Follow TV Tropes

Following

Video Game / Dark Rift

Go To

https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/Darkrift_2169.jpg
Dark Rift (Space Dynamites in Japan) is a 1997 3D Fighting Game for the Nintendo 64 and PC, notable for being the first N64 game to run in 60 FPS, as well as being N64's first native fighting game. It is also unusual among fighting games in that fights go for a default three-out-of-five rounds, as opposed to the more conventional two-out-of-three.

It was originally conceived as Criticom II, and is the second of three fighting games developed by Kronos Digital, falling between Criticom and Cardinal Syn. These three games have been referred to as the "Trilogy of Terror", due to their rather uniform low-standing with critics.

Dark Rift takes place far in the future, sometime after the events of Criticom. Gameplay spans three dimensions: the Neutral Dimension (where Earth is located), the Dark Dimension (home to demons), and the Light Dimension (home to energy beings). Although the creatures of the Dark Dimension are demonic, there is no indication that the inhabitants of the Light Dimension have any angelic qualities.

The crystal (the acquisition of which is the main motivation of the characters of Criticom) turns out to be the Core Prime Element of a Master Key, one which holds the power to all the secrets in the universe. The Master Key was found eons ago lodged in a spatial tear. When it was retrieved it burst into three pieces, sending two pieces into alternate dimensions, and widening the tear into the game's namesake Dark Rift.

According to legend, when the universe was created, a Master Key was forged to lock away all ancient secrets and the infinite power of the cosmos. The key was divided and cast into different circles of reality. When the Hyperions accidentally acquired a piece of the Master Key, then called Core Prime Element, they abuse its power and proclaimed themselves the Chosen Ones. After many years of tyrannical rule, their society became morally destitute and internally corrupted. In the midst of political and social chaos, Sonork Nezom arose as the Chosen Ones´s demented Emperor. With the help of his sordid followers, Sonork enslaved the mass populace, murdered any possible oppositor, and claimed the Core Prime Element as his own. For many years, only one entity sought the prize with vigilant fervor, Demitron, The Lord Demon of the Dark Dimension. When Nezom came into the power, Demitron knew his chance had come. To retrieve the Core Prime Element and murder Sonork, Demitron sent his most hideous servant, Demonica Gkroux. When the archdemon Demonica failed, she exchanged secret information for her life. She told Sonork that, aside from his Core Prime Element, there were at least two more pieces of the Master Key. Demonica also revealed that while the Light Prime Element´s location had never been discovered, the Dark Prime Element was embedded in her lord master´s head. Then Sonork convoked a tournament to force both Demitron and the Light Prime Element´s owner to show himself.

This Video Game contains examples of:

  • Adaptational Ugliness / Same Character, But Different: Demonica looks like a sexy demonic woman in Criticom. In Dark Rift, she has become a hideous monster (justified in that her ending in Criticom shows her transformation into her Dark Rift form).
  • Big Bad: Sonork Nezom. He starts The Tournament to find the MacGuffin he needs to become a Dimension Lord.
  • Damn You, Muscle Memory!: The game takes full-on advantage of the N64 controller, so this means the shoulder buttons are there for sidesteps, while the B button is there for throws and the A button will be rendered useless (unless you perform a joystick motion along with that button to make something happen). Other than that, all four C-buttons are respectively set for two weapon attacks, kicking, and blocking. Obviously, this is not a problem with the PC version (provided, of course, that you’re playing with a controller).
  • Evil Versus Evil: Sonork Nezom is an Evil Overlord who wants all three Prime Elements. Demitron is an Evil Overlord who wants all three Prime Elements. They really don't like each other.
  • Meaningless Villain Victory: In Sonork's and Demitron's endings, they finally get all three Prime Elements... but apparently die via Evil Is Not a Toy before they can take advantage.
  • Names to Run Away from Really Fast: Demonica. She's a female demon, and totally a bad guy.
  • Put on a Bus: All the characters from Criticom, except Sonork and Demonica. Criticom's Delara Zerai and Gorm are replaced by their respective clans' new champions, Scarlet Zerai and Gore, while Aaron Maverick replaces Exene as the warrior from Earth trying to restore their planet.
  • Suspiciously Similar Substitute: Gore looks exactly like Criticom's Gorm.

Top