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Review by Zero (Rajeev Gantela) [--------------------------------------------------------------] [review : fighting vipers ] [format : sega saturn cd-rom ] [release : japanese import ] [availability : out in japan now! /1 or 2 months North america ] [price : varies $50-$70 ] [--------------------------------------------------------------] [-------------------------------------------------------------] [ quick summary - for saturn/arcade players ] [-------------------------------------------------------------] [ status verdict ] [=============================================================] [if you are a vf2 beginner(sat/arc) -you might like this game ] [if you are happy with vf2(sat) -pass over it, maybe get a] [ used copy ] [-------------------------------------------------------------] [if you like arcade fighting vipers - a lot -> yes get it ] [ - moderately-> maybe ] [ - barely ] [ /or you are ] [ very picky -> no way ] [-------------------------------------------------------------] [------------------------------------------------------------------] [Category | Grade | Comments (compared to arcade version) ] [ | | + = good, - = bad, n = neutral ] [------------------------------------------------------------------] [graphics | B nice| frame rate + very good ] [ | | flicker - very apparent on walls, and ] [ | | near characters ] [ | |fences /cages n good simulation, less detailed ] [ | | textures + most are accurate ] [ | | armor - simplified, when broken,doesn't] [ | | remain on ground ] [ | |3d backgrounds- gone,gone,gone,airplane,trucks ] [ | | all gone, oh well.... ] [ | | objects -there is a helicopter->bm level] [ | | -but you can break all the walls] [ | | and at least the ground doesn't] [ | | spin so badly ] [ | | characters - less detailed,but gourard shad-] [ | | ing helps ] [ | | lighting + well done, nice effects ] [ | | other - i'm not even going to use the ] [ | | t-word (transpar..),judge for ] [ | | yourself ] [ | | + triple replays are intact ] [------------------------------------------------------------------] [sound | B+ good| + overall , good job on sound effects, clear ] [ | | loud hits, and good samples...matches ] [ | | arcade ] [------------------------------------------------------------------] [music | none | n purely subjective, mostly rock oriented w/ ] [ | | a few techno tracks...matches arcade ] [------------------------------------------------------------------] [longevity| A- very| - not quite the depth or difficulty of vf2 ] [ | good| + lots of extra modes, big heads,arranged, ] [ | | and hyper, which are not found in arcade ] [ | | + has training mode , which arcade did not ] [ | | have, which allows you to see computer do ] [ | | all the moves, and when you do them it lets] [ | | you know if you did it right! it also ] [ | | has many different types of computer modes,] [ | | and lets you see damage meter! ] [ | | + extra characters from arcade mode -mahler ] [ | | + new characters not in arcade, casual honey ] [ | | high school honey,b.m.,kumachan(bear), and ] [ | | of course pepsiman! ] [ | | - no ranking mode yet? ] [------------------------------------------------------------------] [gameplay | B+ good| - ai : doesn't seem to match arcade levels ] [ | | - speed seems to be off slightly ] [ | | - frame rates and damage are different ] [ | | + many difficulty options, new versions ] [------------------------------------------------------------------] [ | |n worthwhile effort,maybe needs some polishing] [overall | B nice| you might wait for the domestic version ] [------------------------------------------------------------------] [------------------------------------------------------------------] [ rationale ] [------------------------------------------------------------------] [ fighting vipers is the offshoot of the vf2 series, in fact ] [ you can see lots of similarities in the characters (bahn=akira) ] [ (raxel=jacky) etc..etc.., and a lot of moves are carried over... ] [ ] [ this game did not cause the stir that vf2 did in the arcades ] [ and rightly so, since a lot of the game elements were simplified ] [ and the characters are not as conventional.... ] [ ] [ nonetheless, it has some following, otherwise it wouldn't have ] [ been made into a home version..... ] [ ] [ the arcade graphics of course are much smoother and sharper as ] [ they are using the model 2 board, but the saturn version tries to] [ make up for it with lighting effects and gourard shading, with ] [ satisfactory results.... ] [ ] [ many of the graphical elements are there,but the 3d environment ] [ is simplified, with no moving 3d objects like trucks and planes, ] [ the cages are retained of course, as are the textures, armor ] [ and other graphical features,like the triple replay, and ] [ background maps............ ] [ ] [ the sound effects are well done, and match up with the arcade ] [ version very well..the music is a mix of rock and some techno ] [ ] [ the longevity factor is where the game shines compared to the ] [ arcade, all the characters have extra portraits at the end ] [ when you complete it, unlike the arcade.. ] [ the name entry mode is there, the records for times, and fastest ] [ completion times are there...but the longest win streaks are gone] [ ] [ also extensive playback and views of professional arcade players ] [ are a nice touch... ] [ once again, not found in the arcade ] [ ] [ many difficulty options, and hidden options exist with a variety ] [ of new characters that are different from the arcade version ] [ are also there...... ] [ ] [ there are changes from the arcade ai,the frame rates are changed ] [ and the damage is also different (argggghhhhh)...oh well most ] [ people don't notice it..[note:ai = artificial intelligence] ] [ ] [ there is no ranking mode (currently) ] [ ] [ the training mode is incredible to have, because you can finally ] [ see the computer do all the great moves, and you can practice ] [ them..the computer will let you know if you did them correctly! ] [ (very good feature all fighting games should add) ] [ of course none of this was in the arcade version ] [ ] [ i enjoyed it, and you do not need to know japanese to use this ] [ game (unlike the combo mode settings in vfkids) ] [ ] [ for now, we must wait to see what is changed in the domestic ] [ version......... ] [ ] [ just to re-iterate, if you are satisfied with vf2 as it is, ] [ you probably won't get it , but if you're willing to try a ] [ somewhat similar game, you'll be pleasantly surprised! ] [ ] [ if you're a big fan of the arcade version get it, unless you ] [ are very picky (no pun intended!) about the details............ ] [------------------------------------------------------------------] [ hope it helps in clearing up (or making worse) your decision ! ] [ From :rg ] [------------------------------------------------------------------] |