Virtua Cop 2

Last updated
Virtua Cop 2
Virtuacop2.jpg
Developer(s) Sega AM2
Publisher(s) Sega
Director(s) Wataru Kawashima
Producer(s) Yu Suzuki
Programmer(s) Shunsuke Sekikawa
Artist(s) Akihito Hiroyoshi
Composer(s) Hideaki Miyamoto
Platform(s) Arcade, Saturn, Windows, Dreamcast, PlayStation 2
Release
September 1995
  • Arcade
    Saturn
    • JP/NA: November 22, 1996 [4]
    • EU: November 28, 1996
    Microsoft Windows
    • NA: November 24, 1997 [5]
    • EU: 1997
    • JP: December 5, 1997
    Dreamcast
    • JP: March 2, 2000
    PlayStation 2
    • JP: August 25, 2002
    • EU: November 29, 2002
Genre(s) Light gun shooter
Rail shooter
Mode(s) Single-player, multiplayer
Arcade system Sega Model 2 [6]

Virtua Cop 2 is a light gun shooter arcade game, released in 1995 and developed internally at Sega by their AM2 studio. It was ported to the Sega Saturn in 1996, PC in 1997, and Sega Dreamcast in 2000. It was bundled with Virtua Cop in Virtua Cop: Elite Edition for PlayStation 2 in 2002.

Contents

This game was known as Virtua Squad 2 for the North American PC release.

The game was succeeded by Virtua Cop 3 .

Gameplay

The game features three levels through which the player's movement is automated on a predetermined path. However, unlike the first Virtua Cop, at certain points the player picks their route from two possible choices. [7] It is the player's job to shoot the criminals that appear before time runs out and they shoot back, while taking care not to shoot any innocent bystanders. Along the way there are various objects in the background that can be broken if shot, some of which will reveal power ups afterwards. [8] As with the first Virtua Cop, players earn extra points for "justice shots", meaning shooting an enemy's gun hand to disarm them without killing them. [9] By consistently defeating enemies without taking hits or shooting hostages, the player increases the multiplier which is applied every time they earn points. [10] At the end of each level there is a boss battle, as well as one extra final boss battle after all three levels have been finished.

A combat training simulator, the "Proving Ground", simulates a variety of life-threatening situations. Each Proving Ground stage is designed to simulate a hostile urban environment thronging with enemies. The goal of each stage is to blast through the crowd of thugs while hunting down and taking out the rival player.

Characters

Normally, Rage is the character for Player 1 in the beginner and expert stages and Smarty in the medium stage, but a cheat code in the Saturn version allows Player 1 to play as Janet, who is normally Player 2 in the beginner and medium stages [11]

Plot

Michael "Rage" Hardy and James "Smarty" Cools shut down the E.V.I.L Inc. criminal empire. Three of its leaders, King, Boss, and Kong are all in the maximum security federal pen. The final, fourth member of the E.V.I.L Inc. gang, international terrorist Joe Fang is believed to have been killed in a helicopter crash, though his body was never found. After the downfall of E.V.I.L Inc., a comprehensive investigation of their black market and gun-running activities was launched in the Virtua City bank. Meanwhile, the Virtua City Police Special Investigations Unit got a new member in the shape of Janet Marshall, an expert in criminal psychology profiling.

The vice-president of the Virtua City Bank is killed in shady circumstances that are only officially termed accidental. And the swollen accounts of the now-defunct E.V.I.L Syndicate, which he had been suspected of laundering, are emptied overnight. The missing funds amount to more than the GNP of most small countries.

Meanwhile, on the other side of town, there is a daring daylight raid on the biggest jewelers in the state. The mayor is held hostage at a ship. And at the site of the new subway construction, there's been an unusual amount of unexplained activity involving some very suspicious-looking material.

After solving all three cases and foiling Joe Fang's plan the players have a final shootdown with Joe Fang attacking the player while on a jet pack and defeat him to end his reign of terror and end the game.

Development

When questioned about Sega AM2's plans for Virtua Cop 2 in a February 1995 interview, AM2 manager Fumio Kurokawa stated "We're not sure if there will be [a] VC2. However, since the original VC did well at the arcades, we are certainly thinking about something to follow up." [12]

The Saturn version was demonstrated at the May 1996 Electronic Entertainment Expo, at which point only the first level was in a playable state. [13] Development was slowed because AM2's resources were prioritized for the Saturn versions of Fighting Vipers and Virtua Fighter Kids . [14]

Virtua Cop 2 was re-released in 2001 as part of the Sega Smash Pack: Volume 1 compilation for Dreamcast. The game was later bundled with Virtua Cop in Japan and Europe on the PlayStation 2 as Virtua Cop: Elite Edition (Virtua Cop Rebirth in Japan) on August 25 and November 29, 2002, respectively.

Reception

Arcade

In Japan, Game Machine listed Virtua Cop 2 on their November 1, 1995 issue as being the second most-successful dedicated arcade game of the month. [21] It went on to become the highest-grossing dedicated arcade video game of 1996 in Japan. It was reported to have sold 7,000 arcade cabinets worldwide by 1996, including 4,000 units in Japan and 3,000 units overseas. [1]

Reviewing the arcade version, a Next Generation critic commented that "the action, enemies, variation of levels and backgrounds, and the fun are all so improved over Virtua Cop 1, and in all the right places, that no other laser-gun shooter comes close to it right now." He especially praised the high frame rate, the level design, the need for skilled aiming, and the way the game is paced such that bouts of intense shootouts with "multitudes of terrorists" are broken by short pauses to give the player a breather. [18]

Saturn

As with the original Virtua Cop, the Saturn version of Virtua Cop 2 received mostly positive reviews for its fun gameplay [16] [17] [19] [20] [22] and close translation of the arcade version, [16] [17] [19] [20] [22] while being criticized as too lacking in longevity for a home console game. [16] [22] However, some critics, rather than complaining about the longevity, noted that while it takes about the same amount of time to complete a single playthrough as in the original, the game is much longer than the first Virtua Cop when taking into account all the different level branches. [17] [20]

Reviews generally hailed the game as a considerable improvement over the already impressive original, due to its more interactive environments [19] [20] and higher intensity, especially in the chase scenes. [16] [17] [19] [20] [22] Next Generation elaborated, "Taking the game one step closer to the feel of a big budget action movie, Virtua Cop 2 seems to have more 'movement' to it. ... Whether chasing down an armored car while picking off bad guys hanging out the window, or dodging bullets in a speeding subway train, this game is just short of being described as a roller coaster ride by some hack movie critic in the Midwest and even closer to being described as an 'edge of your seat thriller' by this reviewer on the West coast." [19] GamePro had a somewhat more tempered response, arguing that one can still quickly memorize the game, making repeat plays increasingly routine. They concluded, "For lightgun fans, VC2's a solid buy. Otherwise, its short-lived but frenzied fun makes for a top Saturn rental." [22]

The four reviewers of Electronic Gaming Monthly had similar reactions, [16] while Rich Leadbetter of Sega Saturn Magazine argued that even the shorter Virtua Cop has far more longevity than it is usually given credit for, as both it and the sequel have numerous modes and approaches that can provide players with new challenges on repeat plays. [20] Tom Ham wrote in GameSpot , "While the first Virtua Cop set a new standard for light gun shooters, Sega and the AM2 team have delivered an incredible sequel that takes the concept to a whole new level." [17]

Electronic Gaming Monthly named the Saturn version a runner-up for Shooter Game of the Year (behind Alien Trilogy ). [23] In 1997, they named the Saturn version number 98 on their "100 Best Games of All Time", citing its addition of branching levels and innovative stage design to the series' revolutionary use of polygonal enemies which move realistically and react differently depending on where they are shot. [24]

Related Research Articles

<i>Virtua Fighter</i> (video game) 1993 video game

Virtua Fighter is a fighting game created for the Sega Model 1 arcade platform by AM2, a development group within Sega, headed by Yu Suzuki. An early prototype version was location tested in Japan by August 1993, before the complete game was released worldwide in December 1993. It is the first game in the Virtua Fighter series, and the first arcade fighting game to feature fully 3D polygon graphics. The game has been ported to several platforms including the Sega Saturn, Sega 32X, and Microsoft Windows.

<i>Area 51</i> (1995 video game) 1995 video game

Area 51 is a light gun arcade game released by Atari Games in 1995. It takes its name from the military facility. The plot of the game involves the player taking part in a Strategic Tactical Advanced Alien Response (STAAR) military incursion to prevent aliens, known as the Kronn, and alien-created zombies from taking over the Area 51 military facility.

<i>Virtua Cop</i> 1994 video game

Virtua Cop is a 1994 light gun shooter game developed by Sega AM2 and designed by Yu Suzuki. It was originally an arcade game on the Sega Model 2 system, and was ported to the Sega Saturn in 1995 and Windows in 1996. The Saturn version included support for both the Virtua Gun and Saturn mouse, as well as a new "Training Mode" which consists of a randomly generated shooting gallery.

<i>Daytona USA</i> 1994 arcade racing video game

Daytona USA is an arcade racing game developed by Sega AM2 and released by Sega in March of 1994. Inspired by the popularity of the NASCAR motor racing series in the US, the game has players race stock cars on one of three courses. It was the first game to be released on the Sega Model 2 arcade system board. Daytona USA is one of the highest-grossing arcade games of all time.

<i>Virtua Racing</i> 1992 racing game

Virtua Racing or V.R. for short, is a Formula One racing video game developed by Sega AM2 and released for arcades in 1992. Virtua Racing was initially a proof-of-concept application for exercising a new 3D graphics platform under development, the "Model 1". The results were so encouraging that Virtua Racing was fully developed into a standalone arcade title.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sega AM2</span> Japanese video game developer

Sega AM Research & Development No. 2, previously known as SEGA-AM2 Co., Ltd., is a video game development team within the Japanese multinational video game developer Sega. Yu Suzuki, who had previously developed arcade games for Sega including Hang-On and Out Run, was the first manager of the department.

<i>Virtua Cop 3</i> 2003 video game

Virtua Cop 3 is the third and final game installment from Sega's Virtua Cop light gun shooter franchise, and released exclusively for video arcades in 2003. The game is available in standard and deluxe cabinet formats and runs on Sega Chihiro arcade hardware. A port for the Xbox was planned, but later cancelled.

<i>Lethal Enforcers</i> 1992 video game

Lethal Enforcers is a 1992 light gun shooter released as an arcade video game by Konami. The graphics consist entirely of digitized photographs and digitized sprites. Home versions were released for the Super NES, Genesis and Sega CD during the following year and include a revolver-shaped light gun known as The Justifier.

<i>Fighters Megamix</i> 1996 video game

Fighters Megamix is a 1996 fighting game developed by Sega AM2 for the Sega Saturn. It is a crossover between Sega's 3D arcade fighting games Virtua Fighter 2 and Fighting Vipers, with unlockable characters from several other AM2 games such as Virtua Cop 2 and Daytona USA. It allows gamers to play as the bosses of both Virtua Fighter 2 and Fighting Vipers without codes.

<i>Die Hard Arcade</i> 1996 video game

Die Hard Arcade, known as Dynamite Deka in Japan, is an arcade beat 'em up video game released by Sega. It was the first beat 'em up to use texture-mapped 3D polygon graphics, and used a sophisticated move set by contemporary beat 'em up standards, often being likened to a fighting game in this respect. It also features quick time events, the ability to combine items to make more powerful weapons, and in two-player mode the ability to perform combined special moves and combos.

<i>Virtua Fighter 2</i> 1994 arcade video game

Virtua Fighter 2 is a 1994 fighting video game developed by Sega. It is the sequel to Virtua Fighter (1993), and the second game in the Virtua Fighter series. It was created by Sega's Yu Suzuki-headed AM2 and was released for arcades in 1994. Ports were released for the Sega Saturn in 1995 and Microsoft Windows in 1997.

<i>Virtua Fighter Kids</i> 1996 video game

Virtua Fighter Kids is an installment in the Sega AM2 Virtua Fighter fighting game series. A super deformed version of Virtua Fighter 2, it was released in the arcade and on the Sega Saturn in 1996. Unlike Virtua Fighter 2, it was developed on the ST-V board.

<i>Fighting Vipers</i> 1995 video game

Fighting Vipers is a 3D fighting video game developed by Sega AM2. It uses the same game engine as AM2's Virtua Fighter 2 but features enclosed arenas and an armor mechanic, and was targeted more towards Western audiences, using a U.S. setting and more freeform styles of martial arts. The game was released in the arcade in 1995 using the Sega Model 2 hardware. The game was ported to the Sega Saturn, and to PlayStation Network and Xbox Live Arcade in 2012. Though Fighting Vipers was not very popular in North American arcades, the Saturn version was one of the most high-profile games in the system's 1996 holiday lineup, and was met with positive reviews.

<i>Virtua Fighter 3</i> 1996 video game

Virtua Fighter 3 is the sequel to 1994's Virtua Fighter 2 and the third fighting game in the Virtua Fighter series, developed by Sega AM2 and published by Sega in 1996. It was the first arcade game to run on the Sega Model 3 system board.

<i>The Lost World: Jurassic Park</i> (arcade game) 1997 video game

The Lost World: Jurassic Park is a light gun arcade game from Sega. It was released in 1997, and is based on the film of the same name. It is also a sequel to Sega's 1994 Jurassic Park arcade game. A third Jurassic Park arcade game, based on Jurassic Park III, was made by Konami in 2001.

Virtua Fighter is a series of fighting games created by Sega AM2 and designer Yu Suzuki. The original Virtua Fighter was released in December 1993 and has received four main sequels and several spin-offs. The highly influential first Virtua Fighter game is widely recognized as the first 3D fighting game released.

<i>Scud Race</i> 1996 video game

Scud Race is an arcade racing video game released by Sega in 1996. It is the first racing game to use the Sega Model 3 hardware. Despite being released well within the lifetime of the Sega Saturn, no Saturn port was ever released. A Dreamcast port was announced for the system's 1998 launch lineup and was shown as a tech-demo in the Dreamcast Presentation in 1998, but was cancelled.

<i>Crypt Killer</i> 1995 video game

Crypt Killer is a 1995 arcade video game produced by Konami. It was also released in 1997 for the Sega Saturn and Sony PlayStation home consoles, and in Japan for Microsoft Windows. The Saturn version makes use of the Saturn's various light guns, while the PlayStation version is compatible with the Naki Lunar Gun and the Konami Justifier. The game's scenery and characters are all 3D polygon models, while most of the enemies and their projectiles are 2D sprites.

<i>DecAthlete</i> 1996 video game

DecAthlete, released in Europe as Athlete Kings due to a licensing issue, is a track-and-field themed arcade sports video game. On its unveiling, the gaming media generally described it as a modern clone of Daley Thompson's Decathlon. Released in 1996, it was developed by Sega AM3 and produced by Sega. A home port was released on the Sega Saturn in 1996, largely identical to the arcade version, due to the similar hardware of the ST-V hardware and the Saturn. It was released on the PlayStation 2 in Japan only as part of the Sega Ages 2500 series. Compared to other decathlon based games, Decathlete has a more comic and cartoon-like style. A sequel followed in 1997, which was the winter sports-based Winter Heat.

Sky Target is a 1995 arcade game by Sega. A rail shooter featuring a number of planes including the default F-14D Super Tomcat, it is best remembered for its semi-official connection to Sega's earlier hit After Burner. Although never billed as a sequel, its overt similarities to the 1987 classic were nonetheless referenced in official promotional materials and recognized by the media. Plus, it features a revised version of the "After Burner" music theme within its soundtrack.

References

  1. 1 2 Akagi, Masumi, ed. (1 February 1997). ""Tekken 2", "Virtua Cop 2" Top Videos '96" (PDF). Game Machine . No. 534. Amusement Press, Inc. p. 26.
  2. ↑ Akagi, Masumi (October 13, 2006). アーケードTVゲームリスト国内•海外編(1971–2005) [Arcade TV Game List: Domestic • Overseas Edition (1971–2005)] (in Japanese). Japan: Amusement News Agency. pp. 131–3. ISBN   978-4990251215.
  3. ↑ "Sega Coin-Ops: Virtua Cop 2" (PDF). Computer and Video Games . No. 176 (July 1996). 12 June 1996. p. 90.
  4. ↑ "Virtua Cop 2". 1996-12-15. Archived from the original on 1996-12-15. Retrieved 2023-11-15.
  5. ↑ "OPEN FIRE! VIRTUA SQUAD 2 SHOOTS TO PC FROM SEGA ENTERTAINMENT". Sega Central. Sega of America. November 24, 1997. Archived from the original on February 2, 1998. Retrieved December 14, 2020.
  6. ↑ "New from Sega: Virtua Cop 2". Maximum: The Video Game Magazine. No. 1. Emap International Limited. October 1995. p. 128.
  7. ↑ "NG Alphas: Virtua Cop 2". Next Generation . No. 22. Imagine Media. October 1996. p. 124.
  8. ↑ "Virtua Cop 2: Bad Boys, Watcha Gonna Do?" (PDF). Electronic Gaming Monthly . No. 89. Ziff Davis. December 1996. pp. 232–3.
  9. ↑ "Call the Cops! Virtua Cop 2 Is Almost Here!". Sega Saturn Magazine . No. 13. Emap International Limited. November 1996. pp. 6–7.
  10. ↑ "Crime War in Virtua City!". Sega Saturn Magazine . No. 14. Emap International Limited. December 1996. p. 46.
  11. ↑ "Sega Saturn Tips". Sega Saturn Magazine . No. 17. Emap International Limited. March 1997. p. 78.
  12. ↑ Ogasawara, Nob (May 1995). "The Creation of Daytona, and the Future Projects of AM2". Electronic Gaming Monthly . No. 70. Sendai Publishing. p. 70.
  13. ↑ "The Sentence Is Death". Sega Saturn Magazine . No. 9. Emap International Limited. July 1996. pp. 28–31.
  14. ↑ "Dig that Groovy Beat". Sega Saturn Magazine . No. 11. Emap International Limited. September 1996. pp. 47–49.
  15. ↑ "Virtua Cop 2 Sega Saturn Review Score". Archived from the original on 2017-03-13.
  16. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Review Crew: Virtua Cop 2". Electronic Gaming Monthly . No. 90. Ziff Davis. January 1997. p. 62.
  17. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Ham, Tom (December 1, 1996). "Virtua Cop 2 Review". GameSpot . Retrieved 28 January 2018.
  18. 1 2 "Bull's-Eye". Next Generation . No. 12. Imagine Media. December 1995. p. 209.
  19. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Bang Up Job". Next Generation . No. 27. Imagine Media. March 1997. p. 92.
  20. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Leadbetter, Rich (December 1996). "Review: Virtua Cop 2". Sega Saturn Magazine . No. 14. Emap International Limited. pp. 66–67.
  21. ↑ "Game Machine's Best Hit Games 25 - 完成品夕イプのTVゲーム機 (Dedicated Videos)". Game Machine (in Japanese). No. 506. Amusement Press, Inc. 1 November 1995. p. 25.
  22. 1 2 3 4 5 Air Hendrix (February 1997). "Saturn ProReview: Virtua Cop 2". GamePro . No. 101. IDG. p. 80.
  23. ↑ "The Best of '96". Electronic Gaming Monthly . No. 92. Ziff Davis. March 1997. p. 90.
  24. ↑ "100 Best Games of All Time". Electronic Gaming Monthly . No. 100. Ziff Davis. November 1997. p. 102. Note: Contrary to the title, the intro to the article explicitly states that the list covers console video games only, meaning PC games and arcade games were not eligible.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.