rumbuddyboo's Full Review: Tech Romancer for Dreamcast
As I sit here in a codeine induced trance (no joke, I have a pulled stomach muscle that kills), I am trying to put my finger on what exactly makes me love this game. It could be the great graphics, maybe it's the cool Japanese voice acting or the tight control set up, is it the anime style presentation? Tech Romancer is a great game because it's an all around blast to play, listen to, and watch! Capcom, the reigning king of fighting games, has produced another impressive game that constantly leaves me saying "...just one more time and I'll go to sleep...".
Be forewarned, the presentation of this game takes a little getting used to if you are accustomed to playing the more standard American style fighting games that are on the market today. The visuals, sound, and character design, are all deeply rooted in popular anime from the East. Battles are fought via huge, creatively designed Mechanoids (aka Mechs, Wanzers, robots, etc.).
Lets see how everything falls into place:
Control: The control set-up for this game definitely takes a little getting used to, every button on the Dreamcast controller is used, and at first it seems confusing. Give yourself an hour or two and you'll be surprised, and impressed, at the various attacks you have at your command. The DC controller feels like it was made for this game after the breaking in period, and the analog stick easily manipulates your movements. The shear variety of weapons in each Mechanoids arsenal can take some patience to learn, but the variety is what makes it worth sticking to your guns (pun intended).
Graphics: The visual side of this game is wonderful, even without the codeine, but they also take a little getting used to. Gone are the dreary, monotonously designed graphics we've seen in so many other fun, but graphically challenged, Mech games (read: Mech Warrior, Armored Core, Front Mission 3) in the past. Instead color screams at us from every direction, bright blues, deep reds, green, orange, it's a feast for the eyes, much like the Lightsaber duels in The Empire Strikes Back or Return of the Jedi colors really stand out and demand attention against the dark backgrounds. Also worth touching upon are is the use of camera angels to add intensity to the game play. You'll zoom in from a birds eye view to get a clear shot of the action, and look over your fighter's shoulder as your enemy convulses from the fatal blow you have dealt to him!
The in-game cut scenes are rendered in the style of anime associated with the various films that the colossal Mechanoids are taken from, and retain the Eastern feel that permiates this exercise in destruction.
Sound: The dialogue from the game has been kept intact from the original and is presented in Japanese with English subtitles. This was a smart move on Capcom's part as it really adds to the flavor of the game. The music fits with the style, up-beat and exciting. The only thing I found annoying as far as sound goes was the "anouncer" repeating the same lines over and over throughout the fights (in English for some strange reason).
Level Design: I haven't beaten the game yet, but what I have seen of the various levels have been nice and fit in well with the game play. To touch on the subject quickly; you tower above buildings in a futuristic city, collapsing skyscrapers in your wake, or you'll find yourself in what appears to be a space station with a deep space view of your surroundings.
General Game Play: Overall this game is a blast to witness, the action is frentic, and it is often so fast paced that you may wish for it to slow down and give you time to take in the exquisit visuals. Weapon selection is outstanding, with most Mechs carrying an array of devices ranging from laser guns and rocket launchers, to grenades and laser swords. There are also a ton of modes of play, secrets, and storylines to keep things interesting.
If you are looking for a little different flavor in your fighting games check out Tech Romancer, I'd really love to see more games be brought over without going through a lot of Americanization.
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