The fist game released on the CPS3.
Overview
Red Earth, or Warzard as it is known in Japan, was the first game produced by Capcom for their CPS III arcade system. The idea was to take the then very successful fighting game formula and make a more single player orientated experience. The failure of the game within the arcade sector points to the failure of this idea; so much so that many believe this game signed the CPS III death warrant before it even got started.
Graphics 9/10
Whatever the faults with the gameplay (see below), it is difficult to fault the graphics and design of Red Earth.
Using CPS III allowed the Capcom artists to go beyond the limits of CPS II, utilising a much expanded pallet, full screen scaling and faultless animation.
More important is the use they put the graphics to. Character designs of the four playable characters while fairly generic (Leo: Warrior, Tessa: Wizard, Kenji: Ninja and Mai Ling: Martial Artist), have been done with great attention to detail: scarves blow in the wind, chests heave and capes billow.
The game is set in a fictional kingdom "in the year of our lord 13XX", but you can see that it takes its inspiration from Earth. For example Japan becomes Zipang while there is ice to the north and arid deserts to the south. This setting has allowed magical powers to appear alongside more modern technology; in fact Kenji pulls out a large gun during one of his moves and dark sky-ships fly above.
One small disappointment is the characters shadows, they are still just big blobs. This flaw is fairly insignificant next to the size of your opponents; characters like the dragon Hauzer are huge and cause no slowdown. This is where the screen scaling comes into its own as fighting such beasts would be next to impossible without the ability to zoom out.
In Red Earth you can see why Tessa/Tabassa has become such a popular character, her design and animation in particular are magnificent.
Gameplay/Controls 7/10
This is the area that causes most controversy. As I mentioned above, Capcom changed the focus of this beat-em-up from two player shenanigans to a more single player orientated experience. Since Red Earth, there have been no significant games in this sub-genre, so you would have to rate it as a failure.
However, to completely write the game off would be a mistake.
If you do not have the luxury of a string of friends to use as opponents (say you are married, have children and a job), a slightly improved one player mode is actually a blessing. Capcom call this the Quest Mode and in playing this your character gains experience points from fighting well, not using orbs and having plenty health left at the end of a battle. The points then "Level Up" your character and earn special abilities, moves and weapons. A few RPG overtones never hurt anyone.
As an example Leo progresses through the game from Savage to Braveheart to Revenger and Victor. His old sword is upgraded to a Bronze number and even his shield can be improved. At the end of your game, you are given a six digit code which you have to write down; you can then enter this code when you start your next game and begin at the level you left off with.
During the match chests appear on the ground and you are able to smash them open when fighting. Within these chests it is possible to gain Orbs to enable special moves, food to replenish energy and gems to increase your experience points. This feature works well, a little like Samurai Shodown, and makes for interesting battles as you take risks to get to the chest before it vanishes.
The other main problem with the game is that there are only four selectable characters. Without a doubt this limits things somewhat and you do feel a bit cheated by Capcom, but this was never designed as a home consumer game. Also, for me personally, I tend to concentrate on only a handful of my favourite characters in any fighting game, and thankfully the four characters in Red Earth are all worth playing.
The game itself plays like many other Capcom fighters, almost like a cross between Marvel Super Heroes and Street Fighter. The Orbs in the game are used like the MSH gems, but are offensive attacks only (filling the screen with graphical effects), it is also possible to "super jump" a couple of screens high. The rest of the moves are either weapon based or your standard dragon punch SF style depending on your character style.
The range of moves available are fairly good by 1996 standards, each character has a few specials performed in the same 'quarter circle forward' time honoured tradition and the three punch and three kick buttons are utilised effectively; combos are also available (to those more skilled than I). Only the Orbs are a bit of a let down, there are several different types of orbs: wind, fire etc. and the full screen graphics that accompany their use are all unique, but unfortunately their effects are all very similar.
Overall, it's not as over the top as the Marvel games, but is also not as sedate and serious as Street Fighter.
Sound/Music 8/10
The music fits the pace of the game well, and is even quite memorable, each stage introduction has a slightly sedate tune whilst the two opponents talk, it then goes up-tempo for the battle proper, quite orchestral. Likewise the sound effects are excellent and befit each enemy and stage.
Like all Capcom CPS games, this would benefit from the addition of an amplifier and thunderous Q Sound.
Replay Value 7/10
Tricky one this: four points for two or more players, and seven for you if you have no friends.
The game is worth replaying in order to get your characters level up and to see what extra abilities and items they can earn. The game also gets pretty damn hard later on.
Unfortunately, the limitations for two players cannot be overlooked. Four selectable characters with no selectable "bosses" is almost unforgivable (but not quite). The game does stand up to repeated play, but you would be in trouble if it was the only game in your collection.
You never tire of those graphics though.
Overall 7/10
I believe that if Capcom had expanded the one player quest mode and released a competent home conversion this could have been a significant title for them. If you fancy something a bit different from Capcom, and can put up with its limitations, Red Earth is a fine addition to your collection. It also makes you feel a bit special owning something so obscure.
- by Gundarn
