Alundra

Alundra
Also known as: The Adventures of Alundra (EU) Developer: Matrix Software Publishers: SCEI (JP), Working Designs (US), Psygnosis (EU) Platform: PlayStation Released in JP: April 11, 1997 Released in US: January 7, 1998 Released in EU: June 5, 1998 This game has unused items. This game has regional differences.

A pointy-eared boy is shipwrecked on a strange island plagued by nightmares. To solve the island's mystery, he must journey through a series of dungeons, collecting swords, bows, bombs, gloves that let him throw rocks, and a rod that shoots fire.

So yeah, imagine Zelda with a heavy emphasis on puzzles and plot, and a very high body count.

To do: Debug leftovers.

Unused Items

There are two unused items in the game that are upgrades of existing items, and take their places on the menu if hacked in.

• Oak's Ring - Yes, it's called a "Ring" despite that the icon is clearly a necklace (and a palette swap of Nava's Charm). It raises strength, making it a better version of Olga's Ring.
• Refresher - Basically a better version of the Recovery Ring that restores your HP quicker.

Secret Warp Zone

Use an Action Replay device to enable high jump and land directly on top of the fountain in the middle of the village. A dialog will pop up allowing you to cycle through all the Chapters in the game.

Regional Differences

To do: European version differences (save text regenericization, etc.) Revisional differences between USA 1.0 and 1.1

Script

"Dude, it's okay if not everyone here believes in the gods.
The faith of a few and a little weed is all we need, bro."

This game was "localized" by Working Designs. Next, please.

Intro

Japan	International

In the Japanese version, the intro video that plays after the opening logos consists of a long string of prerecorded gameplay videos set to the game's main theme. Working Designs, noting not-unreasonably in the manual that "this didn't get us too excited about the game", decided the best thing to do was put together their own intro instead. They accomplished this by cutting up footage from the game's animated ending sequence and splicing it together with their own gameplay videos (which seem to be offscreen camcorder recordings, complete with visible game HUD). This was then stitched together with poorly-overlaid CGI effects and set to some new RAWK 'N' ROLL music that clashes quite frightfully with the game's orchestral soundtrack.

Surprisingly, the original intro was actually left in. It now plays after idling at the title screen for a while.

Gameplay

To do: Specifics on the easier switch puzzle.

• The Japanese version defaults to "Start" on the title screen if no save files are detected, and selects "Continue" otherwise. The US version and its European descendants always default to "Start". This may have been changed to avoid checking the memory card prior to the title screen, on the off chance of some sort of problematic data corruption.
• The timing of a switch puzzle in Elene's dream was made more forgiving in the US version.
• The US version switches around the button assignments. Aside from accommodating the PlayStation controller's regional X-O button swap, it uses L2 and R2 instead of Start to open the menu.

Enemy Stats

Here's what the US manual says with regard to changes in the game's difficulty:

"Monster difficulties were also rebalanced, generally to make a few of the bosses easier to kill. However, bosses were also made more dangerous in that if they managed to hit Alundra, their blows were much more lethal. This lessened some of the boredom of the later bosses, where they really weren't much challenge to fight, but took forever to kill."

That doesn't sound so bad, except it's completely wrong. In reality, the vast majority of the enemies in the game – all of them, not just bosses – were made more difficult by increasing their HP and sometimes Attack. There are only two enemies that were given slightly less HP, and there appears to be exactly one case where a boss was made easier in any way – and even then, it was given 50% more HP!

While the HP and Attack values in the table below should be self-explanatory, the Magic columns require some explanation:

• V: This indicates the vulnerability settings for that magic type. This can be one of four values:
  • N: Normal vulnerability.
  • O: "Super-effective": Enemy will die to this type of magic in one hit.
  • X: Attacks with this type of magic always do 1 HP of damage.
  • -: Enemy is immune to this type of magic.
• M: The base multiplier, which ranges from 0 to 3. The magic's type-specific base damage is multiplied by this value when calculating damage dealt. If this is zero, the base damage will be reduced to 1 HP.
• B: The damage "bonus". This is a constant added to the total damage done after the multiplier bonus has been computed.

As shown, the only instance in which those settings were touched was for a single boss, where the bonus for all magic was increased from 6 to 8. Combined with the 0x multiplier, this essentially means spells do 33% more damage against that boss in the US version.

In lieu of proper names, the "Index" column here refers to each enemy's entry number in the index of BALANCE.BIN, which contains the enemy difficulties (among other things).

In the tables below, instances in which a stat rose have been marked in red. The rare cases where a stat actually decreased are marked in green. Instances in which a stat rose by more than 5 points and constituted a change of 50% or greater from the original amount appear in magenta. Enemies whose stats didn't change are omitted.

To do: Enemy names. Also, double-check to make sure none of the entries below are spurious, since BALANCE.BIN also seems to contain some non-monster-related stuff.

Enemy Stat Changes JP->US

Index	HP	Attack	Earth Magic				Water Magic				Fire Magic				Wind Magic
			V	M	B		V	M	B		V	M	B		V	M	B
149	6 -> 9 3, 50%	1	N	1x	0		N	1x	0		N	1x	0		N	1x	0
14A	10 -> 15 5, 50%	1	N	1x	0		N	1x	0		N	1x	0		N	1x	0
14F	6 -> 9 3, 50%	1	N	1x	0		N	1x	0		N	1x	0		N	1x	0
152	6 -> 9 3, 50%	3	N	1x	0		N	1x	0		N	1x	0		N	1x	0
155	6 -> 9 3, 50%	4	N	1x	0		N	1x	0		N	1x	0		N	1x	0
158	6 -> 9 3, 50%	1	N	1x	0		N	1x	0		N	1x	0		N	1x	0
15B	2 -> 3 1, 50%	6	N	1x	0		N	1x	0		N	1x	0		N	1x	0
15E	10 -> 15 5, 50%	6	N	1x	0		N	1x	0		N	1x	0		N	1x	0
15F	10 -> 15 5, 50%	4	N	1x	0		N	1x	0		N	1x	0		N	1x	0
164	10 -> 15 5, 50%	6	N	1x	0		N	1x	0		N	1x	0		N	1x	0
165	10 -> 15 5, 50%	4	N	1x	0		N	1x	0		N	1x	0		N	1x	0
16A	8 -> 12 4, 50%	3	N	1x	0		N	1x	0		N	1x	0		N	1x	0
16D	8 -> 12 4, 50%	3	N	1x	0		N	1x	0		N	1x	0		N	1x	0
16E	10 -> 15 5, 50%	2	N	1x	0		N	1x	0		N	1x	0		N	1x	0
173	8 -> 12 4, 50%	2	N	1x	0		N	1x	0		N	1x	0		N	1x	0
174	10 -> 15 5, 50%	3	N	1x	0		N	1x	0		N	1x	0		N	1x	0
179	4 -> 6 2, 50%	3	N	1x	0		N	1x	0		N	1x	0		N	1x	0
182	4 -> 6 2, 50%	4	N	1x	0		N	1x	0		N	1x	0		N	1x	0
185	24 -> 36 12, 50%	4	N	1x	0		N	1x	0		N	1x	0		N	1x	0
188	1 -> 2 1, 100%	1	N	1x	0		N	1x	0		N	1x	0		N	1x	0
18B	20 -> 30 10, 50%	3	N	1x	0		N	1x	0		N	1x	0		N	1x	0
191	16 -> 24 8, 50%	3	N	1x	0		N	1x	0		N	1x	0		N	1x	0
194	10 -> 15 5, 50%	1	N	1x	0		N	1x	0		N	1x	0		N	1x	0
19A	4 -> 6 2, 50%	3	N	1x	0		N	1x	0		N	1x	0		N	1x	0
19B	10 -> 15 5, 50%	2	N	1x	0		N	1x	0		N	1x	0		N	1x	0
19C	160 -> 240 80, 50%	8 -> 11 3, 38%	-	0x	0		-	0x	0		-	0x	0		-	0x	0
19D	10 -> 15 5, 50%	8 -> 11 3, 38%	N	1x	0		N	1x	0		N	1x	0		N	1x	0
19E	10 -> 15 5, 50%	20 -> 28 8, 40%	N	1x	0		N	1x	0		N	1x	0		N	1x	0
19F	10 -> 15 5, 50%	10 -> 14 4, 40%	N	1x	0		N	1x	0		N	1x	0		N	1x	0
1A2	60 -> 68 8, 13%	20 -> 30 10, 50%	N	0x	1		-	0x	0		N	0x	2		-	0x	0
1A3	10 -> 15 5, 50%	40 -> 60 20, 50%	N	1x	0		N	1x	0		N	1x	0		N	1x	0
1A4	10 -> 8 -2, -20%	20 -> 30 10, 50%	N	1x	0		N	1x	0		N	1x	0		N	1x	0
1A7	5 -> 4 -1, -20%	20 -> 35 15, 75%	N	0x	0		N	0x	0		N	0x	0		N	0x	0
1A8	1 -> 2 1, 100%	20	N	1x	0		-	0x	0		N	1x	0		-	0x	0
1A9	20 -> 30 10, 50%	5	N	1x	0		N	1x	0		O	0x	0		N	1x	0
1AC	6 -> 9 3, 50%	1	N	1x	0		N	1x	0		N	1x	0		N	1x	0
1AF	4 -> 6 2, 50%	3	N	1x	0		N	1x	0		N	1x	0		N	1x	0
1B0	10 -> 15 5, 50%	2	N	1x	0		N	1x	0		N	1x	0		N	1x	0
1B5	10 -> 15 5, 50%	3	N	1x	0		N	1x	0		N	1x	0		N	1x	0
1B8	6 -> 9 3, 50%	3	N	1x	0		N	1x	0		N	1x	0		N	1x	0
1B9	20 -> 30 10, 50%	10	N	0x	8		N	0x	8		N	0x	8		N	0x	8
1BB	12 -> 18 6, 50%	6	N	1x	0		N	1x	0		N	1x	0		N	1x	0
1BC	10 -> 15 5, 50%	4	N	1x	0		N	1x	0		N	1x	0		N	1x	0
1BE	40 -> 48 8, 20%	16 -> 28 12, 75%	N	0x	1		-	0x	0		N	0x	1		-	0x	0
1BF	10 -> 15 5, 50%	24 -> 42 18, 75%	N	1x	0		N	1x	0		N	1x	0		N	1x	0
1C0	10 -> 15 5, 50%	20 -> 35 15, 75%	N	1x	0		N	1x	0		N	1x	0		N	1x	0
1C1	10 -> 15 5, 50%	2	N	1x	0		N	1x	0		O	0x	0		N	1x	0
1C2	15 -> 22 7, 47%	16 -> 28 12, 75%	N	1x	0		N	1x	0		N	1x	0		N	1x	0
1C4	20 -> 30 10, 50%	4	N	0x	6		N	0x	6		N	0x	6		N	0x	6
1C5	32 -> 48 16, 50%	16	N	1x	0		N	1x	0		N	1x	0		N	1x	0
1C6	50 -> 75 25, 50%	20	N	1x	0		N	1x	0		O	0x	0		N	1x	0
1C7	1 -> 2 1, 100%	1	N	1x	0		N	1x	0		N	1x	0		N	1x	0
1C8	48 -> 72 24, 50%	16	N	1x	0		N	1x	0		N	1x	0		N	1x	0
1CA	1 -> 2 1, 100%	1	N	1x	0		N	1x	0		N	1x	0		N	1x	0
1CB	28 -> 42 14, 50%	2	-	0x	0		-	0x	0		-	0x	0		-	0x	0
1CC	18 -> 27 9, 50%	1	-	0x	0		-	0x	0		-	0x	0		-	0x	0
1CD	30 -> 45 15, 50%	6	N	1x	0		N	1x	0		N	1x	0		N	1x	0
1CE	10 -> 15 5, 50%	2	N	1x	0		N	1x	0		N	1x	0		N	1x	0
1CF	50 -> 75 25, 50%	1	N	0x	1		-	0x	0		N	0x	1		-	0x	0
1D0	96 -> 144 48, 50%	60 -> 90 30, 50%	N	1x	0		N	1x	0		N	1x	0		N	1x	0
1D1	10 -> 15 5, 50%	20 -> 35 15, 75%	N	1x	0		N	1x	0		N	1x	0		N	1x	0
1D3	1 -> 2 1, 100%	3	N	1x	0		N	1x	0		N	1x	0		N	1x	0
1D4	10 -> 15 5, 50%	2	N	1x	0		N	1x	0		N	1x	0		N	1x	0
1D5	10 -> 15 5, 50%	28	N	1x	0		N	1x	0		N	1x	0		N	1x	0
1D6	10 -> 15 5, 50%	10 -> 15 5, 50%	N	1x	0		N	1x	0		N	1x	0		N	1x	0
1D7	120 -> 135 15, 12%	1	N	0x	6		N	0x	8		N	0x	6		N	0x	8
1D8	10 -> 15 5, 50%	7 -> 9 2, 29%	N	1x	0		N	1x	0		N	1x	0		N	1x	0
1D9	24 -> 36 12, 50%	8	N	1x	0		N	1x	0		N	0x	0		N	1x	0
1DA	10 -> 15 5, 50%	4	N	1x	0		N	1x	0		N	1x	0		N	1x	0
1DB	10 -> 15 5, 50%	4	N	1x	0		N	1x	0		N	1x	0		N	1x	0
1DC	120 -> 180 60, 50%	4	N	0x	8		-	0x	0		N	0x	8		-	0x	0
1DD	10 -> 15 5, 50%	1	N	1x	0		N	1x	0		N	1x	0		N	1x	0
1DE	6 -> 9 3, 50%	1	N	1x	0		N	1x	0		N	1x	0		N	1x	0
1DF	50 -> 75 25, 50%	20	N	0x	1		-	0x	0		N	0x	1		-	0x	0
1E0	10 -> 15 5, 50%	32	N	1x	0		N	1x	0		N	1x	0		N	1x	0
1E1	10 -> 15 5, 50%	16	N	1x	0		N	1x	0		N	1x	0		N	1x	0
1E2	100 -> 150 50, 50%	3	N	1x	0		N	1x	0		N	1x	0		N	1x	0
1E3	10 -> 15 5, 50%	6	N	1x	0		N	1x	0		N	1x	0		N	1x	0
1E4	1 -> 2 1, 100%	3	N	1x	0		N	1x	0		N	1x	0		N	1x	0
1E5	80 -> 120 40, 50%	6	N	0x	6		-	0x	0		N	0x	6		-	0x	0
1E6	1 -> 2 1, 100%	4	N	1x	0		N	1x	0		N	1x	0		N	1x	0
1E7	1 -> 2 1, 100%	4	N	1x	0		N	1x	0		N	1x	0		N	1x	0
1E8	100 -> 150 50, 50%	4	N	0x	6		-	0x	0		N	0x	6		-	0x	0
1E9	10 -> 15 5, 50%	4	N	0x	6		-	0x	0		N	0x	6		-	0x	0
1EA	10 -> 15 5, 50%	4	N	0x	6		-	0x	0		N	0x	6		-	0x	0
1EB	10 -> 15 5, 50%	4	N	0x	6		-	0x	0		N	0x	6		-	0x	0
1EC	10 -> 15 5, 50%	4	N	0x	6		-	0x	0		N	0x	6		-	0x	0
1ED	10 -> 15 5, 50%	1	N	1x	0		N	1x	0		N	1x	0		N	1x	0
1EE	120 -> 180 60, 50%	6	N	0x	6 -> 8		N	0x	6 -> 8		N	0x	6 -> 8		N	0x	6 -> 8
1EF	10 -> 15 5, 50%	7	-	0x	0		-	0x	0		-	0x	0		-	0x	0
1F0	6 -> 9 3, 50%	4	N	1x	0		N	1x	0		N	1x	0		N	1x	0
1F1	50 -> 75 25, 50%	12	N	0x	6		N	0x	6		N	0x	6		N	0x	6
1F2	10 -> 15 5, 50%	12	N	1x	0		N	1x	0		N	1x	0		N	1x	0
1F3	10 -> 15 5, 50%	1	N	1x	0		N	1x	0		N	1x	0		N	1x	0
1F4	200 -> 225 25, 12%	6 -> 9 3, 50%	N	0x	6		N	0x	6		N	0x	6		N	0x	6
1F5	200 -> 225 25, 12%	6 -> 9 3, 50%	N	0x	6		N	0x	6		N	0x	6		N	0x	6
1F6	3 -> 4 1, 33%	3	N	1x	0		N	1x	0		N	1x	0		N	1x	0
1F7	3 -> 4 1, 33%	3	N	1x	0		N	1x	0		N	1x	0		N	1x	0
1F8	12 -> 18 6, 50%	3	N	1x	0		N	1x	0		N	1x	0		N	1x	0
1F9	20 -> 30 10, 50%	3	N	1x	0		N	1x	0		N	1x	0		N	1x	0
1FA	200 -> 255 55, 27%	6	N	0x	6		N	0x	6		N	0x	6		N	0x	6
1FB	10 -> 15 5, 50%	6	N	1x	0		N	1x	0		N	1x	0		N	1x	0
1FC	10 -> 15 5, 50%	2	N	1x	0		N	1x	0		N	1x	0		N	1x	0
1FD	60 -> 90 30, 50%	8	N	0x	1		N	0x	1		N	0x	1		N	0x	1
1FE	10 -> 15 5, 50%	20	N	1x	0		N	1x	0		N	1x	0		N	1x	0
1FF	10 -> 15 5, 50%	8	N	1x	0		N	1x	0		N	1x	0		N	1x	0