Cyber Troopers Virtual-On: Operation Moongate
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European Saturn cover art
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| Developer(s) | Sega AM3[1] |
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| Publisher(s) | Sega |
| Series | Virtual On |
| Platforms | Arcade, Saturn, Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 2 (Sega Ages 2500), PlayStation Network, Xbox Live Arcade |
| Release date(s) | Arcade |
| Genre(s) | Action |
| Mode(s) | Single-player/ Multiplayer |
| Cabinet | Sit-down |
| Arcade system | Sega Model 2 |
Cyber Troopers Virtual-On (電脳戦機バーチャロン Dennō Senki Bācharon?) was released in arcades and for Sega Saturn and PC, all in both America and Japan. There were also two-player online versions of the game released in America and Japan for the Sega Saturn using the NetLink and XBAND services. A remake of the Operation Moongate was released for the PlayStation 2 on October 25, 2007, as part of the Sega Ages 2500 line, featuring improved framerates, music and additional features not found in the original versions.
Gameplay
Virtual-On is set up similar to a Versus fighting game. Two Virtuaroids (Mecha) face each other on a stage. The player(s) use a variety of firearms, explosives, melee weapons, and other techniques to destroy the enemy for a set number of rounds, usually a single battle, or best two out of three rounds, like fighting games.
The game is made to be played with a two-joystick setup, known as the twin-sticks. Each stick is equipped with a trigger and a button on top of the stick.
The twin sticks control the virtuaroid on screen much like a bulldozer. Pushing or pulling both sticks in one direction will make it move in that direction, while pushing one stick forward and pulling the other back will make it turn in the forward direction. Pulling the sticks apart causes the virtuaroid to jump into the air, and automatically turn to face the opponent. Pulling them towards each other while pulling a trigger causes the virtuaroid to prone while firing.
The top buttons are Turbo buttons. Pressing a Turbo button while moving will cause the virtuaroid to dash for a few seconds. Dashing is used to avoid enemy fire, or to maneuver quickly around the map. Virtuaroids can fire while dashing. While Dash-firing, as with during a jump, the virtuaroid will turn to face the enemy before shooting.
Each virtuaroid is armed with three weapons, which are different for each virtuaroid.[2] Two of those weapons are associated with either the left or the right trigger, and are referred to as the Left Weapon (LW) and Right Weapon (RW) respectively. The Right Weapon is generally a Virtuaroid's main weapon, usually a rifle or gun. The Left Weapon is commonly a support weapon, often an explosive. Left weapons usually have a blast radius and can inflict splash damage even if they miss the target directly. The third weapon is called the Center Weapon (CW), and is activated by pulling both triggers simultaneously. Depending on the selected virtuaroid, a Center Weapon attack can be extremely powerful, but can only be used a few times in a row before they run out of energy. Each weapon's size, power, and rate of fire is varied by the virtuaroid's actions when the player pulls the trigger. For example, a standing Temjin's RW is a single shot from its rifle, but while dashing, the RW unleashes a rapid burst of shots at once. While dashing, the virtuaroid's direction may also have an effect on the attack.
Virtuaroids
In the Virtual-On universe, Virtuaroids became relatively easy to produce when the creation of matter through "reverse conversion", and the virtuaroids themselves, were discovered. They are produced by first constructing a working skeletal frame, then installing the "V-connector", and lastly creating their armor through reverse conversion. Later in the series, the V-converter would be responsible for the full creation of the Virtuaroid, including the skeletal frame.
List of Virtuaroids
- MBV-04-G "Temjin" (Main Battle Virtuaroid)
The first of the two original Virtuaroids, the Temjin is a generally well-balanced VR that serves as the architecture basis of most other Virtuaroids.
- HBV-05-E "Raiden" (Heavy Battle Virtuaroid)
The second of the two original Virtuaroids, the Raiden is a heavily armored VR.
- MBV-09-C "Apharmd" (Main Battle Virtuaroid)
A guerrilla-warfare VR based on the Temjin's skeletal frame, but its weapons are modified towards close-quarters-battle.
- SAV-07-D "Belgdor" (Surveillance Assault Virtuaroid)
A heavy-type Virtuaroid, it uses the Raiden's skeletal frame as a chassis, but its laser cannons are replaced by missiles, indicating that it is heavily designed for extreme-range combat.
- HBV-10-B "Dorkas" (Heavy Battle Virtuaroid)
A heavy-battle type Virtuaroid. The Dorkas is much shorter than the other virtuaroids, which makes it somewhat difficult to engage in melee combat.
- TRV-06-E "Viper 2" (Tactical Reconnaissance Virtuaroid)
The TRV-06-E "Viper" is a mobility-based Virtuaroid. The Viper has high agility and speed.
- XBV-13-t11 "Bal-Bas-Bow" (Experimental Battle Virtuaroid)
The Bal-Bas-Bow can hover and perform other mid-air functions, something which other robots lack.
- SRV-14-A "Fei-Yen" (Surveillance Reconnaissance Virtuaroid)
The SRV-14-A "Fei-Yen" has high speed but relatively weak weapons, and its left hand is equipped with a sword that can launch low-damaging beams towards its enemy.
- Z-gradt
A powerful enemy and the guardian of the Moongate, the Z-gradt is a powerful 4-legged tank that protects the moongate and its solar-cannon. It has a very high defense, and built-in beam weaponry. A large particle-cannon is constructed into the center of its frame.
- Jaguarandi
Jaguarandi is heavily armed with four Laser irradiators and powerful target-seeking bombs.
