View source for Virtual On: Cyber Troopers

{{Short description|1996 video game}}
{{Infobox video game
| title = Virtual On: Cyber Troopers
| image = Virtual On - Cyber Troopers arcade flyer.jpg
| developer = [[Sega AM3]]<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Protos: Cyber Troopers |magazine=[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]]|issue=76|publisher=Sendai Publishing|date=November 1995|page=220}}</ref>
| publisher = [[Sega]]
| designer = 
| engine = 
| series = ''[[Virtual On]]''
| released = '''Arcade''' {{vgrelease|JP|January 1996<ref>{{cite book |title=Sega Arcade History |date=2002 |series=[[Famitsu DC]] |publisher=[[Enterbrain]] |page=135 |url=https://archive.org/details/segaarcadehistoryfamitsudc/page/n136 |language=ja}}</ref>|EU|January 1996<ref>{{Cite episode |title=Episode #106 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WVlLY2-2irc |access-date=24 April 2021 |series=GamesMaster |series-link=GamesMaster |first=Dominik |last=Diamond |author-link=Dominik Diamond |network=[[Channel 4]] |date=7 December 1995 |series-no=5 |number=12 |minutes=3 |location=United Kingdom |quote=''Virtual On'' is out next month.}}</ref>|NA|May 1996<ref>{{cite book|last=Akagi|first=Masumi|url=https://archive.org/details/ArcadeGameList1971-2005/page/n133|title=Sega of America|work=アーケードTVゲームリスト 国内•海外編 (1971-2005)|edition=1st|publisher=Amusement News Agency|date=13 October 2006|page=132|isbn=978-4990251215|language=ja}}</ref>}} '''Saturn'''<br />{{vgrelease|NA|November 8, 1996|JP|November 29, 1996|EU|January 1997}}'''PC'''<br />{{vgrelease|JP|June 13, 1997|NA|September 10, 1997<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ogr.com/news/news0897.html|title=News for September 10, 1997
|date=September 10, 1997|website=[[Online Gaming Review]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010209100555/http://www.ogr.com/news/news0997.html|archive-date=February 9, 2001|url-status=dead|access-date=November 9, 2024}}<br />"Virtual On, Sega port from the popular arcade coin-op, is now hitting stores for Windows 95."</ref>}}'''PlayStation 4'''<br />{{vgrelease|JP|November 27, 2019<ref>{{cite news |last1=Romano |first1=Sal |title=Cyber Troopers Virtual-On Masterpiece 1995~2001 for PS4 launches November 27 in Japan |url=https://gematsu.com/2019/09/cyber-troopers-virtual-on-masterpiece-19952001-for-ps4-launches-november-27-in-japan |access-date=25 April 2021 |work=Gematsu |date=13 September 2019}}</ref>}}
| genre = [[Action game|Action]] <br /> [[Shooter game|Shooter]]<ref name=GSSAT/> <br />[[Fighting game|Fighting]]
| modes = [[Single-player]], [[multiplayer]]
| platforms = [[Arcade game|Arcade]], [[Sega Saturn|Saturn]], [[Microsoft Windows]], [[PlayStation 2]] ([[Sega Ages]] 2500), [[PlayStation 4]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://gematsu.com/2018/10/virtual-on-virtual-on-oratorio-tangram-and-virtual-on-force-coming-to-ps4|title = Virtual-On, Virtual-On: Oratorio Tangram, and Virtual-On Force coming to PS4 &#91;Update&#93;|date = 18 October 2018}}</ref>
| arcade system = [[Sega Model 2]]<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Coin-op Giants Reveal Latest at JAMMA|magazine=[[Next Generation (magazine)|Next Generation]]|issue=12|publisher=[[Imagine Media]]|date=December 1995|pages=16–17}}</ref>
| caption = Japanese arcade flyer
}}

{{nihongo|'''''Virtual On: Cyber Troopers'''''|電脳戦機バーチャロン|Dennō Senki Bācharon}} is a [[3D computer graphics|3D]] [[Action video game|action]] [[video game]] developed and published by [[Sega]]. A robot-themed [[Shooter game|shooter]]<ref name=GSSAT/> and [[fighting game|fighter]], it was developed on the [[Sega Model 2]] hardware and released on [[Arcade game|arcades]] in January 1996 (or December 1995<ref>{{Cite web |title=Xbox 360：電脳戦機バーチャロン オラトリオ・タングラム公式ウェブサイト |url=https://vo-ot360.sega.jp/about.html |access-date=2024-10-08 |website=vo-ot360.sega.jp}}</ref>) before ports to the [[Sega Saturn]] that year and to [[Windows]] the next year. Initially the game was to be released under the title "Virtual On" in Japan and "Cyber Troopers" in North America,<ref>{{cite magazine |date=March 1996 |title=Cyber Troopers |magazine=[[Next Generation (magazine)|Next Generation]] |publisher=[[Imagine Media]] |page=64 |issue=15}}</ref> but ultimately these two names were combined into a single title for both regions.

There were also two-player online versions of the game released in America and Japan for the Sega Saturn using the [[NetLink]] and [[XBAND]] services respectively. A twin stick controller was developed and released for the Saturn specifically to be used with ''Virtual On''.<ref>{{cite magazine |date=October 1996 |title=Virtual On Blasts Onto Saturn |magazine=[[Sega Saturn Magazine]] |publisher=[[Emap International Limited]] |page=8 |issue=12}}</ref> The game was popular especially in Japan<ref>{{Cite web |title=Virtual On – Hardcore Gaming 101 |url=http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/series/virtual-on/ |access-date=2024-10-08 |language=en-US}}</ref> and it led to the ''[[Virtual On]]'' franchise and a 1998 sequel subtitled [[Cyber Troopers Virtual-On Oratorio Tangram|''Oratorio Tangram'']]. In 2007, ''Virtual On: Cyber Troopers'' was remade on the [[PlayStation 2]] released in Japan, while later in 2013 it was released globally on [[Xbox Live Arcade]] and [[PlayStation Network]].

==Gameplay==
{{More citations needed section|date=October 2024}}
[[File:Cyber Troopers Virtual On gameplay.png|left|thumb|Gameplay screenshot (Sega Saturn)]]
''Virtual On'' is set up similar to a [[Versus fighting game]]. Two virtuaroids ([[Mecha]]) face each other on a stage.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Virtual On: Cyber Troopers|magazine=[[Sega Saturn Magazine]]|issue=13 |publisher=[[Emap International Limited]]|date=November 1996|pages=14–17}}</ref> The player(s) use a variety of firearms, explosives, melee weapons, and other techniques to destroy the enemy for a set number of rounds, usually a single battle, or best two out of three rounds, like fighting games.

The game is made to be played with a two-joystick setup, known as the ''twin-sticks''. Each stick is equipped with a trigger and a button on top of the stick.

The twin sticks control the virtuaroid on screen much like a bulldozer. Pushing or pulling both sticks in one direction makes it move in that direction, while pushing one stick forward and pulling the other back makes it turn in the forward direction. Pulling the sticks apart causes the virtuaroid to jump into the air, and automatically turn to face the opponent. Pulling them towards each other while pulling a trigger causes the virtuaroid to prone while firing.

The top buttons are ''Turbo'' buttons. Pressing a Turbo button while moving causes the virtuaroid to dash for a few seconds. Dashing is used to avoid enemy fire, or to maneuver quickly around the map. Virtuaroids can fire while dashing. While dash-firing, as with during a jump, the virtuaroid turns to face the enemy before shooting.

Each virtuaroid is armed with three weapons, which are different for each virtuaroid.<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Virtual War Declared!|magazine=[[Sega Saturn Magazine]]|issue=5|publisher=[[Emap International Limited]]|date=March 1996|pages=24–25}}</ref> Two of those weapons are associated with either the left or the right trigger, and are referred to as the ''Left Weapon'' (LW) and ''Right Weapon'' (RW) respectively. The Right Weapon is generally a Virtuaroid's main weapon, usually a rifle or gun. The Left Weapon is commonly a support weapon, often an explosive. Left weapons usually have a blast radius and can inflict [[splash damage]] even if they miss the target directly. The third weapon is called the ''Center Weapon'' (CW), and is activated by pulling both triggers simultaneously. Depending on the selected virtuaroid, a Center Weapon attack can be extremely powerful, but can only be used a few times in a row before they run out of energy. Each weapon's size, power, and rate of fire is varied by the virtuaroid's actions when the player pulls the trigger. For example, a standing Temjin's RW is a single shot from its rifle, but while dashing, the RW unleashes a rapid burst of shots at once. While dashing, the virtuaroid's direction may also have an effect on the attack.

==Story==
The game is set in a dystopian future in which Earth is controlled by corporate syndicates. People eager to break free of their rule colonize other planets. On one of these colonies is discovered a powerful technology used by an extinct race. One of the corporate syndicates, DN, reverse-engineers the technology and uses it to design battle robots called Virtuaroids. While testing this new technology, the central computer at the test complex becomes self-aware and activates the Sun Cannon, intending to use it to destroy civilization. DN assigns their top personnel to take control of several Virtuaroids and use them to shut down the rogue computer.<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Virtual Insanity|magazine=[[Sega Saturn Magazine]] |issue=15|publisher=[[Emap International Limited]]|date=January 1997|page=38}}</ref>

==Development and release==
The arcade and Saturn versions were both developed by [[Sega AM3]], though not by the same team.<ref name=SSM14>{{cite magazine |title=Virtual On Interview|magazine=[[Sega Saturn Magazine]]|issue=14|publisher=[[Emap International Limited]]|date=December 1996 |pages=19–20}}</ref> The decision to convert the game to the Saturn was made in response to player feedback.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Interview: Top Skater |magazine=[[Sega Saturn Magazine]] |issue=21|publisher=[[Emap International Limited]] |date=July 1997|page=59}}</ref>

Producer Juro Watari described the conversion to Saturn as more difficult and frustrating than the more typical fighting games due to, among other things, the large size of the arenas and the numerous projectiles used by the fighters. As an example of the difficulties the team faced, he recounted that "the robot Raiden fires a laser but we really had our work cut out trying to figure out how we were going to represent the laser because its radius is so big. At first there was a delay when we tried to draw it on the screen so we had to rewrite it several times."<ref name=SSM14/> The team used their own custom operating system to develop the conversion rather than the Sega Graphics Library.<ref name=SSM14/> Because the Saturn cannot generate as many polygons per second as the Model 2 hardware, the polygonal backgrounds were replaced with scrolling images.<ref name=SSM14/>

Rumors which state that an early version of the ''Virtual On'' arcade version was planned to use the [[VR-1]] headset also circulate - though these are not confirmed, the MVD design is incorporated into the Virtuaroids of the game.<ref name="gamebusiness.jp">{{cite web|publisher=GameBusiness.jp|title=【特集】VRで盛り上がるジョイポリス、だがセガは1994年にVRアトラクション「VR-1」を導入していた|author=Mercenary Penguins|date=14 September 2016 |url=https://www.gamebusiness.jp/article/2016/09/14/12597.html}}</ref>

A [[Video game remake|remake]] was released for the [[PlayStation 2]] on October 25, 2007, as part of the [[Sega Ages]] 2500 line, featuring improved framerates, music and additional features not found in the original versions. The original game was also rereleased on [[Xbox Live Arcade]] and [[PlayStation Network]] as a part of the Sega Model 2 Collection in 2012 in Japan and 2013 in the West.<ref>{{cite web |last=McWhertor |first=Michael |date=October 18, 2012 |title=Sega Model 2 Collection Brings Arcade Classics Virtual On, Fighting Vipers, and More to XBLA, PSN |url=https://www.polygon.com/2012/10/18/3523310/sega-model-2-collection-brings-arcade-classics-virtual-on-fighting |access-date=14 December 2019 |website=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Gil |first=Andrea |date=November 26, 2012 |title=Sega Model 2 Collection Gets a Japanese Release Date |url=http://www.tssznews.com/2012/11/16/sega-model-2-collection-gets-a-japanese-release-date/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121120033802/http://www.tssznews.com/2012/11/16/sega-model-2-collection-gets-a-japanese-release-date/ |archive-date=November 20, 2012 |access-date=14 December 2019 |website=TSSZ}}</ref> In 2018 Sega announced that they would be releasing the game for the [[PlayStation 4]].<ref>{{cite web |last=Romano |first=Sal |date=October 18, 2018 |title=Virtual-On, Virtual-On: Oratorio Tangram, and Virtual-On Force Coming to PS4 |url=https://gematsu.com/2018/10/virtual-on-virtual-on-oratorio-tangram-and-virtual-on-force-coming-to-ps4 |access-date=24 November 2018 |website=Gematsu}}</ref>

==Reception==
{{Video game reviews
| CVG = {{rating|5|5}} (SAT)<ref>{{cite magazine|last1=Davies|first1=Paul|last2=Guise|first2=Tom|date=January 1997|url=https://archive.org/details/Computer_and_Video_Games_Issue_182_1997-01_EMAP_Images_GB/page/n85/mode/2up|title=Virtual On: Cyber Troopers|magazine=[[Computer and Video Games]]|issue=182|pages=86–89|accessdate=July 17, 2021}}</ref>
| EGM = 7.875/10 (SAT)<ref name=EGM90>{{cite magazine|title=Review Crew: Virtual On|magazine=[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]]|issue=90|publisher=[[Ziff Davis]]|date=January 1997|page=61}}</ref>
| GSpot = 5.4/10 (SAT)<ref name=GSSAT>{{cite web|first=Jeff|last=Gerstmann |author-link=Jeff Gerstmann|title=Virtual On: Cyber Troopers Review |url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/virtual-on-review/1900-2534166/|website=[[GameSpot]]|access-date=15 January 2018|date=January 21, 1997}}</ref>
| NGen = {{rating|4|5}} (ARC, SAT)<ref name=NGen17/><ref name=NGen26>{{cite magazine |title=Right On|magazine=[[Next Generation (magazine)|Next Generation]] |issue=26 |publisher=[[Imagine Media]]|date=February 1997|page=128}}</ref>
| rev1 = ''[[Sega Saturn Magazine]]''
| rev1Score = 93% (SAT)<ref name=SSM15>{{cite magazine |last=Leadbetter |first=Rich |title=Review: Virtual On|magazine=[[Sega Saturn Magazine]] |issue=15|publisher=[[Emap International Limited]]|date=January 1997|pages=66–67}}</ref>
| Allgame = {{Rating|4.5|5}} (SAT)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=7795&tab=review |title=Virtual On: Cyber Troopers (Sega Saturn) Review |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141114194931/http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=7795&tab=review |archive-date=14 November 2014 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
| Fam = 32/40 (SAT)<ref>https://web.archive.org/web/20111221032934/http://gamedatamuseum.web.fc2.com/ss.htm</ref>
}}

In Japan, ''Game Machine'' listed ''Virtual On: Cyber Troopers'' on their March 1, 1996 issue as being the most-successful dedicated arcade game of the month.<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Game Machine's Best Hit Games 25 - 完成品夕イプのTVゲーム機 (Dedicated Videos)|magazine=[[:ja:ゲームマシン|Game Machine]]|issue=513|publisher=[[:ja:アミューズメント通信社|Amusement Press, Inc.]]|date=1 March 1996|page=29|lang=ja}}</ref> The game was not popular in U.S. arcades.<ref>{{cite magazine |first=Marcus |last=Webb |title=Sequel Mania at London and Tokyo Expos |magazine=[[Next Generation (magazine)|Next Generation]]|issue=41 |publisher=[[Imagine Media]] |date=May 1998|page=33}}</ref>

In a December 1995 ''[[GamesMaster]]'' preview of the arcade game, [[Dominik Diamond]] called ''Virtual On'' "a futuristic version of the old ''[[Gun Fight]]'' game."<ref>{{Cite episode |title=Episode #106 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WVlLY2-2irc |access-date=24 April 2021 |series=GamesMaster |series-link=GamesMaster |first=Dominik |last=Diamond |author-link=Dominik Diamond |network=[[Channel 4]] |date=7 December 1995 |series-no=5 |number=12 |minutes=3 |location=United Kingdom}}</ref> Reviewing the arcade version, a ''[[Next Generation (magazine)|Next Generation]]'' critic described the game as "phenomenally intriguing". He found the use of full three-dimensional movement, heat-seeking projectiles, and defensive sprints to be strong innovations which set the game above rival [[Namco]]'s ''[[Cyber Sled]]''. He additionally praised the 60 frames per second [[frame rate]], quick-moving camera, use of robots as combatants, and dynamic combat strategies, and expressed concern that US gamers would pass by the game due to its distinctively Japanese character designs and initially confusing up-close combat.<ref name=NGen17>{{cite magazine|title=Virtual On |magazine=[[Next Generation (magazine)|Next Generation]]|issue=17|publisher=[[Imagine Media]]|date=May 1996|page=107}}</ref>

The Saturn version was widely held to be an extremely accurate translation of the arcade version,<ref name=EGM90/><ref name=NGen26/><ref name=SSM15/> but critics were divided about the game itself. One issue was the controls, which most critics said take adjusting to unless the twin sticks controller is used,<ref name=EGM90/><ref name=GSSAT/><ref name=NGen26/><ref name=GPro101/> and a reviewer for ''[[Next Generation (magazine)|Next Generation]]'' pointed out that this was an expensive option, since ''Virtual On'' would in all likelihood be the only game to support the peripheral.<ref name=NGen26/> Unlike most reviewers, ''[[GamePro]]''{{'}}s The Rookie said the game looks and sounds "16-bit", though he felt it offered enough fun to be worth trying as a rental.<ref name=GPro101>{{cite magazine|title=Saturn ProReview: Virtual On Cyber Troopers|magazine=[[GamePro]]|issue=101|publisher=[[International Data Group|IDG]]|date=February 1997|page=82}}</ref> However, the main point of disagreement was the gameplay. ''Next Generation'', Rich Leadbetter of ''[[Sega Saturn Magazine]]'', and Shawn Smith and Crispin Boyer of ''[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]]'' all said that while the game is deceptively simple, it offers numerous possibilities for sophisticated and cerebral tactics in the heat of combat.<ref name=EGM90/><ref name=NGen26/><ref name=SSM15/> On the other side, [[Jeff Gerstmann]] of ''[[GameSpot]]'' and Dan Hsu and Sushi-X of ''Electronic Gaming Monthly'' all found the game shallow and mindless due to the small number of moves and the availability of homing attacks.<ref name=EGM90/><ref name=GSSAT/> Gerstmann elaborated that while ''Virtual On'' made a good arcade game, it was ill-suited for console release, since the lack of depth prevents it from holding the player's interest for more than a few minutes.<ref name=GSSAT/> ''Next Generation'' summarized, "When considering ''Virtual On'' for Saturn, it's important to remember just a few things. First, it's a very nontraditional action/fighting game, which means it won't instantly appeal to everyone. Second, those who do like this game tend to like it a lot, and for good reason."<ref name=NGen26/>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{Virtual On series}}

[[Category:1996 video games]]
[[Category:Multiplayer and single-player video games]]
[[Category:PlayStation 2 games]]
[[Category:PlayStation Network games]]
[[Category:Sega arcade games]]
[[Category:Sega Saturn games]]
[[Category:Sega video games]]
[[Category:Video games about mecha]]
[[Category:Video games developed in Japan]]
[[Category:Virtual On]]
[[Category:Windows games]]
[[Category:Xbox 360 Live Arcade games]]