Robot Warlords

Robot Warlords

European box art
Developer(s) Dazz
Publisher(s)
Platform(s) PlayStation 2
Release date(s)
  • JP August 10, 2000
  • EU December 14, 2001
Genre(s) Turn based Tactical role-playing game
Mode(s) Single-player
Distribution CD-ROM

Robot Warlords, known as Velvet File (ヴェルベット) in Japan, is a turn based RPG created by Dazz. It was first released in Japan in 2000 under the title Velvet File.[1] It was published in Europe in 2001 by Midas Interactive under the name Robot Warlords.[2] The storyline features mecha fighting in a war against a terrorist organisation; the player can have a team of up to six characters, though only four can be used in a battle. The mecha themselves are state of the art technology that run on batteries, and can be customised with a variety of melee and ranged weapons, allowing for different strategies.

The game was followed by a Japan-only sequel, Velvet File Plus (ヴェルベットファイル).

Synopsis

In the year 2002, splinter factions from within the military are declaring a coup d'etat using robots called Bullets. As a member of the government forces, you must crush this rebellion before Tokyo is plunged into an all out war.[3]

Characters

Shuji Kamiyama: A 25-year-old civilian, he became a pilot for Jounouchi Manufacturing after seeing a recruitment advert for a new generation of cars. Despite being unexperienced, Shuji learned quickly and gained considerable skill as a bullet pilot. He dislikes arguments but is considered impulsive and hot blooded.

Kasumi Jounouchi: A former private of the JGSDF (Japan Ground Self-Defense Force), she was orphaned when her parents died in an accident. She has experience with bullets due to riding in some in her grandfather's workshop at a young age. She was ordered by her superiors to join the SDF but was not shortlisted as a pilot due to her grandfather's wishes.

Yuzou Tokunaga: A former Second Lieutenant in the JGSDF, he was one of the first test pilots for the bullets in the development phase, and even took part in secret demonstrations reserved for higher-ranking officers, but was unreasonably denied as a test pilot due to his age and academic record. He eventually joined Jounouchi Manufacturing as a test pilot.

Youko Nakatani: A former Warrant Officer in the JGSDF, she appeared on recruitment posters as "Miss SDF"; however, her ambitions led her to apply as a test pilot for the bullets. Although she passed all the tests, she was denied as her superiors did not want to lose a popular SDF figure, and she was instead sent to join Jounouchi Manufacturing. She does not get along well with the other pilots initially, but later begins to take on the role of an older sister towards them.

Akira Kawashima: A former Sergeant 3rd Class of the JGSDF, she is a live wire and joined the SDF because she felt like she could take on the world. Despite her good results on the aptitude tests, she was denied the role of test pilot due to her wild behaviour. She is a member of a local band and enjoys karaoke and motorbike riding.

Naoki Mori: A former Private 3rd Class of the JGSDF, he enjoys tinkering with machines and joined the SDF as part of the engineering corps. His experience with bullets led him to apply as a test pilot, but he was denied due to his overenthusiasm for machines, leading him to join Jounouchi Manufacturing. He has a serious but placid nature and enjoys games and comics.

Masami Honda: A former Staff General of the JGSDF, his background is unknown. As a Staff General he took part in mock battles where he received bullet training. He reluctantly applied to become a test pilot under orders from his superiors but this reluctance led him to fail, after which he was sent to Jounouchi Manufacturing. He was rumored to have defeated Major Urano in war games, who at the time was undefeated.

Kazami Saeki: A Major in the JGSDF, he graduated from the National Academy of Japan with top marks and became one of the nation's elite technocrats. He is strict and willing to achieve his aims by any means necessary, but he also has a warm heart and is considerate towards others. He enjoys chess and shōji (Japanese chess).

Iwao Jounouchi: Head of Jounouchi Manufacturing and a professor in engineering. He was invited to the SDF after writing a thesis on bipedal weapons, but resigned after a difference in opinion. He continues to develop his own ideal bullets in his workshop.

Yoshimasa Urano: A Colonel in the JGSDF, he was one of the elite technocrats in the 'uniformed brigade' of the SDF. He is a rationalist, but extremely charismatic. His popularity with units within the SDF led him to secretly form an army to take part in the uprising against the government.

Ryouhei Nagatsuka: A Second Lieutenant in the JGSDF and a subordinate of Colonel Urano, he is sympathetic towards his superior's personality and ideas. He flourished as a sharp and practical commander during the coup; he has many skills as a soldier and is considered powerful but fair by his subordinates. He joined the rebellion after becoming dissatisfied with his role in the SDF, "an army which does not fight."[4]

References

  1. ↑ "Robot Warlords Release Information for PlayStation 2". GameFAQs. Retrieved 2010-11-11.
  2. ↑ Miguel Lopez. "First look: Robot Warlords". GameSpot. Retrieved 2010-10-16.
  3. ↑ http://www.gamesmonster.co.uk/forms/SalesGameDetails.aspx?id=1065
  4. ↑ Robot Warlords instruction booklet pages 3 to 6.