The Story of Thor 2 [Saturn] - 4 in 1 hack

[paul_met]

About 4 in 1 hack:
The presented modification consists of 4 levels:
• ResHack (increases the internal resolution of the game);
• Bug fixes (eliminates imperfections of the original game);
• Tweaks (adding some coloring and unlocking hidden menu items);
• Anti-Scaling (restores the original scales of sprites);

ResHack
This hack increases the internal resolution of the game, as a result of which the game increases the horizontal view (+ vertical view in the NTSC version), which has a positive effect on the gameplay. The original resolution of the game was 320x224 (for NTSC version) and 320x256 (for PAL version). As a result of the modification, the resolution of the game increased up to 352x240 and 352x256 pixels for NTSC and PAL versions respectively.

Bug fixes
This modification eliminates some bugs in the original game, as a result of which in certain locations the player could be cheating (bypassing various barriers at the cost of losing part of HP; getting on some platforms from places with unintended by developers; jumping over platforms with the help of a spring-plant, etc.). In connection with the above-described fixes, the positions of some objects in certain locations has changed, which made the game a little more complicated.

Tweaks
Added coloring of some labels in system menus. Besides, unlocked the hidden items of the option menu by default (previously, these items became available only after passing the game.). Now in the option menu you can immediately set the desired difficulty and look at the rating (although it is empty if the game is not passed).

Anti-Scaling
This hack restores most of the original scales of sprites to eliminate excessive pixelation. Not restored those sprites the change in scale of which may break of the original mechanics of the game (when the hero can not correctly interact with the object).

Link to patch: Here

My other modifications for Sega Saturn games: Click

[Panzer88]

This is beautiful, is there any work to be done on Story of Thor 1 on the mega drive? Or is it already stable and good?

[lastdual]

Wasn't sure how I would feel about the visual changes, but it definitely looks a lot cleaner without the scaling. A nice reason to revisit this game!

[paul_met]

Or is it already stable and good?

The original Story of Thor / Beyond Oasis has better quality and more debugged, becase it came out at the end of the console's life. As for the sequel, then it's the opposite. It does not even use the 2nd CPU of console, but it operates 60 fps (due to the 2D power of Saturn).

[ObiKKa]

Ah, good. I now can see that you already do know about this website. I saw a forum topic about this group of mods made by you over at theisozone the other day. Will you be submitting all of your completed hacked Saturn game mods officially on this site for increased visibility?

[Ness]

My other modifications for Sega Saturn games: Click

For Powerslave, it's a widescreen hack or do you change other things too?
And which versions of the game is it compatible for ? NTSC U, J or PAL?

The PAL Saturn version, Exhumed, is actually the best version if you ask me. It was converted to run at the intended speed in 50hz, though the timing of a few things are off (fire rate of some weapons is lower). It also changes some item placement and has a couple of level design changes and improvements.

The issue with the PAL version is that it has a couple of glitches: the exploding mines in the underwater stage don't make the right sound (they make the kamel sound...), and in stage Canyon of Chaos, the kamel at the entrance of the stage acts like an exit kamel, meaning you can use it to skip the entire level.

Even though I used that 2nd glitch in my speedrun of the game, I still think it would be nice to have a hack fix those things.

[paul_met]

Ah, good. I now can see that you already do know about this website. I saw a forum topic about this group of mods made by you over at theisozone the other day. Will you be submitting all of your completed hacked Saturn game mods officially on this site for increased visibility?

I'll think about it.

For Powerslave, it's a widescreen hack or do you change other things too?
And which versions of the game is it compatible for ? NTSC U, J or PAL?

Widescreen + removed black bars. Actually, all information is described in the readme file that comes with the patch.

[Special T]

Great job and thanks for uploading the patch to the site 

[paul_met]

Great job and thanks for uploading the patch to the site 

You are welcome.

[Xenuria]

Forgive me if this is a silly question.

I managed to only get this to work with the PAL version even though there is an NTSC version in the path file.
The image used on the file upload https://www.romhacking.net/hacks/3403/ is the US version not the PAL version. This is leading to some confusion. Is this compatible with the US version or only PAL?

[paul_met]

I managed to only get this to work with the PAL version even though there is an NTSC version in the path file.

If you look at the readme file that comes in the kit, you'll see this string (and similar) :

Therefore all actions for the application of the patch are made over the PAL (European) version of the game!

In addition, on the page with the patch in line "ROM / ISO Information" clearly written -  PAL only.

The image used on the file upload https://www.romhacking.net/hacks/3403/ is the US version not the PAL version.

The title image just appears by default, if you selected a relevant game name in the list (because only "legend of Oasis" is present). If this is to mislead people, then I will replace it to custom later.

[Xenuria]

If you look at the readme file that comes in the kit, you'll see this string (and similar) :In addition, on the page with the patch in line "ROM / ISO Information" clearly written -  PAL only.

The title image just appears by default, if you selected a relevant game name in the list (because only "legend of Oasis" is present). If this is to mislead people, then I will replace it to custom later.

Why use the US version of the game for the display image of the file?
Why have an NTSC folder in the patch download?
I am pointing out that it is confusing on purpose.
I was trying to get a patch for the US version because I can't find debug mode for PAL version.

[paul_met]

Why have an NTSC folder in the patch download?

To convert the PAL version to NTSC and remove the optimization of 256 lines by vertical.
Before asking questions, you should carefully learn the Readme file - everything is written there.

I can't find debug mode for PAL version.

Look here: http://meduza-team.ucoz.net/SoT2/Res/Page36.html