Red Earth (video game)

Red Earth
	; Promo poster of Red Earth.
Developer(s)	Capcom
Publisher(s)	Capcom
Composer(s)	Takayuki Iwai
Platform(s)	Arcade
Release date(s)	November 21, 1996
Genre(s)	Fighting
Mode(s)	Up to 2 players simultaneously
Cabinet	Upright
Arcade system	CPS III
Display	Raster (Horizontal)

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Red Earth, known in Japan as Warzard (ウォーザード, Wōzādo^?), is a 1996 fantasy-themed head-to-head fighting game released by Capcom as a coin-operated arcade game. It was the first game for Capcom's CP System III hardware, the same hardware which the later Street Fighter III games 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.

[edit] Gameplay

Leo and Ravange in Red Earth.

There are four selectable characters and eight computer-controlled opponents; and two game modes, Quest and Versus. In Quest Mode, the player chooses one of the four main characters, and progresses through a story while battling the various boss characters and gaining experience. In Versus Mode, two players fight against each other, but they can only choose from the four main characters. Red Earth also uses a special password system that allows the player to play the game later on the same skill level he reached when it ended the last time. The character is able to "learn" special attacks and gain new equipment depending on the skill level that has been reached.

The fighting engine itself is similar to games such as Street Fighter, however with a few differences. First of all, the health bar of the enemy 'bosses' the player battles in Quest mode is displayed across the bottom of the screen, and is much larger than that of the players. Also, as the player lands hits on the bosses, various coins and treasure chests come out. Collecting coins provides experience, while various things can be found in treasure chests such as orbs (used for super attacks) and food (that restores health). These elements make the game very similar to an action/beat-em-up style game rather than a traditional 1vs1 fighter.

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.

[edit] Characters

Red Earth takes place on an alternate version of Earth sometime in the 14th century (1999 in the original Japanese version, where it is explained that the world did not experience any technological revolutions or Renaissance and was still in a medieval/mythological state). A new country has risen led by the evil Blade, who sends out various monsters to take over the world. Four heroes emerge to defend earth.

[edit] Playable characters

Leo (voiced by Daisuke Gōri) is the king of Savalia (Greedia in Warzard). In 1999, unknown invaders attacked Savalia and drove Leo out as well as cursing him, transforming him into his current state. The 3 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 Kishino) When the blackships of unknown invaders appeared in the skies of Zipang and began attacking the country, the shogun ordered the Oniwabanshu, his best ninja squad, to find out who the invaders are and to wipe them out. Kenji is the leader of that squadron, and comes across Kongou, who mutates into a monstrous beast. Although Kenji secretly distrusts his shogun and believes that he may be betraying the country, he goes along with everything while searching for more clues.

Tessa (Tabasa in Warzard, voiced by Tomoko Naka) is a sorcererologist who lives in Icelarn, and also, who excels in the use of magic. A large number of storms began breaking out in the year 1999. Tessa doesn't believe this to be a natural phenomenon. She leaves her home to find the person behind this. To this end, she first discovered Hydron. They fought, and she defeated him, thinking that "marine creatures" shouldn't be in her land. 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 Urawa) is a young but extremely talented martial artist from Gora. She was returning from another martial artist tournament that she won with ease, only to find her hometown in flames. Moments later the one responsible for the attack, Lavia, in turn attacks her. After her fight with a transformed harpy she decides to search the world for those who attack her home and to find the missing children of her village.

[edit] Enemy characters

Hauzer - Originally a fossil from Savalia, but an earth dragon resurrected by Scion, that largely resembles a Tyrannosaurus. Inhabits the Savalia stage. (Greedia in Japan)

Kongou (voiced by Daisuke Gōri) - An Oni that disguised himself as a man named Tanuma. Mainly aims to destroy Kenji, if not wreaking havoc in general. Inhabits the Zipang stage.

Ravange (Secmeto in Warzard) - A cross between an Egyptian sphinx and a Greek chimera. 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 Hosoi) - A mischievous half ammonite, half kraken monster who was given power by Scion, but the only one standing in his way is Tessa. Inhabits the Icelarn stage.

Lavia (Luan in Warzard, voiced by Tomoko Naka) - A harpy who attacked Mai Ling's village. Inhabits the Gora stage.

Gi Gi (voiced by Voiced by: Osamu Hosoi) - A robotic Chavín 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 III, but to a much more detailed degree.

Blade (voiced by Yukimasa Kishino) - A suit of armor brought to life by an emerald, which was created by Scion. It is Scion's most powerful creation 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. Blade was once the commander of Leo's bodyguards, before being turned into an emerald by Scion. When the game first came out in Japan, Blade's name was "Jihad". His name is also presented as "Jihad" in the book All About Warzard, which was published after the release of the arcade game.

Scion (Valdoll in Warzard, voiced by Daisuke Gōri) - An "evil" wizard and final boss of the game. Claims to be the messiah of the world, and intends to destroy the current generation of humans in order to build a new one from its ruins. Inhabits the castle in Darminor stage. Scion has two dragon guardians 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 weaker, miniature version of his/herself. Leo becomes a lion cub doll, Kenji becomes a Japanese rhinoceros beetle, Tessa becomes a penguin, and Tao becomes a monkey. After he is defeated the first time, he and his dragons mutate into more powerful forms.

[edit] Related media

[edit] 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.

[edit] 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 art section.

Capcom also released several figurines of the various characters and bosses from the game.

[edit] Legacy

Some of the characters from Red Earth have appeared in other fighting games as playable characters. This includes Capcom Fighting Jam (Leo, Kenji, Hauzer and Hydron), SVC Chaos: SNK vs. Capcom and Pocket Fighter (Tessa in both plus cameo appearances, notably Hauzer in Ryu's ending). Hauzer appears in Karas ending in Tatsunoko vs. Capcom: Ultimate All-Stars.