Ehrgeiz

"Next-Gen 3D Goodness."

Ehrgeiz is a very nice 3d fighter from the people who brought us Final Fantasy 7 and Tobal 2, two fantastic games. The story ties-in with Final Fantasy 7, as Ehrgeiz contains the protagonists of FF7 ( excluding Barret), and the infamous villan Sephiroth. Basically, a sword is found in an ancient ruin, and that sword contains materia. Thus, everyone is curious and ends up fighting for possession. No big deal, it is only a fighting game.

Story wise, the game is a bit lame however shines in terms of gameplay and graphics Some of the most beautiful graphics seen in a PSX game, Ehrgeiz blasts open with an astounding opening cg and 60 fps in actual fighting. The same speed as Tekken 3. In examination of the characters, they have a higher polygon count than those in T3 which make them look more rounded than ever before. This IS the first truly 3D fighting game on the market which gives it many likenesses to other games. Full 3D movement running or walking, as well as different levels, like in Bushido Blade, a throw and combo system exactly the same as Tobal 2 ( great system if never played ) with juggles and high hitters being executed with exact timed precision, and, a bit of jumping off and throwing the enemies into the walls like in Fighters Megamix. However a new feature I haven't seen in a fighter is a choice of objects on the fighting plane which can be used as weapons, a block, or to jump on. Each fight is accompanied with great sound and each fighter is equipped with many moves and a special weapon.

The game has great replayability with the secret characters, 4 mini games which are all very fun, and even a queat mode. Yup, once again following the lineage of the Tobal series, there is an amazing high-res, 60 fps rpg mode in which the player can choose one of two characters and hack-n-slash through beautiful dungeons. The only complaints I have of the game are what seems like a lack of REAL good characters, however they remain balanced, and a lack of multi-leveled structures in the VS mode. In my opinion, these 2 factors should not be seen as reasons to not buy this game as these are just some minor flaws. It is a great buy, even import, seeing as 98% of the arcade and VS modes are in English, and all else being easy to understand. If your a fan of fighters, especially 3D ones, and have waited for the next best thing after Tekken 3, buy Ehrgeiz immediately, as you will not be dissapointed. PS: Please beat the game with Sephiroth, the best ending ever!

Reviewer's Score: 8/10, Originally Posted: 11/01/99, Updated 03/28/02