Software:Tech Romancer

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Short description: 1998 video game
Tech Romancer
File:Tech Romancer JP DC.jpg
Japanese Dreamcast cover art
Developer(s)Capcom
Publisher(s)Capcom
Dreamcast
Composer(s)Yuki Iwai
Platform(s)Arcade, Dreamcast
ReleaseArcade
  • JP: September 1998
  • NA: November 1998[1]
Dreamcast
  • JP: January 13, 2000
  • NA: June 15, 2000[2]
  • EU: July 7, 2000
  • JP: January 18, 2001 (for Matching Service)
Genre(s)Fighting
Mecha
Super Robot
Real Robot
Mode(s)Single-player, multiplayer
Arcade systemSony ZN-2

Script error: The function "nihongo_foot" does not exist. is a 1998 3D fighting arcade game by Capcom that draws heavily from the various subgenres of mecha anime. It was later ported to the Dreamcast console. The player controls a giant robot which is used to fight another robot in one-on-one combat. Studio Nue designed the robots in this game.

Story

The setting of Tech Romancer takes place in a far future of Earth, where advanced technology have made things calm and decent for the citizens of Japan and the rest of the world. However, the peace doesn't last long as an evil alien tyrant named Goldibus invades the planet with its loyal followers and seeks to conquer the world while enslaving the human race with an emotionless iron fist. An unlikely group of heroes band together to fight against the threat of Goldibus with their own unique mecha robots and all of them won't rest until Goldibus is defeated and the world is safe from the imminent danger.

Game modes

The game is primarily played in two modes: Story Mode, and Hero Challenge Mode. The Dreamcast version also had minigames that could be played on the VMU for points.

A screenshot from Tech Romancer's gameplay.

Story Mode

Each mecha has its own story mode, which plays out like an anime series, with each battle broken up by an episode title, eyecatch, and dialog scenes before and after each battle. Each mecha has its own story (where it is the star of its own show), and decisions made in the dialog scenes, as well as the conditions under which a battle is won, can cause some stories to branch out and have multiple paths and endings. The other mecha and characters naturally make appearances, but their role may vary from their actual origins to fit the "star" mecha's story.

Hero Challenge Mode

An "Arcade-style" mode where the player fights through each of the major mecha and bosses. Various hidden mecha and pilots found in the game can only be used in Hero Challenge Mode. In the Dreamcast version, points earned in Hero Challenge Mode and the VMU minigames could be used to purchase hidden characters including boss characters and movies.

Matching Service

In Japan, the game is re-released as "Choukou Senki Kikaioh For Matching Service" because of its online functionality.

Gameplay

Battles take place mostly on a flat 3D plane, with buildings and other terrain features scattered around. Destroying the terrain (by attacking or walking through them) releases power-ups, which include three weapons (vary between each character/mecha), armor or life powerups, and the Hero Mode powerup, which increases the power of your mecha's attacks, and may also unlock additional abilities or moves.

Rather than rounds, the matches are decided by the life meters of the fighters. Each fighter has two life meters, and is destroyed when the second one is depleted. In addition, each mecha gets an armor gauge that, when broken by consistent brute attacks, lowers the mecha's defense and makes it harder to recover from attacks received.

Each mecha has at least two super attacks, as well as a Final Attack, which is usable when the opponent is down to the last 50% of their second lifebar. This attack, when activated and successfully connected, automatically destroys the opponent, winning the battle.

Character

Heroes

Junpei Todoroki (轟ジュンペイ（とどろき ジュンペイ), Todoroki Jun pei (todoroki junpei))
Junpei is voiced by Kōichi Tōchika
is the main protagonist and one of the main characters of the 3D mecha fighting game Tech Romancer. His pilot robot is Grand Armor Kaiser (G. Kaiser). Junpei is a hot-headed hero in the series and has strong sense of justice. In his quest to defeat Goldbius, he will avenge the death of his family. His character design is similar to the Mazinger character Kouji Kabuto.
Nakato Farland (中戸ファーランド, Nakato fārando)
Nakoto is voiced by Shigeru Nakahara
One of the pilot of FX-004S Dixen, Nakato was a 16-year-old he former SHTO (Southern Hemisphere Treaty Organization) Space Military Academy who deserted and joined the enemy the Alliance Forces.
Halma Frockheart (ハルマ・フロックハート, Haruma furokkuhāto)
Halma is voiced by Yoshino Takamori
The other pilot FX-004S Dixen, Halma is a genius girl who is a student at Military Training Institute Battle School. Except for the anonymous pilot almost all Dixen characters appearing in other stories are handled by Nakato. Halma only appears in the polin branching route.

Mecha

Super Robot type

Kikaioh (キカイオウ, Kikaiou)
The protagonist of the game in featured Super Steel Chronicle Kikaoh (nickname Armor Knight G (Grand) Kaiser). This Super Robot attacks with rocket punches, bombs, and a heat beam in its chest. Piloted by Junpei Todoroki. G. Kaiser is based on classic super Robots, particularly Mazinger Z and Great Mazinger. G. Kaiser makes an cameo appearance in PTX-40A's ending in Tatsunoko vs. Capcom: Ultimate All-Stars.
Pulsion (パルシオン, Parushion)
An Ultraman-like hero/heroine who transforms into a mecha to fight evil featured Fight! Pulsion. Pulsion's true identity is either the male Kai or the female Kei. Pulsion was originally a servant of Goldibus who had its memory erased in a fight with Diana-17. Kai has the choice of continuing to fight for justice or return to the evil side, while Kei eventually has to fight an evil version of herself. In Hero Mode, Pulsion adopts a different fighting style that makes it resemble Evangelion Unit 01 in Berserk Mode.

Real Robot type

FX-004S Dixen (ディクセン, Dikusen)
A mecha armed with a shoulder-mounted beam cannon, grenades, and three remote-controlled beam guns. It can also switch between a beam rifle and a bazooka. Piloted by either Nakato Farland or Halma Frockheart. Dixen is heavily based on the Real Robot anime franchise Mobile Suit Gundam Even Dixen's Final Attack is a direct homage to the RX-78-2 Gundam "Final Shooting" scene, with Dixen even concealing it's head and left arm, which were destroyed on the Gundam in said scene. Featured in Special Troop Cavalry Dixen (nickname Super Defense Armour Dixen)
FX-004EX Dixen Experiment (ディクセンエクスペリメント, Dikusen'ekusuperimento)

Reception

Reception
Aggregate score
AggregatorScore
GameRankings78%[3]
Review scores
PublicationScore
AllGame3.5/5[4]
EGM8.17/10[6][lower-alpha 1]
Eurogamer7/10[8]
Famitsu29/40[9]
Game Informer8.5/10[10]
GameFan(J.W.) 75%[11]
(L.B.) 68%[12]
GameRevolutionB−[13]
GameSpot8.6/10[14]
GameSpy8/10[15]
IGN8.9/10[16][17]
Next Generation3/5[18]

In Japan, Game Machine listed the arcade version in their November 15, 1998 issue as the fourth most-successful arcade game of the week.[19]

The Dreamcast version received favorable reviews. In Japan, Famitsu gave it a score of 29 out of 40, just one point away from Silver Awards Editors' Choice.[9] Greg Orlando of NextGen said of the game, "It's not often when we get to step into our favorite anime and beat some metal ass. Now if only the fighting were as inspired as the off-the-wall anime plot..."[18] James Mielke of GameSpot described the game as "a combination of great graphics and solid fighting fun". He noted that the game contains more replay value than JoJo's Bizarre Adventure, Street Fighter III, and Software:Plasma Sword: Nightmare of Bilstein combined.[14] Anoop Gantayat of IGN described the game as having "the greatest single player mode ever in a fighting game" through both the game's Power Stone-style rewards system and story mode which contained branching paths and multiple endings for the playable characters.[16] BenT of PlanetDreamcast described the game as "a great surprise from Capcom" due to its Japanese anime stylings and superb character design, as well as the simple yet addictive gameplay, but criticized the overly simplistic gameplay and underwhelming graphics compare to other titles released for the Dreamcast around the same time (most notably Software:Resident Evil – Code: Veronica which was also made by Capcom and MDK2 from Bioware).[15]

Kilo Watt of GamePro said of the game in one review, "If you're purely a fighting game fan or casual gamer, you might want to pass on Tech Romancer since it's not the pinnacle of robot fighting. For avid mech anime fans, this is one of those games you've dreamed about."[20][lower-alpha 2] In another GamePro review, however, Jake The Snake said that the game "will appeal to serious fighting game fans who like the anime-style mech basher, but casual button-mashers and mech game fans may want to pass or rent first."[21][lower-alpha 3]

GameRevolution listed Tech Romancer as 44th on their list of the 50 Worst Game Names Ever.[22]

Notes

  1. ↑ In Electronic Gaming Monthly's review of the Dreamcast version, two critics gave it each a score of 8/10, and the other gave it 8.5/10.
  2. ↑ GamePro gave the Dreamcast version two 4.5/5 scores for graphics and fun factor, 5/5 for sound, and 4/5 for control in one review.
  3. ↑ GamePro gave the Dreamcast version 4/5 for graphics, and three 3.5/5 scores for sound, control, and fun factor in another review.

References

  1. ↑ Akagi, Masumi (October 13, 2006) (in ja). アーケードTVゲームリスト国内•海外編(1971–2005). Japan: Amusement News Agency. p. 113. ISBN 978-4990251215. https://archive.org/details/ArcadeGameList1971-2005/page/n113/mode/2up. Retrieved November 30, 2024. 
  2. ↑ Gantayat, Anoop (June 15, 2000). "Tech Romancer Ships". Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on September 6, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190906152145/https://www.ign.com/articles/2000/06/16/tech-romancer-ships. Retrieved October 19, 2023. 
  3. ↑ "Tech Romancer for Dreamcast". CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on May 5, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190505054348/https://www.gamerankings.com/dreamcast/250630-tech-romancer/index.html. Retrieved May 16, 2022. 
  4. ↑ Ottoson, Joe. "Tech Romancer (DC) - Review". All Media Network. Archived from the original on November 16, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20141116063701/http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=23163&tab=review. Retrieved September 6, 2019. 
  5. ↑ D'Aprile, Jason (June 21, 2000). "Tech Romancer". CNET. Archived from the original on August 16, 2000. https://web.archive.org/web/20000816090837/http://www.gamecenter.com/Consoles/Dreamcast/Techromancer/. Retrieved May 16, 2022. 
  6. ↑ Smith, Shawn; Sewart, Greg; Kujawa, Kraig (June 2000). "Tech Romancer (DC)". Electronic Gaming Monthly (Ziff Davis) (131): 163. Archived from the original on April 8, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230408134403/https://retrocdn.net/images/b/bf/EGM_US_131.pdf. Retrieved October 19, 2023. 
  7. ↑ Hudak, Chris (June 2, 2000). "Tech Romancer (DC)". Greedy Productions Ltd.. Archived from the original on March 22, 2002. https://web.archive.org/web/20020322055423/http://www.elecplay.com/review.html?article=2569&full=1#mr_toppy. Retrieved October 19, 2023. 
  8. ↑ Corbettis, Chris "Klamy" (August 29, 2000). "Tech Romancer (DC)". Gamer Network. Archived from the original on January 7, 2001. https://web.archive.org/web/20010107183000/http://www.eurogamer.net/content/r_techromancer_dc. Retrieved May 16, 2022. 
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 "超鋼戦紀キカイオー [ドリームキャスト"] (in ja). Famitsu (Enterbrain). Archived from the original on August 4, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200804174824/https://www.famitsu.com/cominy/?m=pc&a=page_h_title&title_id=12552&redirect=no. Retrieved October 19, 2023. 
  10. ↑ Reppen, Erik (August 2000). "Tech Romancer". Game Informer (FuncoLand) (88): 84. https://archive.org/details/game-informer-issue-88-august-2000/page/n87/mode/2up. Retrieved January 29, 2025. 
  11. ↑ Weitzner, Jason "Fury" (April 2000). "Tech Romancer [Import"]. GameFan (Shinno Media) 8 (4): 59. https://archive.org/details/Gamefan_Vol_8_Issue_04/page/n59/mode/2up. Retrieved May 16, 2022. 
  12. ↑ Buchanan, Levi (June 1, 2000). "REVIEW for Tech Romancer (DC)". GameFan (Shinno Media). Archived from the original on June 21, 2000. https://web.archive.org/web/20000621222410/http://www.gamefan.com/repre.asp?g=2060&t=r. Retrieved September 6, 2019. 
  13. ↑ G-Wok (May 2000). "Tech Romancer Review". CraveOnline. https://www.gamerevolution.com/review/32248-tech-romancer-review. Retrieved September 6, 2019. 
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 Mielke, James (January 20, 2000). "Tech Romancer Review [Import; date mislabeled as "May 5, 2000""]. Fandom. Archived from the original on July 26, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160726145135/https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/tech-romancer-review/1900-2540707/. Retrieved October 19, 2023. 
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 BenT (June 20, 2000). "Tech Romancer". IGN Entertainment. http://www.planetdreamcast.com/games/reviews/techromancer/. Retrieved September 6, 2019. 
  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 Gantayat, Anoop (January 21, 2000). "Kikaioh (Import . . . Tech Romancer)". Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on September 6, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190906152148/https://www.ign.com/articles/2000/01/22/kikaioh-import-tech-romancer. Retrieved October 19, 2023. 
  17. ↑ Gantayat, Anoop (June 19, 2000). "Tech Romancer". Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on September 28, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220928055931/https://www.ign.com/articles/2000/06/20/tech-romancer. Retrieved October 19, 2023. 
  18. ↑ 18.0 18.1 Orlando, Greg (June 2000). "Tech Romancer (DC)". NextGen (Imagine Media) (66): 96. https://archive.org/details/NextGen66Jun2000/page/n97/mode/2up. Retrieved May 16, 2022. 
  19. ↑ "Game Machine's Best Hit Games 25". Game Machine (Amusement Press, Inc.) (576): 21. November 15, 1998. Archived from the original on March 21, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230321031158/https://onitama.tv/gamemachine/pdf/19981115p.pdf#page=11. Retrieved October 19, 2023. 
  20. ↑ Kilo Watt (June 30, 2000). "Tech Romancer Review for Dreamcast on GamePro.com". GamePro (IDG). Archived from the original on December 13, 2004. https://web.archive.org/web/20041213075914/http://www.gamepro.com/sega/dreamcast/games/reviews/6001.shtml. Retrieved October 19, 2023. 
  21. ↑ Jake The Snake (June 2000). "Tech Romancer". GamePro (IDG) (141): 126. Archived from the original on July 7, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220707090814/https://retrocdn.net/images/a/a5/GamePro_US_141.pdf. Retrieved October 19, 2023. 
  22. ↑ Ferris, Duke (June 12, 2006). "The 50 Worst Game Names Ever". CraveOnline. Archived from the original on May 7, 2007. https://web.archive.org/web/20070507070003/http://www.gamerevolution.com/features/worst_game_names. Retrieved January 29, 2025. 
  • Tech Romancer at the Killer List of Videogames
  • 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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