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Fists of Rocket Fury

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 12 / 12
Date: May 05, 2000
Author: Amazon User

I bought the import version of this game, and considering the game is almost a year old in Japan, its amazing how fun this game is. If you like 3D fighting games, and you're a Japanese anime maniac, you're gonna really dig this game. You basically pick a virtuaroid(virtual robot), and lock horns with another opponent. One player mode will take you through 10 battles, with a boss at the end of the ground and space battles. Fire missles, beam weapons, super shots, fists, whatever it takes from long range. If your opponent is too crafty, rocket in close and engage in metal hand-to-metal hand combat. The action is extremely hyper paced as you use booster rockets to maneuver and evade salvo after salvo of enemy fire. There are boxes about the arena so you can take a quick breather, while you check all your nuts and bolts. You'll have to think about your attacks as all weapons must recharge at different speeds, forcing you to use better strategy and aim. There are some incredible special attacks. My favorite is Angelan's energy dragon--a huge dragon is summoned and soars toward your opponent showering virtual destruction upon them. The characters are mostly all unique with the exception of 2 identical 'bots that carry different weapons. The polygons in the characters are Virtua Fighter level, a little boxy which is okay since they are robots. Some of the designs are more slick than others. All are created by the designer for the Gundam cartoon series. Gameplay infinitely surpasses the intensity of a mecha duel from say...Macross, Gundam, etc... The arenas are graphically a little behind current dreamcast games, although they make up for it in the richness of colors, and diversity of locations. Perhaps the American version will spice up the scenery a little. There is a versus mode, internet play, and a customizable mode. The customizable mode allows you to choose your colors, and your logo. There are about 50 preset logos and you can use a painting feature to alter or create your own, which can be saved via VMU. Look for acclaim to possibly alter the controls some. Its a bit hard to do a stationary turn around sometimes with the standard controller. Since most Americans probably won't be into buying a $70 arcade twin stick control, its safe to assume this issue will be addressed. If not you'll make the turn with some practice and clever use of your booster rocket combined with the analog stick. Also the difficulty could be tweaked down just a little. I had it on the easiest setting (1-out-of-10) and have yet to beat the final boss "Tangram." What's a Tangram?(think of Unicron the planet killer from the Transformers animated movie back in the '80s). All in all this game should be a huge hit with American gamers who might not be familiar with mech fighters, and should spark up some feirce online gaming should it be available on the American version. Its already a classic in Japan.

Worth the hype?

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 3 / 6
Date: June 01, 2000
Author: Amazon User

It's finally here in the states. After Sega refused to bring the sequel to Virtual On out in the stateside arcades, the American public is ready to see the wonder that is Juro Watari's Virtual On Oratori Tangram.

Beautiful lush graphics, and some of the most interesting mecha design are all but a fraction of what you're getting. One on one 3-D fighting just can't get any better.

The game is NOT arcade perfect as they seem to want you to believe, but it's just picky little things like shadows, and toned down weapons. The gameplay remains unchanged, and that's what counts. It's minor differences that only the super hard core arcade gamers will complain about, or notice. (the biggest being transperancy)

The only catch, to this is the game was originally meant to be played with two joysticks, with two buttons on each one. Trying to take that configuration and assign it to a control pad can make for some frustrating experience. The learning curve, is like any other fighter. It's pretty steep, and not only takes a lot of practice, but is something completely different than playing Street Fighter, or Tekken. If you can sit down and learn all the game has to offer though, it won't be time wasted.

I didn't see any VGA adaptor compatability on the back of the box, but unless Activision took it out, I advise that you play it on a VGA monitor if possible. I really does look that much better.

The only thing keeping it from five stars is the fact that Activision took out the Network option, and isn't planning on releasing a Vs. cable box to link two Dreamcasts together and play, or the sticks. (They're passing the buck to some third-party company who is willing to look into it.) Activision is suppose to have a good track record of adding stuff to games as they come out here. A very disapointing effort on their part.

But the important part is that they can't butcher the game itself. 60fps, wonderful animation, and deep game play make this one of the best Dreamcast titles yet. It's not for everyone, but sure is fun.

The game is impossible to play without the twinstick control

3 Rating: 3, Useful: 1 / 4
Date: June 05, 2000
Author: Amazon User

If you've read anything about this game, then you probably know about the problem with the controls. I'll just re-emphasize that this game is worthless without those twinsticks. Changing direction requires you to move the analog pad while walking has to be done using the normal directional pad... ok maybe if I had 2 thumbs on my left hand?

Fun, but darnit, give me the twinsticks!

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 8 / 8
Date: June 06, 2000
Author: Amazon User

If you're a fan of big robot anime and fighting games, don't even bother reading the rest of the review - just go buy the game.

Still here? Okay, let me get my main complaint about the game out of the way first. The game was designed to be played in the arcade with a pair of joysticks referred to as twinsticks. The twinsticks are somewhat like dual sticks used to control a tank and without them, the game suffers. Supposedly some third party companies are looking into making them, but until they do, the control in Virtual On can be a little unwieldly.

On the plus side, however, it is a flashy and impressively deep robot combat game with bright graphics and a constant barrage of action in one-on-one duels. Fans of Gundam Wing and Robotech will certainly get their kicks here.

That's really what it boils down to. Fans of big robot anime will love this game unequivocably; fans of action games will love it and overlook its faults; easily frustrated gamers should rent first.

It is playable without the Twin Sticks

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 11 / 12
Date: June 07, 2000
Author: Amazon User

This is an awesome game and it probably will not disappoint the majority of you. I hear people complaining about not being playable without the twin sticks. I don't think that is true. Yeah, it doesn't beat the experience of the game with the twin sticks but the game is still very playable. You don't need to use analog stick to rotate because the game allows you to turbo and as soon as you shoot, it automatically turns you torwards the opponent. Same with jumping. This method is actually faster because if you just stand there and rotate, it's slower than dashing and shooting. Only problem is with moves that need you to rotate (temjins circular swing) are impossible to do at the right time since having to stand still will cause you to be a sitting duck. Other than those problems, the game is a blast. You might need to give the controls some time before you are used to them. Overall this is a great game (gameplay, graphics, sound all of it is awesome), 5 stars if they had the twinsticks but still enjoyable nonetheless.

THE BEST GRAPHICS YET ON ANY SYSTEM

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 0 / 1
Date: June 25, 2000
Author: Amazon User

If you like robots than automatically you will like this game. It has features like storymode, verses,traning,watch a computer generated battle,replay the every thing that you played sensed you turned your dreamcast on or saved data like after a fight you did good on it will say save right after it and you could replay the whole intire battle. And there is options. The bad thing about this game is that its not that long, but that depends if you get tired of things quickly.This is the best fighting game yet. Also this game is great with the tremor pak. SO BUY THIS GAME NOW!

VO:OT is definetly worth your money

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 0 / 0
Date: June 30, 2000
Author: Amazon User

Virtual On: Oratorio Tangram is an incedible game. It features plenty of characters, modes, and extras to keep you playing for a long time. If you've never played either of the Virtual On games you'll be in for a treat. The game features numerous robotic characters of which you can use to slash, slice, shoot, and do other attacks to defeat your opponent. The graphic quality of the game is unbelieveable, and you'll be hard-pressed to find any other game on the Dreamcast, or any other game on any other system that looks as good as this. The sound is also very nice featuring loud sound effects and great music. The only problem I find with VO:OT is that if you have become accustomed to using the twin sticks for VOOTing you might start out with some control problems. But if you've never used the twin sticks before it won't matter anyway. Either way, you'll eventually find a control setting to your liking. Other than that, I can't recommend this game enough.Whether it be to hardcore videogamers, casual gamers, or just anyone who owns a Dreamcast.

Twin Sticks... Doesnt need it.

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 1 / 4
Date: July 02, 2000
Author: Amazon User

Most people say this game NEEDs the twin sticks but you cant play it with the twin sticks you wouldnt be able to do special moves or combos or anything! If your a mech lover the just get this game otherwise go buy put-put mini golf.

THIS GAME MAKES ME FEEL OLD

3 Rating: 3, Useful: 2 / 4
Date: July 04, 2000
Author: Amazon User

The suggested age for the game is 12-20 years. I'm...I'm 32. But I'm in no-way new to games...Had a 2600, ColecoVision, Genesis, Super Nintendo, PSX, N64, and now a DreamCast. Even still, I felt old for the first few hours when I played this game.

Learning the controls can be a little humiliating if you're playing against the computer. I suggest turning CPU attacks off in training mode...it took me a good amount of time before I really figured out just how to blow the computer to bits...then I turned CPU attacks back on and got my butt WHOOPED all over again.

I've never played this game in the arcade...but I understand the frustration of the controls voiced by others. They're not the best, but any means. Rotating is a chore and unintuitive.

The game is very fast moving...lots of explosions and cool weapons...nice fog effects, too. But gameplay amounts to yet another fighting game. This one is a bit more 3D, but fighting is fighting.

I think this will turn out to be a fun 2 player game. However, if you're one of those who are prone to motion sickness and dizziness from viewing fast-moving, bright computer graphics, you might want to pass this one up. Or rent it first, before plunking down the dough.

I'd give it more stars if the controls were better. Activision gets a C- in that department.

TWIN STICKS REQIURED - but not included

2 Rating: 2, Useful: 6 / 6
Date: July 21, 2000
Author: Amazon User

This game, I must admit, has beautiful graphics and awesome gameplay. The problem is the controls are designed around a peripheral, which most of you know, called Twin Sticks. Playing the game with a standard controller IS possible and ALMOST fun, but it's like playing Quake without a keyboard, possible but not tolerable. I purchased the game and decided the Twin Sticks were a must, so I attempted to acquire a set. I found that the controllers go for around $75 each AND even if I felt like sinking $150 into one game I didn't have the option because the controllers are not sold in the US (as of June 2000) and all mail-order shops I found were sold out. So unless you already have Twin Sticks (actually Sega Saturn Twin Sticks work with an adapter) I wouldn't purchase this game. Don't get me wrong, this game is awesome, but true gamers won't be able to put up with the lack of control. ---2 stars, for now

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