0 to Z of Playstation 1 Games - Bloody Roar

      

Bloody Roar is an action fighting game developed by Raizing for the games Arcade and Playstation release. Hudson Soft published the Japanese release of the game, while Virgin Interactive would publish the game in Europe and SCEA in North America.

The game released first in Arcades in Japan on the 7^th of July 1997, the games Playstation release came first in Japan on the 6^th of November 1997, the North American release of the game would come in January of 1998 with a March 1998 release for PAL regions.

Notable people who worked on this game, Kenji Fukuya worked on the whole Blood Roar series up until the final release in the series in 2003 with Bloody Roar Extreme and Bloody Roar 4. Fukuya worked as Production Director on Bloody Roar as well as Bloody Roar II, and worked as Design Director on all of the Bloody Roar titles.

Basic movement for your fighter in the ring is done with the D-Pad using left or right, you can both jump and crouch with your character using up on the D-Pad to jump and down on the D-Pad to crouch. One of the key mechanics in the game is the Beast mode, this is activated using the Circle face button.

Standard moves are also done with the face buttons, to punch an opponent the Square button Is used, a kick is done with the X button. Combining the two buttons will allow you to throw your opponant, you can also throw a crouching opponent by pressing down on the D-Pad plus the Punch and Kick buttons.

The beast mode cannot be used at any time, instead a bar underneath the characters health bar will slowly fill as the match progresses, once this bar has been filled and the B begins to flash then you can hit the circle button to enter your characters beast mode.

When you transform your character into their beast mode a small amount of health is restored around 20% of your total health. As you attack while in beast mode you beast gauge will slowly decrease, eventually turning a red colour when nearly empty, once empty the beast mode ends and the character returns to normal.

Also in beast mode the rave button becomes available, this can be activated or deactivated on the games main menu screen. This mode of beast form is activated using the Triangle button, this mode is an early version of the hyper beast form that would appear in later games in the series.

When you hit the triangle button in beast mode, the recovery time between combos is eliminated, giving the fighter ten times the speed they would normally have, this is at the cost of your beast gauge however, when the beast bar runs out when in rave mode one hit could be enough to end the beast transformation. Also when your opponent is down on the ground and you are in beast mode you can pounce on them.

The game allows you to dash both forwards and backwards, this is done by tapping either forward or back on the D-Pad twice. You can also run but only forwards, this is one by tapping forwards on the D-Pad then pressing and holding the forwards.

You can also perform air attacks, these include a mid air slam, which can be done by pressing forwards ad punch or back and punch. Another one of these air attacks is the rushing low punch, this is done just before your opponant lands by pressing down and holding the Punch button.

Each character has eight separate move sections, these range from your standard moves, to the beast mode moves as well as special moves, rushing attacks and combos as well as others. In order to perform one of your characters special moves you will need to perform either a quarter circle forwards or a quarter circle backwards.

To perform a quarter circle forwards, on the D-Pad you press down, then down/forward followed by forward. After pressing this combination using the punch or kick button will allow you to perform one of your characters special moves.

The game offers three main modes of play, the first is your standard arcade mode, this mode has the player choosing from one of the available eight characters. After choosing their character they will have to face off against the other fighters over eight stages, with fighting being best of three. Once you have defeated the other fighters the final fight of the Arcade mode is against Uriko, a victim of experiments and brainwashing by Tylon.

The second mode of play on offer is the Versus mode, this mode allows you to either take on the computer in a one on one match, or another human player. The game also has an extra mode, this mode has three additional sub modes, these are time attack, survival and a practice mode.

In the late 20^th century, the rapidly burgeoning population and rapid technological developments have changed the Earth environment n many way, as a result of the carelessness of the human race the Earth and humanity are facing an environmental disaster.

Humans, who once gave birth to a flourishing civilization are heading for collapse, the earth is exposed to serious damage through the self destructive acts of mankind. All the while Bestial powers lurk in some of the genes of the population.

Few know of the existence of Zoanthropes, a race of creatures whose unique physiology allows them to transform from humans into animals and back again. This mysterious genetic code was discovered when analyzing the human genome, the gene was considered nothing more than a background anomaly because it failed to mach any human characteristics.

It was however discovered that if this gene was stimulated, it would awaken the characteristics and capabilities of other species, that were latent in the hum body, the resulting beings that were unleashed by activating this dormant gene possess superhuman physical strength and agility.

The result A human-beast amalgam and the development of the Zoanthropic phenomenon, and thus a new sub species of human that could transform its body and characteristics these sub species begin appearing all over the world.

A project team from the Tylon Organisation, a multinational corporation seeks to kidnap, breed and train these Zoanthropes. Hoping to assemble a nearly indestructible fighting army to take over the world, while some of the Zoanthropes join willingly, others fight against the Organization to avenge the deaths and disappearances of their own kind.

Critically the game was well received by many critics with the game peaking at an impressive 90 along with a good number of review scores in the 80s range. The majority of the games critic reviews did not fall below a decent 70, with an above average and a below average review score at the bottom end of the review scale.

As usual we will start with the best of them, which comes from Portuguese outlet Mega Score, the reviewer commented on the game coming from highly creative minds, the review also praised the premise of the fighters turning into fearsome beasts in their 90 rated review.

We head over to Germany for the next two reviews, the first of which comes from Mega Fun who rated the game at a very good 87. the review heaped praise on Hudson Soft for their work on the game, commenting that the Bomberman inventors have put down such a tester grenade straight away.

They continued by saying, Bloody Roar has all the ingredients needed for an excellent beat’em up. The reviewer also praised the transformation mechanic for turning into beasts calling it awesome. They also praised the gameplay calling it dynamic, simply rousing and enthralling.

Fellow German publication Video Games are next up with their 86 rated review, with the reviewer praising the first game from Raizing calling it a remarkable debut. The review also praised the hand drawn animations of the characters, especially in their monster form.

For the next review we head to France and the publication Joystick who also rated the game at an 86. The reviewer only finding one problem with the game, that being the lack of fighters with only 8 in the roster, that being said each one has two forms which puts an end to all this controversy over the limited number of fighters.

Absolute Playstation are next up with a good 85 review score for the game. the review praised the games excellent visual and sound effects, but it’s the gameplay that usually lets down most fighting games, not so in this case.

The reviewer commented that the game plays as good as It looks and belongs up there with the most prestigious beat’em ups available on Playstation. Concluding the reviewer said, furthermore the beast morph allows the game to stand firmly on its own, without being tagged a Soul Blade or Tekken clone.

PSM magazine were next with with a good solid 80 score for the game, the reviewer saying the following. From excellent graphics and effects all the way down to the tight playability, Bloody Roar features everything a fighter needs to be successful.

The only real issue the review had with the game was the character design, which the reviewer found weak with nothing too exciting about any of the characters to help distinguish them from the other fighters. Concluding the reviewer said. Overall Bloody Roar is a quality fighting game with plenty of depth to warrant your purchase.

Heading to the other end of the ratings scale we find Gamezilla who rated the game at a respectable 78, the review saying if you are a die hard fighter fan and must own every fighting game made, you should be fairly satisfied with this game. they continued by saying, for the more casual fighting fan, you will find the game entertaining but nothing revolutionary.

GameSpot are next up with a 77 rated review, the reviewer calling the game one of the more original and exciting fighting games to come along this year. They continued by saying, while it probably won’t compete with the likes of Tekken 3, it is still a solidly fun fighter with an original take on the genre.

We head over to Spain for the next review which comes from Meristation, the reviewer has not had much experience with 3D fighting games, but the review found that Bloody Roar is one of the best that has gone through their hands.

The reviewer found the game to be addictive with action in abundance, the reviewer particularly liked the gore mode in which characteristic effects represented by stars become jets of red liquid, the review also liked some of the special effects, they also liked the ease of making combos in the game.

Official US Playstation Magazine are next up with their 70 rated review, the reviewer finding that the game sports loads of interesting options, most notably the ability to transform from human to beast at will. The reviewer also praised the games quick fighting engine and intuitive controls.

Concluding however the reviewer found that the games overall low level of difficulty prevent it from being truly great. They continued by saying, still it’s a solid and interesting addition to the Playstation’s stable of fighting games.

The penultimate review comes from The Video Game Critic, the reviewer found the ability to knock your opponent through the arena wall to be a nice addition to the game. Overall however they found the characters to be unbalanced, with one certain character seemingly being overpowered compared to the rest of the roster. The reviewer did however praise the games number options and Easter Eggs which adds to the game re-playability.

The final review comes from HonestGamers who rated the game at a below average 40, the reviewer finding that although the game has many bright spots, the overall product is weak and does not come recommended. The reviewer found the gameplay to be flat, with attacks lacking speed and the breath of techniques paling in comparison to games like Tekken. 

This is the part of 0 to Z where is visit four online retailers and see what the availability of the title is, and what price you would be looking at if you wanted to pick this title up, the sites that I will be using for this are Amazon.com, eStarland.com, retrogames.co.uk and Gamedude.com I know the last one is very location specific, but from a podcast I listen to, I’ve heard they have a huge stock of older games, Ebay has now been dropped unless the game is unavailable at other retailers.

So lets get down to business with Gamedude, where if you are looking to trade in your copy of Bloody Roar at Gamedude, you will be looking at $10 for your copy of the game. If on the other hand if you are in the market for a copy, you will be looking at an outlay of $19.

Heading over to Retrogames.co.uk next we find that game is not available or even listed, so we will quickly move on to eStarland.com. At eStarland we find the game listed, but at the time of writing the game is currently out of stock. When in stock the game has a usual price of between $12.24 and $25.50.

Also on offer at eStarland.com we find a trade in for the game, this trade in offers a bonus of an addition $7.15 on top of the usual trade in price of $13. bringing the trade in price for a complete copy of the game to $20.15, this price will however fluctuate depending on the completeness of your copy, with a disc only copy worth just $7.05 at trade in.

Lastly we move on to Amazon.com where we find the game is listed, and we find a modest supply of the game on offer, sadly we find  the entire first page of listings being incomplete or disc only copies of the game so we will more quickly on to the second page of listings.

The first complete copy of the North American version of the game on offer we find is in very good condition and price up at $30, this is shipped by Amazon so comes with free shipping. Another couple of very good condition and complete copies are available for $31.99 and $32.50.

If you are looking for a better condition used copy of the game you will be looking at $54 for the cheapest like new copy of the game. The second like new copy that is currently on the market will set you back a steep $133.49.

In addition to the used copies of the North American version of Bloody Roar, there is one new copy of the game that is available. This new copy however will set you back a huge amount of money, with the copy on offer priced at $203.96.

In Addition to the North American version of the game we find a healthy supply of the Japanese version of the game, with a good or very good condition of this imported version available from $8 and upwards, while used prices do continue to rise steadily they generally remain cheaper than the cheapest complete North American used version of the game.

In addition to the used copies of the Japanese version of the game we also find a healthy supply of new copies of the game available, with prices starting from $27.63, with the vast majority of copies that are on offer coming with free shipping. Prices for a new copy of the Japanese version of the game are currently peaking at around the $55 mark.

Written by

P J Gibbon