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==============Ecsaform==================
================V 1.1===================
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Genre: TRPG

Source language: Japanese

Platform: Playstation

Patch language: English

Author: paul_met/aishsha/Pennywise

E-mail:	paul294met@gmail.com
	http://meduza-team.ucoz.net
        aishsha@gmail.com
        aishsha@blogspot.com
 
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Background
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This is a complete English patch for "Ecsaform" translating the game from Japanese into English.

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Patching Instructions
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 - In order to apply a "ppf" format patch, you will need a utility known as "ppf-o-matic" which can be found at http://www.romhacking.net/utilities/356/;
 - It is recommended to patch a disc image compatible with the one from "redump.org" (http://redump.org/disc/38210/) and (http://redump.org/disc/38211/) or use your own dumo in the bin/cue format with Mode2/2352 parameters.

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Manual
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We have also fully translated and edited the game's manual which you can find in the CBR format. Please, use the http://www.cdisplay.me/ software to view it properly.

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Emulators to use
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The game was fully passed on ePSXe, PCSX and Mednafen, so it should work pretty much fine on any common PSX emulator available.

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Comments
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paul_met:
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I noticed this game a while back and tried playing it in Japanese. Back then, my hacking skills were all but basic and restricted with some petty menu hacks. I really like the atmosphere and the game's "serious" style (no Sailor Moon anime stuff or some such). I also liked a rather peculiar battle system, pretty and detailed loations (despite being rather deserted) and solid game score. I ended up postponing the game till better times. Yet, I remembered about "Ecsaform" some time ago and decided to finally break it down, which resulted in its complete translation into English.

Technical Details:
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- The game now supports 1-byte encoding, VWF and color higlights for the dialogues;
- The "Continue"Option and "Type3" Control Type are set by default;
- The in-game resolution was increased (384x240) with no violations of any proportions, and now the game supports the wide-screen (16:10) image. Therefore, you'll have to switch on the"Expand Screen Width" option in a video plugin settings if using an emulator to play it;

aishsha:
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Well, since I played or looked at pretty much every game on PSX, I do remember it from the time when it was considered a rarity with no one knowing the purpose of Disc 2. The project itself was a way to distract ourselves after PopoloCrois with something totally different, and this cyberpunk obscurity did the trick. Ecsaform reminds me of an unwanted child cherished by its real parents and neglected by its foster family. The lore for the game is immense, and that's probably the first game on my memory which extensively uses an encyclopedia courteosly provided on Disc 2 since it simply can't be fit into the game's story in earnest. The world, characters, background story - everything deserves an anime series at least. Alas, Namco was well known with rushing and discarding projects, and this is one of those cases. Despite the good plot, Escaform reminds me of Xenogears Disc 2 used pretty much for storytelling instead of actual gameplay. Despite all the above, the game is rather adult and unique for PSX and definitely worth a try. All in all, this is a rather solid tactical RPG with very versatile (though easy) battles which you play at your leisure, which definitely deserved a game series and proper focus, but oh well. PS: Oh, yeah, the toilets! I haven't seen so many toilet arts in any other project so far :)

Pennywise:
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I had never heard of Ecsaform until aishsha told me he was going to translate it. It ended up being my favorite tactics RPG we've done so far, simply because the difficultly was easy and the story fantastic. Quite frankly I was sick of the genre after having played through the Ogre games, but this was a welcome addition. Anyhow, if you can ignore this game's rushed shortcomings, you're in for a treat.

cccmar:
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Ecsaform is a PS1 strategy RPG. The game seems to be fairly obscure even in Japan, but it's also quite interesting. The setting is one of the strong points of the game - it's a post-apocalyptic world with bugs being used for transportation, construction work etc. There is much more to it, but it's all revealed over the course of the game. CD 2 has a large index of terms/notions/characters from the game and it acts as an encyclopedia of the game world (if you wish to avoid spoilers, you'd best read it after finishing the game). The game itself is fairly easy; it's one of those SRPGs where defense is better than offense - so, let the enemy come to you, and all should be fine; also, use the terrain to your advantage as much as possible. Overall, playing the game is a very pleasant experience. I didn't know much about it prior to the testing (there's not 'that' much info on it, except for the fact that it wasn't fully finished) but it was one of my favourite projects to test. So, have fun, anyone who is reading this!

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Disclaimers
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All the materials in the game are purely copyrights of  Emotion, Inc. and Bandai Visual. The game developers did their best and put a lot of hard work into this project, so BUY THE ORIGINAL GAME IF YOU LIKE IT!!!

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Credits
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paul_met - major hacker, programmer and designer

aishsha - translation, testing, manual works

Pennywise - testing, editing, coordinating

Ryusui - spot translations

cccmar - major testing

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Changes in version 1.1:
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- Fixed zero value of some items on the equipment screen.
- Fixed minor typos in dialogue / navigator text.

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Compiled by paul_met.
June 2023.