Die Hard Arcade
A 3D polygon beat 'em up with fighting-game-style moves.
Die Hard Arcade, released as Dynamite Deka in Japan, is a 1996 arcade beat 'em up developed and published by Sega. It was the first game in the genre to use texture-mapped 3D polygon graphics and featured a move set often compared to fighting games. The game also introduced quick time events and the ability to combine items into more powerful weapons.
Quick Facts
- Developer
- Sega AM1; Sega Technical Institute
- Publisher
- Sega
- Director
- Makoto Uchida
- Producer
- Roger Hector
- Rikiya Nakagawa
- Makoto Uchida
- Programmer
- Hiroshi Ando
- Artist
- Kunitake Aoki; Tatsuto Kumada
- Composer
- Howard Drossin
- Platforms
- Arcade
- Sega Saturn
- PlayStation 2
- PlayStation Network
Facts from the source article.
Gameplay
Die Hard Arcade is a one- or two-player beat 'em up. Players control John McClane or Kris Thompsen (Bruno Delinger and Cindy Holiday in Japan), fighting through waves of enemies with fists, feet, and weapons taken from the environment or foes. Items range from household objects like brooms and pepper shakers to missile launchers, submachine guns, and anti-tank rifles. Combining a spray with a lighter creates a flamethrower. Most weapons are lost at the end of each action scene, but hand guns can be kept if they have ammunition. Levels consist of rooms filled with minions followed by a boss. Quick time events appear between scenes; failing them costs health or adds an extra action scene. In two-player mode, players can perform combined special moves and combos. The Saturn version includes a port of Sega's 1979 arcade game Deep Scan, which can earn extra credits, though losing a single life in Deep Scan results in a game over.
Plot
In the English version, John McClane and Kris Thompsen (Bruno Delinger and Cindy Holiday) attempt to rescue the President's daughter, Caroline Powell, from terrorists. Bosses include a biker named Hog, a Mexican wrestler called Jocko, sumo wrestler Mr. Oishi and army general Mr. Tubbs, a fire chief with tiny grenades, and two pairs of laser-shooting Spiderbots. The final boss, Wolf "White Fang" Hongo, commands the others. If both players survive to the end, they fight each other on a rooftop for the sole appreciation of the President's daughter.
Development
Die Hard Arcade came about because Sega had a surplus of ST-V arcade boards and owned the Die Hard license without any game tied to it. The project was a collaboration between Sega AM1 and the US-based Sega Technical Institute, with all development happening at STI's location. AM1 handled engineering, design, and art, while STI contributed art, design, and animation. This was the last game STI worked on before the studio shut down. Early previews show that the gameplay was limited to a single two-dimensional plane until just before the arcade release. The game was built at the same time for the ST-V Titan arcade system and the Sega Saturn, though the home version came out later. In Japan it was called Dynamite Deka, and a sequel, Dynamite Deka 2, was released internationally as Dynamite Cop. A 2007 arcade remake of the second game, Dynamite Deka EX, was called Asian Dynamite in Western markets. Bruno, a character from the original Japanese version, appeared in the 2012 crossover RPG Project X Zone with colors matching his Dynamite Cop look; his likeness is based on Bruce Willis. Director Makoto Uchida said in a 1998 interview that he was a big Die Hard fan and had long wanted to create a game in that style.
Reception
Die Hard Arcade achieved a degree of success upon release. In Japan, Game Machine listed it as the second most-successful arcade game in their August 15, 1996 issue. Computer and Video Games gave a positive review, comparing it favorably to Streets of Rage and its moves to Virtua Fighter 2. A Next Generation critic said it "breathes life into a dead-end genre," praising the abundant fighting moves and lively graphics, but noted difficulty lining up attacks and occasional glitchy or sluggish action. It was Sega's most successful US-produced arcade game up to that time. Reviews for the Saturn port applauded its flawless conversion, variety of moves and combos, and satisfying weapons, while criticizing low longevity due to short length, low difficulty, and limited replay value. Most critics said mildly-skilled players could beat it within an hour, even without extra credits from Deep Scan. Glenn Rubenstein of GameSpot disputed this, claiming most players would need Deep Scan credits. Paul Glancey of Sega Saturn Magazine praised the weapons but called the game too short-lived for experienced fans. Sushi-X of Electronic Gaming Monthly was less impressed, while his co-reviewers were more positive, with Crispin Boyer calling it "the slickest rip-off of Final Fight I've ever seen." GamePro's The Rookie downplayed the longevity issue, deeming it a welcome offering for back-to-basics beat 'em up fans. A Next Generation critic acknowledged the longevity issue but gave a firmly positive assessment, and Rubenstein described it as "simple, violent, and easy."
Frequently Asked Questions
What platforms is Die Hard Arcade available on?
Die Hard Arcade was released for Arcade, Sega Saturn, PlayStation 2 and PlayStation Network.
Who composed the music for Die Hard Arcade?
The music for Die Hard Arcade was composed by Howard Drossin.
More in Beat 'em Ups of the 1990s
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