Software:Evolution 2: Far Off Promise

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Short description: 1999 video game
Evolution 2: Far Off Promise
North American Dreamcast cover art
Developer(s)Sting
Publisher(s)
  • JP: ESP
  • WW: Ubi Soft
  • TW: Dysin Interactive Corp.
Composer(s)Masaharu Iwata
Platform(s)Dreamcast, Microsoft Windows
Release
  • Dreamcast
    • JP: December 23, 1999
    • NA: June 29, 2000
    • EU: November 23, 2001
    Windows
    • TW: November 23, 2002
Genre(s)Roguelike, role-playing
Mode(s)Single-player

Evolution 2: Far Off Promise (神機世界エヴォリューション2 遠い約束, Shinkisekai Evoryūshon 2 Tōi Yakusoku) is a role-playing video game for the Dreamcast console. It is a sequel to Software:Evolution: The World of Sacred Device. It was developed by Sting and published by Ubi Soft in North America. In Japan it was published by ESP, while in Taiwan a Microsoft Windows version was published by Dysin Interactive Corp.[1]


Like the first Evolution game, Evolution 2 is a dungeon crawler. Unlike the first, Evolution 2 has both random and predetermined dungeon maps.

This game and Evolution: The World of the Sacred Device were remade into Evolution Worlds on the GameCube.

Plot

Less than a year after the events of Evolution: The World of Sacred Device, Mag Launcher has become known as the number one explorer of Pannam Town and is invited by the Society to visit Museville via the newly built railroad and there undertake the recovery of a series of especially valuable artifacts for the Society's president, Professor Whitehead. Mag accepts, and is accompanied to Museville by his fellow adventurer and constant companion, Linear Cannon, and the Launcher family butler, Gre Nade.

While the adventurers complete Whitehead's assignments, Linear is periodically visited by a mysterious boy named Yurka. He reveals to Linear that he is an artificial life form like her, and shows her how their powers compliment each other: When he kills a wilting flower with his power, Linear's power sprouts up four new flowers from its remains, when previously she could only restore dying organisms. Linear tells Mag about Yurka, but he innocently assumes that they are just friends.

The artifacts acquired by Mag are stolen from the Society by the Red Wolves, a group of bandits. The Society bugged the artifacts with a tracer, and sends Mag's group to the Red Wolves' hideout at Pine Village. After they escape the bandits' traps, Mag has earned the respect and liking of their leader, Carcano. He turns the artifacts over to Mag. Yurka summons Mag outside the hideout and tells him to stay away from Linear without explaining why. When Mag refuses, Yurka strikes him down with his power and departs. As Mag rages about this unprovoked aggression, Linear defends Yurka, prompting Mag to start shunning her.

Mag returns the artifacts to the Society and convinces them to leave Carcano alone by falsely reporting that the Red Wolves have promised to reform. Yurka again visits Linear and tells her to leave Mag. He says that humans will always fear and pursue beings like them, and that as a result Mag will be in danger so long as she is with him, making her a constant burden. Linear discards the ocarina Mag gave her and leaves with Yurka to the Society headquarters, where they use the artifacts acquired by Mag to travel to the world of the technologically advanced pre-apocalyptic civilization which created Linear and Yurka. Once Mag and Gre find Linear missing and track her to the Society headquarters, Carcano helps them break in. Whitehead confesses that he was collaborating with Yurka in order to discover the secrets of the Ancients; inviting Mag to Museville was in fact Yurka's idea. After Whitehead helped him open the portal, Yurka betrayed him.

Mag pursues Linear and Yurka through the portal, where Yurka explains that he and Linear were created because the ancient civilization suffered from illnesses which made them lose their desire to live. Yurka was meant to destroy everything and Linear to raise up a new species from the remains, thus achieving evolution. Yurka and Linear are absorbed into a device called Ulticannon, which was created to connect them and amplify their powers, and set about fulfilling their assigned role. Mag plays Linear's ocarina and confesses his feelings for her, leading her to break off from the Ulticannon gestalt in order to be with Mag. Mag and Linear plead with Yurka to break off from Ulticannon as well, but separated from Linear, Yurka becomes consumed with jealousy and despair. Mag and his group destroy Ulticannon in order to stop him from destroying humanity. The released Yurka apologizes for his actions. Mag tells him they can be friends now, but Yurka dies after thanking them and saying he is glad to have lived.

Mag comforts Linear over Yurka's death and gives her a birthday present. As Mag, Linear, and Gre return to Pannam Town, Gre discovers a hotel bill, revealing that the Society is sticking them with the boarding costs, which are far greater than the rewards they were paid for recovering the artifacts.

Reception

Reception
Aggregate score
AggregatorScore
GameRankings66%[2]
Review scores
PublicationScore
AllGameStarStarHalf star[3]
EGM6.17/10[5][lower-alpha 1]
Famitsu29/40[7]
Game Informer6/10[8]
GameFan87%[9]
GameRevolutionC[10]
GameSpot5.7/10[11]
GameSpy6/10[12]
IGN4.5/10[13]
Next GenerationStarStarStar[14]

The Dreamcast version received "average" reviews according to the review aggregation website GameRankings.[2] Jeff Lundrigan of NextGen called it "an experience to be savored and enjoyed."[14] In Japan, Famitsu gave it a score of 29 out of 40.[7]

Four-Eyed Dragon of GamePro said in one review, "Fans of Evolution won't be disappointed with this vivid world that's full of familiar faces and tactics. Yet, as in the first Evolution, the gameplay is geared for younger adventurers – hardcore role-players will want to hold out for a deeper story and greater challenge."[15][lower-alpha 2] In another review, E. Coli said that the game "establishes the series as being aimed at younger players who may find the complexities of the average RPG too challenging. It is definitely aimed at the short attention span crowd. Dreamcast owners are still waiting for someone to deliver a quality RPG, but fear not, several promising titles are slated for release in the next few months and one of them is bound to be a winner."[16][lower-alpha 3]

Notes

  1. ↑ Two critics of Electronic Gaming Monthly gave the Dreamcast version each a score of 7/10, and the other gave it 4.5/10.
  2. ↑ GamePro gave the game 4/5 for graphics, two 3.5/5 scores for sound and fun factor, and 4.5/5 for control in one review.
  3. ↑ GamePro gave the game two 3/5 scores for graphics and fun factor, 2.5/5 for sound, and 4/5 for control in another review.

References

  1. ↑ "神機世界2" (in zh-tw). Dysin Interactive Corp.. Archived from the original on February 14, 2004. https://web.archive.org/web/20040214120451/http://www.dysin.com.tw/products/product_platform_c.asp#evo2. Retrieved January 22, 2021. 
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Evolution 2 for Dreamcast". CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on May 5, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190505071209/https://www.gamerankings.com/dreamcast/250583-evolution-2/index.html. Retrieved June 18, 2020. 
  3. ↑ Ottoson, Joe. "Evolution 2: Far Off Promise - Review". All Media Network. Archived from the original on November 14, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20141114152442/http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=25205&tab=review. Retrieved June 18, 2020. 
  4. ↑ Franklin, Eric (June 29, 2000). "Evolution 2 [Far Off Promise"]. CNET. Archived from the original on August 15, 2000. https://web.archive.org/web/20000815054257/http://www.gamecenter.com/Dreamcast/Reviews/Evolution2/. Retrieved May 24, 2022. 
  5. ↑ Kennedy, Sam; Johnston, Chris; Sewart, Greg (July 2000). "Evolution 2: Far Off Promise". Electronic Gaming Monthly (Ziff Davis) (132): 139. Archived from the original on May 8, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230508050531/https://retrocdn.net/images/5/54/EGM_US_132.pdf. Retrieved July 12, 2023. 
  6. ↑ Ashe, Suzanne (January 17, 2001). "Evolution 2: Far Off Promise". Greedy Productions Ltd.. Archived from the original on September 10, 2002. https://web.archive.org/web/20020910150820/http://www.elecplay.com/review.html?article=5074&full=1#mr_toppy. Retrieved December 3, 2023. 
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 "神機世界エヴォリューション2 〜遠い約束〜 [ドリームキャスト"] (in ja). Famitsu (Enterbrain). Archived from the original on May 31, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220531004844/https://www.famitsu.com/cominy/?m=pc&a=page_h_title&title_id=12810&redirect=no. Retrieved July 12, 2023. 
  8. ↑ "Evolution 2: Far Off Promise". Game Informer (FuncoLand) (87). July 2000. 
  9. ↑ Mylonas, Eric "ECM" (July 2000). "Evolution 2". GameFan (Shinno Media) 8 (7): 32–33. https://archive.org/details/Gamefan_Vol_8_Issue_07/page/n33/mode/2up. Retrieved June 18, 2020. 
  10. ↑ G-Wok (July 2000). "Evolution 2: Far Off Promise Review". CraveOnline. Archived from the original on October 1, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20151001124115/http://www.gamerevolution.com/review/evolution-2-far-off-promise. Retrieved June 18, 2020. 
  11. ↑ Lopez, Miguel (July 12, 2000). "Evolution 2 Review". Fandom. Archived from the original on February 1, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230201001910/https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/evolution-2-review/1900-2602790/. Retrieved July 12, 2023. 
  12. ↑ Mr. Domino (July 13, 2000). "Evolution 2". IGN Entertainment. Archived from the original on February 22, 2009. https://web.archive.org/web/20090222194458/http://www.planetdreamcast.com/games/reviews/evolution2/. Retrieved June 18, 2020. 
  13. ↑ Gantayat, Anoop (June 30, 2000). "Evolution 2: Far off Promise". Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on January 31, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230131074214/https://www.ign.com/articles/2000/06/30/evolution-2-far-off-promise. Retrieved July 12, 2023. 
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 Lundrigan, Jeff (July 2000). "Evolution 2". NextGen (Imagine Media) (67): 88. https://archive.org/details/NextGen67Jul2000/page/n89/mode/2up. Retrieved June 18, 2020. 
  15. ↑ Four-Eyed Dragon (July 2000). "Evolution 2: Far Off Promise". GamePro (IDG) (142): 100. Archived from the original on November 2, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20221102013710/https://retrocdn.net/images/1/16/GamePro_US_142.pdf. Retrieved July 12, 2023. 
  16. ↑ E. Coli (August 4, 2000). "Evolution 2: Far-Off Promise Review for Dreamcast on GamePro.com". GamePro (IDG). Archived from the original on January 17, 2005. https://web.archive.org/web/20050117224339/http://www.gamepro.com/sega/dreamcast/games/reviews/6298.shtml. Retrieved June 18, 2020. 
  • 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 lengthy 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]

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. 
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