3RRDC Seaman

Seaman. Looking back on it all, it was just another reason why the
dreamcast was so great. One of the strangest games I have ever
played on any console, Seaman is a necessity for any dreamcast
collection. It is the gentle reminder on why we bought the system on 9-
9-99. People wanted something original and new, but with quality.
While Seaman will probably never be remembered as the greatest
video game of all time, it would be a shame if it was to be forgotten
completely.

So what is this umm…thing? Well you see, did you find that microphone
that came with the box? Uh yeah? Plug that into the second slot in the
controller, just behind the vmu. Now then, this microphone is there for
a marvelous purpose. You are getting the once in a lifetime chance to
talk to an artificial life form and have conversation with it. Hey, didn't
we do that in "hey you pikachu" on n64? Why yes, but in all honesty
that game was a little piece of crap. Seaman, on the other hand... (hey
that sounds dirty!) Ok. By now you're wondering, what? In this game
you talk to fish creatures (with human faces) with a microphone. They
remember things and ask you questions and such. Very weird, kinda
creepy, but is it good?

First, the "gameplay". When you turn on the system, you will be
greeted by your guide Leonard Nimoy (Spock). He will explain the
various tasks of the day, how the seamans are doing, and what should
be done. (All the while the dreamcast is being incredibly loud with its
loading noises). Then you enter a world you never dreamed possible, a
world full of wonder...or not. Actually it's just a small fish tank with a
few rocks, a heater, a mollusk and such. Not much to look at. But once
you figure out how to get the mushroomers into play, the game begins.
Please note you will not be talking to anything for quite some time.
Gotta let evolution do its thing.

But once you do start evolving (I mean not you, the seaman) things get
interesting, and you will have to do more things for it. Originally you
must only monitor the heat and air of the tank. But as the seaman
grows he will get hungry and you'll have to feed the slimy thing. You'll
also have to discipline him however you choose. Either tickle him, or
flick him, the choice is yours. Note though that unfriendly actions lead
to unfriendly fishes.

What about the talking? Well once seaman has reached a certain
evolution stage he will begin to talk to you (that's after the baby talk
and nonsense of younger stages). This is where the bulk of the game
lies. Now seaman won't know every word you tell him (and repeatedly
saying stuff he doesn't understands pisses the little guy off), but when
he does know what your feeling magical things blossom. Seaman will
want to know your gender, your age, your sign and later even more.
But let's see a test of the voice recognition. Seaman asked me what
my favorite video game was. I spoke into my microphone "Resident
evil". The seaman then responds with "Ha, Don't get too scared".
Amazing. Truly amazing. Talking to a fish in a video game about
resident evil. So when you and seaman are knowing what each one is
flowing the talking is great.

But it takes a while to get to that point. The most boring part of the
game is the very beginning. This game is for the patient gamer just like
Harvest moon. It will take days for seaman to evolve and talk to you.
And often times once he's said his thing for the day or asked you the
question of the day, he won't be inclined to say anything new later that
day. Which in a way is good, you really should get out more. Or play
other games in the meantime. Your choice. But a lot of people tell you
to just adjust your dc clock to advance to the next day to make the
game move a lot faster. While it will go faster it will also be over sooner
so again, your choice.

So is there a story behind the odd creature? Why yes, and for a second
the instruction manual made me believe such creatures actually
existed! An ancient life form discovered by French scientist Dr. Jean
Paul Gasse, you have been chosen to look after a seaman egg. This is
a huge scientific breakthrough so you should be thankful for such an
honorable position (fish talker?). The manual includes such interesting
topics such as "Mental Preparation" and "Living in Harmony with
Seaman". Lot's of back story, and you wont believe what seaman will
tell you near the end of the game. Bizzare, strange and wonderful.

Let's just say that graphics and music are very minimal. Graphics first.
See that fish tank? Hope you like it as you'll be seeing a lot of it. The
seaman and their various forms all look pretty good, but the tank was
a little boring. It does get some plant life in it later to spruce things up,
but wouldn't it have been cooler to walk around the laboratory of
Gasse when you were tired of talking to seaman? But for what
graphics that are on screen, they are nicely done, just wish there was
more. (Well... don't wanna spoil anything.) When Spock is first telling
you the day's agenda, it will be set against a lush forest similar to the
one on the cover. Here it is sometimes raining, and sometimes you
hear wild animals. Nice touch. In the game you pick various things up
from inside the tank for closer inspection. If the creature wants you to
pick it up is a different story though!

The sound is one of the more important things to judge in this game.
Well the seamen seem to be mean little bastards most of the time.
They are grouchy and sarcastic, but yet intellectual and calm. Just
depends how they're feeling I guess. The music is nonexistent. Just
the sound of the fish tank. Listen to the bubbles coming up in the
water. Hear the gentle plop as you drop a seaman back in its domain. I
was satisfied with the sound overall. The crabby tone to seaman was
just another reminder that this game is strange, and buy are we lucky
it made it out of Japan and into our domestic hearts. Orochi tip: When
Spock is telling you to head over to the tank in the beginning, and as
soon as you see press start to begin, press it while he is still talking.
This will make him cough sometimes as in anger of your lack of caring
for his talking. Good bonus.

Will you want to replay this game after you beat it? (Yes there are
credits to be viewed at the end, but you are left to keep playing as long
as you like). Hmm, you may want to try saying different things, or treat
the seaman differently? Going through the early stages of the game
may be boring, but you don't have to restart the game if you don't want
to. The replay truly depends on how much you wanna talk to the slimy
critters.

So the graphics and sound may be minimal, and the voice recognition
not perfect, Seaman is still a king of the sea for the life lessons it
teaches us. People skills, pet skills, and patience, along maybe even
with tolerance for other beings. You may find yourself growing
attached to your fish friends. And that's really while I love it. The
originality and the fact Sega had the gills to release it in the states to a
market that didn't give it the love it needed. It may have even also
paved the way for more voice sims be developed, or just specifically
the use of actually talking in a game. When I sit down and play a video
game 10 years from now where Sonic can talk to the creatures in his
world and get a response whilst keeping the action of that series, I'll
know who to thank. Seaman was a bold move by a bold company. And
if you take the time to listen you may find he says some stuff worth
listening to.

Review by: Orochi Sonic