Screenshot
No.1
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SCENE
GENRE
GRAPHICS
SOUND
PLAYABILITY
VALUE
OPINION
REVIEW
INDEX |
| Setting
the Scene |
During
the last century the ever expanding population and some of our
technological advances have affected the Earth's environment in many
ways and destructive reactions are now beginning to take place. The
human race is heading for collapse.
Unaware to most, zoanthroapes are a race of creatures who unique
characteristics allow them to transform from human state into
animals. This rare condition condition means that these individuals
are naturally suited to the martial arts and one-on-one combat,
since their animal incarnations can tear through human opponents in
a matter of seconds. It becomes apparent that a certain genetic code
would bring surprising changes to the human body through
stimulation. By activating this code, the characteristics and
capabilities of other species lying dormant in the human body can be
awakened to unleash beings with superhuman physical powers and
agility. This results in a human-beast amalgam and the development
of the zoanthropic phenomenon.
Thus a species which, for various reasons, can transform its body
and characteristics begin to appear around the world... all
displaying superhuman strength, astounding athletic ability and the
power to morph into raging, half-human beasts.
A medical team of the Tylon Organization sets out to kidnap, breed
and train these zoanthropes, hoping to assemble an almost
indestructible fighting army to take over the world. While some join
willingly, others fight against the Organization to avenge the
deaths and disappearances of their own kind. Tigers, wolves, wild
boars - will mankind depend on the claws, fangs and cunning of
savage beasts to bring the world safely into the next millennium?
|
| Genre |
Prepare
for some intense fighting action as a selection of fearsome fighters
and vicious beasts wage war against each other in a beat-em-up with
over 200 fast and furious moves - including brutal combos,
multi-string hits, blocks, kicks, throws, grappling moves and much
more.
|
| Graphics |
Yet
again we witness the power of the Playstation with an intro of
stunning quality showing each of the games main characters in both
human and beast form. Once the appetite has been wet you are treated
to a main course that is like a breath of fresh air, attacking this
genre with a somewhat diverse approach while remaining pleasing to
the eye.
Each battle takes place in an enclosed arena (for the moment,
anyway) which appears to have a double background. First you have
the inner ring. This is surrounded by a 3D landing area that relates
to the particular levels background theme. These range from deserted
highways, where the landing area is a road, the Colosseums
courtyard, an Ironworks melting pot, to a more scenic seaside
setting where a moat of water surrounds the ring. Finally you have a
flat backdrop which ties the whole picture together. I was quite
impressed by some of the additional touches such as the way that the
wind blows sand across the arena on the desert stage.
The ring is surrounded by iron bars, pointed rails, electric
force-field or solid slabs of reinforced steel. These are supposed
to keep you opponents contained within the arena when the fight is
going well or stop you from getting out if things change for the
worse. Better still, there is an option that allows the surrounding
wall to be destroyed by pounding your victim against the barriers.
Once down, a smart sidestep or a swift throwing move will see your
opponent fall from the arena into the second layer of scenery to be
counted out. Obviously a certain amount of caution is required
because once the walls fall they remain down until the final round
and your opponent will also attempt to use this to his advantage.
The fully 3D characters are incredibly well animated and fluid in
their movements and actually reach a similar standard to those
previously seen in high quality beat-em-ups such as Soul Blade. The
fighters begin the bout in human form with a fully charged health
bar but by successfully completing a range of attacking moves a
second power bar reaches the maximum point allowing the characters
to morph into their beast form during combat. Cunning Foxs! Raging
tigers! Snarling wolves! In this eat-or-be-eaten fighting game,
players need their claws, cunning, and hair-trigger reflexes to
survive.
Every connecting blow is treated to a series of over the top
effects as the screen comes alive with fireballs, explosions, shock
waves and blinding flashes of lightning. Another option worth
mentioning is the blood effects which may be switched on for a truly
blood splattering encounter or left off, should you be a little
squeamish.
|
| Sounds
and Effects |
The
sound effects are awesome. Every movement is exaggerated to the
umpteenth degree - a mis-timed punch can be heard swishing through
the air like a twister coming to town while a connecting combo is
represented by the sound of an almighty WHACK, crunching bones and
an ear splitting scream of pain from the victim. Transformation into
beast is accompanied by a mini earthquake and visible tremors that
knock your opponent across the ring as if struck by a bolt of
lightening.
The music that accompanies the action is a selection of rock tunes
that seem a little dated having a very seventies feel to them. Sort
of mild Wishbone Ash. There is also an announcer that introduces the
fight and comments at the end of a battle.
|
| Playability |
We've
established that Bloody Roar has excellent visual and sound effects
but it's the gameplay that usually the lets most fighting games
down. Not so in this case. This title plays as good as it looks and
belongs up there with the more prestigious beat-em-ups available on
Playstation format. Furthermore, the beast morph idea allows this
game to stand firmly on it's own ground without being tagged a Soul
Blade or Tekken clone.
A simple set up menu allows you to quickly select the desired mode
of play. There is Arcade mode where the player chooses one from
eight initially available characters. Not only does this choice
decide which sex your character is but also which creature you
control when the beast is unleashed. Yugo transforms into a snarling
wolf. Gado a cunning lion. Alice a fluffy but deadly rabbit. Bakuryu
a mole with razor sharp claws. Greg into a giant gorilla. Long
becomes a fierce tiger. Mitsuko a Wart Hog. Finally Fox transforms
into a sly (you guessed it) fox. Each character must defeat all of
the others before facing the terrifying final Boss.
Before a contest begins you may visit the option menu where the
usual tweaks in gameplay may be adjusted. Difficulty ranges over
eight settings, as do the attack levels. It is here where you decide
whether you want blood to flow during battles and the walls to
become destructible.
Other gameplay options include a two player Vs mode, sharpen your
skills in Practice Mode. Try Kids or Big Head options and, if you
have the nerve, brace yourself for Time Attack or Survival Mode! You
may also visit the Gallery which is packed with movies,
illustrations and character shots. There is also a Records file
where you can keep a record of your hard-won victories; track the
number of battles and wins for each character.
Controlling your fighter is a relatively simple affair utilizing
only the face buttons on the control pad, although grabbing and
throwing moves may be configured onto one of the shoulder buttons.
At first you feel that Bloody Roar is a little short on moves but
combining buttons and direction brings forth a wonderful array of
combos. The game boasts over twenty moves for each character and I
have yet to find them all, but the moves that were discovered
offered enough variation and style to keep most gamers playing for a
very long time.
When fighting in human form you must take care not to activate
beast mode until you feel you will gain most advantage. A flick of
the circle button unleashed the beast from within and you strength
is increased ten fold. Different and more powerful moves become
available with each character having numerous special moves that
diminishes your opponents health rapidly. The CPU intelligence is
determined by the difficulty that you set the game at. On a low
setting they will take a more defensive role while turning up the
heat will leave you fending off up to ten hit combos that rain down
from all angles and are perform at a frightening speed. An
additional feature is the Beast Rave. When activated your character
glows temporarily and can perform many remarkable actions.
|
| Value
for Money |
If
you are a lover of this genre then I can thoroughly recommend you
purchase a copy of Bloody Roar
|
| Opinion |
| MARTIN |
|
|
|
|
| GRAPHICS: |
18/20 |
Bloody
Roar, bloody good game? Bloody right it is! This 'beast-em-up' fills
the gap nicely while we await the arrival of Tekken 3. |
| SOUND: |
7/10 |
| PLAYABILITY: |
45/50 |
| VALUE: |
15/20 |
| OVERALL
|
85% |
|
