Viewpoint (video game)
| Viewpoint | |
|---|---|
| Developer(s) |
Aicom Nexus Interact (Genesis) Visual Concepts (PlayStation) |
| Publisher(s) |
Sammy Electronic Arts (PlayStation) |
| Composer(s) | Sizlla Okamura Megumi Matsuura Masaki Kase |
| Platform(s) | Arcade, Neo-Geo, Neo Geo CD, FM Towns Marty, Genesis, Sharp X68000, PlayStation |
| Release | |
| Genre(s) | Isometric shooter |
| Mode(s) | Single-player, 2-player co-op |
| Cabinet | Upright |
| Display | Horizontally oriented, 320×224, 4096 out of 65,536 colors |
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Publication | Score |
| AllGame | Arcade: 17.5 / 20 Neo Geo: 17.5 / 20 Genesis: 11 / 20 PS1: 11 / 20 |
| CVG | Arcade: 95% |
| EGM | Genesis: 35 / 50 PS1: 30.5 / 40 |
| Famitsu | Neo Geo: 30 / 40 |
| GameFan | Neo Geo: 198.5 / 200 PS1: 233 / 300 |
| GamePro | Neo Geo: 20 / 20 Genesis: 12 / 20 PS1: 16.5 / 20 |
| GamesMaster | Neo Geo: 93% PS1: 89% |
| Play | PS1: 74% |
| Maximum | PS1:  
|
| Next Generation | Genesis: PS1:
|
| Neo Geo: 97% | |
| Sinclair User | Arcade: 96% |
| Neo Geo: 84% Mega Drive: 70% PS1: 70% |
|
| Awards | |
|---|---|
| Publication | Award |
| Electronic Gaming Monthly | Best Graphics in a Video Game |
| Electronic Gaming Monthly | Best Music in a Video Game |
| GameFan Megawards | Best Shooter (Genesis) |
Viewpoint is an arcade isometric shooter developed by Aicom and originally released in 1992 by Sammy and SNK for the Neo-Geo arcade and console platform.
Viewpoint is Sammy's only game for the Neo-Geo Multi Video System hardware. By default, Player 1 and Player 2 can only play one after another; in the Service Mode though, simultaneous gameplay can be enabled. Along with the ship's primary weapons, the player also has access to three bombs: one that can make a wave of fire that starts from behind the player's ship and scrolls "up" the screen, one that makes a powerful circular, nova-like blast, and one that shoots several mini-missiles capable of homing in on multiple targets. The game has six stages.
Viewpoint also saw release on a variety of home platforms, including the Sega Genesis and Sony PlayStation game consoles, as well as the Sharp X68000 and FM Towns computer platforms. A port for the Sega Saturn was due in 1996; however, it was cancelled.
The Genesis version features a sound and graphical style similar the Neo-Geo arcade game, but has considerably fewer enemies, a lower color palette and suffers from slowdown. The Sony PlayStation version, developed by Visual Concepts, featured re-done visuals and sound while the gameplay itself remains true to the original game with level layouts and boss/enemy patterns remaining the same. The X68000 version, trimmed down like the Genesis version, is similar to that port in terms of sound and visual style. The FM Towns platform received the truest-to-arcade port, although it suffers the occasional slowdown.
The Neo Geo version received a positive critical reception. Viewpoint was awarded both Best Graphics and Best Music in a Video Game in Electronic Gaming Monthly's 1992 video game awards. On release, Famicom Tsūshin scored the Neo Geo version of the game a 30 out of 40. The Neo Geo arcade version received highly positive reviews from Computer and Video Games, which scored it 95%, and Sinclair User, which scored it 96%.GameFan's two reviewers scored the Neo Geo console version 99.5% and 99%, stating that it is "the best game on the system so far."GamePro gave it a full score of 5 in all four categories of graphics, sound, control, and overall fun factor. They noted similarities to Zaxxon, but praised Viewpoint's graphics, animated backgrounds, hip hop style funky dance music, and gameplay. French magazine scored it 97%.
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