“It may seem trivial… but suppose you’re in a cafe, trying to decide between coffee and tea. The you that chooses coffee, and the you that chooses tea – actually BOTH exist.”
- Homunculus
In my little time that I have lived in this world I have come accross a lot of games. And even today, without a doubt and unmatched by anyone else, is a game I have seen back in 2004: Shadow Of Memories.
Actually it was released by Konami in 2001 and has been more of a sleeper hit. It really is a shame that this game is not known by more people. A story so incredible, it will crank in your mind forever, I promise you that much.
It is the present day and our hero, Eike Kusch, gets stabbed on his way home while being on lunch break. He is however saved by a being we come to know as Homunculus, who then provides him with a device that allows Eike to travel back in time. The device should help him find the root cause of his death – and remove his death from the flow of time. It would be very important for Eike to survive – and this would not remain the only one attempt. So Eike sets out to find the truth about his assassin, and while doing so he travels through 4 periods of history, and all the people he meets are connected to his destiny.
Damned to the endless night of youth: Homunculus
The game had critical acclaim and most magazines gave it a 10 or 9. That was then, but this is now!
Konami decided to re-release the game once again… This time for the PSP. So where ever you go, you’ll now be able to re-live the Shadow Of Memories, and witness the incredible story of a thinking man’s masterpiece once more. The fated hour for Eike is yet again to strike.
Apparently all lines are re-recorded for this title. I have to say I don’t like Homunculus’ and Eike’s voice, they are not the same, really. But I guess if you haven’t played the original and wanna see what I’m talking about, then it makes no difference to you =)
According to the trailer for the PSP version it has been released on October 1 – but it doesn’t say where. Also, I have to say that the graphics seem to look better on the PSP.
Shadow Of Generations: 8 years apart – the original cover and the slightly updated version for the PSP release
The original featured six normal endings you had to get to and unlock to see the whole story, to understand the full circle. On top of that there were two additional endings, each topping it off with an even more incredible conclusion. All of those are gonna be in your pocket: Ending A, B, C, D1, D2, E, EX1, and EX2.
From the looks of it, the PSP gameplay and HUD seems to be practically identical to the original, as the below shot shows.
Death teaches him how to live: Eike in search for clues in a past era
It is very very difficult to convey the feeling of this game in words, its story, its deepness. Rest assured once you play it it won’t get out of your head, you’ll always remember some of Homunculus’ quotes like “Who cares, really?” or “My name is Homunculus – not that there’s much in a name…”. Simpy unforgettable.
Here’s one of the three original trailers, as shown on an E3 before the game came out.
Death teaches you how to live.
And this is the trailer for the ’09 version.
Welcome! I’ve been expecting you. Again…
A tribute to a game that should not go forgotten. A game so incredible, you’ll remember it forever. The choices we make, not the chances we take, determine our destiny.
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