Elemental Gearbolt

Infobox VG
title = Elemental Gearbolt


developer = Alfa System
publisher = flagicon|Japan SCEI
flagicon|United States Working Designs
designer =
engine =
released = flagicon|Japan December, 1997
flagicon|United States August, 1998
genre = Light gun shooter
modes = Single player Multiplayer
ratings =
platforms = PlayStation
media =
requirements =
input = Light Gun

"Elemental Gearbolt" is a video game of light gun shooter genre. Its original title is nihongo|幻世虚構 精霊機導弾 Elemental Gearbolt|Gense Kyokō Seirei Kidōdan Elemental Gearbolt, which translates roughly to 'Fictional Illusory World - Spirit Mobile Assault Elemental Gearbolt'. Originally developed by Alfa System, the game was published by Sony Computer Entertainment and released in Japan in 1997. Working Designs licensed the game for the North American market and released it in 1998.

"Elemental Gearbolt" was well received by critics due to its high fantasy setting, which is uncommon in light gun shooters, its incorporation of RPG elements, and particularly the artistry of its presentation. Its orchestral soundtrack, tragic plotline and beautifully detailed animated cutscenes (directed by the anime director Rintaro) contribute to an atmospheric, gothic experience.

Gameplay

As is the norm with rail shooters, the action in "Elemental Gearbolt" takes place from a first-person perspective, and the pace of the game and rate of enemy occurrence is completely preset. The player is only required to aim and shoot with the light gun. Most light gun games require the player to reload as ammunition is expended, but "Elemental Gearbolt" does not, since both the player characters and their weapons are magical. Instead, the game limits the speed at which the player can fire, increasing the need for accuracy. The player can switch freely between three types of attacks - Blaze Phoenix, a basic, high powered shot; Thunder Tiger, a spread shot; and Water Snake, a rapid shot.

At the conclusion of each stage the player has the opportunity to 'Trade Off' - in other words, select certain percentages of the score for the stage to allocate to bonus (overall score) or experience. As in an RPG, the player characters gain levels by accruing experience, and thus grow more powerful and better able to take damage. Score determines rank, and in the year following the game's North American release it could be used to participate in contests sponsored by Working Designs.

tory

The events of the game are framed through the character of Tagami, a mysterious figure who travels to the world in which the game is set long after the main events conclude in order to investigate what caused the destruction there. Tagami relives the tragedy of the Elemental Gearbolt incident.

Before the Elemental Gearbolt incident, the world was home to two races, Audo and Sulunkan. The Sulunkan, descendants of a fallen magical empire, were oppressed by the Audo. There are secret resistance groups, but none strong enough to challenge the powerful Audo ruling class. Destiny is set in motion when Nell and Seana, the Sugiku (half breed) daughters of a resistance leader, meet Bel Cain, the Sugiku son of the selfish King Jabugal. Nell and Bel Cain promise to meet again, but other circumstances interfere.

Years later, Bel Cain becomes crown prince, full of ambition to end the bitter class struggle. Armed with advanced technology, he starts a campaign of conquest. Meanwhile, Nell and Seana join the Sulunkan resistance, only to be killed. Their bodies are taken back to the capital city as trophies.

At the same time, one of Bel Cain's technologies, a Neural Network Computer comprised of human brains, malfunctions and initiates a self-destruct sequence. It links powerful weapons known as Holy Guns to Nell and Seana's corpses, re-animating them as Elementals. They have only one purpose - seek and destroy the Network. Bel Cain stands in the Elementals' path, unaware of the actions of the Network; never anticipating his impending reunion and inevitable battle with Nell and Seana.

Music

The official soundtrack features a 24½-minute drama track in Japanese and 19 original scores performed by a live orchestra. It was released by First Smile Entertainment on January 21, 1998 in Japan. Its catalogue ID is FSCA-10030 and the original price in Japan was 2,548¥. Kei Wakakusa composed and arranged all scores on the soundtrack.

Trivia

* Some winners of Working Designs' contests for "Elemental Gearbolt" received 'Assassin Case' prizes that contained gold-plated Guncon light guns. These Assassin Cases are among the most rare and prized collectibles from the Playstation era.

* Tagami is a secret character in "Shikigami no Shiro" ("Castle Shikigami"), another title developed by Alfa System.

External links

* [http://www.alfasystem.net/game/seirei/ Introduction on the Alfa System website]
* [http://www.altpop.com/stc/reviews/elgearost.htm Elemental Gearbolt OST review at Soundtrack Central]