~B
Dioramos FAQ v1.01 (5/25/01) by Gene
------------------------------------
Dioramos (PS)
1-4 Players
1 Disc
Genre: Board Game (Table)
Memory: 1 Block
Multitap, Analog Control Support
1) Introduction
2) Frequently Asked Questions
3) How to play
3.1) At the Main Menu
3.2) Controls
3.3) Screen Layout
4) Game Rules
4.1) Offense / Defense
4.2) Weapons
4.3) Movement
4.4) Game Squares
4.5) Items
4.6) Game System
5) Characters
5.1) Character List
6) Story Mode Strategy
7) Secrets
8) Miscellaneous / Et Cetera
1) Introduction
----------------
This game is an original fantasy board game for the Japanese Playstation that
was released in Japan on November 30, 2000 for 5800 yen. It is the first game
of the series.
2) Frequently Asked Questions
------------------------------
Q) I can't play this game with my modded PS! Why not?
A) I don't know. I am playing the original game on a Japanese PS. If anyone
has any help here, please let me know. But, I don't have any PAR codes
or any help.
Q) What is the game like?
A) It is a board game. You have to rely on a lot of luck and skill, but there
is quite a lot of strategy involved in the game too. Surprisingly enough,
this is a board game where you have to destroy your opponents, not gather
gold or reach a pre-determined square.
Q) Is it any good?
A) Yes, it's fun. Here are the good and bad points:
+ Control is simple, quick and easy to learn
+ Loading times are short during the game
+ Game is fairly fun and competitive
+ Character design is interesting
+ Many items and weapons
+ Every character can play Story mode (high replay value)
+ Movies are high quality
- Can't exit to title or load during a map (soft-boot only)
- Can't skip past the inane dialogue
- Only saves in the first memory card location!
- Graphics are a bit blocky during the game
- No difficulty options
- Story mode is a bit repetitive, same maps, different order
- Computer AI could be improved
3) How to play
---------------
This is a board (tabletop) game. Your objective is to eliminate your opponents.
You attack each other using weapons and special attacks. You can also gather
better weapons and items on the board to use against your opponents. The winner
is the last surviving player.
3.1) At the main menu
---------------------
Here are the selections available at the main menu:
Story Mode
----------
This is a one-player series of battles against various opponents. First, choose
your character and then you will see the map select screen, with save on the
right. After completing Story mode with that character, you can access them in
Battle and Story modes.
Battle Mode
-----------
Battle mode is for one to four players. You can choose any map that you have
bought from the shop. You can use any of the characters that you used to beat
Story mode or any of the original four. Any of the items and weapons that you
bought from the store can also be found here.
Shop
----
At the end of each completed map in Story mode, you receive Gold. You can use
the Gold to buy items, weapons and maps for use in Story and Battle modes.
You also receive a smaller amount of Gold in Battle mode.
Options
-------
Here are the options that you can choose:
Save - Save Options
Load - Load Options
Ghost - Sets the Ghost on or off
Vibration - Sets the vibration on or off for analog controllers
SE Volume - Sets the level of volume for sound effects
BGM Volume - Sets the level of volume for the background music
Sound - Stereo or Mono sound
Return to Title Screen
3.2) Controls
-------------
Joystick is used for moving the cursor or selecting in the menus
L2 - Toggle weapons
L1 - Rotate view
R2 - Change to View Mode
R1 - Rotate view
Triangle - Use and Item
Square - Hold for Offense menu
Circle - Skip messages and move in the game board
X - Cancels and Hold for Defense menu
Select - Help
Start - Skip movies and toggles the Charge Gauge
3.3) Screen Layout
------------------
In the top left, you will see the current character, their weapons, status, etc.
In the bottom left, you will see the charge gauge
In the bottom right, you will see the HPs of all the players
In the top right, you will see the current menu
4) Game Rules
-------------
These are the basic rules that govern the game:
4.1) Offense / Defense
----------------------
At the start of each map, every character selects their defense.
At the start of each turn, before accessing the dice menu, you can change your
defense or attack options in the respective menus. To do this, hold the button
and press the direction of the option that you wish to select.
When attacking your attack and the defender's defense determines the outcome.
If you choose Attack and your opponent chooses Dodge, then they may be
successful in dodging the attack, resulting in no damage. If you choose Lunge
and your opponent chooses Counterattack, then they may be successful in
countering your attack, taking no damage and forcing it back on you.
Attack damage depends on your Charge gauge, Weapon and character's POW as well
as the defender's actions. When you leave your zone of attack and enter again,
you get another attack.
There are four options in the Attack menu:
Special - Use your selected weapon's special attack
Lunge - High damage attack on another player if within range
Attack - Attack another player if within range
Charge - Charges character's Charge gauge at the start of the next turn.
There are four options in the Defense menu:
Dodge - Avoids all of the damage received (if Opponent chose Attack)
Defend - Lessens the damage received
Counterattack - Repel attack and counter (if Opponent chose Lunge)
Protect Item - Enemy characters cannot steal items
4.2) Weapons
------------
Swords are the closest attack weapons.
Spears are used to attack only when you have stopped moving.
Bows are long-range attack weapons.
Staves are similar to Swords in close combat, but have offensive ranged Magic
attacks.
Unarmed is when the player chooses not to use a weapon.
Range Effects:
--------------
Swords / Unarmed
PX
Spears
X
XXX
XXPXX
XXX
X
Bows
X
XXX
XXXXX
XXX XXX
XXX P XXX
XXX XXX
XXXXX
XXX
X
Staves
X
X XXX
XXX XXXXX
XXPXX XXXXXXX
XXX XXXXX
X XXX
X
4.3) Movement
-------------
Movement on the game board is achieved by accessing the dice menu. A random
number appears from 1 to the character's maximum movement. The character
must move this number of squares on the game board, but may choose their
direction at intersections. Movement may be adjusted through items and
special effects. On different maps, characters may wrap their movement from
one side to another or jump from levels, etc. The character may also move with
the aid of items or special attacks.
4.4) Game Squares
-----------------
There are several types of squares or locations on the game board. When landing
on these squares, different effects are applied:
Normal square
- No special effect
Heal square
- Character's HPs are slightly restored.
Cure square
- Character's status is returned to normal.
Weapons square
- Character receives a random weapon.
Item square
- Character receives a random weapon.
Charge square
- Character's Special Gauge is increased.
Warp square
- Character is transported to another Warp square.
Curse square
- Character is cursed (see System for more info).
One-way square
- Character movement cannot go against the direction of the arrow.
- It slowly disappears after each time you pass against it.
4.5) Items
----------
Items may be stolen from other characters, obtained from special attacks, or
by landing on an item square. Most characters may hold a maximum of three
items. You can use as many items as you want per turn. There are Rare items
that may give you special abilities like regeneration, increase your HP
maximum, etc. Some of the Rare items are character-specific.
4.6) Game System
----------------
The following are extra rules that apply in the game:
Ghosts
Once a player dies, a turn later they may return to haunt the map once again as
a ghost. As a ghost, the player may not be harmed in any way. But, they are
not affected by the squares that they land on, nor may they use items or weapons
or even attack. But, if they land on the same square of another living player,
they will curse them. If a player is cursed for the third time by a ghost, the
ghost is destroyed with the player.
Curses
A player may be cursed by a special effect, by landing on a Curse square or
by having a ghost land on the same square as they occupy. If a player is cursed
three times, they are removed from the game, regardless of their HPs.
Status
There are four different types of character status besides the normal one:
Poison: character loses HPs every round
Paralysis: character cannot change Offense or Defense
Curse: three curses and you are removed from the game
Blindness: character cannot see their movement dice
Stealing
When you land on the same square as another player, you can steal an item from
them. Each character has two original items. You can steal one of these items
or any other item that they are currently carrying. But, you always have the
possibility of stealing one of their original items, regardless of the items
that they are currently carrying. The original items are useless and are
basically considered a failure because you cannot use them in the game. If you
get an item, the box will exit the left of the screen, while if you fail, the
box will exit the bottom of the screen. It will say GET in both cases, so
watch where the box leaves the screen as it is the only way to tell if you are
successful. If you land on a square with multiple players, you will get the
choice of stealing an item from all of them.
5) Characters
--------------
There are 11 characters to play in the game. However, there are only four
players available at the start--Zekshi, Falgas, Fuma and Galgar. After
completing story mode, new characters are available. Tink, your guardian is
the only character in the game that is not playable.
5.1) Character List
-------------------
HP - Maximum HPs
AT - Attack Power
POW - If POW is low and the weapon's weight is heavy, SPEED is lowered.
For close attacks POW is added to Attack power
SKILL - If SKILL is high, more damage can be inflicted with bows
SPEED - If SPEED is high, character receives more turns than other characters
MAG - Attack power with Special attacks
MOVE - Maximum movement for the character on the game board
Notes - Other important information
Falgas - The Knight
HP - 4200
AT -----
POW - 270
SKILL - 55
SPEED - 55
MAG - 45
MOVE - 6
Notes - High HPs, and great with hand-to-hand weapons.
Zekshi - The Sorceress
HP - 3500
AT -----
POW - 90
SKILL - 75
SPEED - 80
MAG - 95
MOVE - 6
Notes - High magic and high speed, but weak.
Fuma - The Traveller
HP - 3600
AT -----
POW - 120
SKILL - 65
SPEED - 99
MAG - 60
MOVE - 7
Notes - Due to his high speed, he receives free turns very often, well rounded.
Galgar - Tiger Creature
HP - 4000
AT -----
POW - 150
SKILL - 99
SPEED - 66
MAG - 67
MOVE - 6
Notes - Due to his high speed, he receives free turns often. Good with bows.
Faefan - The Monk
HP - 4300
AT -----
POW - 390
SKILL - 1
SPEED - 57
MAG - 25
MOVE - 6
Notes - Powerful unarmed, but doesn't improve much during a battle because of
this. He can use other weapons, but he inflicts little damage.
The Japanese Actress
HP - 3700
AT -----
POW - 140
SKILL - 80
SPEED - 70
MAG - 82
MOVE - 6
Notes - Her ghost wears a wig! Well rounded.
Krishna - The Blood Warrior
HP - 3900
AT -----
POW - 230
SKILL - 65
SPEED - 65
MAG - 40
MOVE - 6
Notes - The most well rounded character, still strong with hand-to-hand weapons.
The Goblin
HP - 3500
AT -----
POW - 180
SKILL - 10
SPEED - 99
MAG - 50
MOVE - 5
Notes - Can't use other weapons. Receives an item if lands on a weapon square.
High speed and receives free turns often. He can carry four items.
The Robot
HP - 4200
AT -----
POW - 280
SKILL - 99
SPEED - 55
MAG - 55
MOVE - 6
Notes - Can't use other weapons. Receives an item if lands on a weapon square.
The Robot has a soul! High skill and can inflict high damage. He can carry
four items.
Dullahan - The Centaur
HP - 3900
AT -----
POW - 230
SKILL - 50
SPEED - 55
MAG - 30
MOVE - 8
Notes - Can't use other weapons. Receives an item if lands on a weapon square.
His starting weapon is good, but doesn't really improve during a battle.
He can carry four items.
Lich - Death
HP - 4000
AT -----
POW - 110
SKILL - 75
SPEED - 68
MAG - 99
MOVE - 6
Notes - Can't use other weapons. Receives an item if lands on a weapon square.
Great with Magic! Special attacks can be devastating! Can carry four items.
6) Story Mode Strategy
-----------------------
Most of the maps are fairly easy. Since you can't change your character after
you've started, the only choice at the start is your weapon. Most of the early
maps, I tended to use a bow because it kept me at a safe distance from my
enemies and I could attack multiple opponents in a round rather easily. I tried
to complete a map a couple of times first. If I had a lot of problems, I would
buy a better weapon to aid me. But, don't hesitate to buy a new weapon. There
is no sense to frustrate yourself too much. You should spend the gold when you
have it. If you play all of the characters all the way through, you will have
lots of gold leftover. So, don't worry. Finally, let the computer opponents
fight each other as much as you can. Have patience and clean up the leftovers.
Sometimes, you will be weak after destroying a couple of computer opponents, but
one will remain who is very strong. Try and flee. Let the computer ghosts
curse the last one to death.
There are ten maps to play in Story mode. The order and characters that you
will fight will vary from character to character. In the final map, you will
fight a mirror of your character. The enemy will have better items and weapons
than you, plus they will heal after every round. But, don't worry. It isn't
too hard. The computer rival doesn't tend to be too smart in this map, so it
ends up being easier than expected. When you complete the story mode, you
receive a new weapon, item and new character to play in all of the modes.
7) Secrets
-----------
After clearing story mode you can get the 12th character.
There is a special Kuranagi weapon to get it you must buy the Imp sword
and use it on the last boss. After that, you will have the Kuranagi weapon.
8) Miscellaneous / Et Cetera
-----------------------------
Thanks to Ponos making this interesting game.
This FAQ is not associated with Ponos, Sony, or any of its products either
software or hardware. The respective companies retain all copyrights of their
products mentioned in this FAQ.
If you liked this game, try Culdcept Expansion + Expansion Plus (PS),
Culdcept Second (DC) or Gaiamaster(PS, DC) too.
Sorry, but I had to use Japanese characters for this FAQ. If you have any
suggestions on formatting please let me know.
Feel free to email any advice or suggestions! Due to time constraints, do
not expect a reply on email.
Other FAQs written by me:
- Tetris with Cardcaptor Sakura: Eternal Heart (PS)
- The Typing of the Dead (DC)
- The Great Khan Game (Card game)
- Hundred Swords (DC)
- Advanced World War (DC)
- Gaiamaster (PS)
- Culdcept Expansion (PS)
-- 5/25/01 Gene(intv@canada.com)
