POWER STONE
REVIEW

There are various modes to choose from. These are Arcade, Versus, Power Stone Collection (contains extras earned on completion of the game), Options, Extra Options (available on completion of the game) and Save & Load. After choosing from 8 initially selectable characters, you are thrown into a 3D arena based on various countries. It is in these arenas that you realise how different this game plays from other fighting games. Every part of the scenery can be used to your advantage. Chairs, tables, supporting beams, lamp posts and even park benches can be picked up and thrown at your opponent! Walls can be ran up, ceilings clung onto and rooves jumped on! Weapons periodically appear, too. These vary from a piece of lead piping, to a rocket launcher or mini gun. Weapons only last for a short time, so must be used wisely. If hit whilst carrying one, you lose it. In addition to all of these collectables, three coloured gems also appear. If you manage to collect all 3, your character will transform into his or her alter ego. These vary on the character, from Wang Tang's, Alcione, who is remarkably similar to Son Gohan from the Dragonball Z animes, to Gunrock's huge Rock man. These powered up characters are very powerful, pulling off some very spectacular moves.

Every time you complete the game with a different character, you gain an extra page in the Power Stone Collection Mode. Pages include extra weapons such as rayguns, shields and miniguns, downloadable games for your VMS and 3rd person view modes. There are 3 VMS games to earn. These are a welcome addition, with each featuring characters and aspects from the main game. The first has you controlling a plane as scenery scrolls past, collecting coins and gems. The second is a target practice game, where you control a cross-hair, picking off ninjas advancing towards your castle. The third and final game is similar to a fruit machine, where you must get lines of gems for big points. All these extras make it worth completing the game with every character. The 3rd person mode is very impressive, and even more chaotic than the original mode! It can also be played in 2 player as a split screen mode! Mad! The game itself is incredibly playable, with most players shouting at one other throughout bouts. Everything runs at a constant 60fps, with the camera effortlessly zooming in and out to keep both characters in view. Many will say the game lacks depth, as all of the moves are simple button presses, but this makes it all the more accessible. Nobody can disagree with it being a whole load of fun! It is the way you use your surroundings and weapons on whether you will succeed in a fight.

All in all, Power Stone is great fun, and bodes very well for future NAOMI arcade conversions to the Dreamcast. The home version contains a wealth of extras which do not appear in the arcade version. If Capcom can do this so close to an arcade release, imagine how well they do with more time, or original titles! The newly released sequel has an insane 4 player mode, along with many more improvements!

Screenshots (click to enlarge)

Return to Reviews page.