Cyber Troopers Virtual-On Oratorio Tangram
Developer - Hitmaker (SEGA AM3)
Publisher - SEGA; Activision (in North America)
Director - Nobuyuki Yamashita
Producers - Juro Watari
Composer - Kentaro Koyama (as Kentaro Kobayashi)
Character Design - Hajime Katoki
Programmers - Yoshihiro Sonoda, Mari Yamagata, Yoshifumi Ishihata
Genre - Fighting; Single player and multiplayer
Release Dates - December 9, 1999 (Japan); June 7, 2000 (North America); Unreleased in Europe
Additional Releases - SEGA Model 3 arcade cabinet (1998); SEGA NAOMI arcade cabinet (1999); Xbox 360 Xbox Live Arcade developed by SEGA AM2 (2009); PlayStation 4 (2019, Japan only)
Current Average Price - $50
And the award for longest title in a Dreamcast game goes to…
Cyber Troopers Virtual-On Oratorio Tangram M.S.B.S. Ver. 5.45 is an arcade 3D arena fighting game made by SEGA AM3 in 1998, and later ported to the SEGA Dreamcast in 1999 (in Japan) and 2000 (in North America). It is the sequel to the classic SEGA Saturn game Cyber Troopers: Virtual-On.
In Virtual-On Oratorio Tangram, players control giant humanoid mechs known as VRs. The VRs are capable of melee attacks, long range weapon-based attacks, limited flight, multi-directional dashes, and lock-on targeting. The player battles in 3D arenas against other VR mechs.
The game uses an unique control scheme, and while it can be played with the standard Dreamcast controller, it’s nearly a necessity that it be played with the dedicated “Twin Sticks” accessory controller. This controller mimics the controller panel of the arcade cabinet, and features two joysticks which are used in conjunction to pivot and drive the mech. Without the Twin Sticks, Virtual-On’s gameplay (and therefore its enjoyability) is significantly compromised.
Background and Plot
The plot of Cyber Troopers Virtual-On Oratorio Tangram M.S.B.S. Ver. 5.45 resumes 20 years after the events depicted in the earlier Saturn game, Cyber Troopers: Virtual-On.
After the defeat of the toughest VR, and the final boss of the first game, Z-Graft, human beings have continued to battle their VRs in a never-ending search for supremacy. To the surprise of all, an unknown Artificial Intelligence known only as Tangram has become sentient, and it has (naturally) decided to destroy humanity through the use of a computer virus called the “Tangram Virus,” which has infected all VRs. It plans to use the infected VRs to destroy the final remnants of humanity.
The player’s VR is the only one which has remained uninfected, and so it’s up to us to defeat all of the infected VRs and the infected mother computer system, Tangram.
The game has two endings; Good and Bad. In the Good ending, achieved by destroying Tangram in the final battle before time runs out, the players VR is transported to Earth’s atmosphere where it is saved by another functioning VR. In the game’s bad ending, time runs out and the player’s VR is infected and shut down. This results in a Game Over screen.
Legacy and Additional Releases
Cyber Troopers Virtual-On Oratorio Tangram M.S.B.S. Ver. 5.45 was a successful arcade cabinet, and was well-regarded when it was released on the SEGA Dreamcast in Japan. Famitsu magazine rated the game 10/10/10/9, totaling an almost-perfect 39/40. IGN awarded an 8/10, praising the game’s graphics as well as its “hyper quick arcade experience.”
Other publications weren’t as impressed. Gamespot rated the game a 7/10, citing poor controls when used with the Dreamcast controller. They mentioned the elusive Twin Stick controller, but also cited that peripheral’s rarity and cost.
Cyber Troopers Virtual-On Oratorio Tangram was re-released worldwide on Xbox Live Arcade in 2009 as Cyber Troopers Virtual-On Oratorio Tangram Ver. 5.66, and again in 2019 on PlayStation 4 (in Japan only).
Today it remains a must-own Dreamcast game, and one of the most interesting and unique 3D fighting games in the system’s library. Its vibrant visuals, high-speed action, and amazing soundtrack are each alone worth the price of admission.