Software:Cyber Troopers Virtual-On Marz

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Short description: 3D action-adventure game by Sega
Cyber Troopers Virtual-On MARZ
North American (English dub) cover art for the game.
Developer(s)Hitmaker
Publisher(s)Sega
Director(s)Nobuyuki Yamashita
Producer(s)Mie Kumagai
Programmer(s)Yoshifumi Ishihata
Artist(s)Hajime Katoki
Composer(s)
  • Takenobu Mitsuyoshi
  • Kentaro Koyama
SeriesVirtual On
Platform(s)PlayStation 2
PlayStation Network
ReleasePlayStation 2
  • JP: May 29, 2003
  • NA: October 14, 2003
PlayStation Network
  • JP: March 21, 2013
Genre(s)Action-adventure
Mode(s)Single-player, multiplayer

Cyber Troopers Virtual-On MARZ (電脳戦機バーチャロン マーズ, Dennō Senki Bācharon Māzu) is a 2003 3D mecha action-adventure game developed by Hitmaker and published by Sega. The game was first released on the PlayStation 2 in North America and Japan, and is the fourth game in the Virtual On franchise. MARZ expands upon the basic gameplay rules of Virtual-On Force, and reuses most of the game's assets; from the stages down to models of the Virtuaroids, the game's enemies.

It was re-released on the PlayStation 3 in Japan on March 21, 2013, to commemorate the game's tenth anniversary.

Plot

Mars, once a peaceful society, has deteriorated into a planet of war. Shady corporations have deployed giant robots called Virtuaroids to cause chaos around the planet for their nefarious gain.

As part of the Marz Special Investigation Unit, the player must take control of their own robots (armed with a variety of explosive weaponry) and lay waste to the Virtuaroid enemy in battle.

Battling their way through hordes of Virtuaroid armies, the Marz Special Investigation Unit must find out who this shady corporation is and end the chaos on Mars, once and for all.[1]

Gameplay

Virtual-On Marz retains the Twin Stick control layout of the series, mapping the two sticks to the analogue sticks on the DualShock controller, and the turbo and weapon buttons to the four L and R buttons.[2]

A new Auto controller layout was provided, as well as several variants for players who did not like the twin-stick format.

The match rules follow that of Virtual-On: Force, that is two-on-two matches with a leader on each team. Fallen teammates can be given half the other's life gauge through the "rescue tag" maneuver, and the first pair to fall loses the round.

The "Challenge Mode" is a single match setup that is akin to a stage in Virtual-On: Force, with the player tagged with an NPC partner against two other NPC opponents or bosses.

New to the PlayStation 2, Marz is the "Dramatic Mode" which is a story mode with a linear sequence of missions with various objectives such as exploration, target destruction, beat 'em up, and boss battles. When certain requirements are met, such as passing certain stages, or destroying a number of certain Virtuaroids in "beat 'em up missions", new Virtuaroids are open for selection and play in the other modes.

A split-screen two-player mode is available, with the choice of playing on the same team or against each other.

In the Japanese version, the Database mode is available, and the databases can be collected through the Dramatic Mode. These databases include stories, characters, and items associated with them. Some of the databases include a description of the particular subjects. This mode is not available in the English localization of the game.

Characters

The following characters are non-playable characters that appear in the single-player Dramatic and Challenge modes, of the game. In gameplay, they are controlled by the computer. Most of the non-playable characters were created for use in the game, although some of them come from previous games in the Virtual-On franchise, some with minor alterations.

Apharmd "Hatter": A wild and energetic Virtuaroid that the player saves earlier in the game. He constantly helps the player during some missions in the game.

Temjin "White Knight": The most powerful Temjin model in the game. He's found in the middle of the game, searching for Shadow VR's, VR's infected by a virus that makes them get colored in Red/Black. In their First Meeting, he tests the player to discover If their VR is MARS or a Shadow. Then he helps them in their journey until they reach the last stage of Earth, where they fight against their own Shadow VR.

"Rose Trio" Cyphers: They are female VRs the player fights during some missions on Mars and Earth. When the player defeats them, Jennifer Poison, one of the Cyphers gives the player an item that allows them to reach the boss of the stage. They don't like Apharmd Hatter due to his wild personality after he said the players should not trust them.

The pilots of the Special Virtuaroids are taken from novelizations of the Virtual-On franchise; such as One Man Rescue and Fragmentary Passage. These Special Virtuaroids can be unlocked if a player meets certain requirements.

Reception

Reception
Aggregate score
AggregatorScore
Metacritic54/100[3]
Review scores
PublicationScore
1Up.com4/10[4]
Edge7/10[5]
Famitsu33/40[6]
Game Informer5/10[7]
GameSpot6.3/10[8]
GameSpyStarStar[9]
GameZone6.2/10[10]
IGN4.8/10[11]
OPM (US)StarStar[12]
PSM5/10[13]

The game received "mixed or average " reviews according to the review aggregation website Metacritic.[3] In Japan, however, Famitsu gave it a score of 33 out of 40.[6]

As of March 2021, Cyber Troopers Virtual-On MARZ is the most recent game in the Virtual-On franchise (except for a Japan-exclusive crossover game with novel series A Certain Magical Index). In 2004, Sega reintegrated Hitmaker back into their own company, re-establishing its previous identity prior to 2000, Sega AM3.[14] The studio was dissolved and merged into other departments in 2009.[15]

On 8 January 2016, American business magazine Forbes published an article speaking to Sega employee Mayu Koike, saying that the company currently have no plans of publishing any new Virtual-On games.[16] This makes MARZ, for the time being, the final standalone Virtual-On game.

References

  1. ↑ "Cyber Troopers Virtual-On Marz for PlayStation 2 - GameFAQs". https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/ps2/562247-cyber-troopers-virtual-on-marz. 
  2. ↑ (in en) Virtual-On Marz - Walkthrough/FAQ (JAP) - IGN, https://www.ign.com/faqs/2003/virtual-on-marz-walkthroughfaq-jap-424403, retrieved 2021-03-05 
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 "Virtual-On Marz for PlayStation 2 Reviews". CBS Interactive. https://www.metacritic.com/game/cyber-troopers-virtual-on-marz/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-2. Retrieved November 4, 2020. 
  4. ↑ Smith, David F. (November 5, 2003). "Virtual-On Marz [date mislabeled as "November 5, 2002""]. Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on April 13, 2004. https://web.archive.org/web/20040413100102/http://www.1up.com/article2/0,2053,1491116,00.asp. Retrieved November 4, 2020. 
  5. ↑ Edge staff (September 2003). "[Dennō Senki Virtual-On Marz [Import]"]. Edge (Future Publishing) (127): 104. https://archive.org/details/edgeuk127/page/n81/mode/2up. Retrieved November 4, 2020. 
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 "電脳戦機バーチャロン マーズ [PS2"] (in Japanese). Famitsu (Enterbrain). https://www.famitsu.com/cominy/?m=pc&a=page_h_title&title_id=2023&redirect=no. Retrieved November 4, 2020. 
  7. ↑ "Cyber Troopers Virtual-On Marz". Game Informer (GameStop) (128): 150. December 2003. 
  8. ↑ Davis, Ryan (October 20, 2003). "Virtual On Marz [sic Review"]. CBS Interactive. https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/virtual-on-marz-review/1900-6077064/. Retrieved November 4, 2020.  [date mislabeled as "October 22, 2003"]
  9. ↑ Gallant, Matthew (October 26, 2003). "GameSpy: Virtual-On Marz". IGN Entertainment. http://ps2.gamespy.com/playstation-2/virtual-on-marz/6316p1.html. Retrieved November 4, 2020. 
  10. ↑ Aceinet (January 23, 2004). "Virtual On: Marz [sic - PS2 - Review"]. Archived from the original on October 5, 2008. https://web.archive.org/web/20081005005720/http://ps2.gamezone.com/gzreviews/r21873.htm. Retrieved November 4, 2020. 
  11. ↑ Perry, Douglass C. (October 21, 2003). "Virtual-On Marz". Ziff Davis. https://www.ign.com/articles/2003/10/21/virtual-on-marz. Retrieved November 4, 2020. 
  12. ↑ "Virtual-On Marz". Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine (Ziff Davis) (76): 130. January 2004. 
  13. ↑ "Review: Virtual-On Marz". PSM (Imagine Media): 48. January 2004. 
  14. ↑ "Sega development studios return to the fold" (in en). 29 June 2004. https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/sega-development-studios-return-to-the-fold. 
  15. ↑ "Game Music Core Special Interview" (in ja). April 1, 2009. http://www.ne.jp/asahi/v/hara/ga_core/ga_core2_1.html. 
  16. ↑ Barder, Ollie. "We Won't Be Getting A New 'Virtual On' Game Anytime Soon". https://www.forbes.com/sites/olliebarder/2016/01/08/we-wont-be-getting-a-new-virtual-on-game-anytime-soon/?sh=325c00c84362. 
  • Virtual-ON Marz Official Site Script error: The function "in_lang" does not exist.
  • MobyGames is a commercial database website that catalogs information on video games and the people and companies behind them via crowdsourcing. This includes over 300,000 games for hundreds of platforms.[1] Founded in 1999, ownership of the site has changed hands several times. It has been owned by Atari SA since 2022.

Features

Edits and submissions to the site (including screenshots, box art, developer information, game summaries, and more) go through a verification process of fact-checking by volunteer "approvers".[2] This approval process after submission can range from minutes to days or months.[3] The most commonly used sources are the video game's website, packaging, and credit screens. There is a published standard for game information and copy-editing.[4] A ranking system allows users to earn points for contributing accurate information.[5]

Registered users can rate and review games. Users can create private or public "have" and "want" lists, which can generate a list of games available for trade with other registered users. The site contains an integrated forum. Each listed game can have its own sub-forum.

History

Logo used until March 2014

MobyGames was founded on March 1, 1999, by Jim Leonard and Brian Hirt, and joined by David Berk 18 months later, the three of which had been friends since high school.[6][7] Leonard had the idea of sharing information about computer games with a larger audience. The database began with information about games for IBM PC compatibles, relying on the founders' personal collections. Eventually, the site was opened up to allow general users to contribute information.[5] In a 2003 interview, Berk emphasized MobyGames' dedication to taking video games more seriously than broader society and to preserving games for their important cultural influence.[5]

In mid-2010, MobyGames was purchased by GameFly for an undisclosed amount.[8] This was announced to the community post factum , and the site's interface was given an unpopular redesign.[7] A few major contributors left, refusing to do volunteer work for a commercial website.{{Citation needed|date=June 2025} On December 18, 2013, MobyGames was acquired by Jeremiah Freyholtz, owner of Blue Flame Labs (a San Francisco-based game and web development company) and VGBoxArt (a site for fan-made video game box art).[9] Blue Flame Labs reverted MobyGames' interface to its pre-overhaul look and feel,[10] and for the next eight years, the site was run by Freyholtz and Independent Games Festival organizer Simon Carless.[7]

On November 24, 2021, Atari SA announced a potential deal with Blue Flame Labs to purchase MobyGames for $1.5 million.[11] The purchase was completed on 8 March 2022, with Freyholtz remaining as general manager.[12][13][14] Over the next year, the financial boost given by Atari led to a rework of the site being built from scratch with a new backend codebase, as well as updates improving the mobile and desktop user interface.[1] This was accomplished by investing in full-time development of the site instead of its previously part-time development.[15]

In 2024, MobyGames began offering a paid "Pro" membership option for the site to generate additional revenue.[16] Previously, the site had generated income exclusively through banner ads and (from March 2014 onward) a small number of patrons via the Patreon website.[17]

On February 13, 2025, Freyholtz stepped down as the site lead to move onto new projects, leaving operations to Tracy Poff, a veteran coder on the site, and Atari staff.[18]

See also

  • IGDB – game database used by Twitch for its search and discovery functions

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Sheehan, Gavin (2023-02-22). "Atari Relaunches The Fully Rebuilt & Optimized MobyGames Website". https://bleedingcool.com/games/atari-relaunches-the-fully-rebuilt-optimized-mobygames-website/. 
  2. ↑ Litchfield, Ted (2021-11-26). "Zombie company Atari to devour MobyGames". https://www.pcgamer.com/zombie-company-atari-to-devour-mobygames/. 
  3. ↑ "MobyGames FAQ: Emails Answered § When will my submission be approved?". Blue Flame Labs. 30 March 2014. http://www.mobygames.com/info/faq7#g1. 
  4. ↑ "The MobyGames Standards and Practices". Blue Flame Labs. 6 January 2016. http://www.mobygames.com/info/standards. 
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Miller, Stanley A. (2003-04-22). "People's choice awards honor favorite Web sites". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. 
  6. ↑ "20 Years of MobyGames" (in en). 2019-02-28. https://trixter.oldskool.org/2019/02/28/20-years-of-mobygames/. 
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 Plunkett, Luke (2022-03-10). "Atari Buys MobyGames For $1.5 Million". https://kotaku.com/mobygames-retro-credits-database-imdb-atari-freyholtz-b-1848638521. 
  8. ↑ "Report: MobyGames Acquired By GameFly Media". Gamasutra. 2011-02-07. https://www.gamedeveloper.com/game-platforms/report-mobygames-acquired-by-gamefly-media. 
  9. ↑ Corriea, Alexa Ray (December 31, 2013). "MobyGames purchased from GameFly, improvements planned". http://www.polygon.com/2013/12/31/5261414/mobygames-purchased-from-gamefly-improvements-planned. 
  10. ↑ Wawro, Alex (31 December 2013). "Game dev database MobyGames getting some TLC under new owner". Gamasutra. https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/game-dev-database-mobygames-getting-some-tlc-under-new-owner. 
  11. ↑ "Atari invests in Anstream, may buy MobyGames". November 24, 2021. https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2021-11-24-atari-invests-in-anstream-may-buy-mobygames. 
  12. ↑ Rousseau, Jeffrey (2022-03-09). "Atari purchases Moby Games". https://www.gamesindustry.biz/atari-purchases-moby-games. 
  13. ↑ "Atari Completes MobyGames Acquisition, Details Plans for the Site's Continued Support". March 8, 2022. https://www.atari.com/atari-completes-mobygames-acquisition-details-plans-for-the-sites-continued-support/. 
  14. ↑ "Atari has acquired game database MobyGames for $1.5 million" (in en-GB). 2022-03-09. https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/atari-has-acquired-game-database-mobygames-for-1-5-million/. 
  15. ↑ Stanton, Rich (2022-03-10). "Atari buys videogame database MobyGames for $1.5 million". https://www.pcgamer.com/atari-buys-videogame-database-mobygames-for-dollar15-million/. 
  16. ↑ Harris, John (2024-03-09). "MobyGames Offering “Pro” Membership". https://setsideb.com/mobygames-offering-pro-membership/. 
  17. ↑ "MobyGames on Patreon". http://www.patreon.com/mobygames. 
  18. ↑ "An update on MobyGames leadership". 2025-02-13. https://www.mobygames.com/forum/3/thread/269628/an-update-on-mobygames-leadership/#post-269628. 
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