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Cyber Troopers Virtual-On Oratorio Tangram

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Cyber Troopers Virtual-On Oratorio Tangram
Developer(s)Sega AM3
Sega AM2 (XBLA remake)
Publisher(s)
SeriesVirtual On
Platform(s)Arcade, Dreamcast, Xbox 360, PlayStation 4[4]
ReleaseArcade
  • WW: March 1998[1]
Dreamcast
  • JP: December 9, 1999
  • NA: June 7, 2000[2]
Xbox 360
April 29, 2009
PlayStation 4
Genre(s)Action, Shooter, Fighting
Mode(s)Single player, multiplayer
Arcade systemSega Model 3 (first edition)
Sega NAOMI (second edition)

Cyber Troopers Virtual-On Oratorio Tangram (電脳戦機バーチャロン オラトリオ・タングラム, Dennō Senki Bācharon Oratorio Tanguramu) is a 1998 arcade action game from Sega, a 3D fighting game where the player assumes control of a giant humanoid robot. It was developed initially on the Sega Model 3 arcade hardware (M.S.B.S. Ver.5.2). Updated versions (Ver.5.4/5.45) were ported to the Dreamcast home console in 1999 and to North American arcades in 2000. A third update (Ver.5.66) was developed on the NAOMI board in 2000 and was ported to the Xbox 360 in 2009. Ortario Tangram is part of the Virtual On series and is the sequel to Virtual On: Cyber Troopers (1995); it was followed by the Japan-exclusive Cyber Troopers Virtual-On Force (2001).

Gameplay

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As with its predecessor Virtual On: Cyber Troopers, Cyber Troopers Virtual-On Oratorio Tangram uses two joysticks for its controls.[5]

Plot

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The game starts 20 years after the events of Virtual On: Cyber Troopers. After the defeat of Z-Gradt, the mightiest VR and the final boss of the first game, humans continued to battle in their VRs, searching for supremacy. However an unknown AI known as Tangram has awakened and became self-conscious. With the directive to destroy humanity, Tangram infects Earth's mother computer with a virus called "Tangram Virus" and hacks into all VR systems, except for the player's VR. It plans to use the infected VRs to destroy the last human colonies that survived the previous war. The player character begins the mission to defeat all VRs and destroy Tangram.

After defeating all VRs, the player character is teleported to the Earth's mother computer system to fight Tangram. Depending on the final battle outcome, there are two endings.

In the good ending, Tangram is erased from the computer and the player's VR is teleported back to Earth's stratosphere, where its armour is critically damaged during the fall but is saved by VRs that came on the Floating Carrier. Fei-Yen is saved by Angelan or the opposite and the others (Temjin, Raiden, Dodray, Bal-Bados, Specineff, Cypher, and Apharmd) are saved by the same model VRs. Alternatively, If the player's time counter reaches 0, Tangram hacks into the player's VR system and shuts it down, resulting in a Game Over screen.

Development

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The new Virtuaroids were all designed by Hajime Katoki.[5]

Cyber Troopers Virtual-On Oratorio Tangram was unveiled at the 1997 JAMMA show, at which six Virtuaroids were playable: Temjin, Raiden, Apharmd, Fei-yen, Grys-Vok, and Cypher.[5] The game was also exhibited at the February 1998 AOU Show, where it drew large crowds.[6]

Reception

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The Dreamcast version received favorable reviews, while Ver.5.66 received "average" reviews, according to the review aggregation websites GameRankings and Metacritic.[7][9] Stephen Frost of NextGen called the Japanese import of the Dreamcast version "an impressive game, and practically a perfect conversion, marred by difficult controls and a lack of 'compatibility' with the standard Dreamcast controller. However, if you're willing to invest the necessary time, you'll eventually discover that the game provides one of the most addictive and deep gaming experiences currently available on Dreamcast."[32] Jake The Snake of GamePro said in one review, "For dedicated gamers longing for a fast-paced clast of metal, Virtual-On: Oratorio Tangram will deliver many hours of mech-smashing mayhem."[34][b] In another review, Cheat Monkey called it "a must buy-if you have the Twin Sticks. If not, the game will still be fun, but it will not feel quite right to arcade veterans."[35][c] GameZone gave the same Dreamcast version seven out of ten, saying, "If there were Twinsticks or cerebral implants available in the US for use with the Dreamcast, then it would have scored higher. As it stands, it's another in a long series of arcade games that have been shoehorned onto a console to make a buck."[36] Later, Retro Gamer gave the Xbox 360 version 72%, calling it "a great port of the DC conversion [that] looks incredible with its hi-def sheen, but the 360's analogue stick just doesn't do the game justice."[37]

In Japan, Famitsu gave the same Dreamcast version a score of three tens and one nine for a total of 39 out of 40.[17][38] Game Machine listed the arcade version in their May 15, 1998 issue as the second most-successful dedicated arcade game of the month.[39]

The Dreamcast version was a runner-up for the "Game No One Played" award at IGN's Best of 2000 Awards.[40]

Notes

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  1. ^ In GameFan's viewpoint of the Dreamcast version's Japanese import, three critics gave it each a score of 98, 99, and 95.
  2. ^ GamePro gave the Dreamcast version 4.5/5 for graphics, two 4/5 scores for sound and fun factor, and 3.5/5 for control in one review.
  3. ^ GamePro gave the Dreamcast version two 4.5/5 scores for graphics and fun factor, 4/5 for sound, and 3/5 for control.

References

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  1. ^ https://archive.org/details/ArcadeGameList1971-2005/page/n133
  2. ^ Roether, Julia (June 7, 2000). "Activision Ships Virtual-On: Oratorio Tangram[,] the Explosive Sega Dreamcast Sequel to Arcade Hit Virtual-on". Activision. Archived from the original on January 7, 2001. Retrieved September 22, 2019.
  3. ^ Romano, Sal (September 13, 2019). "Cyber Troopers Virtual-On Masterpiece 1995~2001 for PS4 launches November 27 in Japan". Gematsu. Archived from the original on June 10, 2023. Retrieved September 18, 2023.
  4. ^ Romano, Sal (October 18, 2018). "Virtual-On, Virtual-On: Oratorio Tangram, and Virtual-On Force coming to PS4 [Update]". Gematsu. Archived from the original on March 31, 2023. Retrieved September 18, 2023.
  5. ^ a b c Harrod, Warren (December 1997). "Coin-Operated: Cyber Troops Virtual-On Oratorio Tangram". Sega Saturn Magazine. No. 26. Emap International Limited. p. 88.
  6. ^ Webb, Marcus (May 1998). "Sequel Mania at London and Tokyo Expos". Next Generation. No. 41. Imagine Media. p. 33.
  7. ^ a b "Cyber Troopers Virtual On: Oratorio Tangram for Dreamcast". GameRankings. CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on May 5, 2019. Retrieved October 10, 2020.
  8. ^ "Virtual-On: Oratorio Tangram Ver.5.66 for Xbox 360". GameRankings. CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on January 7, 2019. Retrieved October 10, 2020.
  9. ^ a b "Cyber Troopers Virtual-On: Oratorio Tangram (X360)". Metacritic. Fandom. Archived from the original on September 18, 2023. Retrieved September 18, 2023.
  10. ^ "Virtual-On: Oratorio Tangram (DC) [review wasn't archived before December 12, 2014]". AllGame. All Media Network. Archived from the original on November 14, 2014. Retrieved October 11, 2020.
  11. ^ Franklin, Eric (June 8, 2000). "Virtual On: Oratorio Tangram (DC)". Gamecenter. CNET. Archived from the original on August 18, 2000. Retrieved September 19, 2023.
  12. ^ Edge staff (February 2000). "Virtual On Oratorio Tangram (DC; Import)" (PDF). Edge. No. 81. Future Publishing. pp. 76–77. Archived (PDF) from the original on July 7, 2023. Retrieved September 18, 2023.
  13. ^ Edge staff (April 29, 2009). "Review: Virtual On Oratorio Tangram (X360)". Edge. Future plc. Archived from the original on May 2, 2009. Retrieved October 11, 2020.
  14. ^ Sewart, Greg (August 2000). "Virtual On: Oratorio Tangram (DC)" (PDF). Electronic Gaming Monthly. No. 133. Ziff Davis. p. 148. Archived (PDF) from the original on May 30, 2023. Retrieved September 18, 2023.
  15. ^ Steinberg, Scott (June 29, 2000). "Virtual On: Oratorio Tangram (DC)". The Electric Playground. Greedy Productions Ltd. Archived from the original on July 4, 2002. Retrieved September 19, 2023.
  16. ^ Whitehead, Dan (May 4, 2009). "Virtual On: Oratorio Tangram (Xbox 360)". Eurogamer. Gamer Network. Archived from the original on May 21, 2022. Retrieved September 18, 2023.
  17. ^ a b "ドリームキャスト - 電脳戦機バーチャロン オラトリオ・タングラム". Famitsu (in Japanese). Vol. 915. Enterbrain. June 30, 2006. p. 38. Archived from the original on September 18, 2023. Retrieved September 18, 2023.
  18. ^ "Virtual On: Oratorio Tangram (DC)". Game Informer. No. 88. FuncoLand. August 2000.
  19. ^ Chau, Anthony (December 13, 1999). "REVIEW for Virtual On: Oratorio Tangram (Import)". GameFan. Shinno Media. Archived from the original on June 19, 2000. Retrieved October 11, 2020.
  20. ^ Chau, Anthony "Dangohead" (March 2000). "Cyber Troopers Virtual On: Oratorio Tangram (Import)". GameFan. Vol. 8, no. 3. Shinno Media. pp. 72–75. Retrieved October 11, 2020.
  21. ^ Chau, Anthony (June 6, 2000). "REVIEW for Virtual On: Oratorio Tangram". GameFan. Shinno Media. Archived from the original on June 21, 2000. Retrieved October 11, 2020.
  22. ^ Rodriguez, Tyrone "Cerberus"; Ngo, George "Eggo"; Mylonas, Eric "ECM" (March 2000). "Virtual On 2 [sic]". GameFan. Vol. 8, no. 3. Shinno Media. p. 13. Retrieved October 11, 2020.
  23. ^ Gee, Brian (June 2000). "Virtual On: Oratorio Tangram Review (DC)". GameRevolution. CraveOnline. Archived from the original on February 16, 2004. Retrieved October 11, 2020.
  24. ^ Reboucas, Eduardo (July 3, 2009). "Cyber Troopers Virtual On: Oratorio Tangram Version 5.66 [sic] Review". GameRevolution. CraveOnline. Archived from the original on September 29, 2014. Retrieved October 11, 2020.
  25. ^ Mielke, James (January 19, 2000). "Virtual-On: Oratorio Tangram (Import) Review [date mislabeled as "March 26, 2014"; platform mislabeled as "Arcade"; score mislabeled as "7"]". GameSpot. Fandom. Archived from the original on March 3, 2000. Retrieved September 18, 2023.
  26. ^ Mielke, James (June 7, 2000). "Virtual-On: Oratorio Tangram Review (DC) [date mislabeled as "June 8, 2000"]". GameSpot. Fandom. Archived from the original on December 12, 2004. Retrieved September 18, 2023.
  27. ^ Petit, Carolyn (May 6, 2009). "Virtual ON [sic] Review". GameSpot. Fandom. Archived from the original on July 15, 2023. Retrieved September 18, 2023.
  28. ^ Subskin (March 14, 2000). "Virtual On: Oratorio Tangram [Import]". PlanetDreamcast. IGN Entertainment. Archived from the original on January 22, 2009. Retrieved October 11, 2020.
  29. ^ Williamson, Colin (December 14, 1999). "Virtual On: Oratorio Tangram (Import) (DC)". IGN. Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on March 18, 2023. Retrieved September 18, 2023.
  30. ^ Gantayat, Anoop (June 5, 2000). "Virtual On: Oratorio Tangram (DC)". IGN. Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on July 24, 2023. Retrieved September 18, 2023.
  31. ^ Brudvig, Erik (April 30, 2009). "Virtual-On Oratorio Tangram Review (X360)". IGN. Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on October 17, 2020. Retrieved September 18, 2023.
  32. ^ a b Frost, Stephen (March 2000). "Virtual On Oratorio Tangram [sic] (DC; Import)". NextGen. No. 63. Imagine Media. p. 86. Retrieved October 10, 2020.
  33. ^ Jenkins, David (April 2009). "Virtual-On [Oratorio Tangram] (360)". Teletext GameCentral. Teletext Ltd. Archived from the original on May 4, 2009. Retrieved October 11, 2020.
  34. ^ Jake The Snake (September 2000). "Virtual On [sic]" (PDF). GamePro. No. 144. IDG. p. 106. Archived (PDF) from the original on July 11, 2023. Retrieved September 19, 2023.
  35. ^ Cheat Monkey (August 17, 2000). "Virtual On: Oratorio Tangram Review for Dreamcast on GamePro.com". GamePro. IDG. Archived from the original on November 6, 2004. Retrieved October 11, 2020.
  36. ^ Kemuel (January 22, 2001). "Virtual On: Oratorio Tangram - DC - Review". GameZone. Archived from the original on May 15, 2008. Retrieved October 11, 2020.
  37. ^ Jones, Darren (July 16, 2009). "Virtual-On: Oratorio Tangram (X360)". Retro Gamer. No. 66. Imagine Publishing.
  38. ^ Kennedy, Sam (December 3, 1999). "VOOT Gets Near-Perfect Score [date mislabeled as "April 27, 2000"]". GameSpot. Fandom. Archived from the original on February 29, 2000. Retrieved October 10, 2020.
  39. ^ "Game Machine's Best Hit Games 25 - 完成品夕イプのTVゲーム機 (Dedicated Videos)". Game Machine (in Japanese). No. 564. Amusement Press, Inc. May 15, 1998. p. 21.
  40. ^ IGN staff (January 26, 2001). "IGN Dreamcast Best of 2000: Game No One Played". IGN. Snowball.com. Archived from the original on February 7, 2001. Retrieved November 22, 2023.
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