History VideoGame / SinAndPunishment

''Sin and Punishment'' was originally supposed to be a North American release. The plan was foiled when the Nintendo 64 stopped production in North America earlier than expected, and it was first seen on Western shores when it was launched on the Platform/{{Wii}}'s Platform/VirtualConsole in late 2007. It required almost little-to-no localization since all of the spoken dialogue and menus were already in English. Due to its popularity on the Virtual Console, [[VideoGame/SinAndPunishmentStarSuccessor a sequel]] was released in 2009 in Japan, May 2010 in Europe, and June 2010 in North America. In addition, Saki made an appearance in ''VideoGame/SuperSmashBrosBrawl'' as [[AssistCharacter an assist trophy]]. The game would see new life once again in 2021 as part of the Platform/NintendoSwitch's subscription-based online game library, although like with the other [=N64=] titles on it, it requires an Expansion Pack subscription upgrade.

''Sin and Punishment'' (subtitled ''Successor of the Earth'' in Japanese) is an action game developed by Creator/{{Treasure}} and [[Creator/{{Nintendo}} Nintendo R&D1]] released in Japan for the UsefulNotes/Nintendo64 in 2000.

''Sin and Punishment'' was originally supposed to be a North American release. The plan was foiled when the Nintendo 64 stopped production in North America earlier than expected, and it was first seen on Western shores when it was launched on the UsefulNotes/{{Wii}}'s UsefulNotes/VirtualConsole in late 2007. It required almost little-to-no localization since all of the spoken dialogue and menus were already in English. Due to its popularity on the Virtual Console, [[VideoGame/SinAndPunishmentStarSuccessor a sequel]] was released in 2009 in Japan, May 2010 in Europe, and June 2010 in North America. In addition, Saki made an appearance in ''VideoGame/SuperSmashBrosBrawl'' as [[AssistCharacter an assist trophy]]. The game would see new life once again in 2021 as part of the UsefulNotes/NintendoSwitch's subscription-based online game library, although like with the other [=N64=] titles on it, it requires an Expansion Pack subscription upgrade.

** The technical name of the heroes' weapon is "G&R-[[UsefulNotes/Nintendo64 M64]]-JPC [[UsefulNotes/NintendoGameCube DOLPHIN]] POLICE STANDARD".

* SwissArmyWeapon: The "Dolphin" weapon that Saki and Airan use, which is a gun that doubles as a sword for close-quarters combat ''and'' also a shout out to the prototype name for the [[UsefulNotes/NintendoGameCube GameCube]].

When the game opens, the resistance movement has been slaughtered by a surprise attack, leaving only three survivors: Achi, [[DudeLooksLikeALady androgynous]] badass Saki Amamiya, and {{action girl}} [[WrenchWench mechanic]] Airan Jo. Refusing to give up, they set out to destroy those responsible.

* BigBad: [[spoiler:[[FinalBoss Achi]], aka your boss,]] is actually an alien lifeform who wishes to mold Saki into the ultimate warrior in order to fight an unspecified enemy. However, her plans involve destroying much of the Earth and reshaping it to her liking.

* DieChairDie: Throughout some of the stages, there's inanimate objects (barrels, subway seats, bookshelves, etc.) you can destroy for points, some of which are holding point items inside.

* EveryTenThousandPoints: You gain an extra continue for every 100 chain of destruction, and might you need them on [[NintendoHard Hard]] mode.

* TheForeignSubtitle: Inverted, the "Successor of the Earth" subtitle was omitted in the English release.

** The final battle grades you on [[spoiler:how much damage the Earth took from Achi and a whopping Perfect bonus if you manage to save the Earth unharmed.]]

* LackOfEmpathy: This trope hints at [[spoiler:Achi's]] true nature when she casually walks over Leda's dead body, and when she enjoys it a little "too much" as the Armed Volunteers are wiped out. And how off-handed she is when she's talking about [[spoiler:Brad's]] reasons for staging the Ruffian war just so mankind would love him rather than fear him.

* LeeroyJenkins: Brad leads a charge on ruffian Saki after being ordered to retreat. Leda tries to fight Airan despite Brad ordering her to stay back.

* MeleeATrois: The enemy of my enemy is not my friend here, as the Armed Volunteers and Rebels both want the Ruffians gone but don't work together. For that matter, the Ruffians have their own divisions — [[spoiler:namely Achi's Ruffians, which she allows to attack her own rebel group, and Brad's Ruffians, which were made to fight Achi's but also attack him and his own Armed Volunteers]].

* MindRape: [[spoiler:Achi attempts to convince Airan to side with her by placing her inside the mutated Saki and showing a BadFuture, and is extremely convincing to boot. This takes up a whole level, but it only MakesJustAsMuchSenseInContext. Completing the level results in the MindRape not working out, and Achi getting bumped up to BigBad.]]

* NecessaryDrawback: Auto-aimed shots are [[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin exactly what they say on the tin]], but get reduced damage. [[NoobBridge Anyone not aware of this is in for a rude awakening at the end of Stage 2-2.]]
* NintendoHard: And how! You will barely even find a double-frame/Turbo mode ([[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin which doubles the speed of the game]]) available on any website. [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u0qDMaJ6Ydg This Turbo mode run]] is the closest you can get to the final boss compared to [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AaIVxrPngJE&t=30s this original frame mode run]] on the same level.

** The rebels the armed volunteers kill in the intro cutscene if you don't press start cry out to Kachi for help. She hears them and doesn't forget in a later battle with the armed volunteers.

* StarCrossedLovers: [[spoiler:Saki and Airan become a couple by the end of the game.]] It's considered a star-crossed love because, according to the sequel, it appears to end horribly.

** Saki and Airan are one to [[spoiler:Achi, who intends to transform them into powerful warriors for her own ends.]]

* WasOnceAMan Was Once a Human: Brad and Kachua imply Radan was one, saying she was jealous of them for being together. Achi implied that Leda used to be one.

* WhatTheHellHero: Achi calls off the protagonists for not following her orders ''multiple'' times.

* SomeDexterityRequired: The controls are extremely weird and unconventional (you move left and right with the C-buttons, jump with the shoulder buttons, aim with the control stick, fire with the Z-trigger, and switch between auto-lock and manual aiming with the A button). Fortunately, the sequel switches over to a much more intuitive Wii control scheme. The Virtual Console re-release also supports the Classic Controller and [=GameCube=] controller, so players can use the D-Pad for movement and the stick to aim.

* SpiritualSuccessor: To ''[[VideoGame/{{Contra}} Contra III: The Alien Wars]]''. The games share programmers, as Creator/{{Treasure}} was founded from former Creator/{{Konami}} employees. The base setting and stories of both games are also quite similar, if a lot more developed in ''Sin and Punishment''. [[spoiler:Well, at least till Saki transforms into a giant Ruffian, and Achi reveals more about her intentions...]]. Also, Stage 3-2, most of it being a side-scrolling level, is a outright ShoutOut to the 2D ''Contra'' games, further cementing a connection between the two series.

* {{Bowdlerise}}: Proof that Administrivia/TropesAreNotBad, the Virtual Console release accidentally made the ending more clear [[{{Foreshadowing}} and the plot's transition into the sequel's go smoother]].

* CrapsackWorld: Not only does Earth get overrun by alien bio-weapons, but the army assembled to fight them isn't much better.
* CreateYourOwnVillain: The Ruffians were created to solve world hunger, but went wild. [[spoiler:However, Achi says that Brad wrote, directed, and starred in his own war so he'd become a hero and be accepted by humanity, implying their rampage was anything but accidental.]]

%%* ElevatorActionSequence: Stage 1-2.

%%* GainaxEnding: You could call this ''Creator/StudioGainax: The Game'', and it wouldn't be out of place. The sequel does clear things up, but just a bit.

* MindRape: [[spoiler:Achi attempts to convince Airan to side with her by placing her inside the mutated Saki and showing a BadFuture, and is extremely convincing to boot. This takes up a whole level, but it only MakesJustAsMuchSenseInContext. Completing the level results in the MindRape not working out, and Achi bumped up to BigBad.]]

%%* MysteriousWaif: Achi. [[spoiler:An image she's chosen and cultivated.]]

''Sin and Punishment'' was originally supposed to be a North American release. The plan was foiled when the Nintendo 64 stopped production in North America earlier than expected, and it was first seen on Western shores when it was launched on the UsefulNotes/{{Wii}}'s UsefulNotes/VirtualConsole in late 2007. It required almost little-to-no localization since all of the spoken dialogue was already in English. Due to its popularity on the Virtual Console, [[VideoGame/SinAndPunishmentStarSuccessor a sequel]] was released in 2009 in Japan, May 2010 in Europe, and June 2010 in North America. In addition, Saki made an appearance in ''VideoGame/SuperSmashBrosBrawl'' as [[AssistCharacter an assist trophy]]. The game would see new life once again in 2021 as part of the UsefulNotes/NintendoSwitch's subscription-based online game library, although like with the other [=N64=] titles on it, it requires an Expansion Pack subscription upgrade.

* WhipItGood: The lizard seemer has this function in his arm organically, and uses it on several armed volunteers before trying to turn it on Saki.

* MindOverMatter: Kachua is capable of teleporting and flinging the bodies of screaming soldiers at you during her boss fight, as well as [[UpToEleven an airplane and a portion of a building]].

** Saki mutates into his Ruffian form to fight Kachua and to protect the Earth from the final boss.

[[GeniusBonus Not to be confused with]] ''VideoGame/Persona2''.

'''Note:''' [[VideoGame/SinAndPunishmentStarSuccessor The sequel has its own page]]. Tropes pertaining to it should go there.

''Sin and Punishment'' was originally supposed to be a North American release. The plan was foiled when the Nintendo 64 stopped production in North America earlier than expected, and it was first seen on Western shores when it was launched on the UsefulNotes/{{Wii}}'s UsefulNotes/VirtualConsole in late 2007. It required almost little-to-no localization since all of the spoken dialogue was already in English. Due to its popularity on the Virtual Console, [[VideoGame/SinAndPunishmentStarSuccessor a sequel]] was released in 2009 in Japan, May 2010 in Europe, and June 2010 in North America. In addition, Saki made an appearance in ''[[VideoGame/SuperSmashBros Super Smash Bros. Brawl]]'' as [[AssistCharacter an assist trophy]]. The game would see new life once again in 2021 as part of the UsefulNotes/NintendoSwitch's subscription-based online game library, although like with the other [=N64=] titles on it, it requires an Expansion Pack subscription upgrade.

[[GeniusBonus Not to be confused with]] ''VideoGame/{{Persona 2}}''.

** Whenever the player loses. Notable in that this is Achi's voice, which happens even after [[spoiler:her FaceHeelTurn and even during the final battle against her. Well, she didn't want you to die, just to follow her bidding]].

''Sin and Punishment'' was originally supposed to be a North American release. The plan was foiled when the Nintendo 64 stopped production in North America earlier than expected, and it was first seen on Western shores when it was launched on the UsefulNotes/{{Wii}}'s UsefulNotes/VirtualConsole in late 2007. It required almost little-to-no localization since all of the spoken dialogue was already in English. Due to its popularity on the Virtual Console, [[VideoGame/SinAndPunishmentStarSuccessor a sequel]] was released in 2009 in Japan, May 2010 in Europe, and June 2010 in North America. In addition, Saki made an appearance in ''[[VideoGame/SuperSmashBros Super Smash Bros. Brawl]]'' as [[AssistCharacter an assist trophy]]. The game would see new life once again in 2021 as part of the UsefulNotes/NintendoSwitch's subscription-based online game library, although like with the other [=N64=] titles on it, it requires an Expansion Pack subscrption upgrade.

''Sin and Punishment'' was originally supposed to be a North American release. The plan was foiled when the Nintendo 64 stopped production in North America earlier than expected, and it was first seen on Western shores when it was launched on the UsefulNotes/{{Wii}}'s UsefulNotes/VirtualConsole in late 2007. It required almost little-to-no localization since all of the spoken dialogue was already in English. Due to its popularity on the Virtual Console, [[VideoGame/SinAndPunishmentStarSuccessor a sequel]] was released in 2009 in Japan, May 2010 in Europe, and June 2010 in North America. In addition, Saki made an appearance in ''[[VideoGame/SuperSmashBros Super Smash Bros. Brawl]]'' as [[AssistCharacter an assist trophy]].

* VideoGameDelegationPenalty: The game allows you to activate an aim-assist feature at the cost of your shot power. This can carry the player until the end of Stage 2-2, when a boss shows up that [[TimeLimitBoss must be killed before it inflicts a lethal hit to the player]]. If the player insists on having aim assistance on at this point, they will find that they cannot do enough damage to defeat it. [[NoobBridge Most players get stuck at this point and have to be told to switch to manual aiming.]]

* StarCrossedLovers: [[spoiler:Saki and Airan become a couple by the end of the game.]]

* [[AdvancingBossOfDoom Advancing Mini-Boss of Doom]]: Halfway into Stage 3-2, an invincible giant Ruffian chases Saki and some soldier-like enemies until he runs into the dragonfly Seemers. Later in the same stage, a giant fire-breathing Centipede Seemer chases after him.
* AttackOfThe50FootWhatever: Saki's Ruffian form and at least two other bosses.

* BabiesEverAfter
** [[spoiler:After five years, anyway.]]
** [[spoiler:FutureBadass: Isa, Saki and Airan's son in the sequel.]]

* BigBad: [[spoiler:[[FinalBoss Achi]], aka your boss.]]

* BloodyMurder: Ruffian Kachua during her second phase, she can summon tidal waves with the blood you're standing on.
* BossGame: Imagine ''VideoGame/RadiantSilvergun'' if it was a rail shooter and you'll probably get the idea.
* BossSubtitles: If you're quick enough to notice it before each boss' name and HP counter shows up above their life meter.
* BottomlessPits
** The boss battle with Radan has them, given that you're fighting at a launchpad on top of a building. [[spoiler:They can be used to your advantage [[RingOut by pushing her off the arena]] with your sword.]]
** The boss fight with the [[GetBackHereBoss Crawlfish Seemer]] also has them in addition to the DeadlyWalls you have to avoid.
* {{Bowdlerise}}: Proof that Administrivia/TropesAreNotBad, the Virtual Console release accidentally [[{{Spoiler}} made the ending more clear]] [[{{Foreshadowing}} and the plot's transition into the sequel's go smoother]].
* BreathWeapon: Radan attacks with two varieties. Also both ruffians who chase you in the penultimate level.

* DiscOneFinalBoss: [[spoiler:Brad. The real villain here is Achi.]]
* DishingOutDirt: The mole seemer does this on a train where there is no visible dirt. [[spoiler:Then again, it is just an illusion.]]
* DoubleJump: A possible maneuver of both protagonists.
* TheDragon: Kachua to Brad. Leda fills the position afterwlard.

** Another has Airan battling both Brad and Leda.

* EarthShatteringKaboom: [[spoiler:The final boss ''is'' a copy of the Earth, so...]]
* ElevatorActionSequence: Stage 1-2.

* ExcusePlot: Almost. The above description reads like this game does, but its main factors are the extremely open ends to the storyline.

* FirstTown: Stage 1-1.
* FlashStep: Saki in Ruffian form, replacing the dodge roll. Brad does this too if you try to shoot him.
* FlyingSeafoodSpecial: The Jelly Seemer, [[spoiler:though it is just an illusion]].

* GainaxEnding: You could call this ''Creator/StudioGainax: The Game'', and it wouldn't be out of place. The sequel does clear things up, but just a bit.

** [[spoiler:The final battle grades you on how much damage the Earth took from Achi and a whopping Perfect bonus if you manage to save the Earth unharmed.]]
* GiantEnemyCrab: The Crab Seemer from Stage 1-1.

* GlowingEyesOfDoom: All of Brad's appearances in the first act.
* GoodMorningCrono
** Or rather, "Good MORNING, Saki!" just before you start Stage 1-1. Granted, this isn't at the very start of the game, but since Stage 0-0 was a dream level...
** Later, at the start of Stage 3-1, Saki says "Good morning, Airan!".
* HalfHumanHybrid: Saki, who has some Ruffian blood [[spoiler:from Achi]] in him.

* HumanoidAbomination: [[spoiler:Achi, and, to a lesser extent, any human with some of her blood.]]

* LaserBlade: The main weapon our heroes use. It can function as such, at least, and will if you want a good score.

* LifeMeter: A traditional gauge-type display for the player's Life Meter.
* LightningGun: One of the Armed Volunteers' aircraft, Near Zero, seemingly sports one. Near Zero Minor seems to have a red one.

* LoveMartyr: Hinted at with Leda, Kachua, and possibly Radon.
* MeaningfulName
** "Seemer" is a real word meaning to "one who seems; one who carries or assumes an appearance or semblance".

** The game's title may also broadly refer to humanity's "sin" (attempting to play God to create a species specifically as a food source) and the ensuing "punishment" (The Ruffian and Armed Volunteer uprising, as well as Achi's gambit to find a cosmic weapon).

* MercyInvincibility: Occurs when the player takes too much damage at once or is knocked down by an enemy.
* MindOverMatter: Kachua is capable of doing this. She teleports and flings the bodies of screaming soldiers at you during her boss fight, as well as [[UpToEleven an airplane and a portion of a building]].
* MindRape: [[spoiler:Achi attempts to convince Airan to side with her by placing her inside the [[Anime/NeonGenesisEvangelion EVA]]-like Saki and showing a BadFuture, and is extremely convincing to boot. This takes up a whole level, but it only MakesJustAsMuchSenseInContext. Completing the level results in the MindRape not working out, and Achi bumped up to BigBad.]]
* MindScrew: The story starts off normal until Saki turns into some [[Anime/NeonGenesisEvangelion EVA]]-looking thing.
* {{Mooks}}:
** Many of the Armed Volunteer soldiers and lesser Ruffians you deal with are mere cannon fodder to you.
** EliteMook: The soldiers around Stage 3-2 are equipped with better armor and either use a [[GatlingGood gatling gun]] or [[BladeBelowTheShoulder arm-blades]].

* MysteriousWaif: Achi. [[spoiler:An image she's chosen and cultivated.]]

* OneWingedAngel: [[spoiler:Achi transforms into an imitation of the Earth for the final fight.]] Saki is a heroic version, and Kachua is a straight example.

* PhlebotinumRebel: With Airan's help, although she doesn't "help" in quite the way Achi intended.
* PlayingWithFire: The Man Seemer mini-boss near the end of Stage 3-2; it shoots beams across the ground to attack you with flaming pillars.
* [[PlayingTennisWithTheBoss Playing Baseball With the Boss]]: Most fights are made easier by deflecting attacks, and then there's the final boss. The Birth Model in Stage 2-3 is actually impossible to beat if you don't do this, as it regenerates faster than your regular shots can do damage.

* PunchedAcrossTheRoom
** When Airan counters Brad's jump attacks.
** [[spoiler:Saki punches Achi over a railing before the final fight with her.]]
* RedEyesTakeWarning: Leda. Also, Isa, as Achi sees him.

* RightHandCat: Brad's small talking cat-like Ruffian Leda, who serves as a mini-boss and all-around annoyance.
* {{Roboteching}}: Kachua in her final phase.
* SandIsWater: On a beach, culminating in the octopus seemer rising out of the sand.

** Kachua also goes out by screaming Brad's name before going Ruffian.

* ShoutOut
** The instructor and her father bare a resemblance to [[VideoGame/GunstarHeroes Melon]] [[VideoGame/AlienSoldier Bread]].

* SurprisinglyGoodEnglish: Less surprisingly good, given the American voice actors, and more surprising that it's in English at all.

* TheOnlyOneAllowedToDefeatYou: Kachua wanted to capture Radan and experiment on it (her?), thus was not too happy when Saki cut it (her?) down.

* [[TimedMission Timed Game]]: The game has a timer ticking down as you wreck Ruffians and the Armed Volunteers that must be replenished by collecting time power-ups or by destroying certain enemies or bosses. When the timer reaches zero, your life meter gradually diminishes until you refill the timer.
* ThreateningShark: The shark-like Ruffians that pop up around beach area of Stage 3-1.
* ThroatLight: The Centipede Seemers, which, when one gets up close to you, does not seem much like a centipede anymore.
* TouchedByVorlons:
** Most of the super-powered characters in the story, on both sides, received blood from [[spoiler:Achi]]. It is implied Airan wasn't, though. Brad thinks she was and she has a messed-up arm, but finds the super powers everyone else demonstrates to be weird. There is definitely something up with her and she is just as capable as Saki until he transforms.
** ThereIsAnother: Brad rebelled, then Saki too, and Airan won't help. [[spoiler:But there is their son...]]

* TwentyMinutesIntoTheFuture
** Set in the year 2007, which was, at the time of its release, NextSundayAD.
** In ''Star Successor'''s Iwata Asks, when the original game was being discussed, Iwata even brings this up.
-->'''Maegawa:''' "It went on sale in 2000, so... The setting for the original game was 2007 viewed as the near future and the story was supposed to occur ten years in the future, so we probably submitted the proposal around 1997."\\
'''Iwata:''' "The near future? 2007 has already past!" (laughs)

** [[spoiler:Saki and Airan are one to Achi for her true motives.]]
** [[spoiler:While Brad appears to genuinely care for Leda, Kachua, and possibly Radon, Achi theorizes that Brad was using them as guinea pigs to test the waters of assuming a Ruffian form.]]

* WalkOnWater: Ruffian Saki. On blood too.

* WallCrawl: The anemone seemer, as well as several bug like ruffians

* [[WasOnceAMan Was Once a Human]]: Brad and Kachua imply Radan was one, saying she was jealous of them for being together. Achi implied that Leda used to be one.

* WhipItGood: The lizard seemer seems to have this function in his arm organically, and uses it on several armed volunteers before trying to turn it on Saki.
* WholePlotReference: Minus ChildSoldier (maybe), this is what happens when you ask Creator/StudioGainax to make a video game based off of ''[[Anime/NeonGenesisEvangelion End of Evangelion]]''. As much as you want to doubt it, it really is, GainaxEnding, MindRape, and all.
* WingedHumanoid: The Raptor Seemer, no arms variety.
* YoungerThanTheyLook: Brad is only ''seventeen''.