Criticom
| Criticom | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Developer(s) | Kronos Digital Entertainment |
| Publisher(s) | Vic Tokai |
| Platform(s) | PlayStation, Saturn |
| Release date(s) | PS
|
| Genre(s) | Fighting game |
| Mode(s) | Single player, multiplayer |
Criticom is a 3D fighting game developed by Kronos Digital Entertainment and originally released in November 1995 in the USA, March 1996 in Europe and October 1996 in Japan by Vic Tokai for the PlayStation. The Sega Saturn version was released in early 1997.
Gameplay
The fighting action takes place on a round, elevated platform. Each fighter begins the fight with a full power meter and one power meter refill in reserve that is activated when the primary meter is depleted. Thus, there are no rounds. The fight runs until one fighter is knocked out (no more power in their meter), one is knocked out of the arena (or steps/jumps out), or the time runs out. As the game progresses, the player gains access to two additional "levels" for the character, which unlocks new moves and gives the character a new appearance.
Plot
Two alien races, the Nezom and Zerai clans obtained a powerful crystalline stone called "The Relic," and anointed themselves "The Chosen Ones." The Chosen Ones used this power to subjugate the other races, exterminating those that failed to comply. After this era of war, The Chosen Ones began to enjoy an new age of peace. However, The Relic was stolen and The Chosen Ones' power was shaken. Now, warriors from all over the universe seek the relic, each with their own ambitions.
Characters
- Dayton Trent - A solitary mercenary and treasure hunter that was hired by The Chosen Ones to find The Relic. He plans to sell the Relic to the highest bidder, retire, and then take up fishing.
- Delara Zerai - The Zerai clan rejects the use of technology and relies, instead, on pure skill. Delara was assigned to guard The Relic, but her Nezom partner was killed and she failed to apprehend the thief. Now, she seeks to hunt down the thief, restoring her honor.
- Demonica - A being from an alternate dimension. Her motives are unclear, but she possesses a stone similar to The Relic in her own world, and knows that with two stones she will reign supreme and plunge the universe into darkness.
- Sgt. Exene Dulait - Raised in the military of a war-torn planet, Exene came to loath the senseless destruction she witnessed. She seeks to obtain The Relic, and use its power to bring an end to the wars on her planet.
- Gorm - A member of a dying race called the Dorlons. His people believe that the Relic gave birth to their race. He seeks to fulfill the prophecy that a champion will return The Relic to the Dorlons and save the race.
- S.I.D. - Product of a twisted experiment, the Sentient Integrated Droids wander the wilderness with one goal: destroy all carbon based life forms.
- Sonork Nezom - His brother was heir to the throne, but was wounded while trying to defend The Relic. Sonork seized the opportunity and murdered his wounded brother, and now seeks to retrieve The Relic and become Emperor.
- Yenji - Her family was killed during the War Era, and she was forced to seek refuge in caves. There, she honed her combat skills and now seeks to destroy The Relic and bring the reign of The Chosen One's to an end.
Reception
The first news and screenshots of the game sparked an enthusiastic reaction from VideoGames, which called it "one of the coolest fighting game experiences in a long time".[1] PlayStation Magazine gave the full version a score of 7/10, calling it "a challenging combat game that only reveals its depth with time".[2] However, GamePro named the Saturn version the worst fighting game of the year, stating it is "even worse" than the PlayStation version of the previous season.[3]
Legacy
The game spawned two semi-sequels, Dark Rift and Cardinal Syn.