Warzard
Encyclopedia
Red Earth, released in Japan
as , is a fantasy
-themed 2D competitive fighting game
released by Capcom
as a coin-operated video game
in . It was the first game for Capcoms CP System III hardware, the same hardware which Street Fighter III
and its derivatives ran on. Red Earth is the only CPS III video game which has never been officially ported to home platforms, although its characters have appeared in later Capcom games.
that allows the player to play the game later on the same skill level their character reached when it ended the last time. The character is able to acquire new abilities depending on the skill level that has been reached.
The fighting system itself is similar to previous Capcom fighting games such as the Street Fighter series with a few key differences. First of all, the vitality gauge of each computer-controlled opponent fought by the player during Quest mode is displayed across the bottom of the screen, and is much larger than the player's own vitality gauge. Also, as the player lands hits on their opponents, various coins and treasure chests come out. Collecting coins provides experience points, while various items can be found in treasure chests such as orbs (used to perform super moves) and food (which replenishes the player's vitality). These elements make the game very similar to a side-scrolling action game rather than a traditional competitive fighting game.
In addition, Red Earth is one of few Capcom games with finishing moves; finishing moves include, splitting the opponent in half both horizonally or vertically, decapitation, artery rupture, organ removal, limb slicing; the Darkstalkers series is another holding this distinction.
and was still in a medieval/mythological state. A new country has risen by the evil Scion, who sends out various monsters to take over the world. Four heroes emerge to defend Earth.
section.
Capcom also released several figurine
s of the various characters and bosses from the game.
A Darkstalkers/Red Earth manga, entitled "Maleficarum", was published in Japan in 1997. The English edition was made available by UDON
in October 2010.
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...
as , is a fantasy
Fantasy
Fantasy is a genre of fiction that commonly uses magic and other supernatural phenomena as a primary element of plot, theme, or setting. Many works within the genre take place in imaginary worlds where magic is common...
-themed 2D competitive fighting game
Fighting game
Fighting game is a video game genre where the player controls an on-screen character and engages in close combat with an opponent. These characters tend to be of equal power and fight matches consisting of several rounds, which take place in an arena. Players must master techniques such as...
released by Capcom
Capcom
is a Japanese developer and publisher of video games, known for creating multi-million-selling franchises such as Devil May Cry, Chaos Legion, Street Fighter, Mega Man and Resident Evil. Capcom developed and published Bionic Commando, Lost Planet and Dark Void too, but they are less known. Its...
as a coin-operated video game
Arcade game
An arcade game is a coin-operated entertainment machine, usually installed in public businesses such as restaurants, bars, and amusement arcades. Most arcade games are video games, pinball machines, electro-mechanical games, redemption games, and merchandisers...
in . It was the first game for Capcoms CP System III hardware, the same hardware which Street Fighter III
Street Fighter III
is a fighting game in Capcom's Street Fighter series, originally released as coin-operated arcade game in . Street Fighter III was produced for the CD-ROM-based CP System III hardware, which allowed for more elaborate 2D graphics than the CPS II-based Street Fighter Alpha games , while revamping...
and its derivatives ran on. Red Earth is the only CPS III video game which has never been officially ported to home platforms, although its characters have appeared in later Capcom games.
Gameplay
Red Earth features two different game modes: a single-player Quest Mode and a two-player Versus Mode. In Quest Mode, the player chooses from one of the four main characters, and progresses through their character's storyline while fighting against a series of eight computer-controlled adversaries in one-on-one battles, gaining experience points during each battle. In Versus Mode, two players fight against each other, each using any of the four main characters (including the same character as the other player). Red Earth uses a password featurePassword (video games)
In many video games of the 8-bit and, to a lesser extent, 16-bit eras , after a level was beaten and/or when all continues were used, the game would display a password, that when entered in the game would allow the player to return to this part in the game...
that allows the player to play the game later on the same skill level their character reached when it ended the last time. The character is able to acquire new abilities depending on the skill level that has been reached.
The fighting system itself is similar to previous Capcom fighting games such as the Street Fighter series with a few key differences. First of all, the vitality gauge of each computer-controlled opponent fought by the player during Quest mode is displayed across the bottom of the screen, and is much larger than the player's own vitality gauge. Also, as the player lands hits on their opponents, various coins and treasure chests come out. Collecting coins provides experience points, while various items can be found in treasure chests such as orbs (used to perform super moves) and food (which replenishes the player's vitality). These elements make the game very similar to a side-scrolling action game rather than a traditional competitive fighting game.
In addition, Red Earth is one of few Capcom games with finishing moves; finishing moves include, splitting the opponent in half both horizonally or vertically, decapitation, artery rupture, organ removal, limb slicing; the Darkstalkers series is another holding this distinction.
Characters
Red Earth takes place on an alternate version of Earth sometime in the 14th century (the Japanese version states a post-apocalyptic 1999 however) where the world did not experience any technological revolutions or RenaissanceRenaissance
The Renaissance was a cultural movement that spanned roughly the 14th to the 17th century, beginning in Italy in the Late Middle Ages and later spreading to the rest of Europe. The term is also used more loosely to refer to the historical era, but since the changes of the Renaissance were not...
and was still in a medieval/mythological state. A new country has risen by the evil Scion, who sends out various monsters to take over the world. Four heroes emerge to defend Earth.
Player characters
- Leo (voiced by Daisuke GōriDaisuke Goriwas a Japanese voice actor, narrator and actor from Kōtō, Tokyo. Throughout his life, he was attached to TV Talent Center Tokyo, Yoshizawa Theatre School and then Mausu Promotion; he was attached to Aoni Production at the time of his death. His real name, as well as his former stage name, was...
) - The King of Savalia (Greedia in Warzard), who was transformed into a half-lion half-man state when an unknown force invaded his kingdom. The three wise men tried to remove the curse but couldn't. Now Leo uses the curse as his strength to "repay his debt to his countrymen" only to return to Savalia and find a large number of people (civilians and soldiers) have been kidnapped, and the monster Hauzer awaiting him.
- Kenji (Mukuro in Warzard, voiced by Yukimasa KishinoYukimasa Kishinois a Japanese voice actor affiliated with Aoni Production. He is also active in the theatrical entertainment field and is the chairman of his own theatrical group, Gekidan Kishino Gumi...
) - The leader of the OniwabanshuOniwabanshuThe was a group of onmitsu government-employed undercover agents established by the 8th Tokugawa shogun, Tokugawa Yoshimune . They are sometimes described as "ninja".- History :...
, an elite ninja squadron who serve the Shogun of Zipang. When an unknown army of invaders attacks his country with flying blackships, the Shogun orders Kenji to assess the situation. Although Kenji secretly distrusts his Shogun and believes that he may be betraying the country, he goes along with everything during his investigation.
- Tessa (Tabasa in Warzard, voiced by Tomoko NakaTomoko Naka-Voice acting roles:*Yuina Himoo in Tokimeki Memorial*Fujiki-kun in Chibi Maruko-chan*Shigeru Fujiki in Chibi Maruko-chan TV 2*Tessa in Red Earth*Joanie in Coji-Coji*Sara in Dragon Warrior*Oha Kuro Bettari in GeGeGe no Kitaro...
) - A female "sorcerologist" who studies the scientific aspects of magic. She lives in Icelarn and excels in the use of magic. When a large series of thunderstorms began occurring in her area, Tessa starts to investigate their cause, believing that they're not natural. When she meets an opponent, she can easily tell everything about him or her, whether the opponent is evil or good.
- Mai-Ling (Tao in Warzard, voiced by Megumi UrawaMegumi Urawain Kashiwa, Chiba) is a Japanese voice actor who works for Aoni Production.-Television animation:*Konjiki no Gash Bell!! *Ghost Sweeper Mikami *Hell Teacher Nūbē...
) - A young talented martial artist from Gora. She finds her hometown in ruins after returning from a martial arts tournament. Moments later the one responsible for the attack, Lavia, turns up and attacks her. After her fight with the transformed harpy she decides to search the world for those who attack her home and to find the missing children of her village.
Enemy characters
- Hauzer - A fossil from Savalia, but resurrected by Scion, that largely resembles a TyrannosaurusTyrannosaurusTyrannosaurus meaning "tyrant," and sauros meaning "lizard") is a genus of coelurosaurian theropod dinosaur. The species Tyrannosaurus rex , commonly abbreviated to T. rex, is a fixture in popular culture. It lived throughout what is now western North America, with a much wider range than other...
and was sent to attack Savalia (Greedia in Japan), Leo's kingdom and his inhabit stage.
- Kongou (voiced by Daisuke GōriDaisuke Goriwas a Japanese voice actor, narrator and actor from Kōtō, Tokyo. Throughout his life, he was attached to TV Talent Center Tokyo, Yoshizawa Theatre School and then Mausu Promotion; he was attached to Aoni Production at the time of his death. His real name, as well as his former stage name, was...
) - Kongou was once a mere human named Tanuma from Zipang. He was a portly merchant with no fighting ability, but then he met Scion, who bestowed upon him the ability to transform into a great ogre. Now known as Kongou, he is terrorizing his own homeland, wielding a massive spiked club and reducing those who stand in his way to nothing.
- Ravange (Secmeto in Warzard) - A cross between an EgyptianAncient EgyptAncient Egypt was an ancient civilization of Northeastern Africa, concentrated along the lower reaches of the Nile River in what is now the modern country of Egypt. Egyptian civilization coalesced around 3150 BC with the political unification of Upper and Lower Egypt under the first pharaoh...
sphinxSphinxA sphinx is a mythical creature with a lion's body and a human head or a cat head.The sphinx, in Greek tradition, has the haunches of a lion, the wings of a great bird, and the face of a woman. She is mythicised as treacherous and merciless...
and a GreekGreek mythologyGreek mythology is the body of myths and legends belonging to the ancient Greeks, concerning their gods and heroes, the nature of the world, and the origins and significance of their own cult and ritual practices. They were a part of religion in ancient Greece...
chimeraChimera (mythology)The Chimera or Chimaera was, according to Greek mythology, a monstrous fire-breathing female creature of Lycia in Asia Minor, composed of the parts of multiple animals: upon the body of a lioness with a tail that ended in a snake's head, the head of a goat arose on her back at the center of her...
. It was created by an Egyptian Priestess, Clara Tantra (Arumana IV in Japan), and fuses the power of the lion, goat, eagle, dragon, and cobra together along with hers. Inhabits the Sangypt stage.(Alanbird in Japan)
- Hydron (Nool in Warzard, voiced by Osamu HosoiOsamu Hosoiis a Japanese voice actor.-Notable anime and video game voice roles:*JigSaw in Death Note: The Hidden Rules*John Smith in ROD The TV*Kurama in Elfen Lied*Dan Hibiki in Street Fighter Alpha*Allen Snider in Street Fighter EX...
) - A half ammoniteAmmoniteAmmonite, as a zoological or paleontological term, refers to any member of the Ammonoidea an extinct subclass within the Molluscan class Cephalopoda which are more closely related to living coleoids Ammonite, as a zoological or paleontological term, refers to any member of the Ammonoidea an extinct...
, half krakenKrakenKraken are legendary sea monsters of giant proportions said to have dwelt off the coasts of Norway and Iceland.In modern German, Krake means octopus but can also refer to the legendary Kraken...
mutated squid monster who was given power by Scion. Inhabits the Icelarn stage.
- Lavia (Luan in Warzard, voiced by Tomoko NakaTomoko Naka-Voice acting roles:*Yuina Himoo in Tokimeki Memorial*Fujiki-kun in Chibi Maruko-chan*Shigeru Fujiki in Chibi Maruko-chan TV 2*Tessa in Red Earth*Joanie in Coji-Coji*Sara in Dragon Warrior*Oha Kuro Bettari in GeGeGe no Kitaro...
) - A harpyHarpyIn Greek mythology, a harpy was one of the winged spirits best known for constantly stealing all food from Phineas...
who was once good before being cursed by Scion and then attacked Gora, Mai Ling's village which she now inhabits.
- Gi Gi (voiced by Osamu HosoiOsamu Hosoiis a Japanese voice actor.-Notable anime and video game voice roles:*JigSaw in Death Note: The Hidden Rules*John Smith in ROD The TV*Kurama in Elfen Lied*Dan Hibiki in Street Fighter Alpha*Allen Snider in Street Fighter EX...
) - A robotic ChavínChavinChavin may refer to:* Chavín culture, an early culture of the Andean region, pre-dating the Moche culture in Peru* Chavín de Huantar, an archaeological site built by the Chavín culture* Chavin, Indre, a commune of the Indre département in France...
statue. Inhabits the Crypt stage. The detail of Gigi's sprite is an example of asymmetrical color schemes. When facing left, the main parts and trimmings of Gigi's body will be red, but when he is facing right, they will be blue. Capcom would later use this advance technique for Gill from Street Fighter IIIStreet Fighter IIIis a fighting game in Capcom's Street Fighter series, originally released as coin-operated arcade game in . Street Fighter III was produced for the CD-ROM-based CP System III hardware, which allowed for more elaborate 2D graphics than the CPS II-based Street Fighter Alpha games , while revamping...
, but to a much more detailed degree.
- Blade (Originally JihadJihadJihad , an Islamic term, is a religious duty of Muslims. In Arabic, the word jihād translates as a noun meaning "struggle". Jihad appears 41 times in the Quran and frequently in the idiomatic expression "striving in the way of God ". A person engaged in jihad is called a mujahid; the plural is...
in the Japanese earlier versions, voiced by Yukimasa KishinoYukimasa Kishinois a Japanese voice actor affiliated with Aoni Production. He is also active in the theatrical entertainment field and is the chairman of his own theatrical group, Gekidan Kishino Gumi...
) - A suit of armor brought to life by Scion. He was once commander of Leo's bodyguards, before being turned into an emerald. Now, He's Scion's second-in command and acts as his enforcer. Also, he has two forms and each one corresponds a round. In the 1st round he's with his normal clothes (a red cloak) and in the 2nd round he shows his body taking his cloak off. Inhabits the Darminor stage.
- Scion (Valdoll in Warzard, voiced by Daisuke GōriDaisuke Goriwas a Japanese voice actor, narrator and actor from Kōtō, Tokyo. Throughout his life, he was attached to TV Talent Center Tokyo, Yoshizawa Theatre School and then Mausu Promotion; he was attached to Aoni Production at the time of his death. His real name, as well as his former stage name, was...
) - A wizard and final boss of the game. Claims to be the messiah of the world, and intends to destroy the generation of humans in order to build a new one from its ruins. Inhabits the Darminor castle stage. Scion has dragons who aid him in battle and has an attack similar to Ouke no Sabaki, a move used by Anakaris from the Darkstalker series, in which it changes a character into a miniature version of his/herself. Leo becomes a cub , Kenji becomes a beetle, Tessa becomes a penguin, and Tao becomes a monkey. After he is defeated the first time, he and his dragons mutate into powerful forms.
Soundtrack
An official soundtrack of the game was released on December 18, 1996, for ¥3200. It was composed by Takayuki Iwai with additional help by Ryoji Yamamoto and Wataru Hachisako. It contains 72 tracks over 2 CDs. Certain tracks were later featured in the 2004 game Capcom Fighting Evolution, although they are downgraded versions and slightly offtune.Other Merchandise
Two books about the game were published in Japan. The first one, titled 'All About Warzard', is an in depth look at the creation of the game. It contains many pages of concept art and screenshots, details on technical and musical aspects of the game as well as gameplay strategies. The other book, titled 'Gamest Mook #65: Warzard', was a similar, although unofficial book. This book also contained a fan artFan art
Fan art or fanart is artwork that is based on a character, costume, collage, item, or story that was created by someone other than the artist, such as a fan, from which the word is derived from. The term, while it can apply to art done by fans of characters from books, is usually used to refer to...
section.
Capcom also released several figurine
Figurine
A figurine is a statuette that represents a human, deity or animal. Figurines may be realistic or iconic, depending on the skill and intention of the creator. The earliest were made of stone or clay...
s of the various characters and bosses from the game.
A Darkstalkers/Red Earth manga, entitled "Maleficarum", was published in Japan in 1997. The English edition was made available by UDON
UDON
UDON Entertainment Corporation is a studio of Asian-influenced comic book creators that provides creative services to the entertainment industry. The company is a publisher of comic books, graphic novels, and art books, as well as English editions of Japanese manga and Korean manhwa titles. Erik...
in October 2010.
Legacy
Some of the characters from Red Earth have appeared in other fighting games:- Tessa appeared as playable in SVC Chaos: SNK vs. CapcomSVC Chaos: SNK vs. Capcomis a competitive fighting game produced by Playmore for the Neo Geo arcade and home platform. The game is a crossover featuring characters from SNKs and Capcoms respective fighting game properties such as The King of Fighters, Samurai Shodown, Street Fighter, and Darkstalkers...
, Pocket Fighter and Super Gem Fighter, plus a cameo in Leo's ending in Capcom Fighting JamCapcom Fighting Jam, released in North America as Capcom Fighting Evolution, is a head-to-head fighting game from Capcom. It was originally released as a coin-operated arcade game for the Namco System 246 hardware and ported to the PlayStation 2 and Xbox...
. - Leo appeared as a playable characterPlayer characterA player character or playable character is a character in a video game or role playing game who is controlled or controllable by a player, and is typically a protagonist of the story told in the course of the game. A player character is a persona of the player who controls it. Player characters...
in Capcom Fighting JamCapcom Fighting Jam, released in North America as Capcom Fighting Evolution, is a head-to-head fighting game from Capcom. It was originally released as a coin-operated arcade game for the Namco System 246 hardware and ported to the PlayStation 2 and Xbox...
. - Kenji also appeared as one in the same game.
- Mai-Ling is the only one who hasn't appeared as a playable character in a crossover game, however, she appeared in Pyron and Leo's endings in Capcom Fighting JamCapcom Fighting Jam, released in North America as Capcom Fighting Evolution, is a head-to-head fighting game from Capcom. It was originally released as a coin-operated arcade game for the Namco System 246 hardware and ported to the PlayStation 2 and Xbox...
, in Tessa's defenses from Pocket Fighter, and in the background of the Shanghai stage in Capcom vs SNK 2. - Hauzer not only became playable in Capcom Fighting JamCapcom Fighting Jam, released in North America as Capcom Fighting Evolution, is a head-to-head fighting game from Capcom. It was originally released as a coin-operated arcade game for the Namco System 246 hardware and ported to the PlayStation 2 and Xbox...
, but also appeared in RyuRyu (Street Fighter)is a video game player character created by Capcom, the main protagonist of the Street Fighter series. Having premiered in the first Street Fighter in 1987, Ryu appears as the lead character from the game along with his best friend Ken Masters participating in the Street Fighter tournament...
's ending in Pocket Fighter and in KarasKaras (anime)is a six-part original video animation. Tatsunoko Production produced it to commemorate its 40th anniversary of anime production. Each Karas episode was first televised in Japan as a pay-per-view program from March 25, 2005, to August 3, 2007, before being released onto DVDs...
and SakiQuiz Nanairo Dreamsis a quiz game/dating sim produced by Capcom that was first released in 1996 as a coin-operated arcade game running on the CP System II platform. Console versions for the PlayStation and Sega Saturn on June 27,...
's endings in Tatsunoko vs. Capcom: Ultimate All-Stars. - Hydron is the remaining playable character in Capcom Fighting JamCapcom Fighting Jam, released in North America as Capcom Fighting Evolution, is a head-to-head fighting game from Capcom. It was originally released as a coin-operated arcade game for the Namco System 246 hardware and ported to the PlayStation 2 and Xbox...
. - Gi Gi appears in PTX-40ALost PlanetThe Lost Planet video game series was published and developed by Capcom. The series consists of two installments, Lost Planet: Extreme Condition, Lost Planet 2, and a gold edition, Lost Planet Colonies...
's ending in Tatsunoko vs. Capcom: Ultimate All-Stars - Blade also appeared in Leo's ending in Capcom Fighting JamCapcom Fighting Jam, released in North America as Capcom Fighting Evolution, is a head-to-head fighting game from Capcom. It was originally released as a coin-operated arcade game for the Namco System 246 hardware and ported to the PlayStation 2 and Xbox...
. - Leo makes a cameo appearance in Hawkeye's ending in Ultimate Marvel vs Capcom 3
External links
- Gameplay footage from Warzard (Original source of footage from www.snk-capcom.com)