SegaShiro: Pure SEGA HARDCORE!

PlaySega Review: Welcome to the Next Level on the Net

October 17th, 2009 |

When SEGA contacted me to try out and review the recent beta re-release of their online casual gaming portal as a VIP on PlaySega, I was hesitant at first. I’ve always been a home console fan boy and playing at my computer away from the comfy couch was a big move for this gamer.

I already spend way too much time in front of computer working on the website and I was unsure if the service was going to keep me engaged.

I’ve now been personally using the casual gaming portal for over a week and I’ve emerged with my impressions. Is PlaySega a good fit for you?

If you were to ask me to describe PlaySega in a few words, it would simple: it is crack cocaine for the office cubicle where you trip back to the glorious 90s for 16-bits of Genesis fury. Drug references aside, PlaySega is ultimately a highly addictive experience that constantly rewards players for continued play.

Arcade? You just need to open up your browser!

SEGA has built an online casual gaming community that pulls some of the best features of PSN and Xbox Live and even extends the idea of reward-based gaming beyond these other services. This not to say that all of the community aspects of PlaySega are better than the services mentioned above, but SEGA has done some interesting things that those larger online communities could serve to learn from on the home console space.

First of all, SEGA has given players the option to test drive the service and the VIP features without requiring a credit card. Secondly, SEGA has chosen to be upfront about the cost of a subscription without quietly trying to nickel and dime gamers with micro-purchases after they’ve joined the community like PSN network.

So, what does the VIP service get you? The VIP service grants gamers with access to Sonic the Hedgehog and Motocross level design editors, Avatars Costumes and personalized Escapes, and an ad interruption free gaming experience.

Currently Sega is also offering a limited PlaySega controller while supplies last with certain subscription types. PlaySega is headed by Sega Europe but online portal ties into the SEGAPASS system so if you are already a part of the SEGA forums or get a Sega gaming newsletter the transition to PlaySega and sign-up process is incredibly easy and user-friendly for core fans.

It only take minutes to get to the games on PlaySega if you have a SEGA PASS account

After you sign-up for the VIP trial or subscribe to the service, PlaySega gives you 10,000 Rings to use towards creating your 2D Avatar and purchasing Your Escape. Each item, whether it be a hat or a haircut for your Avatar or items for Your Escape, all come with a Ring cost attached to it.

The Escape is essentially your Avatar’s “home” on SEGA’s online casual gaming experience. These escapes are 2D backdrops that can range from London Apartments to Sonic’s Green Hill Zone; there are 24 Escapes to choose from but many are VIP exclusive.

The Rings act as the community currency letting you purchase items for your Avatar and things to decorate Your Escape. In order to gain more Rings, all you have to do is play the games on the portal. That’s it! Every game, no matter how long you play it, will reward you with PlaySega currency.

Obviously, better scores and achievements result in higher Ring counts than poor performances, but either way you are rewarded with in-game currency just for playing.

I got an achievement and Rings! Score.

This reward system combined with visual leader boards and trophy achievements help to make the PlaySega experience more addictive than many other online gaming services I’ve tried. In fact, there is even a live PlaySega news feed up on the front page that updates every time a player earns Rings or an in-game achievement letting users know how well you are doing.

Leaders and Achievements

The Rings can even be used to enter SEGA contests and weekly prize draws for up to $100. SEGA has really upped the motivation to play by teasing gamers to score more points to earn more Rings. It certainly makes what could’ve been an arbitrary point system feel more meaningful and robust.

Now if Xbox Live did the same thing as PlaySega does with achievements points, I might never leave the front of the TV and my Avatar would be having a more fulfilling life than my own.

Unfortunately, there were a few scattered times when I ran into errors and game crashes and couldn’t collect on my Rings. While this did not happen often and the service was still in beta mode, it was frustrating to lose out Rings or have to start over on a level that I was in the middle of creating (note: save often).

SEGA does include an option to report errors and hopefully these minor problems will be fixed when the service moves out of the beta phase. However, it is key to note that the PlaySega website is currently optimized for Fire Fox 3+ and Internet Explorer 7+ and requires cookies and Adobe Flash to work properly.

Oh wait, I just won more rings...prepare to see this happy screen a lot.

The Avatar Creator and Your Escape design systems are relatively intuitive and straight-forward to use. Players choose their items from an XML menu selection screen and can see the changes in real time. In order to remove a selection, players just have to click on the offending item on their Avatar.

There are quite a few item choices available to make sure your Avatar looks the way you’d like within the confines of the PlaySega style. It isn’t overwhelming but the number of items and clothing styles feel about right. When you have completed your character you can click to purchase and save while the PlaySega Rings are cashed out of your wallet.

The Avatars generally look better than South Park characters but they do tend towards a similar cartoonish style as the aforementioned series. More adept users might be able to spot SEGA-specific items to clad their Avatar in to showcase their SEGA love. As you can see, I choose to clad my character with a Vyse-like monocle even though my Avatar’s eyes are closed:

DJ Fob Fresh likes to rock the monocle.

Modifying and developing your PlaySega Escape works in a similar way to the Avatar system. I even went as far as to re-create the SEGASHIRO bunker as my own personal gaming zone.

If you’ve ever wondered what our Toronto base looks like, PlaySega has a great rendition of our bunker complete with all the SEGA consoles and Canadian snow:

Yes, this an exact replica of the SEGASHIRO bunker.

However, all of the community options and rewards in the world are only as good as the gaming that goes along with it. Thankfully, if you choose the VIP option you have a wide selection of SEGA classics to play at your online leisure.

Granted, if SEGA is good at anything, it is letting their fans play the classic retro titles from the Genesis era in any form they want. Gamers can choose anything from the iPhone to collection packs on the PS3 and PlaySega is another addition to this list.

A sampling of some of the Genesis titles on PlaySega

Titles like Sonic the Hedgehog, Comix Zone, Gunstar Heroes, Alex Kidd, Ecco the Dolphin, Golden Axe, and Streets of Rage all populate the PlaySega space. All of the games are faithfully translated and the titles that contain 2-player co-op play support still do via controller and/or keyboard.

There are over 32 Genesis titles to choose from and the service is only adding more titles over time. These are games that have stood the test of time and still remain fun years after they’ve launched. If you’re a gamer that missed out many of these classic titles because you traded them in back in the day or were too young, PlaySega is a real nice hook-up to catch up on the past and play titles you might’ve missed.

How many Gamers have actually experienced the joys of Alex Kidd?

The Genesis titles are probably one of the biggest reasons to subscribe to the service because they are only available to VIP users. If you are hardcore enough to hook up your computer to an LCD TV or Plasma screen you can capture that retro feel around the couch with a couple buddies. All of the screenshots in this review are pulled right from my experience with PlaySega.

The Genesis games run very well overall and come complete with sound muting options for late night or office cubicle play. Gamers can choose to save state and load their games so they can play at their online leisure. This is a great addition for plowing through longer RPG epics like Shining Force.

All of the titles include options to change the keyboard controls to your own personal liking. The default set-up has the “A, S, D” keys doubling for the A, B, C buttons on the Genesis pad which works competently and allows you to get into the game right away.

Pew, Pew, Pew!

Speaking of controls, while the default system works well, the masterminds at PlaySega have even gone so far as to design a slick looking USB Sega Saturn-styled pad for gamers to use if they choose to subscribe to the service. The controller is a big draw itself as it is compatible with other games on Windows.

Yup, everyone knows that Saturn Pad is a mighty badass controller.

Your PC will see it as a plug-and-play device. Unfortunately, I did not get hands-on time with the controller during my time with PlaySega but the controller will likely be a great asset to anyone who wants to play the Genesis titles on the service and it will be a great boon to any fighting game fan who plays on the PC.

Even if you choose the one month $5.95 subscription option you can choose to order the controller separately at cost or even order an extra controller for a two player co-op play in Streets of Rage 2.

Your thumbs would be happier with a controller.

However, if you are like me, you probably already own many of the 90s classics on compilation discs, have downloaded them on XBLA or the Virtual Console, or just have your old-school Genesis cartridge collection hanging around and you might feel less inclined to check the online service out.

While it was cool to have lots of Sega Genesis titles literally at my fingertips via my browser, I found most of my attention online was being sustained by some of the other titles included on PlaySega. Dreamcast fans might be happy to hear that PlaySega VIP hosts Chu Chu Rocket which is controllable with the computer mouse. It had me wishing that there were more modern Sega console classics and Arcade titles on the service.

I also found myself betraying my hardcore roots and I enjoyed many of the casual games like Aquatic Word Burst (Text Twist variant), Hollywood Adventure Quiz, and PlaySEGA Blackjack – none of these titles required VIP access per se but it was nice to know that there was some solid content for users who can’t afford to make a monthly commitment.

PlaySega proved that I have gambling problem...just call me Gamblor

You can also purchase and download games like Peggle; however, these downloadable titles sit outside of the online portal. PlaySega has a lot of options for different types of game players.

In my opinion, the coolest features on PlaySega are the level creators. So far, the service has two available for VIP users to use immediately. There is a Sonic the Hedgehog Level Creator and a Stuntmaster Motocross 2 Level Creator, if you have yet to check them out, I urge you to do so.

A look at the community features and upcoming content on PlaySega

The design templates are easy to use, nuanced enough to make neat levels, and are generally well thought out. Experienced level designers might find the tool set limiting in the long run but for those of us that have only drawn Sonic levels on Burger King napkins, the level editor is a great way to test your ideas and design skills.

Day 1

The Sonic level creator used set tile pieces and a grid framework that allows users to quilt together a functional Sonic level. There were three level sizes to choose from and a healthy number of tiles, items, and enemies available at your disposal.

I literally spent an entire weekend building a Sonic level that captured the speed and essence that I’ve always wanted in a Sonic level. Once I completed it, I got to share it with the entire PlaySega community. To date, the level has had 138 plays and has garnered a solid 4 star rating.

Day 2

The appeal works on a similar level to Sony’s LittleBigPlanet title albeit on a smaller scale. It was fun to test out the level, find out how all the pieces worked, and finally to share it with other Sega fans. In fact, I was so impressed with the Level Creator I immediately went onto the Sega Blogs and began to demand that the development team include a Level Creator within Project Needlemouse.

Yup, I made a level with secrets!

Personally, I can’t wait until I get some more down time to work out the errors I found in the initial Segashiro level I built. I also can’t wait to start working on the next one. If I haven’t made it abundantly clear already, the Level Creator really captured my attention and it is a truly unique aspect of the PlaySega service.

In Game Screenshot of the Segashiro Level on PlaySega

While level editing might not be for everyone, it was hands down the most fun I had on PlaySega. If you’d rather play Sonic levels than make them, at least you know that the PlaySega community is building new levels for you everyday.

There are currently over 200 user-created levels on the system as I write this review. I certainly hope that SEGA chooses to include more of these types of tools for gamers in the future including different tile sets for the company’s main mascot.

Sonic wants MOAR!

Final Thoughts

Online browser gaming isn’t for everyone; however, SEGA has put together a compelling product for SEGA fans, the casual gaming crowd, and retro gamers. The community involvement, achievements, and constant rewards are sure to tweak the interest of gamers that sweat for gamer points and other in-game rewards.

Immediately after my review code was finished, I signed up for the VIP trial to continue playing around with the service. I have really enjoyed my time on the site and have been toying around with the idea of ponying up the cash for a subscription to have extended access to the level creators and to get my own PlaySega controller.

I've wanted a Comix Zone sequel ever since I played the original.

While PlaySega won’t replace home consoles for hardcore fans, it is a nice casual gaming experience for gamers wired to the internet. If l ever end up toiling away in an office cubicle somewhere or take an extended trip away from the bunker, I know PlaySega will quietly eat away many of my more “productive” hours.

If you are a Sega fan, PlaySega is definitely worth checking out to see if it is a good fit for you.

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