Cyberbots: Full Metal Madness

CYBERBOTS: FULL METAL MADNESS

T-1217G
Capcom
Sega Saturn
2D Fighter/ 1 or 2 Players
Available 3/27/97(Import)
¥4800

— by Charles McCarter

Take a popular genre (2D Capcom fighting), complete with anime-like characters, and throw in some robots. Yes, robots. And not just your garden variety "two arms and two legs" robots either, but some rather oddly-shaped multi-legged contraptions with some unusual weapons. Now add some pretty amazing animation and volia — it's a hit, right?

Well, one would certainly think so, but for some reason the arcade release of CYBERBOTS was not a great success. Perhaps it was due to the seemingly endless string of fighting games that parade through arcades both here and in Japan. But overall, CYBERBOTS is a solid game, and the home version for the Sega Saturn, which is known for its track record of great arcade-to-home conversions, has added some new features to increase the fun and replay value.

CYBERBOTS works on a 'modified' Capcom engine. Instead of having 3 punches and 3 kicks, you have "attack 1" (weak), "attack 2" (strong), "weapon," and "boost." The "weapon" button controls a laser or missile or other type of projectile; "boost" is a boost jet. Of course, hitting these buttons in conjunction with the appropriate moves on the directional pad yields the now-requisite special attacks.

At the beginning of the game you choose a pilot; depending on which pilot you choose, you then get to choose a mech. Some pilots are only able to pilot one mech in Arcade Mode (such as Shade and Devilotte). Each class of mech has three models — a biped, a quadruped, and one with tank treads. Each have their own strengths and weaknesses, and of course, their own special attacks.

Once you've chosen your pilot and your mech, the combat begins, and it's pretty much in the STREET FIGHTER vein. Players do have to watch out for overheating their boost jets and weapons, however, as indicated by a gauge at the top of the screen by the player's health bar. And one unique thing about this game is that you can actually damage your opponent's equipment. If a mech's arm gauge overheats, the arm falls off. It can, of course, be picked up by the player, but until it is, it's attack capability is limited. And one of the variations on the throw is a move which tries to rip an arm off your opponent.

The animation is of high-quality, as one would expect from a Capcom fighter. The play is enjoyable, although using only four buttons takes a little adjusting to. And, like the VAMPIRE HUNTER games (DARKSTALKERS and DARKSTALKERS' REVENGE), not all the special moves are printed in the manual; some of them you have to find by experimentation.

A big addition to this game is the ability to play as the sub-boss characters; for example, Princess Devilotte and her mech, the Super-8, which is a giant octopus with some incredible moves. And defeating the game in Arcade Mode with these characters allows you to select their mechs in Versus Mode. It also allows you to play as the brand-new mech designed exclusively for the home Saturn version — Zero Gouki. Yes, Akuma, the not-so-beloved red-headed demon fighter and enemy of Ryu in STREET FIGHTER makes his appearance in yet another game as a hidden character. Only this time, he'sa robot. While this may at first seem silly, Zero-Gouki is a powerful mech and will probably be very easy to use for those familiar with his STREET FIGHTER moves.

The biggest problem with this game is the artificial spikes in the AI's skill level. At times it seems rather ho-hum, but all of a sudden it decides it's just going to beat on you. Expect trouble from the last opponent, whoever it is (it differs depending on which pilot you pick, as they each have separate storylines). Particularly nasty is G.O.D., the "enemy brain," and his Warlock mech, who is technically the 'final boss,' but some characters must fight an additional character after defeating him/her/it.

All in all, CYBERBOTS is an interesting take on the fighting game genre, combining the playability and visual brilliance of its popular STREET FIGHTER line with the mecha genre. It's something like "STREET FIGHTER meets VIRTUAL ON." If you like fighting games and unique-looking robots, then this game is probably for you.

(When this article was first written, Capcom announced that this game would be released in the United States. However, proving that the gaming industry can change its mind with lightning speed, Capcom has since rescinded this announcement — only several weeks later. Citing a full slate of games already (including the eternally-delayed "I'll believe it when I see it" release of Marvel Super Heroes), Capcom doesn't want to dilute its resources even further. So fans of this game will need to get the import version.).

Rating:

*** Stars (out of 4)