Criticom

Criticom's only true fault is that it is just another in a long line of tournament fighting games. But the combination of excellent graphics and sound, coupled with some interesting twists in gameplay, help to distinguish it in it's crowded field.

Criticom is a great game for players who have mastered VF 2 or Toshinden. Until sequels of those games come out, this is a nice snack. But it definitely leaves you wanting more.

Criticom has an absorbing storyline, fighter upgrade feature and the sound effects aren't half bad either. I just wish that the game didn't feel so unfinished.

Wow! I didn't know such a horrendous level of game design ineptitude was possible! Criticom is the worst fighting game since Rise of the Robots. The texture-mapped poly characters aren't bad, the backgrounds short of gorgeous and the music is surprisingly enjoyable, but the sloppy, ill-conceived , Wish-I-Was-Tekken-Or-Even-Primal-Rage gameplay has to be put to sleep. This game is as playable as a violin with one string.

If this were the least of Criticom's problems, it would already be enough. But it's not. The frame rate is maddeningly slow, which everyone knows makes it really difficult to pull off any kind of move, special or not. Criticom is ultimately a disappointing game.

Unresponsive controls and choppy animation make it hard to tell what's going on, and sometimes your fighter even ends up facing the wrong direction! There's no blocking, but you do have an evasive roll maneuver. Certain characters seem to have the unfair ability to grab and throw at will. The battle platforms are elevated, so it's possible to fall off the edges. Most of the backgrounds are uninspired, barren planet surfaces. When all is said and done, Criticom's lackluster gameplay doesn't live up to its compelling theme.