this material elsewhere in whole or in part without obtaining my prior
written consent.

This FAQ was originally intended for the Japanese version of the game, so some
information may seem redundant. This revision of the document attempts to cover
both versions.

Among other things, I need some manual translation, storyline translation, and
menu option translation. Any persons contributing any of the above would be
appreciated and credited. The menu options I need translated are indicated in the
FAQ. Thanks for your help.


The Gunstar Heroes code is a bogus rumor, but all other known code information
is in the FAQ. AFAIK there is no debug code for the American version. Cheats.


Index

Introduction:



We should all expect this type of game from Treasure, their track record speaks
for itself. On the Mega Drive, Treasure has been responsible for such hits as:
YuYu Hakusho, Alien Soldier, Light Crusader, and who could forget Gunstar
Heroes. All of these games were above and beyond what other companies were
producing for the system, and some were totally ground breaking. Gunstar Heroes
did amazing things with color count, on screen sprites, and gameplay that no-one
else has ever managed with the machine.

Now, Treasure has brought out their first attempt on the Saturn, and it really rocks
the house. This is one of the best reasons to buy a Saturn, frantic fighting gameplay
action! Pop in this CD and pick from any one of four heros to go out into the
realm and kick some butt!

Many people out there have been lucky enough to purchase a copy of the
Japanese import, Guardian Heroes, and have been surprised and pleased by the
game. The loading time is surprisingly low, especially when you first turn on the
game. It comes up with the memory save options screen almost immediately if you
have the RAM cart plugged in, and after you make your choice, it drops into the
opening cinema almost immediately. (On the memory screen the first choice is the
internal RAM and the second is the cart.) The cinema is also remarkable, it is full
screen and very high resolution for the Saturn. If its framerate were only higher I
would have been overwhelmed. This is a truly amazing game, 6-player support,
incredible numbers of enemies on the screen at one time, kickin' audio, stylized
anime graphics, the list goes on and on.




American VS. Japanese:



This title has made the transition from Japanese to American version largely intact.
All of the game text has been translated, including the credits at the end.
Suprisingly, the story does not seem spoiled or watered down by the translation.
Just the same, the American version is afflicted with its share of 'Engrish' text. The
only obvious change in the translation is the removal of the liquor references in
some of the character names. Interestingly, both games use compatible save files.
Hopefully, this means that the missing menu is available in the American version.

Cosmetically, the game is unchanged. The graphics are the same as the Japanese
version, as is the music. SOA appears to have left well enough alone for once.
The only minor difference is the removal of the Japanese speech and SFX track
during the opening cinema. Personally, I think that the FMV plays better without.

Gameplay remains unchanged between the versions, but some gameplay options
have changed. The sound test menu from the Japanese game has bee removed, so
unfortunately I do not get an easy answer to what those bits are that I don't have
(sigh). Additionally, the debug trick has been removed on the American version. If
I find a way to do the debug trick, I will be sure to add it. Finally, in the American
version only, when you finish setting up the VS. mode battles you can select the
stage that your battle occurs on.

Also, I have not been able to confirm this, but many posts have been circulating
indicating that you have to beat the game in hard mode to access some menu
options in the American version. Details on this would be appreciated.




General Gameplay:



Basically, this game boils down to a side scrolling brawler. I would compare it to
Final Fight, or Streets of Rage. The major difference, is how the game handles
depth. By using buttons on the controller, you cycle through three levels of fighting.
This allows you to use the D-pad to perform complex SF2/MK style controller
movements for special moves. I feel that this greatly increases the depth and style
of the game. Also, your characters are capable of devastating magic moves, and
you have a magic point reserve for performing these moves.

As you play the game more and more, you find interesting depth to the gameplay.
You can juggle and combo hits like in SF2. You can buffer or two in one motions
to string truly impressive hits together. The size of your opponent affects how high
or far they fly when you hit them. Be prepared to find new things in this game
every time you turn it on.

Another important distinction this game holds is the ability to block. Many of the
characters are able to block attacks by holding the A button. Additionally, some
can jump back by holding A+B, and also can dodge hits by hitting A,A. Blocking
is very important, and like any fighter the factor that distinguishes good players
from average players.

Magic spell effects, and mental/Chi power attacks (like Ginjirou's lightning dive),
are infectious. This means that if you hit someone with a spell effect, and then
touch them, you are affected as well. In a mob situation, using magic can be
dangerous to you as well because of this. The freeze spells demonstrate this effect
most clearly. You can cast a spell, and the effects can pass by touch long after the
spell itself has finished. But, in those mob situations, magic can often be the best
option.

As you go through the game, you gain experience points for casting spells, hitting
live and dead enemies, killing enemies, and breaking the odd item laying in your
path. At the end of levels you get the opportunity to spend these points on
improving your character's statistics, and believe me, you need it! Attacks increase
their damage potential, and magic spells grow more and more impressive as you
increase your stats. Big magic attacks have to power up, but you can let them off
early at a reduced effect by hitting C before they go off.




Statistic Descriptions



STR
STR determines how much damage your regular attacks cause. Differing hits still
cause different amounts of damage, but STR is a baseline addition to this amount.
STR also determines how far enemies are knocked by your hits. Bigger enemies
still don't fly as far as smaller enemies when you have high STR, but they will fly
farther than when you had low STR. This is a very important stat for Han. It is
also important for Genjirou, Serena and Randy, but less so than Han.
VIT
VIT determines how many HP your character has. The more the better. Everyone
can use a high VIT except Nicore. Her healing spells can substitute for a high VIT.
INT
INT determines the effectiveness of your spells. At higher amounts of INT, your
spells become larger and stronger. This is a very important stat for Randy,
Genjirou and Nicore. Serena benefits from high INT also.
MEN
Determines how many spell points you have, and also how fast you recover them
in regular combat. Randy, Nicore, Genjirou, and Serena all benefit from increased
MEN. You do not need to pump this stat up too high, moderate increases are
usually enough.
AGL
AGL determines how fast your character moves during physical and magical
attacks. It does not effect the duration of mental attacks, but just the windup and
recovery for them. At high levels of AGL, you will have to change your timing on
your juggle combos to keep them effective. Genjirou and Harn need high levels of
AGL.
LUC
This stat modifies the amount of damage you give and receive. With high levels of
LUC, large random damage bonuses can happen, and large reductions of damage
from hits can also occur. This effect works for magic as well as regular attacks.
Nicore needs high LUC to get the better types of effects for her spells.


Cheats



First off, a general guide for finding secret arenas. On levels 3,5 and 12 you can
access secret arenas. First you must kill all enemies on the level in question, then
you must walk past the sign at the end of the level while being on the farthest line.
The enemies you fight will be level 40 plus a value of 0 to your current level. You
can continue fighting as long as you select the top option after vanquishing an
opponent. This works in both the American and Japanese versions.

Also you can get 98 continues in the story mode. Set the game to easy and let
yourself die, then pick the third option when you die to quit. Set the difficulty to
hard and then continue from the point where you left off. You will have 98
continues.

Now, on to the real goodie: Debug Mode. This only works for the Japanese
version. On the main menu, pick the option mode. Once on the option screen,
press A+Y+C. Choose the first item in the option screen, the setup screen. The
Debug mode will be the item on the end of the list.




What debug mode gives you:
Story Mode
1.Start the game at level 200
2.Stage Select
To advance a Scene
1 Scene R+Start
2 Scenes R+A+Start
3 Scenes R+B+Start
4 Scenes R+C+Start
To go back a Scene
1 Scene L+R+Start
2 Scenes L+R+A+Start
3 Scenes L+R+B+Start
4 Scenes L+R+C+Start
3.Max/Min Life
a.Pause Game
Hold X+Y+Z
Press Up on the D-Pad for Max Life
Press Down on the D-Pad for Zero Life
VS Mode -- All characters available
Both -- Put 2D or 3D boxes around characters
a.Pause game
b.Press R once for 2D boxes
c.Press R again for 3D boxes
d.Press start
e.Pause again and press R for normal display





If you have both the Japanese and the American version of the game, you can get
some of the features of the debug mode to work in the American version. Enter
the debug code in the Japanese version, start story mode and power up your
character. Now reset the system with your controller and put in the American
version. If you continue from your saved game you will have a high powered
character to play with.

Gameplay Options:



Guardian Heroes, known hereafter as GH, has two main gameplay options. First,
you can play in the story mode with one or two players. Second, you can play in
the VS. mode, with up to six players at the same time.