Xak The Art of Visual Stage: Better or best?

If you’re going to play a game, it usually makes sense to play the best version of it, doesn’t it? So when I decided I was going to play Micro Cabin’s late ’80s/early ’90s action RPG Xak, I reached straight for the X68000 version of the game I’m lucky enough to have sitting on my shelves. If any computer port’s going to look good, scroll smoothly, and have a fantastic soundtrack, it’s going to be this one. But I’m actually getting a little ahead of myself here, because this game presents itself as a premium-quality experience long before I get anywhere near the title screen. The included manuals are both beautifully covered in thick textured paper; one a more traditional instruction book, the other full of colourful artwork and storytelling. Flipping through either of them reveals a treasure trove of information, treating me to personal comments and doodles from the staff, monster illustrations found nowhere else, and even a basic explanation of the game’s VR (Visual Representation)…