VIRTUAL ON 2: ORATORIO TANGRAM (DC)
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Robots? Check. Carnage? Check

By WILLIAM BARKER

There's something whimsical about giant robots with shoulder-mounted concealed rocket launchers. For me, it was Macross (RoboTech) that started it all back in '85. I wanted to be Rick Hunter. He was just so cool decked out in those early 80s flares . He was not the mofo with whom to mess.

But the best parts were the robot fights were you would see thousands of missiles, copious amounts of machine-gun fire and plasma cannons discharging here, there and everywhere, ripping holes in Zentradi spaceships.

Sometimes things would get so intense that TV screens across the nation would fill with huge laser cannon close-ups for minutes on end, sending the viewing audience of confectionary-eating kids into frenzied fits of ecstasy.

The point to my nostalgically selfish musings? Virtual On 2 is here and you can relive all the crazy big bot action that was prevalent in the anime scene a decade-and-a-half ago. Oh, yeah - don't forget that it's hip to be nostalgic about years gone by and pretend you are knowledgeable about schmaltzy, boring and generally evil stuff. Impress the opposite sex with your wisdom about the inner workings of a Rubik's cube.

Virtual On 2: Oratorio Tangram (aka VOOT) is a fast game. That's what bought about the comparo with Robotech. There's debris flying everywhere and explosions and flashy colours and it all happens so quickly. This is by no means a bad thing as VOOT is a radical experience. There's nothing like it save for its precursor, Virtual On - Cyber Troopers.

The first task in VOOT is to rise above the learning curve, such is the game's interesting control layout and frenetic pace. Fans of the arcade machines will know there is only one way in which this game was intended to be played - with twin sticks. But considering we didn't have the chance to try them out on the Dreamcast rev, we shall not comment.

With the standard pad, the going is pretty tough. After a few bouts of ass-kicking (by the CPU) things will open up a little more and, with a little luck, the shoe should be on the other foot.

The controls consist of two weapons buttons, direction control and boost. Boosting is an integral part to gameplay and part of what makes the game so intense. To avoid your enemy's attacks, you'll need to be boosting about 90 per cent of the time.

One shoulder button controls primary fire, the other secondary. Weapons have charges and if you over-use them, they will take longer to charge. Push both attack buttons simultaneously and you will unleash one of the characters' super-weapons.

These can do anything up to about 75 per cent damage, but are usually harder to aim. Different combos of attacks can be achieved by shooting at different times, such as standing still, jumping, boosting and even a combination of these. Up close, your cyber trooper will initiate his melee weapon, whether it be a pair of light-sabres or perhaps metallic gauntlets. Deadly.

VOOT isn't the prettiest of Dreamcast games on offer. While the detail isn't the best, the special effects are amazing and the not-quite-perfect graphical representation is still close to arcade-perfect. This lower quality frees up a lot of processing power, therefore the frame rate is a stonking 60fps adding to the sensation of controlling a huge, albeit deadly and manoeuvreable, robotic death-drome. The 3D arenas were a little sparse, but there are enough obstacles to hide behind to recoup depleted weapon energy if needed.

The game is a little short in single-player mode, but two-player action will keep fans happy for ages. The replays are also amazing. Zooming in on the last bullet fired and following it until the projectile embeds itself into your cyber trooper foe is both breathtaking and rewarding.

In all, Virtual On 2 is a worthy game. Fighting game addicts will want this and those who have fond memories of such anime features as Robotech and Evangelion will drool as mechas pound each other to scraps in heated battles. Yet another Sega classic.

ORIGINALITY 90%
SOUND/GRAPHICS 80%
PLAYABILITY 95%
ADDICTION 90%
ENJOYMENT 85%