The American release of Virtual On is a shocker. The Japanese release is still 2 weeks away (November 23) but the game is now available in the USA from distributors. The twin stick is another story however and is not available along with the game's release. A quick call to Sega (888-SegaSales) was fruitless - the phone representative simply replied "We have no information on that stick now". Okay, perhaps the twin stick will come out at the same time as the Japanese release of the game package which is not a major issue because Virtual On plays okay with a standard joypad. Note that I said 'okay' which means that it is passable but not perfect.

Virtual On in the arcades is an over the top mech fighting game. The robots in the game are made up of clean, crystal clear looking polygons. The graphics are very detailed and the mecha graphics are huge for a fighting game. They control well and the double stick is the perfect 'weapon' to use for this type of fast paced game. Controlling a mech like this is a rush, especially with the dazzling graphics spinning around as you move your mech for cover from incoming missles or as you jump jet around and fire your own volley of missles at your opponent. Most arcades have the volume pumped way too high so the game gives you more of an intense experience that can rattle your bones.

The first thing that you see when you load up the Saturn game is the ability to choose between a standard joypad or the Twin stick. At this point, you have no choice but the standard control pad. A short intro follows which depicts the mecha with very clean polygon graphics. This part of the game looks very much like the arcade version. The in-game graphics are another story as you will see. Starting the game will bring you to the character selection screen which is viewed from an ant's eye view of all the robots who are lined up on an rail. There are eight robots in all and I usually play with Fei-Yen or Apharmd. Fei Yen is supremely fast and packs light attacks so she is the type of robot that has to work on wearing down the enemy before closing in for the kill. Apharmd is a speedy robot with an awesome close range attack (if you can connect) which is a blazing sword slash. This slash can remove 1/3 of your opponent's energy and can be used as a last ditch attempt if the battle is not going your way. The camera pans and spins after you choose your robot and you can watch the very impressive parting of the water as your robot jets off to war. The first level is fought on a platform that is surrounded by water. The water in the foreground does not animate though the water in the distance sparkles as it reflects the rays of sunlight. This level is very easy and is a great practice point where you can get used to the play mechanics. Virtual On takes a bit (for some, a lot) of practice before you can maneuver your robot with any modicum of skill. You will have to get used to the idea that every robot has three weapon systems and can jump/dash around. A single button controls each of these functions so ingrain those button functions into your head. When the twin stick comes out, the mechs will be easier to handle because the buttons on each stick will fire the respective side arm and pressing both buttons will fire off the center weapon. The robot's movements will be more intuitive to control with the Twin stick, especially for people who have already played the arcade version and are used to the play mechanics already. There are then little intricacies in the control where you will have to learn that your powerful center weapons will make your robot stop for a second while the weapon fires. Make sure that there is no incoming napalm when you decide to use your center weapons since you will not be able to avoid it. Each weapon also has a certain amount of energy that will run down after you use it. You have to wait for it to recharge before you can use it again. The camera view is one where you always see the back of the robot as you rocket around and do your dashing runs. The polygon graphics in the Saturn version are not crisp nor are they clean. The robots look chunky and their polygons are rough. A Saturn Upscan convertor would probably not help but I would like to try one on this game nevertheless when they are available. The mechs are also a lot smaller than the mechs in the arcade version but what is important in a game like this is that everything should move at a furious pace. It does. What is also important is that your robot should operate precisely to your controls and fire weaponry or dash to safety when you command it to. Yup. The robots animate well and the control is very good. The twin stick would make the control perfect.

It takes training and many hours of operating time before you can control your mech to a level where you can jet around and strafe the enemy with your missles, all the while avoiding incoming missles and other ballistic attacks. The training is very rewarding because its a great feeling when you can run towards your opponent, hit him with a light missle attack and then dash around to avoid his offensive attack. Once you have avoided his strafing run, you can jump jet for focus and hit him with a wallop of your center weapons. All in one smooth motion. Jumping up will instantly focus you on the enemy which helps during battles because some robots can dash around and you can lose sight of them. The effects in Virtual On are impressive to look at - from the ripples of napalm and the volley of fireballs as they stream towards you. Everything is depicted well and the action reminded me of those Robotech cartoons where the mechs have these incredible weapons that shoot out from their armor and seek destruction. When you have bombs exploding all around you and shelter is nowhere to be found, it will take all of your training and mech skills to get out relatively unscathed. The first couple of levels have little structures that you can hide behind to take a breather from all of the incoming attacks. Later levels such as Green Hills offer very little shelter and you will have to rely on your dash and jump to avoid a quick death.

Virtual On is a very good translation from the arcade. Purists looking for the graphic quality of the arcade version will be disappointed. Players seeking the fast gameplay and exhilirating feeling of controlling a powerful mech will be well rewarded. Virtual On is such a fast paced game that strategic considerations may be left at the door when you're firing away and dashing desperately to avoid getting hit. The successful Virtual On player will need to use strategy however and combine a careful blend of avoidance and offense to proceed to the demanding later levels. This article will be updated when the Japanese version with the Twin Stick is available in two weeks.

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