Criticom

n/a

NTSC-U NTSC-J
Criticom
System(s): Sega Saturn
Publisher: VIC Tokai (JP), VIC Tokai Inc. (US)
Developer: Kronos Digital Entertainment, Point of View
Sound driver: SCSP/CD-DA (11 tracks)
Genre: Fighting Action/Kakutou Action (格闘アクション), Action
Number of players: 1-2
Release Date RRP Code JP 1997-02-28 ¥5,8005,800 T-2302G US 1996-03-26 T-2302H
Non-Sega versions PlayStation

Criticom, known as Criticom: The Critical Combat (クリティコム ～ザ・クリティカル コンバット～) in Japan, is a 3D fighting game released for the Sega Saturn.

A sequel, Criticom 2, was planned for the system, but was cancelled.

Story

The Nezom and Zerai clans acquired a powerful crystalline stone called "The Relic" and anointed themselves "The Chosen Ones." Led by their Emperor, the Chosen Ones used this power to subjugate the other races, exterminating those that failed to comply in a period called the War Era. With their supremacy uncontested, the Chosen Ones entered into a period of peace. However, an unknown force has stolen the Relic, threatening the power of the Chosen Ones, and warriors from throughout the universe see an opportunity to obtain vengeance or power.

Gameplay

Character select

The game is a 3D fighting game. Fights takes place on round, elevated platforms. Each fighter starts each match with a full power meter and a power meter refill in reserve, which is activated when the first power meter is depleted. There are no rounds; the fight ends when a fighter has lost both power meters or falls out of the arena or when time runs out (in which case the fighter with the most health remaining is declared the winner). Characters do not start the game with their full movesets; instead, players must level up each character by completing the single-player game. In addition to the expanded moveset, characters gain better armor and a new appearance at each level.

Characters move with or and duck with . They charge or retreat with or ; with the forward dash, they continue running forward until the direction is released. Characters jump with , , or . They can roll left or right with or , which can be used to dodge attacks. Characters do not automatically turn around when the opponent moves to the other side and must reorient with or . They may also become misaligned after rolling and must roll again until they are facing each other again. Characters attack with a light punch with , a medium punch with , or a hard punch with + or with a light kick with , a medium kick with , or a hard kick with +. Attacks can be done while standing, crouching, or jumping.

Characters guard by holding the D-Pad away from the opponent. Guarding while standing defends against high or jumping attacks, and guarding while crouching defends against low attacks. Characters can become stunned after taking too much damage in a short period, but pressing the attack buttons or moving the D-Pad rapidly can recover faster. Characters can perform a throw by holding the D-Pad toward the opponent and pressing +. Both characters must be facing each other. Throws cannot be blocked. After being knocked down, characters can recover more quickly withh or recover by hopping forward or rolling back with or . Characters can perform a pounce attack on a downed opponent with +.

Modes

The Tournament mode is the single-player mode. The player can choose any character and fights against every playable character in the game (including a mirror match against the chosen character) in a random order. Each character is initially level 1. After defeating every character at level 1, the player must fight a match against a version of the selected character at level 2. If triumphant, the game ends, and the player is given a password that upgrades the played character to the level 2. The player can replay the game using the level 2 character, with all opponents now at level 2 except for the final mirror match, who is now level 3, to receive a password to upgrade the played character to level 3. The player can replay the game a third time using the level 3 character against level 3 opponents, with the final opponent being the Emperor, the final boss. When the Emperor is defeated, the character's ending is played.

The 2 Player mode is the two-player versus mode. Each player can choose any character and fight a match against each other. As in the single-player mode, every character starts at level 1 unless a password is entered to unlock a higher-level character.

Passwords can be entered by opening the "Load/Save" menu in the options or by pressing  START  at the character select screen. Passwords must be entered separately for each character and for each player.

Characters

Note: Move lists assume that the character is facing right. When facing left, and should be reversed.

P	Any punch button
LP	Light punch
MP	Medium punch
HP	Hard punch

K	Any kick button
LK	Light kick
MK	Medium kick
HK	Hard kick

	Special move
	Special move

Characters have access to all of the moves at their current level as well as all of the moves at lower levels.

The and buttons do nothing on their own, but most button combinations for special moves involve using one or the other.

Playable

	Delara Zerai
	A member of the Zerai clan who was tasked with defending the Relic, along with a Nezom guard who was slain. She now seeks vengeance on the thief. Move list (Level 1 moves) Name Command Description Flying Uppercut HOLD Delara spirals upward while holding her sword into the air. Roll Slash HOLD Delara rolls forward, then slashes her sword twice while kneeling. Roll Slash/Slice Combo HOLD + LP  Delara does a Roll Slash, then follows up with two additional slashes. Roll Slash/Slide Combo HOLD + MP  Delara does a Roll Slash, then follows up with a sliding kick. Roll Slash/Uppercut Combo HOLD + LK  Delara does a Roll Slash, then follows up with a Flying Uppercut. Stab/Kick/Slide Combo HOLD  LK   LP  Delara stabs her sword, then kicks, then does a sliding kick. Triple Low Slash Combo HOLD  MP   LP  Delara creeps forward and slashes her sword three times while kneeling. Move list (Level 2 moves) Name Command Description Dragon Wave  LP  Delara stabs her sword ahead, sending a triangular projectile across the screen. This move can only be blocked standing. Tri-Slice HOLD  LP  Delara slashes her sword, then spins around with another slash and finishes with a downward slice. Move list (Level 3 moves) Name Command Description Air Wave Blast  LK  Delara stabs her sword into the air, sending a triangular projectile diagonally upwards. Ground Wave Blast  MP  Delara slashes her sword into the ground, sending an energy wave rippling across the ground. This move can only be blocked crouching. Slide/Ground Wave Combo HOLD  MP   MP  Delara does a sliding kick, then a Ground Wave Blast. Tri-Slice/Low Slash Combo HOLD  LP   MP  Delara does a Tri-Slice, then follows up with a kneeling slash.
	Gorm
	A member of a dying race called the Dorlons, who believe that the Relic was the birthstone of their race and prophesize that a champion will return to it them one day. Move list (Level 1 moves) Name Command Description Low Jab HOLD  MP  Gorm jabs his halberd down toward the opponent's feet. Power Blade  MP  Gorm stabs his halberd into the ground, sending an energy wave rippling across the ground. Tri-Slice HOLD  LP  Gorm walks forward while swinging his halberd. Punch/Kick/Sweep Combo HOLD  LP   MK  Gorm does a high punch and a front kick, then spins around his halberd on the ground in a sweeping maneuver. Tri-Slice/Swing Combo HOLD  LP   MP  Gorm does a Tri-Slice, then follows up with a low halberd swing. Tri-Slice/Sweep Combo HOLD  MK   LP  Gorm does a Tri-Slice, then spins around his halberd on the ground in a sweeping maneuver. Move list (Level 2 moves) Name Command Description Duel Edge Blow  LP  Gorm twirls his halberd in front of him, sending a wave projectile rolling across the screen. Charge Jab HOLD Gorm steps forward while jabbing his halberd down toward the opponent's feet. Multi-Jab HOLD  MP   MP  Gorm does a Low Jab, then jabs his halberd down two more times. Charge Multi-Jab HOLD + MP  Gorm does a Charge Jab, then jabs his halberd down two more times. Charge Jab/Low Swipe Combo HOLD + MK  Gorm does a Charge Jab, then kneels and swipes his halberd from side to side two times. Move list (Level 3 moves) Name Command Description Body Torpedo HOLD Gorm uses his halberd to vault forward, spinning feet-first like a torpedo. Body Torpedo/Low Jab Combo HOLD + MP  Gorm does a Body Torpedo, then follows up with a Low Jab. 3-Slash/Body Torpedo Combo HOLD + LP  Gorm does a Tri-Slice, then follows up with a Body Torpedo.
	Yenji
	An orphan whose family was killed during the War Era. She wants to obtain the Relic in order to destroy it and end the reign of the Chosen Ones. Move list (Level 1 moves) Name Command Description Claw Charge HOLD Yenji slides forward while thrusting both of her clawed hands out. Side Kick HOLD  LP  Yenji steps forward with a side kick. Lightning Kick HOLD  LP   LP  Yenji steps forward and does a side kick three times. Roll Jab HOLD Yenji somersaults forward, then jabs with a clawed hand. Swing Kick HOLD  MP  Yenji stabs both of her claws into the ground, then uses them to rock forward with a swing kick. Roundhouse Kick HOLD  MK  Yenji does a roundhouse kick. Slash/Sweep Combo HOLD  LP   MP  Yenji slashes with her claws three times, then does a sweep kick. Slash/Double Kick Combo HOLD  MP   LP  Yenji stabs with a clawed hand, then does a low kick and a high kick. Swing Kick/Slash Combo HOLD  MP   MP  Yenji does a Swing Kick, then follows up with a Side Kick and two claw slashes. Rolling Double Slash HOLD + LK  Yenji does a Roll Jab, then follows up with a Claw Charge. Move list (Level 2 moves) Name Command Description Giant Shuriken  LP  Yenji swings her clawed hands behind her, launching a shuriken-shaped projectile across the screen. This move can be done in midair, which launches a spread of three shurikens. Multi-Cut HOLD  LK  Yenji does two low upward claw swipes, then a high upward claw swipe. Multi-Cut/Claw Charge Combo HOLD  LK   LP  Yenji does a Multi-Cut, then follows up with a Claw Charge. Double Kick/Claw Charge Combo HOLD + LP  Yenji does a Side Kick and a Roundhouse Kick, then follows up with a Claw Charge. Move list (Level 3 moves) Name Command Description Ground Dash HOLD + LP  Yenji slides forward across the ground in a prone position while stabbing with her claws. Tri-Shuriken Yenji swings her clawed hands behind her, launching three shuriken-shaped projectiles across the screen in quick succession.
	S.I.D.
	A "Sentient Integrated Droid" that was built with the purpose of exterminating all carbon-based life forms. Move list (Level 1 moves) Name Command Description Missile  LP  S.I.D. launches a missile across the screen. This move can only be blocked standing. Double Side Kick HOLD S.I.D. stands on one hand and kicks sideways with both legs. 4-Hit Jab Combo HOLD  LK   LP  S.I.D. does two sideways swipes with one hand, then a downward swipe and an uppercut with the other hand. 4-Hit Jab/Sweep Combo HOLD  LP   MK  S.I.D. does two sideways swipes with one hand, then a downward swipe with the other hand and a sweep kick. Move list (Level 2 moves) Name Command Description Aerial Missile  LK  S.I.D. launches a missile diagonally upwards. Charge Slash HOLD S.I.D. slides forward a short distance while clawing with his hands. Ground Wave  MP  S.I.D. leans forward and sends an explosive ball rolling across the ground. This move can only be blocked crouching. Slash Combo HOLD  LP   LP  S.I.D. does a Charge Slash, then follows up with an uppercut. Slash/Sweep Combo HOLD  MK   MK  S.I.D. does a Charge Slash, then follows up with a sweep kick. Move list (Level 3 moves) Name Command Description Rapid-Fire Missile S.I.D. launches five missile across the screen in quick succession. This move can only be blocked standing. Roll Charge HOLD  MP  S.I.D. curls into a ball and rolls forward, attacking with his claws and legs.
	Dayton Trent
	A soldier of fortune and investigator who was hired by the Chosen Ones to recover the Relic, though he secretly plans to sell it for. Move list (Level 1 moves) Name Command Description Flying Uppercut HOLD Dayton spirals upward while stabbing his dagger into the air. Triple Slash HOLD Dayton walks forward while swinging his dagger. Laser Blast  LP  Dayton fires an energy blast straight ahead from his phaser. Roll Slash HOLD  LP  Dayton somersaults forward, then stabs downward with his dagger. Punch/Kick/Slide Combo HOLD  LP   MP  Dayton punches, then does a jumping kick and a slide kick. Punch/Stab/Slide Combo HOLD  MP   MK  Dayton does a punch and stab, then another punch and stab and a slide kick. Low Punch/Stab Combo HOLD  MP   LP  Dayton does a punch, an upward slash, a punch, and a stab. Low Punch/Stab/Slide Combo HOLD  MP   MP  Dayton does a Low Punch/Stab Combo, then follows up with a slide kick. Light Punch/Stab/Kick/Slide Combo HOLD  LP   MK  Dayton does a light punch and a stab, then another light punch and a stab and a jumping kick. Hard Punch/Stab/Kick Combo HOLD  MK   MP  Dayton does a hard punch and a stab, then another hard punch and a stab and a jumping kick. Triple Slash/Double Kick Combo HOLD + LP  Dayton does a Triple Slash, then follows up with two jumping kicks. Roll Slash/Uppercut Combo HOLD  LP   LK  Dayton does a Roll Slash, then follows up with a Flying Uppercut. Roll Slash/Triple Slash Combo HOLD  LP   LP  Dayton does a Roll Slash, then follows up with a Triple Slash. Move list (Level 2 moves) Name Command Description Slide HOLD Dayton does a long slide kick. Slide/Triple Slash Combo HOLD + MP  Dayton does a Slide, then follows up with a Triple Slash. Aerial Blast  LK  Dayton fires an energy blast diagonally upwards from his phaser. Jumping Laser  LP  in midair Dayton fires an energy blast straight ahead from his phaser in midair. Slide/Laser Combo HOLD + LP  Dayton does a Slide, then steps back and does a Laser Blast. Slide/Uppercut Combo HOLD + LK  Dayton does a Slide, then follows up with a Flying Uppercut. Move list (Level 3 moves) Name Command Description Rapid Laser Dayton fires five energy blasts straight ahead from his phaser in quick succession. Roll Slash/Slide Combo HOLD  LP   MP  Dayton does a Roll Slash, then follows up with a Slide. Punch/Kick Combo HOLD  LP   LP  Dayton does a punch, a stab, and a jumping kick.
	Demonica
	A demoness from an alternate dimension who possesses an ancient stone similar to the Relic in her own dimension but seeks another to further her power even more. Move list (Level 1 moves) Name Command Description Fireball  LP  Demonica shoots a fireball from her hand across the screen. This move can only be blocked standing. Triple Fireball  LP + MP  Demonica shoots a fireball across the screen, then rolls into the background and shoots another fireball, then rolls back into the foreground and shoots another fireball. This move can only be blocked standing. Claw Charge HOLD Demonica slides forward while clawing with her hands. Claw Charge/Fireball Combo HOLD + LP  Demonica does a Claw Charge, then follows up with a Fireball. Claw Charge/Punch Combo HOLD + MK  Demonica does a Claw Charge, then claws her hands downward. Back Kick Combo HOLD  LP   LP  Demonica kicks with each leg, then turns around and kicks back with both legs. Tumble Kick Combo HOLD  MP   MP  Demonica kicks with each leg, then follows up with a Tumble Charge. Triple Punch Combo HOLD  LP   MP  Demonica claws with each hand, then lunges forward while thrusting with both hands. Move list (Level 2 moves) Name Command Description Worm Wave  MK  Demonica shoots a slithering energy wave across the ground. This move can only be blocked crouching. Triple Wave  LK + MK  Demonica shoots a slithering energy wave across the ground, then rolls into the foreground and shoots another energy wave, then rolls back into the background and shoots another energy wave. This move can only be blocked crouching. Hurricane HOLD Demonica spins forward while holding her clawed hands out. Claw Charge/Worm Wave Combo HOLD + MP  Demonica does a Claw Charge, then follows up with a Worm Wave. Hurricane/Tumble Charge Combo HOLD + MP  Demonica does a Hurricane, then follows up with a Tumble Charge. Move list (Level 3 moves) Name Command Description Tumble Charge HOLD  MK  Demonica rolls forward while kicking with both legs. Upward Fireball  LK  Demonica shoots an energy wave diagonally upwards. Rapid Fireball Demonica shoots four fireballs from her hand across the screen in quick succession. Alternating Fireball Demonica does a Rolling Wave, a Fireball, a Rolling Wave, and a Fireball. Tumble Charge/Worm Wave Combo HOLD + MP  Demonica does a Tumble Charge, then follows up with a Worm Wave.
	Sonork Nezom
	A member of the Nezom clan whose brother was destined to become Emperor. When his brother was wounded trying to protect the Relic, Sonork saw an opportunity to become leader himself and killed him. Move list (Level 1 moves) Name Command Description Power Slide HOLD Sonork does a sliding kick forward. Rolling Kick HOLD Sonork hops forward with a rolling kick. Punch/Kick Combo HOLD  LP   LP  Sonork does a punch and a kick, then follows up with a Rolling Kick. Slide/Punch/Kick Combo HOLD + LP  Sonork does a Power Slide, then does an uppercut, then hops and kicks with each leg. Rolling Kick/Uppercut Combo HOLD + LP  Sonork does an uppercut, then follows up with a Rolling Kick. Triple Punch Combo HOLD  LP   MP  Sonork punches with each hand, then does an uppercut. Triple Uppercut Combo HOLD  MP   MP  Sonork does three successive uppercuts. Move list (Level 2 moves) Name Command Description Plasma Sickle Sonork slashes his sickle through the air, sending a fiery projectile across the screen. This move can only be blocked standing. Ground Plasma Sickle  MP  Sonork slashes his sickle into the ground, sending a fiery projectile across the ground. This move can only be blocked standing. Slide/Slash Kick Combo HOLD + MP  Sonork does a Slide, then follows up with a slash, a kick, and a Ground Plasma Sickle. Triple Kick Combo HOLD  MK   MK  Sonork hops and kicks with each leg three times. Move list (Level 3 moves) Name Command Description Single Shot  LP  Sonork shoots an energy blast across the screen from his hand. Aerial Blast  LK  Sonork shoots an energy blast diagonally upwards from his hand. Rapid-Fire Blast Sonork shoots five energy blasts across the screen from his hand in quick succession. Triple Punch/Rapid-Fire Combo HOLD  LP   MK   LP  Sonork punches three times, then rolls into the background and does a Rapid-Fire Blast. Tricky Slide/Rapid-Fire Combo HOLD  MP   LP   LK  Sonork does an uppercut, then a backdash, then a Power Slide and a Rapid-Fire Blast.
	Sgt. Exene Dulait
	A soldier who endured constant war on her home planet and now hopes to obtain the Relic in order to stop the endless conflict. Move list (Level 1 moves) Name Command Description Roundhouse Slap HOLD Exene spins around while hitting with her tonfas. Rapid Stick HOLD Exene shuffles forward while stabbing with a tonfa. Taser Blast  LP  Exene shoots a taser blast across the screen. 3-Hit Punch Combo HOLD  LP   LP  Exene does a high tonfa strike, then lunges forward with a tonfa strike, then does a kneeling tonfa strike. Roundhouse Slap/Kick Combo HOLD + LP  Exene does a Roundhouse Slap, then a reverse roundhouse kick and a sweep kick. Roundhouse Slap/Taser Blast Combo HOLD + LK  Exene does a Roundhouse Slap, then does a Taser Blast and flips back. Rapid Stick/Spin Combo HOLD + LP  Exene does a Rapid Stick, then a backflip kick, then spins around with a tonfa strike. Get-Up Slash HOLD after being knocked down Exene rolls forward, then bashes a tonfa while kneeling. Get-Up Slash/Rapid Stick Combo HOLD + LP  after being knocked down Exene does a Get-Up Slash, then follows up with a Rapid Stick. Move list (Level 2 moves) Name Command Description Slide HOLD  MP  Exene does a sliding kick forward. Tumble Jab HOLD  LK  Exene flips forward and stands on her tonfas, then flips forward again and jabs both of her tonfas out. Tumble Low Jab HOLD  LK  Exene flips forward and stands on her tonfas, then flips forward again and bashes a tonfa while kneeling. Electro Blast Exene swings her tonfas down, sending an electric blast across the screen. Kick/Slide Combo HOLD  LP   MP  Exene does a backflip kick and a reverse roundhouse kick, then follows up with a Slide. Rapid Stick/Slide Combo HOLD + MP  Exene does a Rapid Stick, then follows up with a Slide. Rapid Stick/Electro Combo HOLD + LK  Exene does a Rapid Stick, then flips back and does an Electro Blast. Get-Up Slash/Electro Combo HOLD + LK  after being knocked down Exene does a Get-Up Slash, then flips back and does a Taser Blast. Get-Up Slash/Slide Combo HOLD + MP  after being knocked down Exene does a Get-Up Slash, then follows up with a Slide. Move list (Level 3 moves) Name Command Description Taser Rush Exene shoots five taser blasts across the screen in quick succession. Power Charge Uppercut HOLD  MK   LP   LK  Exene dashes forward while stabbing with a tonfa, then flies upward while holding her tonfa into the air.

Bosses

The final boss is not playable.

	Emperor
	The Emperor of the Chosen Ones is revealed to have stolen the Relic himself and used its powers to restore his youth and strength. He is the final boss of the game. His battle is not timed.

Stages

In one-player games, the match takes place in the stage of the computer opponent. In two-player games, the match takes place in the stage for player one's character.

Delara

Gorm

Yenji

S.I.D.

Dayton

Demonica

Sonork

Exene

Versions

Localised names

Also known as

Language	Localised Name	English Translation
English (US)	Criticom	Criticom
Japanese	クリティコム ～ザ・クリティカル コンバット～	Criticom: The Critical Combat

Production credits

Saturn Conversion

• Kronos Staff
  • Programmers: Matt Arrington, Mohammad Asaduzzaman, Pravin Wagh
  • Artwork: Albert Co
  • Sound: Mind Warp Production
• Point Of View
  • Producer: Mark Nausha
  • Programmers: Chris Warner, Mike Tarlecki

• Executive Producer: Stan Liu
• Producer: Albert Co
• Lead Programmer: Matt Arrington
• Art Director: Albert Co
• Programmers: Feng Hu, Joseph Lee
• Lead Animator: Francis Co
• Animators: Andy Koo, Stanley Liu, Darrek Rosen, Darrin Krumweide
• Original Concept: Stanley Liu
• Game Design: Albert Co, Francis Co, Stan Liu
• Visual Design: Frazad Varahramyan
• Music Composition and Performance: Carlton Liu
• Sound Effects: Carlton Liu, Mind Warp Production
• Modeling and Texture Mapping: Albert Co, Francis Co

Cinematic Sequences

• Production Manager: Larry Paolicelli
• CG Modeling, Animation and Rendering: Kevin Lee, Joan Igawa, Larry Paolicelli, Francis Co, Stan Liu, Albert Co
• Additional Modeling: Amie Haemi Yi, Hak Soo Ha, Mind Warp Production
• Voice Over: Joan Igawa, Andy Koo, Frazad Varahramyan, Patricia Winters, Stan Liu, Anthony Lagunzad
• Cover Art: Albert Co
• Manual Design and Layout: Albert Co, Frazad Varahramyan
• Testers: Kronos Dei Team, Chi. Kevin Chu, Darold Higa, Udi Hoh, Dickinson Lo, Takashi Morishima, Mike Nguyen
• Special Thanks: Robert Yasui, Vic Tokai Inc., Yosuke Soga, Leonard Garcia, Masumi Matsunaga, Jim Daluisio, Sandy Abe, Michael Arrington, Max Chapman, David Sears, Anthony Lagunzad, Patricia Winters, John Park, Louie Flores, Noah Stein
• Best (Money) Boy: Anthony Lagunzad
• Master of the Obvious: Andy Koo
• Animal Handler: Joan Igawa
• Code Monkey: Stan Liu

In Memory of Bungiee

Source:

In-game credits

Magazine articles

Main article: Criticom/Magazine articles.

Promotional material

Print advert in Game Players (US) #0904: "Vol. 9 No. 4 April 1996" (1996-03-19)
also published in:

• Electronic Gaming Monthly (US) #81: "April 1996" (1996-xx-xx)

Physical scans

Sega Retro Average
Publication Score Source

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Based on 0 review

Sega Retro Average
Publication Version Score GamePro (US) NTSC-U 38 Mega Fun (DE) NTSC-U 59 Saturn Fan (JP) NTSC-J 40 Saturn Fan (JP) NTSC-J 48 Sega Saturn Magazine (JP) NTSC-J 40 Sega Saturn Magazine (JP) NTSC-J 41

	44
Based on 6 reviews

Criticom

Saturn, JP
Cover
Spinecard Disc

Saturn, US
Cover
Disc Manual

Technical information

Main article: Criticom/Technical information.