Sailor Moon: Another Story

Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon: Another Story (often abrieviated to "SMAS") was an RPG video game released on Super Famicom. It borrows primarily from the storyline of the manga, but also incorporates many details from the anime. SMAS takes place directly after Sailor Moon S ends.

Influence

The story is a cross-continuity blending of both the anime and manga and new elements. The anime could be considered the "main" visual influence, as the character sprites (including Rei's Grandfather and Yuuichirou) are based on the anime, and the vocal samples for attacks are taken from the anime, but plot elements from the manga are also present (for example, the Shitennou are loyal to Prince Endymion without Queen Beryl's mind control). The Senshi attacks are taken from both sources. Certain attacks are also altered: Sailor Pluto's "Time Stop" and Sailor Saturn's "Death Reborn Revolution" attacks are significantly weaker in the game and also do not curtail the user's life.

Gameplay

The gameplay is a turn-based RPG battle system. A party may consist of up to five members and battles are fought with the Senshi are on the right side, the non-animated monsters are on the left, and a character HUD is at the bottom. Battles are fought at random by walking around the world map, of whom only one member will be shown. The story is fairly linear in comparison to other RPGs.

Deviating from the turn-based formula, in addition to rows various formations are available and characters can be moved around. The formations act as a modifier on a character's innate abilities. Characters with high defense and stronger attacks are best placed in the front of a formation so their attacks will do more damage, while those with weaker attacks and lower defense are best placed in the back so they will take less damage. However, certain Senshi's abilities, such as Sailor Saturn's "Death Reborn Revolution" are most effective when she is at the center of a formation. Formations also come with their own unique group attack.

Each Senshi has a basic physical attack as well as a selection of special moves, all earned as experience and levels rise. Rather than an MP meter, each senshi has an EP gauge, which can be raised to a maximum of 12. Special attacks may take anywhere from 1 to 6 EP each. Most EP moves are character-specific attacks from either the anime or manga, with Sailor Moon given a basic healing ability. EP is refilled after each battle and can also be refilled in battle with special items.

Combination attacks are also available, called Link Techs, formed by pairing Senshi in the game's menu and setting up those attacks. Combination attacks can involve 2, 3, or 5 Senshi. Combination attacks are only available if all members are in a party at the same time.

Items range from basic healing items, EP refilling items, and special attribute boosters which will work during battle. These include boosting attack, defense, or other attributes. While the game does not rely on equippable weapons like many RPGs, many accessories can be equipped which will raise attack, defense, or other attributes. Some items are character-specific.

Enemies can inflict status ailments in addition to damage, such as poison, sleep, and confusion. Once a character's HP drops to zero, they remain unconscious for the rest of the battle unless revived by a special item. Any character who is unconscious when a battle ends will not gain EXP. If the entire party is knocked out, the game ends. After a battle, any unconscious character will be revived with an HP of 1 and will need healing before the next battle. EXP distribution is determined at the end of each battle by the number of active characters in a team: one active member will gain all EXP, while a team of five will evenly distribute EXP gain. Monsters also give up yen (the in-game currency) and the occasional item when defeated.

The world map that depicts locations from the anime is generally a condensed map that does not use the actual city layout as a basis, likely to simplify walking around. For example, Azabu-Juuban features Usagi's house, the Hikawa Shrine, Osa-P, Game Center Crown within short walking distance, and Mugen Gakuen accessible by bus (which comes whenever the player stands beside a bus stop).

The game can only be saved at Luna P spheres scattered throughout the game. In addition to the main story, there is also a side quest to obtain puzzle pieces. There are 180 pieces in total, and most pieces are gained as award items in random battles, though the rest must be found in treasure chests and such. These pieces must be obtained when the chance arises, as they will not appear again later. Obtaining all 180 pieces not only completes the team picture, but will also allow access to the "Imperial Gift" item in Crystal Tokyo near the end of the game. The puzzle completion is an optional quest, however.

Plot Summary

In the future Crystal Tokyo, a few citizens are discontent. They believe that battles only happen because of the allure of the Silver Crystal, and if only it were eliminated, peace would reign. A woman named Apsu is at the forefront of this secret movement, which plans to twist time and change the destiny of the Earth.

In the present day it's been pretty quiet. The Death Busters have been defeated, and the Sailor Senshi are enjoying peace. However, strange things begin happening in the city. Previously defeated Daimons are appearing all around. Soon Youma appear too. A visit by Ryo Urawa confirms it - destiny is being changed and the past and future are being replaced. The strangeness doesn't end there - Hotaru grows from a baby into a child in a matter of minutes, Rei sees strange apparations in the fire, and then the four Inner Senshi, including Chibiusa go missing.

Mamoru and Hotaru are injured in an attack by Sin. At his apartment, all the Senshi gather and are greeted by the spirits of the Shitennou, no longer under Beryl's control. Each gives one of the Inner Senshi their "hi" (Sun) stone, which will lead them to the matching "kage" (Shadow) stone. When all four of these stones are brought together, the location of Mamoru's crystal, the Rose Crystal, will be made apparent, and when all five stones are in the same place Mamoru will become well again. This is the only way in which to heal Mamoru's injury.

Each of the Inner Senshi goes on a solo mission to locate her stone: Sailor Mercury to Switzerland, Sailor Jupiter to Canada, Sailor Mars to Nepal, and Sailor Venus to Turkey. Each is followed by her counterpart on the Oppositio Senshi, who are also looking for the stones. Usagi stays in Japan to take care of Mamoru, and Chibiusa secretly heads out to look for the Barazuishou. (Which, according to the Shitennou, is somewhere in Japan.)

Villains

The main villains consist of five girls from Crystal Tokyo (Sin, Nabu, Nergal, Marduk, and Ishtar) who are intent on capturing the Silver Crystal and killing the Sailor Senshi in order to prevent future wars. They are not in this alone, however - they are led by a woman named Apsu, who played on the fears on each individual in order to convince them to join her side. They are known as the Oppositio Senshi. Also involved are Sin's little brother, Anshar, and his dog, Kishar.

The other villians seen throughout the video game are past enemies that Apsu has revived by changing their destinies. This includes Queen Beryl, Mistress 9, Black Lady, the Black Moon Clan, the Death Busters, and various Youma, Daimon, and Droids. The Shitennou, however, were not revived, and instead appear before the Senshi as ghosts and aid them in recovering the Shin no Ishi.