(LAST UPDATE: 1/19/2010)
Developer(s): Arika
Publisher(s): Namco
Platforms: Arcade
Release Date(s): 1998 (
)
Characters: Allen
Snider, Blaire Dame, Tetsuo
Kato, Hong Gillson, Lan
Yinghua, George Jensent, Janis Luciani,
Exodus, Sessyu Tsukikage,
Cappricio, Clemence Keliber, Preston
Ajax, Shang Fenghuang, Jig Jid Bartol,
Joe Fendi, Vold Ignitio
Related Games: Street Fighter EX, Street
Fighter EX 2, Street Fighter EX 3
Review:
Fighting
Layer is an obscure 3D fighting game, made by Arika, and was licensed to
Namco for distribution in Japan arcades only. Fighting Layer features a completely
unique cast of characters, as well as two characters that crossed-over from the Street
Fighter EX series, Allen and
Blaire.
.
The game looks
and plays quite similar to that of the Street Fighter EX series, but with a few differences
including a sidestep (by oddly hitting forward + HP or HK). There are some
solid gameplay elements, including safe falls, special/super move cancels,
and special moves that break your opponents guard. Aside from a few unique
features, the gameplay isn't really a complex experience, but offers some
fun moments.
.
Graphically,
Fighting Layer looks like a second generation PS1 fighting game... Blocky
character models, generic 3D backgrounds surrounded by 2D backdrops, and in-game
character faces that make you cringe? 
You guessed it. It also appears
that several animations from the SFEX series were actually borrowed for
this game, but most of the attack animations are completely new; and
some aren't half bad. The characters are somewhat unique and offer some
interesting fighting styles, but some of which look very inspired by other
fighting game characters... There's a Tae Kwon Do kid AKA Hwoarang rip-off, a wrestler
who whips out chairs and tables to beat his opponents with, and even a
shark... Yes, there is a bonus boss fight with a shark, underwater... And
he's damn hard to beat. He pretty much eats you if you're not really good at
this game. 
.
There's not
much to say about the presentation of Fighting Layer... It's pretty random.
There's a wacky announcer who takes
entirely too long to say a character's name... Always makes me laugh. 
Cool things about this game?
Well, some of the super moves and special moves are very well done in terms of
animation, and also look
like they hurt. Probably the coolest part of the game, is when you finish
off your opponent with a super move, as the action goes super slow-motion...
Pretty epic at times.
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5.5 / 10 |
Closing Comment:
Here's another one of those obscure fighting games that you may have missed, but
then again, didn't miss too much. It's an interesting and wacky little fighting
game but also seems rushed and "incomplete"... Ohh yeah, there's practically no intro. The selection screen and character art isn't
half bad but the character designs are ehhh... A mixed bag, as I like to
say. ~F.Yagami,
Webmaster
of TFG
.
.