DF Retro EX: PowerSlave Exhumed - The Classic 90s Shooter Brilliantly Remastered
Вставка
- Опубліковано 14 лип 2024
- Lobotomy Software's amazing PowerSlave (or Exhumed as it's also known) is easily one of the greatest first-person shooters of the Sega Saturn/Sony PlayStation era. Nightdive Studios returns to the game to deliver the definitive remaster. The remastering work is typically brilliant - and the game still shines today.
Join the DF Patreon for pristine video downloads, behind the scenes content, early access to DF Retro, early access to DF Direct Weekly and much, much more: bit.ly/3jEGjvx
Subscribe for more Digital Foundry: bit.ly/DFSubscribe
Want some DF-branded tee-shirts, mugs, hoodies or pullovers? Check out our store: bit.ly/2BqRTt0 - Ігри
NightDive totally gets it.. they always seem to understand exactly what everyone wants in these retro remasters.. they do it right with no compromise.. always expertly showcasing the games original art direction while bringing it up to modern standards.. not to even mention all the small geometry/texture work they also do... Amazing stuff!
They put remasters by AAA studios to shame.
Too bad they stopped making native SteamOS versions and instead rely on backwards compatibility.
Quake Remastered looks and plays wonderfully.
@@amilyester same goes to the shadowman remaster and Turok 1 & 2
With a litany of minor inconsistencies with the original software that fans notice immediately and Nightdive never fix. Most fans on PC return to the pre-existing source ports and recreations within days of a Nightdive remaster of there is that option.
Because of you, guys, I basically turned my Switch into Nightdive Studios machine. And I love every second of it!
Maaaaan, you too??! I feel you. I feel like my Switch is now a beautiful PS1, Dreamcast, N64 remaster machine.
Yeah it's nice to be able to aim with the gyroscope in the old shooters
They're great ports for switch also.
@@rockapartie I don’t play any games with a mouse - just can’t stand it as a gaming controller. So, when I play a PC, I use xbox controller. And if game only supports mouse/keyboard setup, then… Well, then I don’t play it.
@@rockapartie That’s only a matter of preference. I play FPS games, single player and competitive alike only with a gamepad and only with aim assist. I’ve tried Warzone with a mouse once - I couldn’t shot a guy a few steps away from me. But with a gamepad it’s no problem for me to headshot someone from a considerable distance.
P.S. Specifically for competitive players: I don’t care about skill, I have no intention to prove anything to anyone. I don’t want to do great things in games, I just want for games to make me feel like I’m doing something great. That is why I am prefer to play FPS games with aim assist. And yes, I absolutely prefer to play Doom and Doom Eternal with a gamepad.
I learned about Powerslave from the DF Retro you did for it back in the day. I had a hard time getting EX working, but have never lost the desire to finally play it. I was hyped out of my mind when Nightdive's port was announced, and the game didn't disappoint. Definitely up there in my favorite shooters list because it just combines so many elements that appeal to me personally
Seeing shadows masking with CRT filters on a actual game release makes me very very happy. Thank you Nightdive!
I bought this game just because it was Nightdive. You guys made me respect those devs and trust their work blindly. I'm glad you guys keep giving exposure to overlooked games and put them on the radar.
never trust anyone's work blindly lol!
They've done bad work before, so it's worth not losing your head and nuance :p
But, they lean in the right way and i appreciate it.
I bought the japanese Saturn version (Seireki 1999) in 2016 for like 10$, went totally blind and woaw. What a game, very refreshing coming from various Doom clones. This one is so good. Glad to see all the love they have putted into this port. Thank you for this DF Retro guys!
Beat it last week and I couldn't actually believe how good it was. One of the most enjoyable games I've played in a very long time.
I got Exhumed off of a friend who thought it was terrible. Swapped him an old WWF VHS tape for it
I remember playing this game on a PS1 demo back in the day! Although I really liked it I never got to actually play it. You guys have made it clear that I need to rectify that mistake even though some 25+ years have passed. Never too late.
I was so happy they brought this back. A great take on an exploration-based shooter.
I got this game on saturn when I was 12 years old on a complete chance buy, and I was blown away at how good and unique it was. Loved it ever since, and will certainly be playing the shit out of this on my YT channel sometime soon.
When I saw John's tweet about the release of this game, I immediately picked it up. Played it on my PC CRT monitor at 640x480 with all of the retro options turned on, no crt filter or antialiasing, and had an absolute blast playing through this game.
This guy digital foundries
I'm jealous lol
Starting to really love Nightdive. Now it's if they come up with a new title, I feel safe enough to buy on day 1.
What's the problem with the title?
@@RaccoonBrigadehe must be a lib
Nightdive's work is so essential. They are the masters of this kind of work, and I can only hope the catalogue of publishers who trust them with projects grows
Been waiting for the digital foundry breakdown of this since I downloaded it immediately on the day of release !!!
Such a great game back on the Saturn then playstation 1.. thought the Saturn had better looking lighting effects but enjoy and finished both Saturn & PS1. Great to see this again and give people the chance to play this if they missed back then on Saturn, playstation and pc.
Can't wait to play this after I finish the Quake remaster.
Already completed Doom, Doom II, and Doom 64 remasters. We're truly living in a 90s FPS renaissance.
This and Gmanlives got me to buy it and I've been on a nightdive studios marathon ever since. Absolutely incredible games brought back to such an insanely high standard. Super well done.
god I loved this game back in the day, absolutely fantastic to see it come back - and looks amazing! a great standard for retro remasters.
Wow, I didn't even know this was a thing. Just downloaded it and am playing now. Loved this game back in the day on my Saturn.
Yeah, your og video made me play through this game in mednafen. Loved that game.
I remember playing this on PSOne back in the day, I remembered it like a year ago and was interested in playing it again and here it is. The universe really does work in Mysterious ways sometimes
I've always had a soft spot for this game, played it constantly (Exhumed in the UK) on my Sega Saturn back in 1996, still got both. Its been crying out for a re-release/remaster, so glad its finally here. Nightdive are awsome and so were Lobotomy Software. Great video by the way.
Oh, I bet that dithered water transparency on Saturn looks really good on CRT
I have a few minor gripes:
1. The CRT filer doesn't affect the HUD.
2. The light from the projectiles need an option with sliders to tweak the look, and make them more saturated.
3. I wish texture filtering was at least an option.
4. The Series S needs a patch to support higher resolutions. I know it can run this at better than 1080p.
Really satisfying level design and organic pacing. Clever little ability/item map unlocks, fun enemy placement. Worth playing for OG shooter fans.
Organic🤔
@@Keepskatin As-in, progression flows in a way that doesn't feel too staggered or contrived, despite the backtrack/unlock new route level design.
I picked up the original Powerslave on Saturn when it came out. (still have it 😉) Back then it felt like a first person Tomb Raider. It just came out of nowhere and ended up being one of my favorite games of all time. Lobotomy made a wonderful game and their work on the Saturn was second to none. Thank you NightDive for an excellent port.
Are you going to hold on to your Saturn copy? I sold mine last year for $467 when I heard this remaster was coming out.
This game and Insomniac's Disruptor were my favorite FPS games back then on PS1, a full year before Quake 2 came out on PC. These were impressive graphics back in the day.
Disruptor is still a great game, I played through it again a couple of months ago
Been waiting for this since your original Exhumed video! Fantastic video for an excellent release!
This game brings some fresh ideas to the 90's FPS genre. I just finished a playthrough for the first time and it really does have elements of a Metroid Prime or 3d Zelda game. Highly recommended!
Awesome video, the only think i have to say about the game, is just made me buy a Sega Saturn for 100€ last year to play it on all its glory. Just this piece of software. A masterpiece.
I bought this game the moment or became available, and only because of that amazing passion project that was the previous episode on Powerslave. I'm extremely glad this new remaster lives up to your expectations and then some. Thank you so much! 👏🏻👏🏻💪🏻💪🏻
I was introduced to this game on a podcast recently and I'm excited to see this uploaded today. Thanks for breaking this down and familiarizing me with the original releases.
Because of you I've played powerslave. This game is kinda a masterpiece. Now on my list of faves. Next up ARX FATALIS 👈 under appreciated gem.
I absolutely love this game, and I'm so happy that nightdive studio brought it!
Have been waiting for this!!! Thanks!!!
I love this game. Long live the Saturn and PS1!
Bought day one on the PSN. No Regrets
Fantastic work gents. I was hoping you'd cover this release and it didn't disappoint.
I'll definitely have to check it out
Just last year I've fallen in love with doom and quake. I'm also a huge metroidvenia fan. So this sounds just about perfect for me.
Awesome! I had never heard of Powerslave until watching Digital Foundry. This is a very exciting release!
This game is a love letter to fans of not just the game but retro shooters/FP games. Never would have thought my Switch would become a mobile FPS machine. What a time to be alive for games like this. The team at NightDive are miracle workers!
My favorite character in Powerslave is The Camel. He's every taking you to and fro all in the midst of an alien invasion and all he needs or asks for is grass. :)
Had this on release on PS1, loved it (except the aiming tbh) got this nightdive version and LOVE it..... just needs a physical release! I'll be ALL OVER THAT.
I've been patiently waiting for this video. Thank you, DF
NightDive at it again. fantastic studio. an appropriate tribute to the amazing Labotomy team.
Leg
Ends
(also pretty sure I have a saturn EU copy somewhere I better dig that out!!!)
Brilliant remake of one of the best classic games of the 32bit era.
Buying everything these guys remaster is a no brainer. They're lovingly preserving our childhood memories.
I played this back in 1996 on a rented Saturn and found myself thinking about this game not so long ago. Very pleasantly surprised then when I came across this great video. Thanks for always being somehow relevant.
Thank you so much John Linneman, Richard Leadbetter, Brian McNeely and Nightdive for giving this game the recognition it truly deserves!! WOOOO!!!! Glory be to Lobotomy!!!
I was captivated by Powerslave during my playthrough of this remaster. Having given up on the Saturn when I was a kid, I never had the chance to play this, so it was wonderful to discover an older shooter that plays into everything I love about the genre. Also, I beat the game on Pharoah difficulty, so I'm having a hard time imagining these enemies being slower, haha. Anyway, great work as always from Nightdive.
This game is such a masterpiece. I used to play the PS1 version for a significant portion of my childhood after my dad bought it for me from a flea market without even knowing what kind of game it is. I even found all the team dolls on my own back in the day as a kid, and at that time this honestly felt like the biggest accomplishment ever. It took me a couple years overall as I was always coming back to the game to replay it. What a journey... Currently playing the remaster on PS5 and having an absolute blast. It's exciting to spot all the Saturn map differences for the first time since I've never played that version!
Yes! I've been waitin' for this one!
I love Digital Foundry, and I’ve been reading Richard’s reviews since he wrote for the UK Saturn Magazine. He was instrumental in getting Lobotomy Software to port Quake and Duke Nukem 3D to the Saturn. That being said, I’m not sure who’ll see this, but based on how the Saturn Quake port was mentioned in this video, it’s time to set the actual record straight. Even DF Retro’s Saturn Quake video left out the full context of the infamous Ezra Dreisbach Quake interview.
Ezra, who was a member of the acclaimed Lobotomy Studios, initially spoke very highly of the Saturn. It’s not until Lobotomy Studios went bankrupt that Ezra became more vocal about how he hated the experience of working on the Saturn.
Now I’ll put both quotes in full context. The first is the quote that everyone, and by everyone I mean even the incredibly technically sound Digital Foundry Retro quoted in their Saturn Quake video. Here’s the quote, pertaining to what his PS-1 test port of the Sega Saturn’s Quake ran like on PS-1, “The most striking thing about the PlayStation port was how much faster the graphics hardware was than the Saturn. The initial scene after you just start the game is pretty complex. I think it ran 20 fps on the Saturn version. On the PlayStation it ran 30, but the actual rendering part could have been going 60…”
This is how everyone shows the quote, including Digital Foundry. It’s important to put the dots in this quote because right after that he literally says, “if the CPU calculations weren’t holding it up. I don’t know if it would have ever been possible to get it to really run 60, but at least there was the potential.” The head of Lobotomy Software noted that the potential simply wasn’t even remotely possible with AI and game logic at all, so the PS1 version would not only run at a lower overall resolution than the Saturn version, but at 10 FPS higher as a result. It’s well known that outputting fewer overall pixels on screen results in higher FPS. People use the first part of his quote to assume that the PlayStation port would’ve looked and ran better.
Here’s even more of Ezra’s quote, “Other than that, it would have looked identical to the Saturn version. Except for some reason the PlayStation video output has better colour than the Saturn’s.” This issue was solved completely by using Duck True Motion, it relied on the Saturn’s Dual CPUs decoding the video in real time, while the VDP2 sends the final image onto the screen. The results are stunning, and they can be seen in the much newer Burning Rangers intro, as well as the Last Bronx intro.
This comment should be pinned.
This is game's preservation I can get behind!
I picked this up based on John's video from years ago, and my god, what a missed gem of the 90's. So ahead of its time and such a bangin' soundtrack. Well worth the $20 for this absolute champ of a game.
Great video guys, I love how NIghtdive just understand what we want from these games. I'm coming in as a huge fan of the Saturn so am going to have a go with that crt filter. They did a similar job with Quake and it's awesome Quake 64 filter
I owned this on PS1 back in the day. The lens flare effects were jaw dropping.
Just bought it on Switch! Thanks for notifying me of its release!
Been waiting for this one!
Really impressed with some of the legacy style features.
4:3, z-clipping and texture warble.
I mean... seriously. That's love right ther.e
Nightdive studios really are the best converters… EVER!!
I had 'Exhumed' as a kid on PS1. Adventure games used to intimidate me as I hated getting stuck like I always did on Tomb Raider, but I had so much fun exploring and finding powers that this game helped me overcome that. Didn't even know this game out. I'll be getting it promptly!
Loved this game as a kid! So pumped to learn of this remaster
I missed this on saturn. Now I will play it, thank you DF.
Nice review 👍 u r the best. Will you do à focus on the new patch of cyberpunk ??
I'm enjoying these videos in the 20 minute range.
I love this game so much ! thanks Nightdive Studios for modernizing it, all I can hope is a physical copy that I can snatch !
Now thanks to Limited Run Games THERE IS a physical copy of the game! it will be my 1st LRG pre-order ever!
Was waiting for this one.
Looks good, nice work 👍
Awesome to learn that this has been remastered for modern systems. Going to have to grab this on PC at some point. Still have a complete in box Saturn version...
Nightdive always do stellar work and this is no exception. I never had a Saturn so I only played the PSX version many, many moons ago. I remember enjoying the game a great deal though and playing through this version has been a joy.
Such a good video that I went back to the previous video from 4 years ago, where John looks about 14.
Great vid!
Yesssss! Been eagerly awaiting this video.
GOSH it looks so good! I might just have to grab it on PC right away rather than wait for a possible Switch physical release.
I love the approach of remasters like this and Shadowman where they can co-exist with the original and not try to replace. You are getting the "Director's Cut" kind of version that maybe improves and changes things giving a fresh experience but still can go back to the originals for the real thing. As a result, I equally want to go back to my Saturn version (ripped CDR) and play this new one on PC eventually.
"Ion Fury" is an absolutely fantastic "modern-retro" shooter. The game was built on the actual DukeNukem3D engine (the Build Engine) which was updated for modern hardware.
This game looks AMAZING as well
I remember reading it was getting either a free content update or paid DLC. Did that ever come to Switch?
Ion Fury is one of my favourite Shooters of the last decade. BUT I would highly recommend not playing it on console.
the aiming on console is really bad and even tho there is an option for a generous aim assist that only helps a little bit.
DF did a video about Ion Fury
Oh this was amazing!
Fantastic review, great passion as always. NightDive gets my vote starting from Doom64 conversion, fantastic job, keep it coming !!
Has it really been 2 years since this video came out.... man time flys.
Time flies when you're having fun and vice-versa
Thank you for mentioning Death Tank. The first thing I did when I saw this video was jump onto google and try to find out if it was included. Would have been an essential purchase for local multiplayer if it had that.
Agreed. Although I liked Death Tank Zwei from the Saturn version of Duke Nuke 'em 3d more.
I’ve never heard of this game but as a massive boomer shooter guy I’m going to pick it up, I also love the setting
Bought it on the Series X and Switch. Loved it back in the day and it’s still so much fun now.
Awesome. I played some of the EX version and liked it a lot. This new version I have to own...
I bought this when it came out, and the weekend i spent playing it was one of the best gaming weekends ive had, the game is awesome and I never even played the original game apart from it’s PSX demo. Definitely a gem that still plays well today.
Nightdive is an awesome studio. I loved what they did to Quake, and I loved this game even more.
I've been waiting for this video! It's the dream project you always talked about, but it's real! Like something out of a kids' imagination.
Hopefully you can do this kinda video at launch next time, so I can buy the game on sale! But I'm super happy about this game in general and can't wait to see more of the Gex engine.
Had this on my Saturn be getting it again
Yes! That's what I was waiting for! 😎👍
Loved it back in the ps1 era. Very nostalgic and special with the egyptian theme.
I was worried when I saw free aim, looking up and down freely, as most 2D Sprite Shooters aren't designed for it, especially on consoles, especially Switch. But Nightdive did it and it plays, and runs, so so well. :)
I find this absolutely fascinating, I’m really excited to pick this up. I have an old copy of PowerSlave EX but this looks a lot more finished and improved, I was really hoping this is exactly what would happen. The only thing I’m not sure on is the redrawn map but that’s an option so it’s pretty perfect. I would still love the track down the original Saturn copy someday when I get a Saturn, as the low res gameplay with really awesome effects and lighting with stuff like that is so fascinating to me, I really want to experience it. I hope they can fix the dynamic lightning but without it’s good enough. It would be perfect with the original one though, you could definitely match that colour.
Never in my life ive played any retro gama with a Crt filter, but the moment i tried this one, it blow me away!! really well done.
I like the fact that checkpoints are included but if you want a real challenge you can always turn them off
One of my favorite games of the 90s is now a really masterpiece.
Congratulations Nightdive.
Quake,Exhumed...now please..do this to Blood!
who did Blood: Fresh Supply, I wonder?
A great Special to a great remaster. I love it.
This was the second PC game I ever played with the first being Star Wars Tie Fighter. While buying that game they had a free demo disc for Powerslave on the counter so I tried it and went back the same day to buy Powerslave. I still have the big box PC game complete sitting on my shelf. I had never played the console version so this was new to me. One thing I don't miss from the PC version was the platforming which required using the 3rd person view to prevent instant deaths from falling into lava.
In depth, thx
I hope limited run does a physical version in a Saturn style cases.
That’s probably a safe bet.
Ayy ya tested it in 32:9! I had a ton of fun playing this on my G9!
I loved this game when I first played it on PS1 in I think it was 1998. I grabbed the game on Switch as soon as a mate of mine told me it was out & I was blown away by this port. I saw the DF Retro on the Powerslave games a year ago & was shocked how different the 2 console versions were & still sadly couldn't find a PAL Saturn version of Exhumed, but I think I'm happier with the Switch version.
"Tell me why I had to be, a Powerslave?
I don't wanna die - I'M A GOD - Why can't I live on?!
When the life giver dies, all around is laid to waste
And in my last hour, I'm a slave to the power of death!!!" - Iron Maiden 1984
This was one of my favourite Saturn games.