
Iron Angel of the Apocalypse, by Synergy Inc.
3DO version
1 Player
Iron Angel of the Apocalypse, originally released as Tetsujin in Japan and Europe, has finally made it over to the US. Panasonic was supposed to have released the game late last year, but decided not to for fear of some sort of litigation and copyright infringement. So Synergy, the makers of Iron Angel, decided to release it here themselves.
	Upon its Japanese release, Iron Angel instantly become one of my favorite 3DO games because of its incredibly impressive visuals. It was one of the first Japanese 3DO titles and is also one of the very few games where the cinematic sequences are actually imperative to the full enjoyment of the game. Iron Angel has some of the most incredible intermissions ever created for a game. A mixture of 3D computer rendering, live action and in-game graphics, these sequences are unbelievably spooky, fascinating and entertaining
	The whole atmosphere of the game is dark, mysterious and downright creepy. The plot is laid out over the course of the game, but essentially involves the quest of a cyborg, Tetsujin (which means,"Iron Person"), to reach the top floor of a skyscraper in order to, literally, meet his maker. The story is set in a dark, cyberpunk Neo Tokyo and the whole game is played within the skyscraper.
	Instead of redubbing the dialogue, Synergy opted for subtitles and these original Japanese voices are suitably creepy and perfectly match the atmosphere. Some of the cinemas (especially the opening and ending) have been vastly improved over previous versions. The game is a bit faster than previous releases as well, but not by much--Iron Angel is still a slow paced game, especially when compared to other 1st person shooters. Iron Angel is played from a first person point of view and essentially involves blasting anything that you come across. While Iron Angel doesn't have the visceral, non-stop action of Doom, there are still some intense situations in the game. 
	Throughout the game's 30+ floors, you'll find plenty of things to figure out and discover. Exploring is a big part of Iron Angel and one way doors, intricate elevator systems, teleport mazes and dark, foreboding, maze-like passages abound here. Every six floors or so, you will also find a larger "Boss" robot to contend with as well. 
	The game will only save your position in the special recharge rooms that are placed somewhere on each level and allows up to four different save games. Throughout the game, you'll find new weapons to upgrade yourself with, along with other special devices to help you on your way. Control is simple and laid out intelligently, but is, at times, rather sluggish. 
	The game graphics are good, the levels are quite varied and Iron Angel provides a competent 3D environment to journey in. The lighting used in the game is also very well done, accentuating the mysterious mood of the game. It's unfortunate that the actual playfield doesn't take up more of the screen however, as the game is rather heavily bordered. Iron Angel's music is excellent, with dark, moody tunes that capture the atmosphere perfectly. Sound effects are pretty sparse, but good as well.
	Iron Angel is not a particularly difficult game and it probably won't take most gamers more then a dedicated weekend to get through (and, possibly, some long nights as well). A greater variety of opponents, along with greater numbers of them to fight would have helped to improve both the arcade feel and pace of the game (especially for American gamers). However, Iron Angel is called an Action Role-Playing Movie and that really sums up what to expect on this disk. It has plenty of mindless blasting mixed with obstacles that require some thought to get around. 
	While Iron Angel may prove to be a little slow paced for short attention spans, this is a game that deserves recognition--even though the game is getting a little old, it's still stylish, entertaining and involving. The intermission scenes will blow you away and make sure that you stay to the final, explosive end. The developing storyline is exceptional and the execution of the plot through the cinemas is computer art in motion. Because of these cinemas, Fans of Japanese Anime and movies will especially appreciate this game.
	The Japanese version of Iron Angel was good and the US release is even better. And for those who do make it through the game and enjoyed the journey--take heart, the sequel, Tetsujin Returns, is already in production. And I can't wait. 

