Dark Rift

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Dark Rift
Developer(s)	Kronos Digital Entertainment
Publisher(s)	Vic Tokai
Distributor(s)	Vic Tokai
Designer(s)	Stan Liu (Executive Producer) Albert Co (Art Director) Matt Arrington (Lead Programmer) Andy Koo (Animation Technical Director) Ted Wornock (Animation Director) John Paik (Production Design)
Platform(s)	Nintendo 64, Windows PC
Release date	NA - July 10, 1997 (N64) NA - October 22, 1997 (PC) JP - March 27, 1998 (N64)
Genre(s)	Fighting
Mode(s)	1 - 2 player(s) competitively
Rating(s)	ESRB: Teen (T) OFLC: M15+ USK: 12+
Media	Cartridge (N64), CD-ROM (PC)

Dark Rift (Space Dynamites in Japan) is a 3D fighting game for the N64, notable for being the first N64 game to use 60fps,^[1] as well as being N64's first native fighting game.^[2] It is also unusual among fighting games in that fights go for a default three-out-of-five rounds, as opposed to the more conventional two-out-of-three.^[2]

It was originally conceived as Criticom II^[3], and is the second of three fighting games developed by Kronos Digital, falling between Criticom and Cardinal Syn. These three games have been referred to as the "Trilogy of Terror",^[4] due to their rather uniform low-standing with critics.

Contents 1 Story 1.1 Setting 1.2 Plot 1.3 Characters 1.3.1 Aaron 1.3.2 Demonica 1.3.3 Eve 1.3.4 Gore 1.3.5 Morphix 1.3.6 Niiki 1.3.7 Scarlet 1.3.8 Zenmuron 1.3.9 Sonork 1.3.10 Demitron 2 Reception 3 Notes 4 References

[edit] Story

[edit] Setting

Dark Rift takes place far in the future, sometime after the events of Criticom. Gameplay spans three dimensions: the Neutral Dimension (where Earth is located), the Dark Dimension (home to demons), and the Light Dimension (home to energy beings). Although the creatures of the Dark Dimension are demonic, there is no indication that the inhabitants of the Light Dimension have any angelic qualities.

[edit] Plot

The crystal (the acquisition of which is the main motivation of the characters of Criticom) turns out to be the Core Prime Element of a Master Key, one which holds the power to all the secrets in the universe. The Master Key was found eons ago lodged in a spatial tear. When it was retrieved it burst into three pieces, sending two pieces into alternate dimensions, and widening the tear into the game's namesake Dark Rift.

While it is known that the Demon Lord Demitron (of the Dark Dimension) holds the Dark Prime Element, and Criticom's Sonork (of the Neutral Dimension) holds the Core Prime Element, a tournament is being held in order to lure the unknown holder of the Light Prime Element (presumably from the Light Dimension) out of hiding. Sonork is using his own Core Prime Element as the grand prize.

[edit] Characters

[edit] Aaron

Colonel Aaron Maverick is a member of the Colonial Commando Task Force. Aaron is the only character from the now-dying Earth, it is believed that the Core Prime Element is the only thing that can heal his planet. While an expert in karate, he prefers the damage his weapons can do.

Origin	Planet Earth	Attack Strength	High
Age	32	Defense	Medium
Gender	Male	Speed	Medium
Build	Large Male	Intelligence	Medium
Fighting Discipline	Karate	Grab Speed	Low
Weapon of Choice	MFG 16 Pulse Rifle	Reach	Medium
Projectile	Plasma bolts and grenades

[edit] Demonica

Demonica is one of the three characters to return from Criticom. She held the rank of Arch Demon in the Dark Dimension, and was sent years ago to the Neutral Dimension to retrieve the Core Prime Element (during the events of Criticom). When she failed, she traded information to Sonork for her life. She now bears a more demonic form, and desires Sonork's Core Prime Element to regain her standing with Demitron.

Origin	Hades Mountain, Dark Dimension	Attack Strength	High
Age	966	Defense	Low
Gender	Female	Speed	Medium
Build	Large female	Intelligence	High
Fighting Discipline	Savage	Grab Speed	Medium
Weapon of Choice	Hades Claws	Reach	Low
Projectile	Demon Breath and Fire Ball

[edit] Eve

Eve is the creator of the "Sentient Integrated Droids" (the character S.I.D. from Criticom), which were commissioned by Sonork. When they went berserk, Sonork decided to erase all evidence of the project, including Eve. Badly injured and near death, she transferred her consciousness to a highly advanced prototype android. She seeks to win the Core Prime Element, which she believes holds to power to return her to life.

Origin	Garden of Eden	Attack Strength	Medium
Age	Unknown	Defense	Medium
Gender	Female	Speed	High
Build	Medium female	Intelligence	High
Fighting Discipline	Fencing	Grab Speed	Slow
Weapon of Choice	Argon Laser Saber	Reach	Medium
Projectile	Argon Saber Bolt

[edit] Gore

Gore (Gorm in Criticom) has proven himself as the undefeated Champion of Dorlon, and now wishes to prove himself the most powerful fighter in the universe.

Origin	Highland of Dorlon	Attack Strength	High
Age	23	Defense	Medium
Gender	Male	Speed	Low
Build	Large male	Intelligence	Low
Fighting Discipline	Falling Tree	Grab Speed	Medium
Weapon of Choice	Skull Crushing Axe	Reach	Medium
Projectile	Seismic Ripple

[edit] Morphix

Morphix is an energy being from the Light Dimension, and is owner of the Light Prime Element. It is able to morph its arms into blades at will.

Origin	Light Dimension	Attack Strength	Low
Age	Unknown	Defense	Medium
Gender	Unknown	Speed	High
Build	Medium	Intelligence	Medium
Fighting Discipline	Gyro Morphix	Grab Speed	Medium
Weapon of Choice	Morphix Blades	Reach	Medium
Projectile	Tesla Plasma Ring

[edit] Niiki

Niiki is Princess from the jungle city of Faralon. She is spoiled and has entered the tournament simply to spite her father (though he does not know about it yet). Her fighting style, Inverse Kinematics, was specifically designed for her use by leading experts. It focuses on the concept of using the enemy's strength, speed and momentum against them.

Origin	Jungle City of Faralon	Attack Strength	Low
Age	16	Defense	High
Gender	Female	Speed	High
Build	Small female	Intelligence	Medium
Fighting Discipline	Inverse Kinematics	Grab Speed	Low
Weapon of Choice	Dual Rings of Faralon	Reach	Low
Projectile	Star Burst Blast

[edit] Scarlet

Scarlet Zerai was chosen by Sonork to guard the Core Prime Element. He is unaware that she has sworn to assassinate him, and become Empress herself. She shares with her ancestors a dislike of technology, and prefers classic weapons, like her Dragon Saber.

Origin	Shores of Hyperia	Attack Strength	Medium
Age	27	Defense	High
Gender	Female	Speed	Low
Build	Medium female	Intelligence	High
Fighting Discipline	Dragon Slayer	Grab Speed	Medium
Weapon of Choice	Dragon Saber	Reach	Medium
Projectile	Spiral Lava Flow

[edit] Zenmuron

Almost nothing is known about Zenmuron, though it is believed his fighting style is a combination of Ninja techniques and Samurai style.

Origin	Unknown	Attack Strength	Medium
Age	Unknown	Defense	Medium
Gender	Unknown	Speed	High
Build	Medium male	Intelligence	High
Fighting Discipline	Ninjitsu and Kenjutsu	Grab Speed	Medium
Weapon of Choice	Phoenix Katana	Reach	Medium
Projectile	Fiery Phoenix

[edit] Sonork

Sonork gained control of the Core Prime Element during the course of Criticom. Since then he has added upgrades to his body, like his Gatling Plasma Rifle Arm, and bionic leg. He is a sociopath and greatly enjoys killing. He holds the tournament in an attempt to get the Light Prime Element, which he believes will help him kill Demitron, and grant him ultimate power. He is the mid-level boss, and only playable with a cheat code.

Origin	War Zone of Hyperia	Attack Strength	High
Age	30	Defense	Medium
Gender	Male	Speed	Low
Build	Large male	Intelligence	Medium
Fighting Discipline	Power Fighter	Grab Speed	Medium
Weapon of Choice	Gatling Rifle Blades	Reach	Medium
Projectile	Plasma Cannon Shells

[edit] Demitron

Demitron is the Demon Lord of the Dark Dimension, owner of the Dark Prime Element, and final boss of the game. He is the most powerful, and (like Sonork) only playable with a cheat code.

Origin	Doom Island, Dark Dimension	Attack Strength	High
Age	Unknown	Defense	High
Gender	Male	Speed	Medium
Build	Giant Male	Intelligence	High
Fighting Discipline	All	Grab Speed	Medium
Weapon of Choice	Rift Blade	Reach	Medium
Projectile	Vaper Saw

[edit] Reception

Doug Perry at IGN.com gave Dark Rift an overall score of 5.4 - Mediocre (with its graphics scoring the highest points at 7.0), referring to the game as "a visually attractive game with very little in the way of gameplay."^[1] IGN's Peer Schneider said "Dark Rift suffers from a horrible lack of personality and is virtually devoid of any innovation."^[1]

Jeff Gerstmann of Gamespot gave the game 5.0 - mediocre (with graphics again scoring highest at 8.0), saying it "feels like a Virtua Fighter-inspired mishmash of monsters, demons, and guys with guns. The graphic effects are the only things that save Dark Rift from falling below average."^[2]

SCARYLARRY at GamePro gave Dark Rift a short but positive review, stating simply "Although Dark Rift may not be in the elite class of fighters, Nintendo 64 owners starving for a slaying may find themselves satiated by a weekend with Dark Rift." He gave the game a score 4/5.^[10]

In reference to the "Trilogy of Terror" title used for Kronos's fighting games, Stan Liu (head and founder of Kronos) said "we got stuck doing fighting games for a while simply because we were one of the very few U.S. game developers that actually made a fighting game. Hence, Dark Rift and Cardinal Syn." ^[11]

[edit] Notes

[edit] References

Farkas, B & Kiang, D: "Dark Rift: Official Secrets & Solutions", Prima Publishing, 1997