Ehrgeiz

"This is the second best fighting game up-to-date (Soul Calibur is #1)!"

Ehrgeiz is Dream Factory's third fighting game. Ehrgeiz's predecessors were Tobal No. 1 and Tobal 2. Ehrgeiz is definitely not a "Final Fantasy Fighter." Those people out there who have given bad reviews, you guys don't know how to play the game. If you were to just read some FAQs (particularly the Expert FAQ), and play the game for at least an hour a day for one week, you'll soon get used to the controls (and basics) and actually learn this game needs more strategy than you'll ever know. This is the first "true" 3-D game that was ever released in arcades.

Alright, now it's time for my ratings:

Graphics: 9/10
The graphics are good, right? They are almost perfect, but that's the problem, they aren't perfect. If you ever saw the arcade version of Ehrgeiz, now that was beautiful and would deserve a 10 out of 10. If you ever have the chance to see it, then just do that. The graphics are in hi-resolution.

Audio/Video stuff: 7/10
The music is supposed to be terrible? For some: yes, they just suck. You can't listen to some great songs when playing in Versus Mode (or Arcade Mode when a person challenges you on certain stages). But if you were to play Arcade Mode, the songs are different from the Versus Mode, and they sound much better. There are two RPG-related songs in the Arcade Mode of Ehrgeiz. Some songs are rock, techno, etc.

The voiceovers are nice and fluent. The sound isn't so nice. It's loud and annoying (not the in-battle sounds). The only out of battle sounds that sound good are the sounds when you Customize your controls. The in-battle sounds are nice and have an impact.

Gameplay: 11+
11+ out of 10. Most of you guys don't know it, but this game has more strategy than any game I've ever played next to that of Soul Calibur, that is (and I have played fighting games, and RPGs, ever since I was six). If you don't believe me that this game has a lot of strategy, you should try playing against an expert player (like me).

Strategy is a huge factor in this game, if you don't have a good one, you might as well just give up and leave. Unless you are a neieby practicing, then keep on doing that. But after playing for a while, you better come up with a strategy than just running around and spazzing (button mashing). You will need to familiarize yourself with at least one character at first, then go on to master (if you would want to call it that) other characters, and you can keep on going to master all characters if you want. The worst character can beat the best character, it just needs a lot of strategy...

The attacks are easily inputted, except for some Just Frame attacks, but what you do will be a factor in the outcome of the battle.

Controls: 8
Since I played this game ever since late March '98, I got really used to the button setup and controls, but that's not the case for newbies. Since you are probably using a controller, on the character select screen, choose the controller setting "PlayStation." That is designed for the PSX controller. But if you are someone like me and like the arcade button setup, you need to buy a joystick. Perhaps the Naki 8-way Fighter Joystick? It has eight buttons, four in one row, four in the second row.

Fun: 10
This game is really fun, especially if you pit yourself against some "true" competition. Time passes by quickly when playing this game. I can play for over 3 hours, when playing against humans, and it would only feel like an hour or so.

Story: 7
The story of Ehrgeiz is pretty good. Just read some FAQs to know it.

Overall: 9
You should buy this game instead of renting it. This game really does deserve that high a rating. You need to give this game some time, and you need to know the Basics of this game, then you'll learn to really love this game, if you haven't already.

If you don't believe me, well, then you're missing out on a really great, and difficult, game.

If you like fighting games that require tons of strategy, this is one game for you.

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 11/01/99, Updated 03/28/02