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VAMPIRE SAVIOR
T-1228G
Copyright © 1997, 1998 Capcom
Sega Saturn, 1 or 2 players
2D Fighting
Available Now (Import Only)
¥5800
—by Charles McCarter
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As the Sega Saturn gives up the ghost in the United States, with only one
expected release remaining (the continuously delayed RAYEARTH RPG), Sega is still supporting this system
in Japan. Capcom especially, with their stable of successful 2D fighters, continues to provide a great line of games
for this rapidly aging system, and one of the most recent is VAMPIRE SAVIOR.
The third in the DARKSTALKERS series of
games, this game builds upon what has come before. Pyron, the boss from the
last game, is now a playable character. And in fact, all the characters
from NIGHTWARRIORS: DARKSTALKERS REVENGE are present
and ready to claw, bite, and shred their way to the top of the heap. But
there are also several new characters, including Q-Bee, who is essentially a
bee girl; Bulletta, a deceptively sweet Red Riding Hood character who will
slit your throat if you let her get too close; Lilith, a younger but equally
nasty version of Morrigan, and of course the new boss, Jedah.
Game play is similar to the earlier games as well, with special
moves, Enhanced Special (ES) moves, and Extra Special
(EX) moves. But there is also a new feature called
"Dark Force." By pressing the same level of punch and kick button
simultaneously, the characters can use their Dark Force powers. For some
characters, they are pretty lame (such as Jedah's and Q-Bee's "flight"
ability), whereas some characters can do some serious damage. As with other
special moves, however, Dark Force has to be used intelligently and
strategically to win the game. Another added extra for SAVIOR is the "friendship" move. This is essentially like
the taunt in X-MEN VS. STREET FIGHTER or MARVEL SUPER HEROES. It looks good (and sometimes funny)
but doesn't really do much to assist in winning the fight. A couple
characters, however, have taunts that are capable of damaging opponents.
The backgrounds, as in the other recent Capcom 2D fighters are works of art in themselves, and the
characters' moves are fast and clean. The 4 meg RAM
cart really helps this game to shine, since it virtually eliminates load
times after the initial loading and allows the game's animation to remain
intact.
So it looks good and has all the familiar characters. But like
its predecessors, it seems a little too easy to beat. Of course, if
that's a problem players can just crank up the difficulty level, but it
still seems awfully easy. By "easy" I mean, "easy to defeat the game."
Mastering the wide variety of moves and combos is another matter, and it
is for that reason as much as anything else that fighting game fans
purchase these games. The question is not, after all, how badly you pound
your opponent, but did you do it with style? Some of the characters (read:
Anakaris) have such a large number of moves that it's hard to keep them
straight, let alone master them all.
Fans will be glad to note that humor has not been removed from
the series. Bulletta hums and skips along, followed by three butterflies
and her faithful dog, right before she whips out an uzi or a claymore or a
stiletto. And Sasquatch maintains his title as King of the Comedy Relief
with the addition of his friendship move (where he eats a banana and throws
the peel out to be slipped upon) and his Dark Force strong move, where a
line of somersaulting kamikaze exploding penguins follows him as he punches
his way to victory.
Fans of the series will be impressed with this most recent
addition to the family. New players too will find something to enjoy here.
A pity that it's only being brought out on the PlayStation on the US, because it won't be the same as this import version,
especially if X-MEN VERSUS STREET FIGHTER EX is any
indication. 
Rating: *** out of 4 |
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