Savage Reign (NEO4ALL) Review

Original release:
1995

Game details:
1-2 players
Standard controller
VGA box

The following game was not officially released for Sega Dreamcast. It is emulated using NEO4ALL beta 4 developed by chui. This is an evaluation of the emulation of the game as well as the game itself.

Using Team RDC's release you can play this game as though it is a commercial game with only a brief loading screen.

Emulation

Savage Reign runs full speed and as far as I could tell has no issues at all. The game loads often though and it can be frustrating.

Gameplay

Savage Reign is a completely average fighting game with a slight twist to it. The stages have different levels to them. Some of these levels simply have a higher platform which may have some kind of danger element to them, like a floor that opens and drops you to the lower level. Some stages have a bar across the top that you can hang from. Along the bar there are items that you can kick off to hit your opponent. It's really novelty and fun the first time you play it, but it's just that; a novelty. It doesn't drastically change the game at all. The characters in Savage Reign also all have weapons, but this isn't really a weapon based game either. The characters still fight with punches and kicks, and the weapons are only used with a super move. There's nothing surprising that happens here, it's just another Neo Geo fighting game.

Storyline

These aren't the Droids you're looking for.

Graphics

These are nothing surprising either. There are some nice touches regarding the different levels of the stages though. If the other level is parallel to the first, the characters will turn around to face each other while they're on the different levels. The Chinatown stage is very similar to Chun-Li's stage in Street Fighter II… you could say the graphics are uninspired on some level.

Sound

Completely and totally average. Are you seeing a theme?

Conclusion

This review is short for a reason; if you've played a fighting game, you've pretty much played Savage Reign. The game is average in every regard. There's nowhere to take points away from the game, but there's nowhere to add any extra either. The different levels to stages are interesting and reminiscent of Top Hunter and give the game a bit more life, but you're not likely to revisit the game often.

7.5/10