Ring of Red
Encyclopedia
is an alternate history
turn-based strategy
video game released by Konami for the PlayStation 2
console. It was one of the first Playstation 2 games made with CD-ROM-based technology. Ring of Red was released in 2000 for Japan followed by North America and Europe in 2001.
The game is based on an alternate history theory that Japan was conquered and occupied by the Allied Forces after the defeat of Nazi Germany and Fascist Italy near the end of World War II. The occupation created two countries, consisting of the north governed by a pro-communist government and the south by a pro-democracy government with Hokkaidō
occupied by Soviet forces. Tensions between the two Japans were in an all high in the Cold War with a Japanese War that took place with Armored Fighting Walkers, giant walking mechas that were used by the North and South militaries with great success.
Players can engage in combat by moving within distance of an enemy unit, depending on the range the AFW is in prior to combat. If players are successful in destroying the enemy AFW, the enemy unit is removed from the map and players gain experience points. If the enemy destroys a player AFW, the entire unit is removed until the next mission.
In addition to combat, players can capture cities, which can provide more troops for recruitment and heal friendly troops, and can dedicate turns to repairing their units. Each mission has parameters which result in player defeat, such as not completing the mission within the time limit or losing Weizegger's AFW.
Ring of Red features a day/night cycle. Each move takes a certain amount of time, which influences how often units can be issued orders, which in turn affects what time of day combat takes place. In addition, there is simulated weather and natural disasters.
Combat consists of players moving and operating their AFW and issuing orders to accompanying infantry. AFWs must wait until their main weapon is loaded before they can attack, either against the enemy AFW itself or its infantry support. When aiming, players are given a first-person view from the AFW along with a hit probability percentage. The more time spent aiming, the more accurate the shot becomes and the more damage is done. Base accuracy is dependent on range and battle conditions, although the rate of increase of accuracy slows down as it increases.
Conditions on the strategic map strongly influence the battle conditions. Battles fought at night receive a penalty in base accuracy. Different types of terrain grant different bonuses and penalties to base accuracy. Furthermore, various terrains can also block attacks randomly, such as trees in forests.
Players also have access to Maximum Attacks, which are unique abilities that can only be used a certain amount of times in each mission. Maximum Attacks vary between pilots, but include techniques such as powerful shots, dodging, instant movement and instant loading. Some crews also provide special shells which can provide illumination or do devastating damage against AFWs or infantry.
During the combat turn, squads fight automatically, aiming at either the soldiers in the enemy unit or the enemy AFW, depending on their designation (Anti-Infantry or Anti-AFW). Each squad has a different ability that is used in the Vanguard (deployed in front of the mech) or Rearguard (deployed behind it). These can range from special attacks against the enemy AFW or infantry, fixing damaged portions of their own machine, or defending against attacks.
. According to the alternate timeline, Japan
did not surrender in 1945, and the United States of America did not deploy the atomic bomb
, although it was still produced and the plans stolen by the USSR. Instead, Japan was captured after a daring invasion costing many lives on both sides in Operation Downfall
by the Allied Forces
. With the Cold War
looming over the horizon, Hokkaidō
was ceded to the Soviet Union and occupied as Vastokayasak, and north part of Japan was partitioned into Communist North Japan and Democratic South Japan. North Japan was supported by the Soviet Union
and the People's Republic of China
, while the United States
and other democratic countries supported the democratic South while Germany
made engineering contributions to both sides.
In 1950, like the Korean War
, the Japanese War took place when communist-backed North Japan invaded the south. The north and the south fought for three years in which South Japan, with the help of it's Western Allies, repealed the invasion but neither side was able to gain the upper hand. The war finally ended in 1953 in a stalemate manly dictated to both Japans by both super powers.
A significant development in this timeline is the design and deployment of Armoured Fighting Walkers (AFWs), mechanised walking self-propelled artillery mechas with high mobility and durability. They were used with negligible effect in the European theatre of war after Hitler ordered their deployment. But in the rugged Japanese terrain, AFWs were used with devastating effect, acting as the backbone of military forces of both sides during the later period of the Asian theater of World War II and the Japanese War (1950-53).
In addition to the rough terrain of Japan, there was a treaty in place called RACINE. To prevent the use of nuclear weapons, as it was thought at the time they could only be used in an air raid delivery, a treaty called RACINE was signed by both Japans, USA, USSR, and other countries which established a no fly zone over Japan, which led to further development in AFW warfare in the country. However, this treaty doesn't not prevent the use of nuclear weapons by AFWs or ballistic missiles should one of the sides decide to develop such weapons.
. In the EU and US versions, the game does not mention the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki
, although they still mention nuclear weapons.
lists it at 77%. Metacritic
lists it at 82/100. Gamespot
gave Ring of Red 7.9/10, saying it "is easily the best strategy game out on the PS2 at this time." IGN
criticised the dialogue and the overall translation, but praised the game as "a very satisfying strategy experience." Gamestyle
rated Ring of Red 8/10, criticising the translation but said the game was "essential for anyone who has a love for strategy war games...even with its minor underlying faults." Game Revolution
gave the game a B-, criticising the pace of the gameplay and the graphics, while praising its simplicity and depth. Eurogamer
rated the game 7/10, criticising the soundtrack, lack of voice acting and translation, but praised the graphics and gameplay, saying "People who enjoy involving battle strategy romps...will definitely find Ring of Red captivating." GamePro
called it "repetitive and sometimes even boring...yet it manages to be hypnotically fun.", rating it 3.5/5. GameCritics.com gave the game a 7.5 out of 10, praising the 3-D graphics seen either in combat or in the field. Anime News Network stated in a review that Ring of Red would make an interesting anime series by using "political and social interplay straight out of Mamoru Oshii's Kerberos films, even if anime directors normally use alternate history to show Japan as a blameless victim."
However, the game was criticized for having lots of errors in its localization, such as misspelling, factual errors and incoherent dialogue. The problem of not saving in the middle of the game is also criticized, as it give players a hard time when fighting in scenarios for long hours. Ring of Red was also faulted for not having any voice acting.
Alternate history (fiction)
Alternate history or alternative history is a genre of fiction consisting of stories that are set in worlds in which history has diverged from the actual history of the world. It can be variously seen as a sub-genre of literary fiction, science fiction, and historical fiction; different alternate...
turn-based strategy
Strategy
Strategy, a word of military origin, refers to a plan of action designed to achieve a particular goal. In military usage strategy is distinct from tactics, which are concerned with the conduct of an engagement, while strategy is concerned with how different engagements are linked...
video game released by Konami for the PlayStation 2
PlayStation 2
The PlayStation 2 is a sixth-generation video game console manufactured by Sony as part of the PlayStation series. Its development was announced in March 1999 and it was first released on March 4, 2000, in Japan...
console. It was one of the first Playstation 2 games made with CD-ROM-based technology. Ring of Red was released in 2000 for Japan followed by North America and Europe in 2001.
The game is based on an alternate history theory that Japan was conquered and occupied by the Allied Forces after the defeat of Nazi Germany and Fascist Italy near the end of World War II. The occupation created two countries, consisting of the north governed by a pro-communist government and the south by a pro-democracy government with Hokkaidō
Hokkaido
, formerly known as Ezo, Yezo, Yeso, or Yesso, is Japan's second largest island; it is also the largest and northernmost of Japan's 47 prefectural-level subdivisions. The Tsugaru Strait separates Hokkaido from Honshu, although the two islands are connected by the underwater railway Seikan Tunnel...
occupied by Soviet forces. Tensions between the two Japans were in an all high in the Cold War with a Japanese War that took place with Armored Fighting Walkers, giant walking mechas that were used by the North and South militaries with great success.
Gameplay
Combat is split between a turn-based battlefield for moving units, and a real-time mode for combat. The latter includes the AFWs moving through their attack patterns and support troops that have their own abilities.Tactical map
In each mission, players deploy their units on a map. Each square contains terrain that provide movement and defense bonuses or penalties. Both sides consist of units made up of a single AFW and three squads of infantry. The player and the enemy take turns in moving their units around the map in order to complete certain objectives, such as pursuing a unit, capturing a town or protecting a convoy. Some missions have branching objectives that give different bonuses.Players can engage in combat by moving within distance of an enemy unit, depending on the range the AFW is in prior to combat. If players are successful in destroying the enemy AFW, the enemy unit is removed from the map and players gain experience points. If the enemy destroys a player AFW, the entire unit is removed until the next mission.
In addition to combat, players can capture cities, which can provide more troops for recruitment and heal friendly troops, and can dedicate turns to repairing their units. Each mission has parameters which result in player defeat, such as not completing the mission within the time limit or losing Weizegger's AFW.
Ring of Red features a day/night cycle. Each move takes a certain amount of time, which influences how often units can be issued orders, which in turn affects what time of day combat takes place. In addition, there is simulated weather and natural disasters.
Combat
Combat takes place in a real-time environment. Players begin with their AFW standing in opposition to the enemy AFW. If either AFW is destroyed, combat ends and the unit is removed from the strategic map. If neither AFW is destroyed within the prescribed time limit, the battle ends in a draw. Units can also end combat by escaping from the battlefield or by engaging in close combat, which automatically ends the match.Combat consists of players moving and operating their AFW and issuing orders to accompanying infantry. AFWs must wait until their main weapon is loaded before they can attack, either against the enemy AFW itself or its infantry support. When aiming, players are given a first-person view from the AFW along with a hit probability percentage. The more time spent aiming, the more accurate the shot becomes and the more damage is done. Base accuracy is dependent on range and battle conditions, although the rate of increase of accuracy slows down as it increases.
Conditions on the strategic map strongly influence the battle conditions. Battles fought at night receive a penalty in base accuracy. Different types of terrain grant different bonuses and penalties to base accuracy. Furthermore, various terrains can also block attacks randomly, such as trees in forests.
Players also have access to Maximum Attacks, which are unique abilities that can only be used a certain amount of times in each mission. Maximum Attacks vary between pilots, but include techniques such as powerful shots, dodging, instant movement and instant loading. Some crews also provide special shells which can provide illumination or do devastating damage against AFWs or infantry.
Infantry
Three infantry squads accompany the AFW in each unit, two fighting on the ground and the third riding on the mech itself as crew. Some squad types, such as the Mechanic or Medic, provide bonuses to healing units between turns, while Recon units allow the AFW to start combat at the optimum distance for the range the engagement begins at.During the combat turn, squads fight automatically, aiming at either the soldiers in the enemy unit or the enemy AFW, depending on their designation (Anti-Infantry or Anti-AFW). Each squad has a different ability that is used in the Vanguard (deployed in front of the mech) or Rearguard (deployed behind it). These can range from special attacks against the enemy AFW or infantry, fixing damaged portions of their own machine, or defending against attacks.
Plot
Setting
Ring of Red is set in the 1960s in the aftermath of World War IIWorld War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. According to the alternate timeline, Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
did not surrender in 1945, and the United States of America did not deploy the atomic bomb
Nuclear weapon
A nuclear weapon is an explosive device that derives its destructive force from nuclear reactions, either fission or a combination of fission and fusion. Both reactions release vast quantities of energy from relatively small amounts of matter. The first fission bomb test released the same amount...
, although it was still produced and the plans stolen by the USSR. Instead, Japan was captured after a daring invasion costing many lives on both sides in Operation Downfall
Operation Downfall
Operation Downfall was the Allied plan for the invasion of Japan near the end of World War II. The operation was cancelled when Japan surrendered after the atomic bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki and the Soviet Union's declaration of war against Japan. The operation had two parts: Operation...
by the Allied Forces
Allies of World War II
The Allies of World War II were the countries that opposed the Axis powers during the Second World War . Former Axis states contributing to the Allied victory are not considered Allied states...
. With the Cold War
Cold War
The Cold War was the continuing state from roughly 1946 to 1991 of political conflict, military tension, proxy wars, and economic competition between the Communist World—primarily the Soviet Union and its satellite states and allies—and the powers of the Western world, primarily the United States...
looming over the horizon, Hokkaidō
Hokkaido
, formerly known as Ezo, Yezo, Yeso, or Yesso, is Japan's second largest island; it is also the largest and northernmost of Japan's 47 prefectural-level subdivisions. The Tsugaru Strait separates Hokkaido from Honshu, although the two islands are connected by the underwater railway Seikan Tunnel...
was ceded to the Soviet Union and occupied as Vastokayasak, and north part of Japan was partitioned into Communist North Japan and Democratic South Japan. North Japan was supported by the Soviet Union
Soviet Union
The Soviet Union , officially the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics , was a constitutionally socialist state that existed in Eurasia between 1922 and 1991....
and the People's Republic of China
People's Republic of China
China , officially the People's Republic of China , is the most populous country in the world, with over 1.3 billion citizens. Located in East Asia, the country covers approximately 9.6 million square kilometres...
, while the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
and other democratic countries supported the democratic South while Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
made engineering contributions to both sides.
In 1950, like the Korean War
Korean War
The Korean War was a conventional war between South Korea, supported by the United Nations, and North Korea, supported by the People's Republic of China , with military material aid from the Soviet Union...
, the Japanese War took place when communist-backed North Japan invaded the south. The north and the south fought for three years in which South Japan, with the help of it's Western Allies, repealed the invasion but neither side was able to gain the upper hand. The war finally ended in 1953 in a stalemate manly dictated to both Japans by both super powers.
A significant development in this timeline is the design and deployment of Armoured Fighting Walkers (AFWs), mechanised walking self-propelled artillery mechas with high mobility and durability. They were used with negligible effect in the European theatre of war after Hitler ordered their deployment. But in the rugged Japanese terrain, AFWs were used with devastating effect, acting as the backbone of military forces of both sides during the later period of the Asian theater of World War II and the Japanese War (1950-53).
In addition to the rough terrain of Japan, there was a treaty in place called RACINE. To prevent the use of nuclear weapons, as it was thought at the time they could only be used in an air raid delivery, a treaty called RACINE was signed by both Japans, USA, USSR, and other countries which established a no fly zone over Japan, which led to further development in AFW warfare in the country. However, this treaty doesn't not prevent the use of nuclear weapons by AFWs or ballistic missiles should one of the sides decide to develop such weapons.
Plot differences
In the Japanese version, it is stated that Schreigen and Rodriguez are former members of the Nazi Party but evaded the punishment in return for information regarding AFWs and allowed to stay in South Japan. There are no references to this in the EU and US versions. Also, unlike what is written in the story of English versions, the United States did bomb Hiroshima and Nagasaki and afterwards invaded Japan with Operation DownfallOperation Downfall
Operation Downfall was the Allied plan for the invasion of Japan near the end of World War II. The operation was cancelled when Japan surrendered after the atomic bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki and the Soviet Union's declaration of war against Japan. The operation had two parts: Operation...
. In the EU and US versions, the game does not mention the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki
Atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki
During the final stages of World War II in 1945, the United States conducted two atomic bombings against the cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in Japan, the first on August 6, 1945, and the second on August 9, 1945. These two events are the only use of nuclear weapons in war to date.For six months...
, although they still mention nuclear weapons.
Reception
Ring of Red has received a mixture of praises and criticisms. Game RankingsGame Rankings
GameRankings is a website that collects review scores from both offline and online sources to give an average rating. It indexes over 315,000 articles relating to more than 14,500 games.GameRankings is owned by CBS Interactive...
lists it at 77%. Metacritic
Metacritic
Metacritic.com is a website that collates reviews of music albums, games, movies, TV shows and DVDs. For each product, a numerical score from each review is obtained and the total is averaged. An excerpt of each review is provided along with a hyperlink to the source. Three colour codes of Green,...
lists it at 82/100. Gamespot
GameSpot
GameSpot is a video gaming website that provides news, reviews, previews, downloads, and other information. The site was launched in May 1, 1996 by Pete Deemer, Vince Broady and Jon Epstein. It was purchased by ZDNet, a brand which was later purchased by CNET Networks. CBS Interactive, which...
gave Ring of Red 7.9/10, saying it "is easily the best strategy game out on the PS2 at this time." IGN
IGN
IGN is an entertainment website that focuses on video games, films, music and other media. IGN's main website comprises several specialty sites or "channels", each occupying a subdomain and covering a specific area of entertainment...
criticised the dialogue and the overall translation, but praised the game as "a very satisfying strategy experience." Gamestyle
Gamestyle
Gamestyle is a UK-based independent computer and video gaming website that was launched in 1999 by Dean Swain, under the name Dreamers128.Gamestyle covers video game software reviews, previews, news, and other information. After starting out on its own, Gamestyle was linked with a small American...
rated Ring of Red 8/10, criticising the translation but said the game was "essential for anyone who has a love for strategy war games...even with its minor underlying faults." Game Revolution
Game Revolution
Game Revolution or GR is a gaming website created in 1996. Based in Berkeley, California, the site includes reviews, previews, a gaming download area, cheats, and a merchandise store, as well as webcomics, screenshots, and videos...
gave the game a B-, criticising the pace of the gameplay and the graphics, while praising its simplicity and depth. Eurogamer
Eurogamer
Eurogamer is a Brighton-based website focused on video games news, reviews, previews and interviews. It is operated by Eurogamer Network Ltd., which was formed in 1999 by brothers Rupert and Nick Loman. Eurogamer has grown to become one of the most important European-based websites focused on...
rated the game 7/10, criticising the soundtrack, lack of voice acting and translation, but praised the graphics and gameplay, saying "People who enjoy involving battle strategy romps...will definitely find Ring of Red captivating." GamePro
GamePro
GamePro Media was a United States gaming media company publishing online and print content on the video game industry, video game hardware, and video game software developed for a video game console , a computer, and/or a mobile device . GamePro Media properties include GamePro magazine and...
called it "repetitive and sometimes even boring...yet it manages to be hypnotically fun.", rating it 3.5/5. GameCritics.com gave the game a 7.5 out of 10, praising the 3-D graphics seen either in combat or in the field. Anime News Network stated in a review that Ring of Red would make an interesting anime series by using "political and social interplay straight out of Mamoru Oshii's Kerberos films, even if anime directors normally use alternate history to show Japan as a blameless victim."
However, the game was criticized for having lots of errors in its localization, such as misspelling, factual errors and incoherent dialogue. The problem of not saving in the middle of the game is also criticized, as it give players a hard time when fighting in scenarios for long hours. Ring of Red was also faulted for not having any voice acting.