Shin Force | Sega Dreamcast Review

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Shin Force ~ Dreamcast ~
Berserk / Sword of the Berserk: Guts' Rage
Geoffrey Duke
Reviewed
09.26.2004
Publisher
ASCII (Japan)
Eidos (USA)
Developer
Yukes
Format
1x GD
Origin
Import / Domestic
Available
Dec. 15, 1999 (Japan)
Mar. 17, 2000 (USA)
Exclusive
Yes
Difficulty
Adjustable
Dimensions
3D
View
Dynamic 3rd Person
Genre
Action / Adventure
Player(s)
1
Options
Backup
Jump Pack
VGA Box
VMS/VMU
Requires
n/a
Importable
90%
Intro
     > Sword of the Berserk is basically a hack and slash-fest falling into the same genre as any old-school side scrolling beat 'em up. If you've never enjoyed this genre then this game isn't going to change your mind. As far as I know, this game, entitled "Berserk" in Japan, is a side story to a popular Japanese Manga/anime series of the same name. I'm not familiar with the Berserk Manga/anime series this game is based on, so forgive my ignorance. After hitting the top of the charts in Japan, Eidos secured the publishing rights for the game outside of Japan and renamed it Sword of the Berserk: Guts' Rage for American and European consumption. 

     > You play the role of Gatsu, a ruthless, battle-hardened warrior who also answers to the name Guts -- a nickname earned due to his valor. Gatsu, the main character, is a scarred knight who wields a 7 foot sword known as Dragon Slayer. When I say scarred, I mean to say someone has torn one of his eyes right out of its socket. He is the definition of badass and no one in their right mind would even consider crossing blades with him. When you play this game, it will feel as if you're watching a story taken straight out of an anime. Gatsu is accompanying his love, Casca, a once skilled female warrior who has since been robbed of her sanity. Needless to say, Gatsu is very protective of her. The game is full of cinematic sequences telling the tale of Gatsu as he travels in search of a cure for his love's affliction. Together, along with an elf called Puck who looks more like a naked fairy, they stumble on a group of bandits attacking some traveling performers. The moment Casca's life is threatened all hell breaks loose. However, a greater threat lays in wait: a parasitic plant which attaches itself to human hosts has spread across the land like wildfire. People talk in fear and in hushed tones about this menacing disease known only as the Mandragora...

Graphics
     > Many of the 3D character models are extremely detailed and rich in originality. The style of art is almost more impressive than the solid visuals of the game. The people infected by the Mandragora are especially well-designed with writhing tentacles sprouting from their arms and heads. Graphically and artistically, Gatsu himself in his dark metal armor and flowing black cape dare I say wouldn't look out of place in Soul Calibur. Some of the more generic characters, like the villagers weren't brought up to the same high standard, however, which was a shame (they seem very average in comparison). The in-game graphics are so good (clean, crisp, you name it) that they are used to render the game's many cutscenes without seeming any less expressive than CGI sequences (the level of detail apparent on some of the character models may trick your eyes into thinking you are watching CGI sequences in fact). The main characters benefit greatly from facial expressions and decent lip synching which is generally in tune with their spoken dialogue, but again, some of the minor characters don't benefit from the same level of detail at all. I find it distracting when words pass through still lips. Apart from these minor disparities, the game's graphics are otherwise perfect. The game environments are dark, detailed and bleak, perfectly portraying the setting of the game with no signs of any graphical shortcomings to break the atmosphere. There's no slowdown to speak of; that is to say, I didn't notice any slowdown while I was hacking and slashing my way through the armies of enemies each level sends in your direction. I have also never had any trouble with the game's camera angles; they always kept the enemy in my sights. Eidos Interactive didn't censor the gore in this game; on the contrary, Eidos increased the blood spray gushing out of your foes after you slice them to pieces. By the time you're finished with your hapless victims, blood will be spraying out of them like fountains.
Control
     > You can perform plenty of combination attacks and running/jumping attacks to satiate your bloodlust which are all quite comfortable to execute. The number of ways you can slice and dice your enemies into tiny fleshy pieces should be more than enough to quench your thirst for blood... if you're a fan of mindless violence. When Gatsu is cornered in a tight alleyway, his huge sword sometimes clashes against the walls and bounces back in mid-swing. In this situation, Gatsu can always resort to using his fists or an automatic crossbow mounted on his left arm. The drawback is both methods of attack are feeble at best. For a man who can wield a 7 foot sword, you'd think he could throw a powerful punch. Gatsu won't be relying on his sword 100% of the time, though; he can also throw grenades capable of knocking enemies to the ground. He can even launch a powerful explosive missile from a hand cannon which explodes into a nicely lit fireball. Grenades and missiles are both in short supply and so should be used wisely. Killing enemies charges Gatsu's blood meter, and when the meter reaches its limit, he goes berserk, which naturally increases his strength (his blood meter also gives him more life in his enraged state by substituting as his life bar until it reaches or is decreased to zero). You will know when Gatsu goes berserk instantly, because the screen and his eyes will turn blood red. While berserk, enemies will fall before his blade faster and walls will no longer stop him from swinging his blade. Overall, the controls are more or less manageable. The analog stick (used to move Gatsu) was made for games like this. 

     > Surprisingly, a number of quick time events are present in the game where you have to press a certain button within a split second to decide Gatsu's fate (like jumping in time to avoid a sudden pitfall). By failing a QTE you generally find yourself fighting through a harder path to the end of a level, but sometimes not reacting in time can cost Gatsu his life. The quick time events are nicely integrated into the game to the point where it wouldn't be quite the same without them.

Sound
     > The music is fitting (i.e. moody), and the English voice acting is some of the best I've ever heard. Rarely is a game's voice acting as believable as it is in Sword of the Berserk. The voices are full of genuine emotion and are well-suited to their respective characters. The sound effects are also great with nice sounds of Gatsu's sword cutting through the air and slicing through hostile creatures alike. When Dragon Slayer's wrath is focused on someone or something deserving of it, it really does sound like the sword is cutting through flesh. I also like the sound of metal clashing when Gatsu's sword hits a wall.
Fun
     > For good or for ill, the game uses an inordinate amount of cutscenes (up to an hour's worth in total) to push the story along. They are so frequent that you'll sometimes feel like you're watching a movie rather than playing a game. Just when the action is starting to heat up you will run headfirst into another cutscene; be prepared to appreciate the story the game has to tell. One could argue that there's too many cutscenes and not enough action. My only gripe with the game is its length, otherwise I have no real complaints. The game is too short to call itself a classic with only 6 boss encounters. Granted, the bosses are awesome and not as predictable as you might imagine, but I never expected the game to end so soon. The game even saves your progress every now and then, decreasing the replay value. Oh well. At least you can unlock loads of extra modes by completing the game on each of the three available difficulty settings (you won't be complaining about this game being too easy,  just being too short). You can even battle the bosses again in any order you choose. I must admit, I preferred Zombie Revenge over Sword of the Berserk merely because you can play with a friend, not to mention there are many different types of weapons at your disposal, but this game focuses on the single player experience a great deal more if you ask me. You also can't forget the fact that it's longer too.
Bottom Line
     > If you're a fan of the side scrolling beat 'em ups of yesteryear like Final Fight and Guardian Heroes, then you should find something redeeming in Sword of the Berserk's unapologetic hack and slash gameplay, as it does a good job of taking this old genre into the 3D realm. Slicing people in half with a 7 foot sword has never been so much fun. Those of you who hate this type of game will simply be incapable of appreciating it for what it is and have no right to judge it too harshly. The only real fault I can find with Sword of the Berserk is its length. The game is fun while it lasts and tells an intriguing story, but it just doesn't last long enough. Fans who are left wanting more can look forward to the forthcoming sequel published by Sammy of all companies (Sega's new owner) for the Playstation 2.
Ratings
Overall: 8.6 | Graphics: 9.0 | Control: 8.5 | Sound: 9.0 | Fun: 8.0
~ Geoffrey Duke ~

Shin Force ~ Dreamcast ~
Berserk / Sword of the Berserk: Guts' Rage
Dantares
Reviewed
01.27.2000
Publisher
ASCII (Japan)
Eidos (USA)
Developer
Yukes
Format
1x GD
Origin
Import / Domestic
Available
Dec. 15, 1999 (Japan)
Mar. 17, 2000 (USA)
Exclusive
Yes
Difficulty
Adjustable
Dimensions
3D
View
Dynamic 3rd Person
Genre
Action / Adventure
Player(s)
1
Options
Backup
Jump Pack
VGA Box
VMS/VMU
Requires
n/a
Importable
90%
Intro
     > When you think of how many great Streets of Rage - based (Genesis) action games have been released for our beloved Dreamcast, you sadly have to accept that there's only one. Of course, I'm not talking of Model 2 one hour jokes from Sega, Dynamite Cop or the limited and boring House of the Dead, or the overrated Zombie Revenge. I'm talking of ASCII and Yukes' piece of bloody art, Berserk.

     > In this game, based on the popular Kentaro Miura's manga, you take the role of Gatsu, "the hundred men killer" in his travel through Europe during the Middle Ages. Gatsu is a one - eyed and handed knight that suffers of a terrible omen that attracts to him (to his one man and a a half-sized sword, more accurately) all kinds of horrible monsters. As the title indicates, Gatsu easily becomes berserk and then his power and speed get doubled. Graphics and sound-wise, this game is the goriest ever!!

Graphics
     > One of the best graphic engines seen in Dreamcast to date. Textures are stunning, backgrounds and characters are a master work, especially the first ones -- all in 3D glory. The animations and facial designs are also more than acceptable. Characters look highly detailed, even Pak (the little Fairy that accompanies Gatsu). Camera work is highly cinematic as you can perfectly see the cool hero hacking and slashing everyone from a lot of views. Surprisingly, I didn't notice any grave camera gripe, something really worth a mention, if we think that almost every 3D game suffers from that problem.

     > Cut-scenes are abundant in the game (sometimes they have the incredible length of fifteen minutes (but they're so good that you will see them more than twice) -- of course, they can be skipped. Finally, a curious aspect of the game is the gray atmosphere in the graphics, everything looks dark, even in the sunniest of mornings. I suppose it's because of the sad nature of the story and the particular character of the game. Definitely, this wouldn't be a game to present to your smallest brother because the amount of blood in this game is enormous. You will see the screen covered with red the first time you slice a monster in two -- I hope Eidos is not censoring this...

Control
     > One of the most important aspects of a beat'em-up is the simplicity of the controls, and thankfully, this game is not an exception. You can move the sword using the A and B buttons (one for horizontal and other for vertical attacks). Of course, you can perform all the combos you can imagine with combinations of vertical and horizontal attacks. You can also jump, slide and use some support items like arrows and grenades. Sometimes Gatsu's sword is too big to be used (especially between buildings and things like that), then you need to use punch-based attacks.
Sound
     > Soundtrack is beautifully orchestrated and full of details, very cinematic, if you ask me. But sound is top-notch, you will hear Gatsu's dragonkiller moving through the air, clashes, enemies' screams and hundreds of realistic sounds that really make you feel like being in a chaotic battlefield. And finally, voice acting is as good as the rest of the game (I prefer a subbed version when the game makes it to the US and Europe).
Fun
     > This game is an adrenaline discharge, levels are a bloodfest with dozens of enemies attacking you at once (a new feature since every old school beat'em-up never counted with more than three or four enemies at a time). So you start killing and slashing everyone until you reach the boss. Bosses are huge and impressive, each one has its own style, so you will have to think different strategies to beat them. But overall, the game idea is simple, button mashing from starting to end, nothing bad in my opinion.

     > One of the reasons you will be hooked on this great game is the bonus box. Different kinds of prizes you can win if you beat the game in different difficulties (mini-games, art gallery, movies, etc...). This makes this game an specially long action title since it becomes a hard task in the highest levels. About the only problem in this game is the lack of a two player mode.

Bottom Line
     > The true first Dreamcast beat'em-up masterpiece, not for everyone due to the tons of violence it contains, but definitely one of the best games to look for this year.
Ratings
Overall: 9.0 | Graphics: 9.0 | Control: 8.5 | Sound: 9.5 | Fun: 9.0
~ Dantares ~

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