Virtual On: Oratorio Tangram

"VOOT = Console Perfection :)"

If you like console games, if you like manga, and particularly if you like console games _and_ manga... you must own this game.

Virtual On Ontario Tangram (VOOT) is console perfection. From top to bottom this game is so polished it gleams. The graphics are great -- the mech designs are high quality, the textures are crisp, and the animations recreate the look 'n feel of a manga mech battle almost perfectly. Special praise must go to the replays, which are a vast improvement over Virtual On (i.e., the first one!).

Sounds are also top notch. The weird robot announcer is back, and the onscreen pyrotechnics are accompanied by satisying booms and thuds. The music is pretty standard issue stuff, I found, but it doesn't detract.

A lot of people have complained about the controls, even going so far as to say that it's ''unplayable'' without the twin stick controller. That's _way_ overstating the situation. I'm sure the twin sticks would be better (I've only played VOOT with the standard DC controller), but the fact is you can play VOOT pretty damn well without it. There are a couple of gotchas:

1) In Virtual On, simply turboing would orient you towards your enemy. This is no longer the case. You can turbo in any direction, but you won't face the enemy until you fire.

2) In the default controller configuration you can't turn on the spot (well, not easily). I have no idea why. To fix this, go to options and pick controller tyoe B. This allows you to rotate by holding down <a> and pressing left or right on the d-pad.

With these two facts you should be able to make reasonable progress through the game.

I have only played splitscreen multiplayer (no-one I know has the link cable), and it's OK. The viewports are very small -- only a quarter of the screen -- and it's totally baffling for beginners. Once you know what's going on it's not too bad.

In short -- this is an awesome single player console game. PC heads might find it too ''cartoony'', but don't make the mistake of thinking that VOOT is all flash. The gameplay is deep, as there's a lot of different ways of using your weapons and some very subtle control methods. Multiplayer is OK, and I imagine the cable link game would be awesome if you can arrange it.

It's fun. Buy it =Þ

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 01/27/00, Updated 01/27/00