Rise of the Robots

n/a

Mega Drive Game Gear
Rise of the Robots
System(s): Sega Mega Drive, Sega Game Gear
Publisher: Acclaim Entertainment Time Warner Interactive
Developer: Mirage Technologies, Data Design Interactive
Distributor: Buena Vista Home Video, S.A. (ES) Ecofilmes (PT) Sega-Ozisoft (AU)
Sound driver: Psygnosis/Martin Walker
Peripherals supported: Six Button Control Pad
Genre: Action
Number of players: 1-2 1
Release Date RRP Code EU 1995-02 T-81426-50 PT 1994 MDJ81426 UK 1995-02 T-81426-50 AU 199x FTHE16SMC US 1994-11 T-48208 EU 1994-11-19 T-48208-50 UK 1994-11-19 T-48208-50
Non-Sega versions 3DO Amiga (AGA) Amiga CD32 CD-i IBM PC Super NES

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. Gameplay is also adjusted depending on how often the player hits an opponent, blocks, or fails to make contact at all.

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 and , crouch with , and jump with . Punches are performed with (light), (medium), and (hard). Kicks are performed with (light), (medium), and (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, and 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.

	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  ATTACK  The Cyborg jumps into the air, then falls forward with a headbutt. Shoulder Charge  ATTACK  The Cyborg rushes forward with a shoulder charge. Low Punch The Cyborg crouches and reaches forward with a punch.
	Loader
	The Loader droid is a utility robot built for moving materials, similar to a forklift. Move list Name Command Description Fork Slash  ATTACK  The Loader droid punches ahead with one of its forks.
	Builder
	The Builder droid is a large robot, ape-like in appearance, designed for heavy assembly tasks. Move list Name Command Description Bomber Jump The Builder droid leaps ahead with a stomp attack. Pile Driver The Builder droid swings its clasped fists downward.
	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  ATTACK  The Crusher droid spins its clawed hands in front of it.
	Military
	The Military droid is a humanoid robot made for combat purposes. Move list Name Command Description Catapult Spin  ATTACK  The Military droid leaps forward while rolled in a ball. Cyber Slash  ATTACK  The Military droid chops downward with its claws.
	Sentry
	The Sentry droid is a large, humanoid robot, also designed for military combat. Move list Name Command Description Flying Jet Kick  ATTACK  The Sentry droid leaps forward with a flying kick.
	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 The Supervisor droid leaps forward while transforming its arms and legs into long, sharp blades. Puddle Morph 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	ATTACK	The robot becomes invincible, causing enemy attacks pass harmlessly through it.
Invisibility	ATTACK	The robot becomes invisible, though it is still vulnerable and its reflection still appears on the ground.
Confusion	ATTACK	The robot confuses its opponent, reversing the other player's directional controls.
Silence	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.

Loader

Builder

Crusher

Military

Sentry

Supervisor

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 and , crouches with , and jumps with . It punches with and kicks with . After jumping, pressing performs a headbutt and pressing performs a flying kick. It can also attack while crouched. The Cyborg can perform a shoulder charge with + or +. 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.

Loader

Builder

Crusher

Military

Sentry

Supervisor

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, with many of the robots opting for "unusual" fighting stances specifically to highlight the then-cutting edge visuals. Each robot has around 100 frames of animation in total, though the computer imagery meant that many of these are interpolated between defined keyframes.

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.

A Sega Mega-CD port was planned to be released in October 1994 in Europe, and by JVC in the US for also originally for October, but later January 1995). 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

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

Magazine articles

Main article: Rise of the Robots/Magazine articles.

Promotional material

Print advert in Mega Force (FR) #34: "Décembre 1994" (1994-12-02)
also published in:

• CD Consoles (FR) #3: "Janvier 1995" (199x-xx-xx)
• CD Consoles (FR) #4: "Février 1995" (1995-xx-xx)

Print advert in Secret Service (PL) #29: "Listopad 1995" (1995-11-01)
also published in:

• Casper (PL) #4/95 (1995-xx-xx)
• X-men (PL) #34: "12/95" (1995-xx-xx)
• The Amazing Spider-Man (PL) #66: "12/95" (1995-xx-xx)
• G.I Joe (PL) #30: "6/1995" (1995-xx-xx)
• Batman (PL) #61: "12/95" (1995-xx-xx)
• The Adventures of Superman (PL) #61: "12/95" (1995-xx-xx)
• Tom & Jerry (PL) #12/95 (1995-xx-xx)
• Gry Komputerowe (PL) #24: "3/1996" (1996-xx-xx)

Print advert in Freak (IL) #78 (1999-xx-xx)

Print advert in Velikiy Drakon (RU) #60: "xxxx xxxx" (2002-09-05)
also published in:

• Velikiy Drakon (RU) #61: "xxxx xxxx" (2003-02-07)

Physical scans

Mega Drive version

Sega Retro Average
Publication Score Source

Based on 0 review

Sega Retro Average

Publication Version Score 1700 igr dlya Sega (RU) 50 Consoles + (FR) 80 Cool Gamer (RU) 50 Gamer (GR) 67 MAN!AC (DE) PAL 39 Mega Force (FR) PAL 75 Mega Fun (DE) PAL 33 Magazina Igrushek (RU) 40 Play Time (DE) PAL 35 Sega Magazine (UK) PAL 36 Sega Power (UK) PAL 3 Świat Gier Komputerowych (PL) 90 Sega Megazone (AU) 48 Todo Sega (ES) 81 Top Secret (PL) 50 Tricks 16 bit (RU) 61 Video Games (DE) PAL 38

	52
Based on 17 reviews

Rise of the Robots

Mega Drive, EU
Cover
Cart Manual

Mega Drive, PT
Cover
Cart Manual EU Manual

Mega Drive, AU
Cover

Mega Drive, AU (alt)
Cover

Game Gear version

Sega Retro Average
Publication Score Source

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Based on 0 review

Sega Retro Average
Publication Version Score Electronic Games (1992-1995) (US) NTSC-U 42 Freak (IL) 60 Game Players (US) NTSC-U 40 GamePro (US) NTSC-U 48 Game Informer (US) NTSC-U 36 Hobby Consolas (ES) 55 Mega Fun (DE) PAL 23 Player One (FR) 20 Play Time (DE) 20 Todo Sega (ES) 58 Video Games (DE) PAL 23 VideoGames (US) NTSC-U 50

	40
Based on 12 reviews

Rise of the Robots

Game Gear, US
Cover
Cart Manual

Game Gear, EU
Cover
Cart Manual

Technical information

Main article: Rise of the Robots/Technical information.

References

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