Neon Genesis Evangelion | |
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Developer(s) | BEC |
Publisher(s) | Bandai |
Director(s) | Shin Unozawa |
Producer(s) | Takeo Isogai |
Designer(s) |
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Programmer(s) | Yutaka Nagayama |
Composer(s) | Jun Enoki |
Series | Neon Genesis Evangelion |
Platform(s) | Nintendo 64 |
Release |
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Genre(s) | Fighting |
Mode(s) | Single-player, multiplayer |
Neon Genesis Evangelion [lower-alpha 1] , also referred to as Neon Genesis Evangelion 64, [1] [2] is a 1999 fighting game released for the Nintendo 64 in Japan by Bandai. It is based on the Gainax anime series Neon Genesis Evangelion and the 1997 film that serves as its conclusion, The End of Evangelion . Players control a mech named Evangelion Unit 01 to destroy a race of aliens known as the Angels before they eradicate the rest of the human race. The game is known for its alterations to the source material in order to make its dystopian and unsettling atmosphere suitable for an action game, and features unique endings and plotlines not present in other Evangelion media.
Evangelion 64 was developed by BEC, a company formed as a joint venture between Bandai and Human Entertainment, and supervised by Gainax. The game received mixed reviews, though it was a moderate commercial success. Reviewers were primarily critical of its lack of player involvement and reliance on button-tapping sequences. Several have identified its graphics and cutscenes as being of higher quality than other games on the Nintendo 64, with some saying it was one of the system's best from a technical standpoint. A PlayStation 2 sequel, Neon Genesis Evangelion 2 , was released three years later.
Neon Genesis Evangelion 64 is a fighting video game similar to games such as Cyber Troopers: Virtual On (1995). Its plot is loosely based on the anime, taking place in 2015 where 75% of Earth's population has been wiped out by alien beings known as Angels. The organization "NERV" assigns three teenage pilots—Shinji Ikari, Rei Ayanami, and Asuka Langley Soryu—to pilot a cyborg named the Evangelion to destroy the Angels before they eradicate the rest of the human race. [4] [5]
The player controls one of these pilots through a series of levels, each being based on a specific episode of the anime. [5] [3] The pilots faces can be seen during battle and change their facial expression in reaction to events just like in the original anime. [6] The Evangelion must defeat an enemy Angel through melee and projectile attacks, while preventing the Angel from inflicting damage on the Evangelion. [5] [7] The Evangelion begins with standard kicking and punching attacks; later levels allow it to use weapons such as machine guns and knives. [5] [3] Inputting specific button commands enacts a short cutscene showing the Angel being heavily damaged in battle. [8] One mission in the game plays similarly like Bust a Groove . [9]
The player has to be aware of several other factors in battle. If the Evangelion is at low health, it can become "berserk" and temporarily increase its strength and power. [8] Also, the Evangelion has an umbilical cord which if severed will then only have five minutes of battery power to operate. [2] [3] Additionally, a temporary shield called an "AT Field" can be generated to defend against attacks. There is also the "synchronization rate" which shows the bond between the pilot and mech and is indicated by a graph on the screen. It increases with successful attacks, giving the player more powerful attacks. [3] Outside the main game, meeting certain conditions will result in unlocking additional gameplay modes. [3] One mode is a shooting gallery minigame where players use the Evangelion to shoot formations of Angels, and a multiplayer mode where players fight against each other using multiple Evangelions. [5] [3] The player can also play as Rei and Asuka. [3] After progressing through the game, players are given a mode to view 3D models of all characters in the game. [10]
The Neon Genesis Evangelion anime was a hugely popular series after its release in Japan making video game adaptions inevitable. [2] [6] Neon Genesis Evangelion 64 was developed for the Nintendo 64 by BEC, a video game development subsidiary of Japanese toymaker Bandai. [11] BEC was founded in 1990 as a joint venture between Bandai and Human Entertainment, with most of its staff being employed from Human's game design school. [12] Evangelion 64 is a loose adaptation of the Gainax-produced anime series and its 1997 film adaptation The End of Evangelion . [3] [9]
Most video game adaptions of robot anime series tend to be action-focused, but Evangelion 64 instead opted to reproduce scenes from the anime, which depending on the player's choices could produce a different outcome. [13] The game is known for its heavy alterations to the source material to make the anime's dystopian and unsettling atmosphere suitable for an action game; [7] as such, it includes plotlines and endings that are not present in other Evangelion media. [14] Gainax supervised its development, with company co-founder Shin Unozawa being assigned to project director. [15] Bandai worked to implement most of the characters from the series into the game, though several were relegated to small background cameos. [7] [8] The game's audio was created by Jun Enoki, [16] who replicated a number of musical themes from the anime in MIDI. [17] However, the game lacks the song "Fly Me to the Moon" from the show's closing sequence. [18] The audio incorporates archive footage of the characters' voices from the anime, [3] [10] which was limited in use by the low storage size of N64 cartridges. [13]
Evangelion 64 was announced in October 1998 and demonstrated at the Tokyo Game Show the same month, where it generated the longest player lines at the tradeshow. [19] [20] The game was released in Japan on June 25, 1999, [21] and was bundled with a pack of three Evangelion-themed cards that were compatible with Carddass card vending machines for amusement arcades. [5] A strategy guide published by Kadokawa Shoten was also released for the game that included an overview of each mech in the game, as well as gameplay tips. [13] Bandai's North American division considered releasing Evangelion 64 in the United States if it deemed its gameplay suitable for Western audiences. [22] Ultimately, the game was not released outside of Japan. [23] [24]
Publication | Score |
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GameFan | 151/300 [25] |
GameSpot | 5.6/10 [26] |
Hyper | 61/100 [17] |
N64 Magazine | 61% [4] |
Total! | 3/5 [10] |
Gamers' Republic | B+ [18] |
X64 | 40% [27] |
Famitsu reports that Neon Genesis Evangelion 64 sold over 38,000 copies by the end of 1999. [28] Reviewers were primarily critical of the game's lack of player involvement. [10] [26] Christian Nutt of GameSpot believed its redeeming qualities were overshadowed by the limited interactivity: "The serious problem here is that the game fails to do what a game should do — deliver an engaging play experience." Nutt disliked its combat and button tapping sequences. [26] N64 Magazine writer Jes Bickham had the same opinion and showed disappointment in its quality. [4] Nick O'Shea, a reviewer for Hyper , described the game as "interactive anime" with limited moves in combat and battles that often were reduced to "button mashing". [17] Reviewers for GameFan echoed these same complaints, and suggested it would have been much better as a standard fighting game. [25]
Multiple reviewers have found Evangelion 64 impressive from a technical perspective. [4] [10] [26] Gamers' Republic, which listed it as being among the best import games in its 1999Video Game Buyers Guide and Y2K Preview, [29] commended Bandai for successfully translating the anime's atmosphere and drama into a video game. [18] Nutt showed admiration towards the voice acting and graphics for being "surprisingly well represented" by the Nintendo 64's limited capabilities. [26] Several believed only fans of the series would enjoy it. [9] [17] [25] [26] [27] Lionel Coen, writing in X64, remarked that those with no knowledge of the series would have very limited interest in the game while those who are fans would delight in seeing scenes from the series translated into a video game. [27] Bruno Sol of Superjuegos also commended the title for faithfully reproducing most of the events from the anime series and the film Death & Rebirth . [9]
Retrospective commentary has been equally mixed. Some reviewers regretted that the game was not released outside of Japan. [23] [24] Play magazine went so far as to say that it was "sheer madness" that the game was not released outside of Japan and listed it as the 10th best anime game of all time. [23] Daniel Quesada of Hobby Consolas felt it was a good adaption of the series with well-designed graphics, and more interesting than the majority of Evangelion video games. [24] Others were more critical, such as USgamer , which called the game mediocre and suggested Evangelion fans should play Super Robot Wars V instead. [30] Kotaku 's Richard Eisenbeis was critical of its button-tapping sequences and the slow movement speed of the Evangelion. [31] Writing for Hardcore Gaming 101, Brian Crimmins found its cutscenes and graphics impressive for the console, and saw it as a game that could have potentially given the Nintendo 64 an edge over its competitors. Despite this, Crimmins was critical of the game's handling of its source material, particularly removing the anime's unsettling and psychologically dampening tone in favor of one that was more lighthearted. He described it as being "best remembered as a technical curiosity, and perhaps as a lesson in how to adapt existing franchises to video game form". [7]
Neon Genesis Evangelion, also known as Evangelion or Eva, is a Japanese mecha anime television series produced by Gainax, animated by Tatsunoko, and directed by Hideaki Anno. It was broadcast on TV Tokyo from October 1995 to March 1996.
Shinji Ikari is a fictional character from the Neon Genesis Evangelion franchise created by Gainax. He is the franchise's poster boy and protagonist. In the anime series of the same name, Shinji is a boy abandoned by his estranged father Gendo after the mysterious death of his mother Yui. Years later, Gendo asks him to pilot a mecha called Evangelion Unit-01 to protect the city of Tokyo-3 from Angels, creatures which threaten to destroy humanity. Shinji appears in the franchise's feature films and related media, video games, the manga Petit Eva: Evangelion@School, the Rebuild of Evangelion films, and the manga adaptation by Yoshiyuki Sadamoto.
Neon Genesis Evangelion: Girlfriend of Steel 2nd, subtitled in English Neon Genesis Evangelion: Iron Maiden 2nd, is a Gainax-produced adventure anime-style video game, and manga based on that game, set in the alternate universe seen in episode 26 of Neon Genesis Evangelion. The player controls Shinji Ikari, the hero of the original Evangelion series, as he navigates his home, school, and social life in a now-peaceful "Tokyo-3".
Asuka Langley Soryu is a fictional character from the Neon Genesis Evangelion franchise created by Gainax. She first appears in the original anime series, and also appears in the franchise's animated feature films and related media, including video games, the Rebuild of Evangelion films, and the manga adaptation by Yoshiyuki Sadamoto. In Japanese, Yūko Miyamura voices Asuka in all her animated appearances and merchandise. In English, Tiffany Grant voices her in the ADV Films dub and Stephanie McKeon voices her in the Netflix dub.
Kaworu Nagisa, real name Tabris, is a fictional character from the Neon Genesis Evangelion franchise created by Gainax. In the series, he is the pilot of a giant mecha named Evangelion Unit 02 for the special agency Nerv. Kaworu is the seventeenth and final member of the Angels which threaten humanity. When he arrives at Nerv, he meets Eva-01 pilot Shinji Ikari, showing great affection towards him. After revealing his nature as an Angel to Shinji, he asks him to kill him to allow humanity to survive. Kaworu appears in the franchise's animated feature films and related media, video games, the original net animation Petit Eva: Evangelion@School, the Rebuild of Evangelion films, and the manga adaptation by Yoshiyuki Sadamoto. He also has a prominent role in Evangelion: 3.0 You Can (Not) Redo, the third film of the Rebuild saga.
The End of Evangelion is a 1997 Japanese anime apocalyptic science fiction film written by Hideaki Anno, directed by Anno and Kazuya Tsurumaki, and animated by Gainax and Production I.G. It serves as an alternate ending to the television series Neon Genesis Evangelion, which aired from 1995 to 1996 and whose final two episodes were controversial for their atypically abstract direction.
Neon Genesis Evangelion: Ayanami Raising Project is a simulation game created by Gainax and BROCCOLI, and based on the anime and manga series Neon Genesis Evangelion. The gameplay is similar to that of the Princess Maker series also developed by Gainax. It was released for Microsoft Windows PCs in 2001, and the Dreamcast the following year.
"Angel Attack" is the first episode of the anime series Neon Genesis Evangelion, created by Gainax. The episode was written by the series director Hideaki Anno and directed by Kazuya Tsurumaki. It was originally aired on TV Tokyo on October 4, 1995. The series is mostly set in the futuristic, fortified city Tokyo-3, fifteen years after a worldwide cataclysm named Second Impact. The protagonist is Shinji Ikari, a teenage boy whose father Gendo has recruited him to the organization Nerv to pilot a giant bio-machine mecha named Evangelion to combat beings called Angels. In the episode, Tokyo-3 is attacked by the Angel Sachiel, who fights the United Nations Army and the JSSDF. Gendo summons Shinji for the first time and Shinji reluctantly agrees to pilot the mecha.
"The Beast", known by the Japanese title "Unfamiliar Ceilings", is the second episode of the anime Neon Genesis Evangelion, created by Gainax. The episode was written by the series director Hideaki Anno and Yōji Enokido and directed by Kazuya Tsurumaki. It aired originally on TV Tokyo on October 11, 1995.
"Rei I", also known by the Japanese title "Rei, Beyond the Heart", is the fifth episode of the anime Neon Genesis Evangelion, which was created by Gainax. "Rei I" was written by Hideaki Anno and Akio Satsukawa, and directed by Keiichi Sugiyama. It was first broadcast on TV Tokyo on November 1, 1995. The series is set fifteen years after a worldwide cataclysm named Second Impact, mostly in the futuristic, fortified city called Tokyo-3. The episode's protagonist is Shinji Ikari, a teenage boy who is recruited by his father Gendo into the organization Nerv to pilot a giant bio-machine mecha named Evangelion to combat certain beings called Angels. In the episode, Shinji tries, but fails, to connect with Rei Ayanami, a fellow pilot, who is close to his distant and cold father Gendo.
"Rei II", also known by the Japanese title "Showdown in Tokyo-3", is the sixth episode of the anime Neon Genesis Evangelion, which was created by Gainax. "Rei II" was written by Hideaki Anno and Akio Satsukawa and directed by Hiroyuki Ishido. The series is set fifteen years after a worldwide cataclysm named Second Impact, and is mostly set in the futuristic, fortified fictional city of Tokyo-3. The episode's protagonist is teenage boy Shinji Ikari, who is recruited by his father Gendo to the organization Nerv to pilot a bio-machine mecha named Evangelion against beings called Angels. In the episode, Shinji must annihilate the fifth Angel Ramiel, who is able to destroy every enemy in its vicinity with an accelerated particles cannon. A plan called Operation Yashima is worked out, which involves Shinji shooting Ramiel from a distance with a Positron Rifle.
"Asuka Strikes!" is the eighth episode of the Japanese anime television series Neon Genesis Evangelion, which was created by Gainax. The episode, written by Hideaki Anno and Yoji Enokido and directed by Kazuya Tsurumaki, was first broadcast on TV Tokyo on November 22, 1995. The series is set fifteen years after a worldwide cataclysm and is mostly set in the futuristic, fortified city Tokyo-3. The series' protagonist is Shinji Ikari, a teenage boy who is recruited by his father Gendo to the organization Nerv to pilot a gigantic, bio-mechanical mecha named Evangelion into combat with beings called Angels. During the episode, Asuka Langley Soryu, a girl who is designated as the pilot of Evangelion Unit-02, is introduced; after the attack of Gaghiel, the sixth Angel, Asuka cooperates with Shinji aboard the Eva-02 to defeat the enemy.
"Both of You, Dance Like You Want to Win!" is the ninth episode of the Japanese anime television series Neon Genesis Evangelion, which was created by Gainax. The episode, written by Hideaki Anno and Akio Satsukawa and directed by Seiji Mizushima, was first broadcast on TV Tokyo on November 29, 1995. The series is set fifteen years after a worldwide cataclysm and is mostly set in the futuristic, fortified city Tokyo-3. The series' protagonist is Shinji Ikari, a teenage boy who is recruited by his father Gendo to the organization Nerv to pilot a gigantic, bio-mechanical mecha named Evangelion into combat with beings called Angels. The episode follows two Nerv mecha pilots, Asuka Langley Soryu and Shinji, who must defeat an Angel capable of splitting into two individuals, Israfel.
"Magmadiver" is the tenth episode of the Japanese anime television series Neon Genesis Evangelion, which was created by Gainax. The episode, written by Hideaki Anno and Akio Satsukawa and directed by Tsuyoshi Kaga and Kiroyuki Ishido, was first broadcast on TV Tokyo on December 6, 1995. The series is set fifteen years after a worldwide cataclysm and is mostly set in the futuristic, fortified city Tokyo-3. The series' protagonist is Shinji Ikari, a teenage boy who is recruited by his father Gendo to the special military organization Nerv to pilot a gigantic, bio-mechanical mecha named Evangelion into combat with beings called Angels. During the episode, Asuka Langley Soryu, a girl who is designated as the pilot of Evangelion Unit-02, tries to capture the eighth Angel, Sandalphon, found in the magma chamber of a Volcano in a dormant state.
Neon Genesis Evangelion 2 is a Japanese video game for the PlayStation 2 developed by Alfa System and published by Bandai. It has role-playing video game and world-controlling elements, and allows the player to follow a number of characters through multiple versions of the main plot of the anime Neon Genesis Evangelion. The PlayStation Portable port was released on 2006 as Neon Genesis Evangelion 2 -Another Cases-.
"A Transfer", known by the Japanese title "The Silent Phone", is the third episode of the anime Neon Genesis Evangelion, created by Gainax. Series director Hideaki Anno and writer Akio Satsukawa wrote the episode, directed by Hiroyuki Ishido. It aired originally on TV Tokyo on October 18, 1995. The series is set fifteen years after a worldwide cataclysm named Second Impact, particularly in the futuristic fortified city of Tokyo-3. The protagonist is Shinji Ikari, a teenage boy whose father, Gendo, recruited him to the organization Nerv to pilot a giant bio-machine mecha named Evangelion into combat with beings called Angels. In the episode, Shinji begins attending his new school in Tokyo-3 and has a difficult time dealing with the fame of being an Evangelion pilot. His classmate Toji Suzuhara, whose little sister was injured in Shinji's fight against the Angel Sachiel shown in the previous episode, is angry at him; a new Angel named Shamshel appears, and Shinji must once again pilot Eva-01 to defeat it.
The soundtracks of Neon Genesis Evangelion were produced for the 1995 anime series of the same name and its sequels, remakes and spinoffs. Shiro Sagisu composed the tracks under the direction of Hideaki Anno, director of the series. In addition to Sagisu's compositions, the soundtracks include pieces by Masami Okui, Kotono Mitsuishi and a wide repertoire of classical music, including symphonies by Beethoven, Bach, Giuseppe Verdi and other composers. Under the direction of Toshimichi Ōtsuki, a representative of King Records and one of the producers of the series, "A Cruel Angel's Thesis" was composed as the series' opening theme song. The series used "Fly Me to the Moon", originally written by Bart Howard, as the closing theme song. Different versions of the song were recorded by British singer Claire Littley, Yoko Takahashi and the anime's main female voice actors, Megumi Hayashibara, Kotono Mitsuishi and Yuko Miyamura.
Neon Genesis Evangelion is a Japanese media franchise created by Hideaki Anno, originally owned by Gainax and currently owned by Khara. Most of the franchise features an apocalyptic mecha action story, which revolves around the paramilitary organization NERV and their efforts in fighting hostile beings called Angels, using giant humanoids called Evangelions that are piloted by select teenagers. Subsequent works deviate from this theme to varying degrees, focusing more on romantic interactions between the characters, plotlines not present in the original works, and reimaginings of the conflicts from the original works.