- Release Date: February 25, 1999
- Genre: Fighting
- Style: 3D Fighting
- Similar Games: Bushido Blade (PlayStation), Bushido Blade 2 (PlayStation)
Game Description
Just when you thought Capcom would be milking its Street Fighter property for eternity, along comes Power Stone for the Dreamcast! There are eight characters to choose from: a man who yields blades named Jack the Slayer, a female Japanese character called Ayame, the English adventurer Fokker, an Indian warrior named Galuda, a female witch named Rouge, the veteran Japanese samurai Ryoma, a typical fighting game big guy in Gunrock, and a Chinese martial artist called Wang Tang. Three bosses also exist: Kraken, Valgas, and Valgas Final.Players duke it out over a variety of interactive, multi-layered battlegrounds. Choose from the standard variety of punches and kicks, or grab objects and send them flying in your opponent's direction. And if you manage to collect all three Power Stones, you'll power up into a mighty super-version of yourself, with the ability to smite your foes in a single over-the-top attack. Fight anywhere and everywhere, swinging from poles or hanging from the ceiling. Also, treasure chests can be opened to uncover weapons hidden within: flamethrowers, bazookas, and molotov cocktails are all at your disposal!
~ Colin Williamson, All Game Guide
Roots & Influences
Capcom has developed many fighting games previous to Power Stone. However, many of them have been 2D. While it is a fighting game, Power Stone is completely different from the Street Fighter series. Influences here come from earlier 3D fighting games, most notably games like Bushido Blade, where players get to run around 3D environments.~ Colin Williamson, All Game Guide
Review: Overall
When Capcom announced that they would be developing a fighting game on Sega's Naomi Arcade hardware, most of us just sighed and assumed that we'd see yet another Street Fighter title with minute enhancements. Shockingly, Capcom threw everyone for a loop with Power Stone, a 3D brawler that breaks many of the barriers of fighting games.Power Stone is a game that allows you to interact with your environment with explosive results. Each character has freedom of movement to run around the game's enclosed arenas. Objects are strewn everywhere, from benches to chairs to tables. Players can pick up almost anything and toss it at their opponent. Treasure chests pop up out of nowhere and give characters fantastic weapons like flamethrowers, bazookas, and metal pipes. Best of all, there is no block button, so the only way around most attacks is to dodge.
The goal of the game (aside from bludgeoning your opponents) is to acquire the red, blue, and yellow Power Stones. When you grab all three, you power up into a "super" version of yourself, complete with devastating attacks that can maul your opponent in three seconds flat. Getting the Power Stones isn't easy though, you will need to knock your opponent's stones away from him or her using special attacks.
Graphics are absolutely pristine, running in high-resolution at 60fps without a hint of slowdown. Characters are delightfully animated, and jump, climb, and hang from ceilings with the utmost fluidity. Special effects are abundant and over-the-top, including explosions and pyrotechnics aplenty. The only downfall is in the musical score, which consists of the standard ho hum Capcom beats.
All in all, Power Stone is fast, fluid, and an utter blast to play, especially in the versus mode.
~ Colin Williamson, All Game Guide
Review: Enjoyment
Extremely playable and good looking, with plenty of special, over-the-top attacks.~ Colin Williamson, All Game Guide
Review: Graphics
Fast, fluid, and distinctive.~ Colin Williamson, All Game Guide
Review: Sound
So-so background music and decent sound effects.~ Colin Williamson, All Game Guide
Review: Replay Value
Lots of VMS mini-games and some good stuff to unlock.~ Colin Williamson, All Game Guide
Review: Documentation
Colorful and in Japanese.~ Colin Williamson, All Game Guide
