Powerstone

Yeah...
I liked this
game........

Game Title : Power Stone
Company or Author Capcom
Type of game 3d free running arena fighter
Price launch price unknown- New price est. at $70 for mint copy

Minimum stated hardware requirements Sega Dreamcast. 1 controller, memory Pack

Minimum reasonable hardware requirements (if different) Additional controller and memory pack advised (2 player verses mode)

read the rest of my write up inside-

Goal

What is the object of the game? The objective in Power Stone is to attack the opponent using various means in order to reduce the opponents hit points to zero. Alternatively Victory can be achieved by retaining more hit points than your opponent if the round runs out of time. Victory in Arcade mode is based on defeating 8 opponents and two boss characters. 

Allure

What makes the game fun? Power Stone is gifted with a uniquely slapstick artistic direction. Absurd characters and environments full of interactive elements. The final boss level is a wonderful homage (ripoff?) to Studio Ghibi’s Laputa-Castle in the sky. Rounds are active, fast paced and easy to jump into. Chance plays an important element to fights and allows one to reverse a battles momentum in a proper combo. There are several important design elements at work that encourage exploring the entire arena. Traps keep you on your toes. Items and the Namesake power stones will be thrown into sections away from combat. Arena’s are filled with clearly marked and interactive (Able to be thrown) objects such as chairs, crates, support beams. There is also a mechanic that allows one to vault over such objects. (Allowing a retention of momentum that promotes always moving) 

Is it fun to replay? Why or why not? I believe so. Multiplayer helps encourage replays. The Chaotic and random nature of the rounds keeps the gameplay from becoming stale. The final boss provides a strong challenge that I was driven to defeat. The 8 characters, while at a glance play the same, do have unique elements. This shines the most when one unleashes a characters Power Stone charged transformation attacks. The Samurai will attack with precision guided slashes. The genie will attack from a distance. The Martial Artist will unleash as many copyrighted dragonball z moves as he can within the transformations time limit. There is a synergy between attacks that varies due to the chosen character. Some encourage a rush play style to overwhelm the opponent. Others will play a zone game and will play keep away using knockback attacks.    

Hang-ups

What was not fun about the game? The combat isn’t as technically advanced as more traditional 3d arena fighters such as the Virtua Fighter series or Soul Caliber. This means that there isn’t a system you can really get invested in perfecting. Items while varied and fun..are not viable tools compared to basic combos, power stones, and grabs. There is an escape dmg element but it isn’t well defined-I think it has something to do with hitting grab at the right time but unconfirmed.

What would correct this? The combat system I don’t think can really be “corrected” due to its setup to be a pick up and play system. I would advise that the ability to hold a punch or kick and the ability to switch mid combo from a kick to a punch would be simple but appreciated additions. The escape function I’m sure was explained in the manual I wasn’t privy to. Items simply are too slow/ situational/ underpowered to be of value. Guns and rockets need to aim at opponents higher or lower. Sword needs to swing faster. (Currently only useful as a powered up jump kick) 

User Actions and Control Mapping

How does the user interact with the game? Left trigger-fusion 1, Right trigger-fusion 2, Analog stick-menu movement/ free run, Start-begin/pause, A button-menu confirm/Jump, B button- menu cancel/Grab, X button-punch, Y button-kick.

What actions are available and how are they executed? Standard menu setup, Standard Fighting game actions. Punch and kick when repeated lead to a 3 hit combo/stun. Grab executed when in close proximity to opponent or object. Picking up and tossing items is done with grab button. Punch and kick button used in conjunction with a picked up item yield special attacks. Grab button allows one to catch thrown objects. Jump kicks allow room crossing movement to chase opponent. Jump grab is executed like jump kicks but by pressing the grab in midair instead. When in power stone mode all attacks take on new variations. Fusion attacks are unlocked and executed with power stone activation. (leading to the loss of the mode) Chests are opened my running into them. Power stones picked up by touching them. Objects are vaulted by running into them. One can roll on the ground after being knocked down and before standing.  

Challenges

What puzzles and hurdles are presented to the user? 10 rounds of arcade mode. 2 bosses and the other characters. The final boss is programmed to abuse the grab command. Will start a fight attempting to throw a cube at the player. Otherwise he will attempt to grab instead. The bosses grab throws do 2 times as much damage as a standard throw. His powerstone fusion grants him access to a set of health wiping attacks. 2 ground beams and 1 homing plasma attack. Hard to avoid. Only can be canceld out of such a deadly state with a risky jump throw. If executed before the plasma is unleashed then you are safe. Otherwise 60% of your health is gone and you have to risk the same tactic.

Scoring / Rewards

What incentives does the game provide? There looked like there was room for at least 10 secrets to be unlocked. I’m guessing a character or two may be unlocked but that’s speculation. Was unable to find/ unlock a secret so I can’t reflect on it.

How is progress tracked? Time of arcade bouts are tracked. No doubt there is a secret to be unlocked if beaten under a specific time.

Strategies

What techniques are useful to improve your standing in the game?

 Jump throw, Jump throw, Jump Throw. It seems to have priority over all over moves. Can be landed on both skyward and ground opponents. The Samurai and genie both have power stone techniques that combo well together. If one keeps track of the energy timer you can maximize the about of damage output one can produce in such a state. Avoid Items.