Vectorman
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| Vectorman | |
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| Developer(s) | BlueSky Software |
| Publisher(s) | Sega |
| Release date(s) |  October 24, 1995 November 30, 1995 |
| Genre(s) | platform game |
| Mode(s) | Single player |
| Rating(s) | ESRB: Kids to Adults (K-A) |
| Platform(s) | Sega Mega Drive/Genesis, PlayStation 2, PlayStation Portable, Mobile Phone, Virtual Console |
| Media | Cartridge |
Vectorman is a platform video game created by Sega and BlueSky Software for use on the Sega Mega Drive/Genesis system. It was released on October 24th, 1995 in North America [1] and on November 30th, 1995 in Europe. The game is also a part of the Sega Genesis Collection for the PlayStation 2 and PlayStation Portable. It is slated for release on the Wii Virtual Console.
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[edit] Story
In 2049, the human population of Earth embarks on a migratory voyage to try and colonize other planets. They leave mechanical "orbots" to clean up the mess they made on Earth through littering and pollution. Raster, a high-level orbot who watches Earth through a planetwide computer network, is accidentally attached to a working nuclear missile by a lesser orbot and goes insane, becoming an evil dictator named Warhead. He declares himself ruler of Earth, and begins preparing to execute any humans who dare return to their planet.
Enter Vectorman, a humble orbot in charge of cleaning up toxic sludge by simply discharging it into the sun. As he lands on Earth after his last trip, he finds chaos and confusion. Because all the other Orbots are controlled by Warhead, Vectorman takes it upon himself to destroy the errant orbot and restore peace to Earth.
[edit] Game
Vectorman, as the name suggests, uses pre-rendered 3D models in its level and character designs. This gives the game a smooth, computer-generated feel. The original name of the villain, Warhead, was Raster - as in raster graphics, the opposite of vector graphics.
The game itself is a straightforward 2D action platformer. Vectorman is an orbot (something like a robot) powered with a ball gun in his hand; powerups include a machine gun, "bolo" gun, and triple-fire guns.
Vectorman possesses the ability to transform, through the use of powerups, into several different forms - including a drill, to cut through floors; a bomb, to destroy all surrounding enemies; and an aquatic form, useful for swimming underwater. In addition to powerup transformations, 3 levels host unique morphed forms with which to combat bosses in. Overall, the game consists of 16 levels.
[edit] Stages
- Terraport
- Metalhead (as a Train)
- Tidal Surge
- Absolute Zero
- Arctic Ridge
- Bamboo Mill
- Rock N' Roller (as Cricket)
- Death Alley
- Hydroponic Lab
- Super Structure
- Stayin' Alive (as Dancin' Fool)
- Nightscape
- Dark Ruins
- Underground Vault
- Worldlink Center
- Twist and Shout (Final Battle)
[edit] Power-Ups and Morphs
Vectorman posses the ability to collect power-ups from destroyed tv sets. These power-ups could be photons, weapon upgrades, or morphs.
Weapons:
- Ball Gun (standard)
- Bolo Gun
- Nucleus Shield
- Orb Gun
- Rapid-fire Gun
- Wave Gun
Morphs:
- Drill
- Bomb
- Jet
- Fish
- Missile
- Buggy
- Parachute
Other Power-Ups:
- Save Point
- Photons (extra points)
- Extra Life
- Extra Time
Health Power-ups
Health Point, Full Health Points, Max Health Point
Multipliers
2x, 3x, 5x, and 10x
[edit] Sequels
Vectorman 2 was produced for the Mega Drive/Genesis, and released in 1996.
A Vectorman game for the Sony PlayStation 2 was announced in 2003, but was soon cancelled. Initial reports criticized the game heavily for deviating from the Genesis titles by turning the game into a first-person shooter similar to Halo or Red Faction. It is believed this criticism was responsible for the game's cancellation.
Sonic Gems Collection has both Vectorman and its sequel as unlockable extras. In Japan, this is in addition to the Streets of Rage titles and Bonanza Bros.; in the American release, the games are on their own. For a time it was thought that the US and European releases were getting the games as exclusives to make up for the lack of the Streets of Rage games (removed to keep the game's rating at E for Everyone and at PEGI 3+), but this was not the case, as they are also present in the Japanese release although the original games were never released in that region. Vectorman can be unlocked by playing the compilation for at least 5 hours or by having a save file of Sonic Heroes or Sonic Mega Collection on the memory card.
Sega Genesis Collection (known in Europe as Sega Mega Drive Collection) also features Vectorman and its sequel, this time as games available from the beginning.
[edit] Secrets
Programmed Cheats
By opening the games secret option menu, you learn that Vectorman's full name is "Refus Q. Orbot". This menu is accessed by going to the options screen and quickly pressing "A B B A Down A B B A", spelling ABBADABBA. A secret menu will open that lets the player change Vectorman's lives, health, starting stage, and starting weapon. Using this menu disables the ending of the game. Instead a screen will be displayed saying, "Congratulations. Now play without cheating."
Vectorman possesses an interesting method for legitimate cheats by "spelling" words using the keypad. A, B, C, L for Left, U for Up, R for Right, D for Down.
- ABBADABBA - Menu, including level select. (As mentioned above.)
- ABRACADABRA - Refill life meter.
- CALLACAB (Call a Cab) - Turns you into "taxi".
- CALLDAD (Call Dad) - Weapon select.
- DRACULA - Slow-motion.
Secret Game
On the Sega logo screen, Vectorman can move freely about. Move Vectorman off the logo before the screen shifts and you can unlock a secret game. By headbutting the logo 12 times, then shooting it 24 times, the words "Get Ready" will appear and the letters S, E, G, and A will begin falling from overhead. Catching 90-109 of these letters will make the game begin at level 5. Catching 110 or more letters will make the game start at level 10.
Also on this screen, standing to the right side and firing upward will destroy a television. Inside is a power-up which can be used to destroy the SEGA sign.
Help Menu
Whilst not a cheat, going to the Options Menu and pressing ABBA Up provides a new help menu describing all power-ups and items in the entire game.
