"FIGHTING FOR A REASON!" - English Tagline
Evil Zone, or Eretzvaju (封神領域エルツヴァーユ, Fūjin Ryōiki Erutsuvāyu) in Japan, stylized as EVIL Z♀NE in Europe, is a fighting game for the PlayStation. It was developed and published by Yuke's for Japan on January 1999. Titus Software would localize and publish the game for North American and PAL regions later that year.
Story[]
Evil Zone Prologue
Ihadulca is a being capable of existing in multiple dimensions at one time, and she threatens the world of I-Praseru (Happy Island). Though the cost was heavy, the inhabitants of I-Preaseru were able to temporarily confine Ihadulca in Evil Zone. But the danger is not over.
Ihadulca must be destroyed before she emerges from Evil Zone. To do this, I-Preaseru called upon mighty warriors from other worlds. A tournament is held to select the Strongest warrior to face Ihadulca. These warriors have many reasons for wanting to fight Ihadulca. But right now, they are warriors.
Let the battle begin...
Gameplay[]
The game tries to focus on simplicity with a "pick up and play" feel that isn't daunting to new players. Fighting takes place on a 3D field and allows characters to move backwards, forwards, and sidestep left and right with ease. Most of the fighting is done with range-based attacks, but it is possible to attack from a short range and use grapple moves on your opponent. The fighting system only utilizes two main buttons, attack and guard, unlike most fighters.
Each character controls in exactly the same manner; however, each character has a set of unique attacks along with an ultra-attack that requires the player to expel Power Stocks. By holding the down the attack button, a character can charge up to 3 Power Stocks. The time that it takes to fully charge a stock depends on the current health of the character; a character with more health will take longer to charge while a character with minimal health could charge all 3 stocks in a few seconds.
Many characters feature attacks that have lengthy animations, which adds a more dramatic and dynamic feel to battles. A general "dramatic" encounter can occur if both characters perform a dash attack at each other at the same time. This results in an event called a Pressure Dash where both characters must rapidly hit buttons in order to gain an advantage over the other player. The most notable animations are those used for each character's ultra-attack, which can last up to 20 seconds long. These animations can become even longer when they are used as the attack that will finish the opponent.
Characters[]
- Danzaiver - "Exceptional Inspector"
The de facto main character of the game, Special inspector Danzaiver (real name Sho Mikagami) heads to I-Praseru to release his partner Yuri from the Evil Zone. Yuri is being used to stabilise Evil Zone to contain Ihadulca. Danzaiver is supported by Yuri’s twin sister Ruri. In his home dimension he is fighting the crime syndicate Cryos headed by Galaclava, who apparently bears striking resemblance to Ihadulca. He is a parody of all the heroes in henshin hero genre most notably the Metal Hero shows like Uchuu Keiji Gavan, his name is a parody of Sho Fukimachi from the Guyver series. Famous among players for his battle cry, "The power of the Supreme Ruler destroys evil! The ultimate hero! DANZAIVER!!"
- Setsuna Saizuki - "The Guardian Angel"
Setsuna has another separate entity existing within her (how exactly is never explained). This entity is called Karin and takes the form of another girl in a translucent form that apparently only Setsuna can see. It is Karin that gives Setsuna her supernatural abilities and a sword.
Setsuna is friends with another cast member, Midori Himeno. All of Setsuna’s physical fighting moves had been taught to Setsuna by Midori. She is also acquainted with Keiya. Her blazer uniform is brought up in a few of the other character’s story modes.
- Linedwell Rainrix - "A Medium at Daybreak"
Also known as Lie. Linedwell Rainrix stole a sword named Shahal from an antique shop. The sword grants him a variety of unusual abilities. It is suggested throughout the game that Shahal is an incarnation of Satan. The sword does possess Lie late on in his story. Kakurine and Ihadulca are aware of its identity.
- Erel Plowse - "Mercenary"
Erel uses a special suit of armour that rests on top of her shoulders she calls Nephilm, powered by her spirit to fight. It is revealed that it was once called the armor Void, and was created by Kakurine.
Erel’s story mode has the characters she is about to fight appear in each prologue sequence in a kind of comedy sketch. Often the kind of sketch is dependent on which character she will fight.
Erel is hopelessly in love with Al and frequently acts out or ponders fantasy romance situations with him during her story.
- Gally 'Vanish' Gregman - "The Bounty Hunter"
Gally is hired to kill Ihadulca by a client. He has a large sword and a form of mechanical armour that can shoot missiles and lasers. He has a wife who appears with him during the trailer sequences for each episode in the story mode. He is apparently a keen piano player and tries to hide his drinking from his wife.
- Keiya Tenpouin - "The Man in the Shadow"
Keiya is an onmyoji who is planning to kill Ihadulca and claim her power for his own. He wishes to use it to restore what is only referred to as the ‘energy’ of his friend or lover Kimika. Kimika’s energy was apparently drained by Lie at some point in the past. Consequently, Keiya hates Lie.
Keiya’s story mode is unique in that during the trailer sequences he receives letters asking for advice. These letters are sent by the individual Keiya will fight in the next episode, each letter is often a reflection on the character that sent it. For example Gally asks how he can hide his drinking from his wife while Kakurine’s letter has no return address or postage and simply states how much she wishes to kill Ihadulca.
- Midori Himeno - "Grappler and Passionate"
Midori Himeno is a passionate martial artist who is next in line to inherit her family’s dojo. She is friends with Setsuna and refers to her as Yuki. She also knows Keiya Tenpouin and despises him. Midori battles the other characters to train her attack move that she will use to become the successor to the Fuin Dojo
- Alty Al Lazel - "Wizard"
Al is a middle name given to court magicians. Although this is how Al is referred to though most of the game Al himself does not like it. Al fights using a magical formula called Lost Legacy that consists of seemingly fire based offensive spells. He is in love with Erel and enters the tournament to stop her from being hurt. Al and Erel were likely inspired by the Slayers manga and anime. He was the one who summoned most of the other characters to I-Praseru.
- Kakurine - "Priestess"
Although she is over 10,000 years old, she looks, sounds and acts like a little girl. She has super transcendental powers. Kakurine wants to destroy Ihadulca, Lea's incarnation, in order to bring her childhood friend Lea back to one existence.
- Ihadulca - "The Absolute Existence"
Lea's incarnation in the world of I-Praseru. Her original name was Ihadulca Il Immella, and she was a court magician in a state of I-Praseru before Lea possessed her. She was sealed away by the inhabitants of I-Praseru. Recently, she has been nearing escape from Evil Zone, therefore Alty was made to summon warriors from other dimensions to destroy her.
Game Modes[]
Evil Zone includes five game modes: Story Mode (see below), an Arcade-like mode known as "1P Battle", Versus Mode, Survival Mode and Practice Mode.
Story Mode[]
The story mode is a unique aspect to the game and sets it apart from other fighting games. Each character has a unique story mode which progresses like an ongoing television program, complete with episode names and previews with voice acting. As the mode progresses, you learn more about the character's backstory and why they are fighting, an incentive to play through the game with each character. Evil Zone is also one of the few games to feature a fully fleshed out story mode for its boss character.
Gallery[]
Images[]
Videos[]
