Criticom
Early 3D fighter with praised visuals but panned gameplay.
Criticom, a 1995 fighting game for the PlayStation, was developed by Kronos Digital Entertainment and published by Vic Tokai on November 29, 1995. A Sega Saturn version followed in 1996, ported by Point of View. As an early polygonal 3D fighter, it presents a sci-fi mystery plot involving eight galactic warriors competing for a crystal relic. While reviewers admired its visuals and presentation, they largely condemned its gameplay.
The combat occurs on a circular, raised platform. Each fighter starts with a full power meter and one reserve refill, which activates when the primary meter depletes. There are no rounds; a match ends when a fighter is knocked out (power meter emptied), forced out of the arena, or time expires. As players progress, characters gain two additional "levels," unlocking new moves and altering their appearance.
The story unfolds in the galaxy Hyporia, where two alien races—the Nezom and Zerai clans—obtained a powerful crystal called "The Relic" and declared themselves "The Chosen Ones." They used this power to subjugate other races, exterminating those who resisted. After an era of war, peace arrived, but the Relic was stolen, destabilizing the Chosen Ones' authority. Now, warriors from across the universe seek the Relic for their own motives. The eight fighters are: Dayton Trent, hired by the Chosen Ones to retrieve the Relic; Delara Zerai, a young Zerai woman seeking vengeance against the thief; Demonica, a mysterious creature from another dimension; Sgt. Exene Dulait, who wants the Relic's power to end wars on her planet; Gorm, a green lizard-like Dorlon who believes the Relic is his race's birthstone; S.I.D. (Sentient Integrated Droids), a robot aiming to destroy carbon-based life; Sonork Nezom, who killed his brother to lead the Chosen Ones; and Yenji, a ninja-like woman avenging her family's death in war. The final boss, Emperor, stole the Relic and uses its power for himself.
Development began with a comic book character license and Sony Computer Entertainment as publisher. As design neared completion, Sony transferred the license to a European subsidiary. Rather than scrap their work, Kronos created new characters and sought other publishers.
Quick Facts
- Title
- Criticom
- Developer
- Kronos Digital EntertainmentPorted to Sega Saturn by Point of View
- Publisher
- Vic Tokai
- Producer
- Stanley Liu
- Composer
- Carlton Liu
- Platforms
- PlayStation, Saturn
- Released
- PlayStation / NA · November 29, 1995 · EU · March 15, 1996 · JP · October 4, 1996Saturn
- Genre
- Fighting
- Modes
- Single-player, multiplayer
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Criticom was developed by Kronos Digital Entertainment, initially under a comic book character license with Sony Computer Entertainment as publisher. As the game neared the end of the design phase, Sony took the license and gave it to a European subsidiary. Rather than abandon their work, Kronos created new characters and shopped the concept to other publishers. In April 1995, Vic Tokai agreed to publish the game, requiring completion by Christmas of that year—a six-month schedule on a new platform. Kronos president Stan Liu recalled that despite doubts, the contract and check turned their hesitation into determination to break into the industry.
The game's story is set in the galaxy Hyporia, where two alien races, the Nezom and Zerai clans, obtained a powerful crystalline stone called 'The Relic' and subjugated other races. After an era of war, the Relic was stolen, and warriors from across the universe seek it. The eight playable characters include Dayton Trent, Delara Zerai, Demonica, Sgt. Exene Dulait, Gorm, S.I.D., Sonork Nezom, and Yenji, with Emperor as the final boss.
Gameplay takes place on a round, elevated platform. Each fighter starts with a full power meter and one reserve refill. There are no rounds; the fight ends when one fighter is knocked out, leaves the arena, or time expires. As the game progresses, characters gain two additional levels, unlocking new moves and appearances.
Reader's Guide
Criticom is significant as an early polygonal 3D fighting game on the PlayStation, released during the mid-1990s transition from 2D to 3D fighters. Its development history illustrates the challenges small studios faced: losing a major license and publisher, then securing a new deal with a tight six-month deadline. The game was a commercial success, according to Kronos president Stan Liu, partly due to being completed on budget and on time, and partly because it sold well as an early PlayStation title.
Critically, the game received mixed to negative reviews. Reviewers praised its character designs, backgrounds, and lighting effects, but widely criticized its sluggish animation, choppy frame rate, and unexciting moves. The Saturn port was judged even more harshly, with GamePro calling it the 'worst fighting game of the year.' Despite this, the game won a co-award for Best Intro Sequence of the Year (1995) from Game Players magazine, shared with Panzer Dragoon.
Its legacy includes a spiritual successor: Kronos's next fighting game, Dark Rift, was originally announced as 'Criticom II' and includes characters Demonica and Sonork. Criticom remains a footnote in fighting game history—a visually ambitious but mechanically flawed title that helped its developer gain a foothold in the industry.
Did You Know?
- Criticom was originally developed under a comic book character license with Sony Computer Entertainment as publisher, but Sony took the license before release.
- The game was completed in less than six months on a brand new platform, the PlayStation, after Vic Tokai agreed to publish it in April 1995.
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