Power Stone

Power Stone
Developer(s)	Capcom, Klein Computer Entertainment (PSP)
Publisher(s)	Capcom, Eidos (Europe)[1][2]
Designer(s)	Tatsuya Nakae Hideaki Itsuno
Composer(s)	Tetsuya Shibata
Platform(s)	Arcade, Dreamcast, PSP (Power Stone Collection)
Release date(s)	Arcade JP February 13, 1999 NA 1999 EU 1999 Dreamcast JP February 25, 1999 NA September 9, 1999 EU October 14, 1999 Playstation Portable JP November 30, 2006 NA October 31, 2006 EU October 20, 2006
Genre(s)	Arena Fighting
Mode(s)	Single-player, Multiplayer
Distribution	GD-ROM, UMD

Power Stone is a fully 3D arena fighting game series made by Capcom. Power Stone was initially released on the Sega NAOMI hardware^[3] and later ported to the Dreamcast. In February 2006, Capcom ported the entire series to the PlayStation Portable with a few enhancements: most notably, the PSP version of the original Power Stone included the four new characters introduced in Power Stone 2. An anime TV series based on the game ran in 1999 from April 3 to September 25.

The original Power Stone featured ten characters.

Gameplay

Gameplay involves selecting a character and then proceeding to battle the other characters, one at a time, in various locales. The three-dimensional fighting includes the ability to use special attacks as well as to pick up and fight with such objects as tables, chairs, rocks and bombs. During battle, "Power Stones", resembling gems of different colors, appear in the arena. If a character collects three Power Stones, he/she transforms into a more powerful version of himself/herself. He/she will then be able to use one of two super special attacks: generally a massive long-range power attack and a grab or close-range move. The powered-up mode only lasts until the power bar is fully drained, during which the special attack can be executed (which completely depletes the power bar) or other, lesser special moves can be executed (which only use a small portion of power). Each match continues until the life bar of one of the two characters fighting is depleted.

Plot

Set in the 19th century, strong believers of legends, myths and superstition search for fame, fortune and glory. One legend above all is sought after by many, a treasure which can make any dream come true. Believers from all over the world set out to search for this treasure, and are forced to fight against one another in pursuit of the legendary Power Stone.

Characters

There are 10 characters in the original Power Stone.

• Edward Falcon (エドワード・フォッカ, Edowādo Fokka, Edward Fokker), known as Fokker in the Japanese version, is the main character of Power Stone. Aged 21 and weighing 160 pounds, Fokker measures 5' 11" and has a fighting style of boxing. He is the son of Pride Falcon, who is playable in Power Stone 2 after unlocking him. He is from Londo (a reference to London). When in Power Change, he is known as the Red Whirlwind. Falcon's Japanese name is a reference to the Fokker, the plane he is seen in. This was possibly removed in the English version because of the inappropriate puns that would follow. His Power Change is a similar hybrid to Iron Man.
• Wang-Tang (ワンタン, Wantan) is from the town of Tong-An. Wang-Tang is age 19, weighs 123 pounds, measures 5'5". When Wang-Tang picks up an item, he says "lucky", where the other characters in Power Stone speak Japanese. Wang-Tang's Power Fusion resembles moves from a Super Saiyan from the Dragon Ball series. He is known as the Agile Dragon when in Power Change.
• Ryoma (リョーマ, Ryōma) is from the town of Mutsu (reference to Mutsu). Ryoma is age 19, weighs 134 pounds, measures 5'7". When in Power Change, he is known as the Master Swordsman which could be seen as a composite of the Silver Samurai and the Ronin Warriors.
• Ayame (あやめ, Ayame) is a ninja from the town of Oedo (reference to Edo). Ayame is age 16, weighs 93 pounds, measures 5'2". Her power drives and fusions involve shurikens. When in Power Change, she is known as the Cherry Blossom Dancer.
• Rouge (ルージュ, Rūju) is a fortune teller from the town of Mahdad (reference to Baghdad). Rouge is age 23, weighs 105 pounds, measures 5'6" and has a Gypsy Dancing fighting style. When in Power Change, she is known as the Scorching Beauty. Her design looks similar to Pullum from the Street Fighter EX series and Shantae from the Shantae series.
• Jack's (ジャック, Jakku) age is unknown. It is rumored that he could be around 40 years old, but the anime has mentioned he is over 100 years old. He weighs 112 pounds, measures 6'3", and has an original fighting style. He and Ryoma are the only two characters in the original Power Stone who wield a weapon. Jack is from the town of Manches (reference to Manchester). He is likely a reference to Jack the Ripper (a paper in his ending calls him "Jack the Slayer"). When in Power Change, he is known as the Mad Clown.
• Gunrock (ガンロック, Ganrokku) is from the town of Dawnvolta. He is age 38, weighs 440 pounds, measures 6'4". When in Power Change, he is known as the Heavy Tank which bears a resemblance to The Thing from Marvel Comic's Fantastic Four.
• Galuda (ガルーダ, Garūda) is from the town of Dullstown. Galuda is age 34, weighs 242 pounds, measures 6'7". When in Power Fusion, he is known as the Proud Eagle, in which he looks similar to a totem pole. His appearance is similar to that of Thunder Hawk from the game Super Street Fighter II.
• Kraken (クラケン, Kuraken) is a pirate from Power Stone. He, like Valgas, is an unlockable character. Kraken is from a pirate ship in Skull Haven. Kraken's age is unknown, weighs 198 pounds, measures 6'11 and has a buccaneer fighting style. When in Power Change, he is known as Ghost Pirate. His name is a reference to the kraken, along with his nickname, King Octopus.
• Valgas (バルガス, Barugasu) is a character from Power Stone. He is from the island of Avalon Island. Valgas's age is unknown, weighs 264 pounds, measures 7'10 and has a wrestling fighting style. He is a very powerful character and is quite fast. His name may be a reference to Vulgus, Capcom's first game.
• Apollus (アポルス, Aporusu) is the annoying butler of Edward's (Fokker) and is told by Pride and Edward that he's "over-dramatic". He is known as Don Quixote and resembles a knight when he uses the Power Change.

Reception

Power Stone was generally well received by reviewers, with IGN stating "PowerStone is a must-have Dreamcast game. Go get it."^[4] and giving it an 8.7/10 score.

GameSpot was slightly less approving of the game, giving it a 7.6/10 and telling players to "Expect to enjoy it immensely for the first week or two, but don't expect to find very much long-term fun."^[5]

In Japan, Famitsu magazine scored the game a 34 out of 40.^[6]

Legacy

A sequel was created in 2000 called Power Stone 2, which featured the original cast (minus the hidden characters Kraken and Valgas) as well as several new characters.

The sequel features the same three dimensional combat system, but now allows up to four players to play simultaneously. There are new maps, some of which contain multiple areas and moving sections. The sequel also features an entirely new arsenal of weapons, from futuristic handguns to gigantic mallets, and magic wands to vehicles. Players can collect these items in a special "Adventure" mode; they can then be traded at a special "Item Shop", or combined together to form new items.

A remake of the first two games has been released for the PSP under the name Power Stone Collection. This collection contains slightly updated versions of both games on one UMD.

A lone Power Stone Manga from KC BomBom Comic was issued on 15 March 1999.^[7] The anime is mostly based on this and the previewed graphics can be found in Dreamcast official site.^[8]

References

External links

• Power Stone at SEGA-NAOMI.com
• Power Stone (anime) at Anime News Network's encyclopedia