Shining Wind (シャイニング・ウィンド) PCSX2 Emulation

Well, after messing around with it a lot, I finally got Shining Wind to run under PCSX2, this game isn't listed under the compatibility list over at PCSX2, so I figured I would share how I managed to get it running, considering I couldn't find much info at all about it when I was looking.

In order to play Shining Wind on the PCSX2 PS2 emulator, you need to be using version 0.9.2, not the new 0.9.4, which seems to be the case with a couple of games actually, this is the big step. Under 0.9.4, the game runs at about 9.4 FPS, though, under 0.9.2, it runs at its normal 60 FPS. (Assuming you have a decent computer)

The only problem that I have yet to fix, and probably will not be able to fix, is the cut scenes. PCSX2 can play them, but once it gets about halfway through it will lock up the program. What I do is just press F1 (Save state) at the beginning of the cut scene, so I can just reload it once it crashes and skip the cut scene with the Start button, that way I get to see as much of the cut scene as it will let me. I am a big fan of cut scenes though, so it disappoints me that I can't view them properly. Besides that though, Shining Wind runs great on my computer, not to mention it loads faster.

Here is my config for PCSX2 0.9.2, this is the best way I have found so far, and I have tried all the new plugins:

Graphics: ZeroGS KOSMOS 0.96.0 (640x480, Interlace on at Mode 0)
Sound: ZeroSPU2 0.4.4 (The sound plugin that comes with 0.9.2 will not work with Shining Wind)
Controller: SSSPSX PAD Plugin 1.7.0
CDVDROM: Linuzappz ISO CDVD Driver 0.5.0
Bios: Japan v01.00
CPU: All options enabled.

And for those that are curious, my computer set up:

-Intel Quad Core Q6600 @ 2.4GHZ
-4 GB of RAM
-MSI GeForce 8600GTS Over-clocked edition video card
-320 GB HD
-DVD-RW with Lightscribe
-Windows Vista x64 Home Premium


So far, I've really liked Shining Wind, even though I can barely read any of it (hence the guide I am using in the screenshot), but the game play alone is pretty fun, and I love the artwork. If anyone needs some help getting Shining Wind running on their PC, feel free to leave a comment or something.

アルトネリコ２

アルトネリコ (Ar Tonelico) is one of my favorite 2D RPG games released for the PS2. I reserved and purchased the first one the day it came out and played it constantly until I beat it. Something about that game really gets me going, I just love it. The nice hand drawn sprites, the anime touch, (which is a very good style of anime I may add) and also the amazing RPG side of the game along with a touch of a dating sim with the "diving" in the "cosmosphere", or mind of a girl. You have to complete various quest within the girls "cosmosphere" in order to establish a better link with her, which is similar in style to a dating sim.

This combination alone reminds me of サクラ大戦 (Sakura Taisen), which is another favorite of mine. Anyways, I am very excited as アルトネリコ2 is going to be released 10/25/07 in Japan, and hopefully sometime in 2008 by NIS in America. It looks amazing so far and I may go ahead and buy the art book that is being released soon just to tie me over for now. I recommend looking up some more info about Ar Tonelico for all of you out there who have not played it.

As for how it plays...think サクラ大戦 + イリスのアトリエ (Atelier Iris). If this sounds interesting at all to you, it would be to your advantage to find out more. Here are some pictures and a recent trailer of アルトネリコ２.

Ar tonelico 2: Sekai ni Hibiku Shoujotachi no Metafalica Offical Website

-じゃまた