Reviewed
01.24.2001
Publisher
Sega
Developer
AM2
Format
GD
Origin
Import/Domestic
Available
Jan.
18, 2001 (Japan)
Mar.
20, 2001 (USA)
Exclusive
Yes
Difficulty
Adjustable
Dimensions
3D
View
Floating
side
Genre
Fighter
Player(s)
1-2
Options
Arcade
Stick
Backup
11
Internet
Rumble
VGA
Box
Requires
n/a
Importable
100% |
INTRO:
> The Fighting Vipers 2 arcade version is a very rare Model 3 game.
Thanks to its conversion to the Uberconsole by AM2 of CRI (parent company
of Sega), this great effort has a chance to reach a much bigger market.
AM2 had a hit with the first Fighting
Vipers, so they didn't branch too far off from that groove in the sequel.
The game still features hand-to-hand combat with a Virtua-esque feel to
the gameplay. As you'll soon find out, Fighting Vipers 2 (FV2) for
Dreamcast is no slouch...
> If you want this game early via importing the Japanese release, then
you're in luck. The game is 100% importable, as everything is in
English already. It's safe to assume, therefore, that FV2's American
debut is being deliberately timed.
GRAPHICS:
> Hot, hot, hot! Although not as good as Dead
or Alive 2, FV2 is definitely a step up from the arcade original.
The character models are highly detailed, and move with classic AM2 smoothness.
You people can probably guess who looks the best... [cough]... Honey.
I do recommend using a VGA Box, as your eyes will really be able to appreciate
all the detail.
> Also making a return is the destructible arenas. There is nothing
cooler than to watch your opponent go crashing through a wall in style!
Of course, the locales have been significantly upgraded, as compared to
the first game. Some of the arenas you'll fight in are "Skies of
Armstone", "Serpent's Cage", "Terror Furnace", and "Marble Arena".
I can't remember the actual name of the city tower level, but that one
is my favorite. It's very much like the city level in the first game
(maybe it's nostalgia).
CONTROL:
> Absolutely tight, man. Take the original game and add some new
moves, and you get FV2 (in a nut shell). The gameplay is still based
on the three button punch, kick, guard system. Certain button combinations
and/or D-pad movements yield a plethora of highly realistic martial arts
moves. Hit combos, dodging, running, and recovery are still in the
mix as well. One addition is the ability to knock an opponent over
the wall (with a carefully placed blow) of a given arena, therefore winning
the fight. Another would be a super move, which is available under certain
circumstances.
SOUND:
> I loved the music of the first game, so I'm happy to report nothing has
changed. FV2's music is just like the original, and even features
some remixes of old tunes. Specifically, this game contains some
great hard rocking songs laced with great keyboard melodies. Even
if you don't like it (hard to believe), you can adjust the sound level.
> The game's sound effects are great too. The hits sound hard, and
they're perfectly timed. One thing the import doesn't have is Japanese
speech. There is some occasional voice effects when performing certain
moves though. Some backgrounds even have environmental effects.
For instance, the carrier deck features jet aircraft noises.
FUN:
> FV2 moves fast and looks great. The animation and graphic style
are intriguing. You get at least four new characters (Emi and Charlie
immediately; Kuhn and Delsol later) to choose from. Game modes include
Arcade, Versus, Random, Survival, and Training. You know it...
play this game with a friend for maximum enjoyment.
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