Line #18 VideoGame/DarkRift


1	[[quoteright:256:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/Darkrift_2169.jpg]]
2	''Dark Rift'' (''Space Dynamites'' in Japan) is a 1997 3D FightingGame for the Platform/Nintendo64 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.
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4	It was originally conceived as ''Criticom II'', and is the second of three fighting games developed by Kronos Digital, falling between ''Criticom'' and ''VideoGame/CardinalSyn''. These three games have been referred to as the "Trilogy of Terror", due to their rather uniform low-standing with critics.
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6	''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.
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8	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.
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10	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.
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12	!!This VideoGame contains examples of:
13	* AdaptationalUgliness / SameCharacterButDifferent: 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).
14	* BigBad: Sonork Nezom. He starts The Tournament to find the MacGuffin he needs to become a DimensionLord.
15	* DamnYouMuscleMemory: 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).
16	* EvilVersusEvil: Sonork Nezom is an EvilOverlord who wants all three Prime Elements. Demitron is an EvilOverlord who wants all three Prime Elements. They really don't like each other.
17	* MeaninglessVillainVictory: In Sonork's and Demitron's endings, they finally get all three Prime Elements... but apparently die via EvilIsNotAToy before they can take advantage.
18	* NamesToRunAwayFromReallyFast: Demonica. She's a female demon, and totally a bad guy.
19	* PutOnABus: 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.
20	* SuspiciouslySimilarSubstitute: Gore looks exactly like ''Criticom'''s Gorm.

Context VideoGame / DarkRift