Rise of the Robots

From Sega Retro

n/a

  • Mega Drive
  • Game Gear

RiseoftheRobots title.png

RiseoftheRobots GG title.png

Rise of the Robots
System(s): Sega Mega Drive, Sega Game Gear
Publisher:
Sega Mega Drive
Acclaim Entertainment
Sega Game Gear
Time Warner Interactive
Developer:
Distributor:
Sega Mega Drive
Buena Vista Home Video, S.A. (ES)
Sega Mega Drive
Ecofilmes (PT)
Sega Mega Drive
Sega-Ozisoft (AU)
Sound driver:
Sega Mega Drive
Martin Walker
Peripherals supported:
Sega Mega Drive
Six Button Control Pad
Genre: Action[1]

















Number of players:
Sega Mega Drive
1-2
Sega Game Gear
1
Release Date RRP Code
Sega Mega Drive
EU 		T-81426-50
ELSPA: 3+ OK
Sega Mega Drive
PT 		MDJ81426
Sega Mega Drive
UK 		T-81426-50
ELSPA: 3+ OK
Sega Mega Drive
AU 		FTHE16SMC
OFLC: G8
Sega Game Gear
US 		T-48208
Videogame Rating Council: MA-13
Sega Game Gear
EU 		T-48208-50
ELSPA: 11+ OK
Sega Game Gear
UK 		T-48208-50
ELSPA: 11+ OK
Non-Sega versions

Rise of the Robots is a fighting game originally developed by Mirage Technologies for the Amiga and DOS-based computers and published by Time Warner Interactive in 1994, which was later ported to the Sega Mega Drive and Sega Game Gear, amongst other systems. The Mega Drive version was only released in PAL regions, where it was published by Acclaim Entertainment.

Story

In the year 2043, human society is governed by robots. Electrocorp, the world's largest megacorporation, manufactures these robots. It constructs a hive mind from trillions of nanobots to lead itself, which it calls the Supervisor. However, a virus called EGO infects the Supervisor, which breaks Electrocorp's control over it, and it becomes self-aware. The Supervisor quickly takes control of Electrocorp and instigates a cybernetic rebellion. The only hope to defeat it is the ESO35-2 Cyborg, which is immune to the EGO virus because it possesses a human brain.

Gameplay

Mega Drive version

Rise of the Robots is a fighting game similar to Street Fighter II and sees the player controlling the ECO35-2 Cyborg robot and fighting a series of computer-controlled opponents. Its use of prerendered computer-generated models for its sprites was revolutionary at the time. Matches are divided into time-limited "bouts," wherein the player must try to drain the enemy robot's "NRG" bar. If time runs out, the fighter with the most NRG remaining wins the bout. If both robots have the same amount of NRG, the Cyborg loses by default. The first player to win two bouts wins the match. According to Mirage, unlike many earlier games, the computer players in Rise of the Robots keep track of the human player's actions and becomes more successful at countering or dodging moves that are performed more than once[4]. Gameplay is also adjusted depending on how often the player hits an opponent, blocks, or fails to make contact at all[4].

There is a single-player mission mode where the player controls the Cyborg and fights every opponent in the game in order. The final boss is the Supervisor. Fights are preceded by a description and a brief prerendered 3D animation of the robot. The game ends and cannot be continued if the player loses a match. There is also a single-player "training" mode where the player again controls the Cyborg and can choose any opponent to fight (except the Supervisor). There is a two-player versus mode where two players can fight, with the first player controlling the Cyborg and the second player able to choose from any of the enemy robots (except the Supervisor). In all modes, player one can only control the Cyborg.

The robots move with Left and Right, crouch with Down, and jump with Up. Punches are performed with A (light), B (medium), and C (hard). Kicks are performed with X (light), Y (medium), and Z (hard). Punches or kicks use the same animations regardless of the attack strength, but lighter attacks are performed faster and the harder attacks are slower but do more damage. When playing with a standard three-button control pad,  START  toggles between punches and kicks. Attacks can be blocked by holding the D-Pad away from the opponent. Blocking mitigates but does not wholly negate the damage of an attack.

The game has three difficulty levels (Easy, Normal, and Hard). The timer for each bout is 30 seconds by default, but it can be changed to 60 or 90 seconds or unlimited time.

Robots

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

 ATTACK  Any attack button

Special moves are performed identically (same speed, strength, and so forth) regardless of which button is used to execute them. The button combinations must be performed relatively slowly (compared to other fighting games) in order to work, and the attack button cannot be pressed simultaneously with a direction.

The Supervisor is only selectable (in the training and versus modes) through the use of a cheat code.

Rise of the Robots MD, Cyborg.png
 Cyborg
The ECO35-2 Cyborg is a half-human, half-machine cybernetic organism. It is the only robot that can be controlled by player one in any mode.
Move list
Name Command Description
Turbo Headbutt Down Up  ATTACK  The Cyborg jumps into the air, then falls forward with a headbutt.
Shoulder Charge Left Right  ATTACK  The Cyborg rushes forward with a shoulder charge.
Low Punch Left Right Down The Cyborg crouches and reaches forward with a punch.
Rise of the Robots MD, Opponents.png
 Loader
The Loader droid is a utility robot built for moving materials, similar to a forklift.
Move list
Name Command Description
Fork Slash Right Right  ATTACK  The Loader droid punches ahead with one of its forks.
Rise of the Robots MD, Opponents.png
 Builder
The Builder droid is a large robot, ape-like in appearance, designed for heavy assembly tasks.
Move list
Name Command Description
Bomber Jump Down Right Up The Builder droid leaps ahead with a stomp attack.
Pile Driver Down Left Up The Builder droid swings its clasped fists downward.
Rise of the Robots MD, Opponents.png
 Crusher
The Crusher droid is a insectoid robot made for disposing of hazardous industrial waste and disabling malfunctioning droids.
Move list
Name Command Description
Pincer-Mincer Down Right  ATTACK  The Crusher droid spins its clawed hands in front of it.
Rise of the Robots MD, Opponents.png
 Military
The Military droid is a humanoid robot made for combat purposes.
Move list
Name Command Description
Catapult Spin Down Up  ATTACK  The Military droid leaps forward while rolled in a ball.
Cyber Slash Left Right  ATTACK  The Military droid chops downward with its claws.
Rise of the Robots MD, Opponents.png
 Sentry
The Sentry droid is a large, humanoid robot, also designed for military combat.
Move list
Name Command Description
Flying Jet Kick Down Down  ATTACK  The Sentry droid leaps forward with a flying kick.
Rise of the Robots MD, Opponents.png
 Supervisor
The Supervisor droid is a polymorphic robot, resembling Dural from the Virtua Fighter series. It is the final boss of the game.
Move list
Name Command Description
Praying Mantis Leap Down Right Up The Supervisor droid leaps forward while transforming its arms and legs into long, sharp blades.
Puddle Morph Down Left Up The Supervisor droid melts into a puddle of molten steel. It is invulnerable for the duration of this move.

Super moves

These moves can be used by any robot in the two-player versus mode. The effects last for 15 seconds. Each one can only be used once per bout, and only one can be used at a time.

Move list
Name Command Description
Invincibility Left Left Left Left  ATTACK  The robot becomes invincible, causing enemy attacks pass harmlessly through it.
Invisibility Up Up Up Up  ATTACK  The robot becomes invisible, though it is still vulnerable and its reflection still appears on the ground.
Confusion Right Right Right Right  ATTACK  The robot confuses its opponent, reversing the other player's directional controls.
Silence Down Down Down Down  ATTACK  The robot silences its opponent, preventing the other player from using super moves. It does not cancel super moves that are already in effect.

Stages

Enemy robots have their own unique stages when fought.

Rise of the Robots MD, Stages, Loader.png

Loader
Rise of the Robots MD, Stages, Loader.png

Rise of the Robots MD, Stages, Builder.png

Builder
Rise of the Robots MD, Stages, Builder.png

Rise of the Robots MD, Stages, Crusher.png

Crusher
Rise of the Robots MD, Stages, Crusher.png

Rise of the Robots MD, Stages, Military.png

Military
Rise of the Robots MD, Stages, Military.png

Rise of the Robots MD, Stages, Sentry.png

Sentry
Rise of the Robots MD, Stages, Sentry.png

Rise of the Robots MD, Stages, Supervisor.png

Supervisor
Rise of the Robots MD, Stages, Supervisor.png

Game Gear version

The game is a fighting game where matches are fought between two robots. Each combatant has an "NRG" bar, which drains as they take damage, and a "PWR" bar, which fills to indicate the damage inflicted by their last attack. Robots gradually regenerate lost NRG. A robot loses a bout after losing all of its NRG, and matches are played to the best of five bouts. If time runs out during a bout, it is a draw and must be fought again.

In the single-player mission mode, the player controls the humanoid Cyborg and battles a series of robotic opponents, ending with the liquid metal Supervisor. Each battle is preceded by a short 3D prerendered cutscene of the opponent. The game ends if the player loses a match; there are no continues. There is also a training mode where the player fight a single match against any enemy robot (except the Supervisor). This version of the game does not support two players.

The Cyborg moves with Left and Right, crouches with Down, and jumps with Up. It punches with 2 and kicks with 1. After jumping, pressing 1 performs a headbutt and pressing 2 performs a flying kick. It can also attack while crouched. The Cyborg can perform a shoulder charge with Left+1 or Left+2. Attacks can be blocked by holding the D-Pad away from the opponent, though blocked attacks still inflict some damage.

Before starting the game, the player can decide the timer for each bout (30 seconds by default or 60, 90, or 120 seconds) and the number of bouts needed to win a match (5 by default or 3 or 7).

Robots

The Game Gear version of the game contains all of the same robots as the other versions. However, because there is no two-player mode, only the Cyborg is playable.

  • Cyborg
  • Loader
  • Builder
  • Crusher
  • Military
  • Sentry
  • Supervisor

Stages

Enemy robots have their own unique stages when fought.

Rise of the Robots GG, Stages, Loader.png

Loader
Rise of the Robots GG, Stages, Loader.png

Rise of the Robots GG, Stages, Builder.png

Builder
Rise of the Robots GG, Stages, Builder.png

Rise of the Robots GG, Stages, Crusher.png

Crusher
Rise of the Robots GG, Stages, Crusher.png

Rise of the Robots GG, Stages, Military.png

Military
Rise of the Robots GG, Stages, Military.png

Rise of the Robots GG, Stages, Sentry.png

Sentry
Rise of the Robots GG, Stages, Sentry.png

Rise of the Robots GG, Stages, Supervisor.png

Supervisor
Rise of the Robots GG, Stages, Supervisor.png

Music and sound

Though the game emphasised the inclusion of a soundtrack by former Queen guitarist Brian May, only one song of his made it to the final release: The Dark, used as the title theme, though some versions also include the song Resurrection for cutscenes. Both songs were released as part of May's 1992 solo album Back to the Light. The rest of the game's music was composed by Richard Joseph.

History

Development

The vast majority of graphics in Rise of the Robots were produced in 3D Studio[5], with many of the robots opting for "unusual" fighting stances specifically to highlight the then-cutting edge visuals[6]. Each robot has around 100 frames of animation in total, though the computer imagery meant that many of these are interpolated between defined keyframes[5].

Rise of the Robots was initially built with Amiga computers in mind, with higher resolution assets being used for an IBM PC compatible version, released around the same time. All console ports stem from these two versions of the game. A side effect of its home computing roots is that Rise of the Robots targeted joysticks with only one button, leading to a drastically reduced moveset compared to contemporary fighting games of its day.

In Europe, Acclaim Entertainment purchased the publishing rights Rise of the Robots, originally planning to launch the game simultaneously across all platforms. This plan changed, however, with the Nintendo versions appearing for Christmas 1994, and Sega versions arriving in early 1995[7].

A Sega Mega-CD port was planned to be released in October 1994 in Europe[8], and by JVC in the US for also originally for October[9], but later January 1995[10]). Both releases were cancelled for unknown reasons. A promotional video advertising the the version was distributed, featuring "work in progress" footage from the game (although said footage originated from the DOS version) and a VRC rating of GA. Interestingly the Mega Drive version's credits note that Antonio Argentieri programmed both the Mega Drive and Mega-CD ports.

Legacy

Despite spending significant sums of money in developing and marketing the game, Rise of the Robots was met with poor reviews. Time Warner Interactive had planned for a range of merchandise including action figures, but as word spread of the game's poor performance, all of these plans were shelved.

Nevertheless, Rise of the Robots was followed by Rise 2 Resurrection in 1996; however, this too failed to meet expectations.

Production credits

Mega Drive version

  • Original game by: Instinct Design/Mirage
  • Conversion by: Data Design Interactive
Data Design Staff
  • Mega Drive and Mega-CD programming by: Antonio Argentieri
  • SNES programming by: Tony Stoddart
  • GameGear programming by: Clive Townsend
  • Graphics: John Dunn, Richard Priest, Jon Baker
  • Graphic utilities: Chris Guest, Dave Pemberton
  • Animation conversions by: Dale Johnstone
  • Graphic conversions by: Tony Hackett
  • Project assistance by: Stewart Green, Adam Priest
Mirage/Instinct Design Staff
  • Produced by: Peter Jones, Sean Griffiths, Andy Wood
  • Designed and directed by: Sean Griffiths
  • Musical co-ordination: Richard Joseph, Andy Wood
  • Game soundtrack: Richard Joseph
  • Game music: Jason Page, conversions by Graham King, produced by Richard Joseph
  • Original music: Brian May
  • Set design: Kwan Lee
  • Set construction: Interactive Images
  • Senior artists: Sean Naden, Interactive
  • Character design: Sean Naden, Interactive
  • Senior programmers: Andy Clark (Amiga), Gary Leach (PC and coin-op)
  • Conversions: Gina Jackson
  • Programmers: Pete Dabbs (CDi), Keith Wood (3DO)
  • Marketing and publicity: Julia Coombs, supported by Declan Brennan
  • Distribution: Roy Campbell, Dave Cotton, Andy Wood
  • Script writing: Jim Murdoch
  • Quality control: Paul Baddeley, David Capewell, Carl Carter, Matthew Hawkeswood, Lee Salt, Thomas Wardle
Source:
In-game credits
Rise of the Robots MD credits.pdf
[11]

Game Gear version

  • Producers: Peter Jones, Sean Griffiths, Andy Wood, Ken Humphries (Time Warner Interactive)
  • Designed and Directed by: Sean Griffiths
  • Character Design: Sean Naden
  • Set Design: Kwan Lee
  • Game Soundtrack: Richard Joseph
  • Game Music Produced by: Jason Page
  • Music Conversions: Graham King, Richard Joseph
  • Conversions Coordinator: Gina Jackson
  • Quality Control: Paul Baddeley, David Capewell, Carl Carter, John Arvay, Jr., Mathew Hawkesford, Lee Salt, Thomas Wardle
TNT of Data Design
  • Game Gear Design Team: Data Designs
  • Art Conversion: Mr. Trippa
  • Game Gear Programming: Mr. Townsend
Source:
US manual
Rise of the Robots GG US Manual.pdf
[12]

Magazine articles

Main article: Rise of the Robots/Magazine articles.

Promotional material

Logo-pdf.svg
Print advert in (FR) #34: "Décembre 1994" (1994-12-02)
also published in:
  • (FR) #3: "Janvier 1995" (199x-xx-xx)[13]
  • (FR) #4: "Février 1995" (1995-xx-xx)[14]
Logo-pdf.svg
Logo-pdf.svg
Print advert in (PL) #29: "Listopad 1995" (1995-11-01)
also published in:
  • Casper (PL) #4/95 (1995-xx-xx)[15]
  • X-men (PL) #34: "12/95" (1995-xx-xx)[16]
  • The Amazing Spider-Man (PL) #66: "12/95" (1995-xx-xx)[17]
  • G.I Joe (PL) #30: "6/1995" (1995-xx-xx)[18]
  • Batman (PL) #61: "12/95" (1995-xx-xx)[19]
  • The Adventures of Superman (PL) #61: "12/95" (1995-xx-xx)[20]
  • Tom & Jerry (PL) #12/95 (1995-xx-xx)[21]
  • (PL) #24: "3/1996" (1996-xx-xx)[22]
Logo-pdf.svg
Freak 78 IL Megason advert.png
Print advert in Freak (IL) #78 (1999-xx-xx)
Freak 78 IL Megason advert.png
Logo-pdf.svg
Print advert in (RU) #60: "xxxx xxxx" (2002-09-05)
also published in:
  • (RU) #61: "xxxx xxxx" (2003-02-07)[23]
Logo-pdf.svg

Physical scans

Mega Drive version

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
Sega Mega Drive
 Division by zero.
Based on
0 review
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
(RU)
50
[24]
(FR)
80
[25]
(RU)
50
[26]
(GR)
67
[27]
(DE) PAL
39
[28]
(FR) PAL
75
[29]
(DE) PAL
33
[30]
(RU)
40
[31]
(DE) PAL
35
[32]
(UK) PAL
36
[33]
(UK) PAL
3
[34]
(PL)
90
[35]
(AU)
48
[36]
(ES)
81
[37]
(PL)
50
[38]
(RU)
61
[39]
(DE) PAL
38
[40]
Sega Mega Drive
 52
Based on
17 reviews

Rise of the Robots

Mega Drive, EU
RiseoftheRobots MD EU Box.jpg
Cover
RiseoftheRobots MD EU Cart.jpg
Cart
RiseoftheRobots MD EU Manual.pdf
Manual
Mega Drive, PT
RotR MD PT Box Back.jpgNospine.pngRotR MD PT cover.jpg
Cover
RiseoftheRobots MD EU Cart.jpg
Cart
RiseoftheRobots MD PT Manual.jpg
Manual
RiseoftheRobots MD EU Manual.pdf
EU Manual
Mega Drive, AU
RotR MD AU back.jpgNospine.pngRotR MD AU cover.jpg
Cover
Mega Drive, AU (alt)
RotR MD AU alt cover.jpg
Cover

Game Gear version

Sega Retro Average 
Publication Score Source
{{{{{icon}}}|L}} Division by zero.
Based on
0 review
Sega Retro Average 
Publication Version Score
(US) NTSC-U
42
[41]
(IL)
60
[42]
(US) NTSC-U
40
[43]
(US) NTSC-U
48
[44]
(US) NTSC-U
36
[45]
(ES)
55
[46]
(DE) PAL
23
[47]
(FR)
20
[48]
(DE)
20
[49]
(ES)
58
[50]
(DE) PAL
23
[40]
(US) NTSC-U
50
[51]
Sega Game Gear
 40
Based on
12 reviews

Rise of the Robots

Game Gear, US
RiseoftheRobots GG US Box Back.jpgNospine.pngRiseoftheRobots GG US Box Front.jpg
Cover
RiseoftheRobots GG US Cart.jpg
Cart
Rise of the Robots GG US Manual.pdf
Manual
Game Gear, EU
RiseoftheRobots GG EU Box Back.jpgRiseoftheRobots GG EU BoxSpine.jpgRiseoftheRobots GG EU Box Front.jpg
Cover
RiseoftheRobots GG EU Cart.jpg
Cart
RiseoftheRobots GG EU Manual.jpg
Manual

Technical information

Main article: Rise of the Robots/Technical information.

References

  1. ↑ File:RiseoftheRobots GG EU Box Back.jpg
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Sega Magazine, "November 1994" (UK; 1994-10-15), page 12
  3. ↑ Game Players, "Vol. 7 No. 10 October 1994" (US; 1994-xx-xx), page 12
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Edge, "December 1993" (UK; 1993-10-28), page 48
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 Edge, "December 1993" (UK; 1993-10-28), page 45
  6. ↑ Edge, "December 1993" (UK; 1993-10-28), page 46
  7. ↑ GamesMaster, "November 1994" (UK; 1994-10-20), page 8
  8. ↑ Mega Power, "May 1994" (UK; 1994-04-21), page 7
  9. ↑ Game Players, "Vol. 7 No. 9 September 1994" (US; 1994-0x-xx), page 11
  10. ↑ Game Players, "Vol. 8 No. 2 February 1995" (US; 1995-0x-xx), page 11
  11. ↑ File:Rise of the Robots MD credits.pdf
  12. ↑ File:Rise of the Robots GG US Manual.pdf, page 14
  13. ↑ CD Consoles, "Janvier 1995" (FR; 199x-xx-xx), page 25
  14. ↑ CD Consoles, "Février 1995" (FR; 1995-xx-xx), page 164
  15. ↑ Casper, "4/95" (PL; 1995-xx-xx)
  16. ↑ X-men, "12/95" (PL; 1995-xx-xx)
  17. ↑ The Amazing Spider-Man, "12/95" (PL; 1995-xx-xx)
  18. ↑ G.I Joe, "6/1995" (PL; 1995-xx-xx)
  19. ↑ Batman, "12/95" (PL; 1995-xx-xx)
  20. ↑ The Adventures of Superman, "12/95" (PL; 1995-xx-xx)
  21. ↑ Tom & Jerry, "12/95" (PL; 1995-xx-xx)
  22. ↑ Gry Komputerowe, "3/1996" (PL; 1996-xx-xx), page 32
  23. ↑ Velikiy Drakon, "xxxx xxxx" (RU; 2003-02-07), page 68
  24. ↑ 1700 igr dlya Sega, "" (RU; 2001-xx-xx), page 189
  25. ↑ Consoles +, "Janvier 1995" (FR; 199x-xx-xx), page 88
  26. ↑ Cool Gamer, "9" (RU; 2002-10-13), page 169
  27. ↑ Gamer, "Fevrouários 1995" (GR; 1995-xx-xx), page 1
  28. ↑ MAN!AC, "02/95" (DE; 1995-01-11), page 66
  29. ↑ Mega Force, "Janvier 1995" (FR; 199x-xx-xx), page 62
  30. ↑ Mega Fun, "01/95" (DE; 1994-12-21), page 36
  31. ↑ Magazina Igrushek, "4/1995" (RU; 1995-xx-xx), page 64
  32. ↑ Play Time, "2/95" (DE; 1995-01-04), page 110
  33. ↑ Sega Magazine, "February 1995" (UK; 1995-01-15), page 84
  34. ↑ Sega Power, "March 1995" (UK; 1995-01-19), page 20
  35. ↑ Świat Gier Komputerowych, "1/1995" (PL; 1995-xx-xx), page 1
  36. ↑ Sega Megazone, "February 1995" (AU; 1995-0x-xx), page 36
  37. ↑ Todo Sega, "Enero 1995" (ES; 199x-xx-xx), page 38
  38. ↑ Top Secret, "Sierpień 1995" (PL; 1995-xx-xx), page 59
  39. ↑ Tricks 16 bit, "Tricks Sega Gold 800 igr" (RU; 1998-03-20), page 143
  40. ↑ 40.0 40.1 Video Games, "3/95" (DE; 1995-02-23), page 115
  41. ↑ Electronic Games (1992-1995), "April 1995" (US; 1995-0x-xx), page 94
  42. ↑ Freak, "7/95" (IL; 1995-xx-xx), page 1
  43. ↑ Game Players, "Vol. 8 No. 2 February 1995" (US; 1995-0x-xx), page 72
  44. ↑ GamePro, "February 1995" (US; 199x-xx-xx), page 130
  45. ↑ Game Informer, "February 1995" (US; 1995-0x-xx), page 60
  46. ↑ Hobby Consolas, "Marzo 1995" (ES; 1995-xx-xx), page 119
  47. ↑ Mega Fun, "03/95" (DE; 1995-02-22), page 80
  48. ↑ Player One, "Mars 1995" (FR; 1995-0x-xx), page 107
  49. ↑ Play Time, "3/95" (DE; 1995-02-08), page 110
  50. ↑ Todo Sega, "Mayo 1995" (ES; 1995-0x-xx), page 51
  51. ↑ VideoGames, "February 1995" (US; 1995-0x-xx), page 82


Rise of the Robots

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Rise of the Robots games for Sega systems
Rise of the Robots (1994) | Rise 2 Resurrection (1996)
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