Bloody Roar: Primal Fury

"An Artistic Vortex of Seizure-Enticing Clutter"

How many Fighting games currently compile the GameCube’s library? So far, in it’s undersized life-span only one and a definitely adrenaline-pumping masterpiece at that. Although Super Smash Bros. Melee is a splendid title that bests its processor in every virtual way, it lacks the fundamentals of a hardcore, garishly flashy beat-em-up. Hudson is going to bring just that beat-em-up bouquet by localizing Bloody Roar: Primal Fury. Comprised of every bit of Bloody Roar 3 on the PS2, Primal Fury is a slightly enhanced version. Finished in a fantastic graphical nimbleness, the GameCube’s edition easily makes a name for itself. Eighting, the makers behind the game, brings a whole new dimension to their steadily growing franchise.

Packed with new stages, characters, and extra gameplay modes, Primal Fury actually seems more of a straight-from-the bloody-box sequel rather than a rehash of some marginal port. If you are skeptical about the GameCube’s control scheme, do not cower young mates, for it handles the sweaty brawls particularly well. For those who have had no account on a Bloody Roar title, the emphasis of it is essentially being a true 3D button-smashing bedlam. Expect gut-wrenching combos at outrageous miles per hour, plus the techno, guitar riffs ripping throughout the stages. The difference from the Bloody Roar series to that of other fighters, is that Bloody Roar has a feature that lets players transform their characters into a superior animal form -- a Hyperbeast! Each character has a specific animal transformation, from an insect to a lion to other ferocious beasts. When in Hyperbeast mode, deadlier medleys of combos and strength are unbuckled. Augmenting a nice twist to the fray, this time in Primal Fury, Hyperbeast is no longer activated by filling up on a meter, but can be activated whenever the player fancies. But, at the cost of the player’s health. A definite strategic element, Primal Fury is very balanced and the change is much appreciated to thwart a brainless remake of the PS2 original. The fighting system aside, Primal Fury has a rooster of 16 playable fighters, nine engrossing environments, and neck-to-neck combat that has characters on screen look like two juggernauts springing into Rated-R action. Ideally, playing through the game and its available modes unlocks extra modes. Within time all areas such as Time Attack, Team Battle, Training Mode, and Extra Multiplayer ones will be freely accessible.

On a graphical mark, Primal Fury is an artistic vortex of seizure-enticing clutter. Overhauling the PS2’s graphical engine, the work on Primal Fury is apparent with its beautifully rendered world. From the brightly polished backgrounds, such as Chinese temples, an aquarium, a freeway in twilight, a laboratory, and much more, the game is crafted in an aesthetic fluidity. Heightened with visual upgrading, all the stages and characters have been refined into an expansion of quicker loading processing and a higher amount of detail on the combat side. Running on a breakneck 60fps like most GameCube games, its a wonder how the system can mange to trap all the scenery and percolate spectacular lighting effects to the littlest facet. It’s truly an environment felt in an extremely slick costume that is veritable to the achievement of Primal Fury’s enchantment.

I wouldn’t go as far as to say Super Smash Bros. Melee has a bleak fight against a predominate opponent who is best suited for the GameCube, but I can verbalize how much praise and hurrah Bloody Roar: Primal Fury falls under. Adding a dazzling fighter in all its combo juggling and loud bone-snapping battles, this game is welcomed onto the GameCube library. With simplistic controls, a bunch of moves to master, and not to mention a satisfying number of wacky fighters to choose from, Primal Fury is streamlined enough to grab your own bloody copy.

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 03/23/02, Updated 03/23/02