ChuChu Rocket Launch Part 2: News and Reviews

Well, we start off with Sega’s official Press Release:

SAN FRANCISCO–(BUSINESS WIRE)–March 7, 2000– Prepare for the premiere of addictive online console gaming! Sega® of America, Inc. announced today the release of “ChuChu Rocket!(TM),” the first multiplayer online game for the 128-bit, Internet-ready Sega Dreamcast(TM) videogame console. “ChuChu Rocket!” is an adrenaline-paced action/puzzle game in which players must direct multitudes of mice into escape rockets while redirecting predatory cats into their opponents’ ships. Created by the world-renowned Sonic Team, “ChuChu Rocket!” is an addictive innovative game for the entire family that can be played at home or on the Internet via the Dreamcast Network(TM). Gameplay options vary, allowing players to challenge friends offline, strangers online, or engage the single player mode with over a 100 different puzzles. Gamers can also design custom puzzles for unlimited replayability. The title will be available at retailers nationwide on March 7 for $29.95.

Since “ChuChu Rocket!” is the first console title to offer online multi-player gaming, players can now challenge friends around the world in real-time via the Dreamcast Network. By dialing into the Dreamcast Network, players can set up private rooms to play against friends, or meet in open rooms to go head-to-head against strangers as far away as Japan! Players in the US can chat and send e-mails to Japanese players. Pre-assigned taunts can also be sent during gameplay. When gamers log onto the Sega Dreamcast Network, they will enter a user name and password under which their scores and online “ChuChu Rocket!” stats are saved. Players can also post high scores for the competition to see. Thanks to the 56K modem-equipped Sega Dreamcast, getting online is a painless process and gamers can be dialed into the Dreamcast Network in a matter of minutes.

The frantic gameplay of “ChuChu Rocket!” must be seen to be understood. The objective is to lead as many mice as possible into a rocket, which will launch to safety at the end of each round. Each player has a color coded rocket into which they must direct mice. Whoever has the most mice in their rocket at the end of each round wins…but watch out, cats can wander into rockets or be guided into them by opponents, thereby depleted the saved mouse count by 1/3. Mice and cats constantly run in straight lines, but they can be directed by placing arrows on the screen. These arrows dictate turning points to lead cats and mice into or away from rockets. The skilled gamer will quickly learn to divide strategy between leading mice into their own rocket while directing cats into the their opponents’ ships.

Created by the award winning Sonic Team, “ChuChu Rocket!” incorporates familiar touches, such as bright colors, a catchy fun soundtrack, innovative gameplay, cute characters and multiple player options. This amalgamation makes “ChuChu Rocket!” another Sonic Team triumph! “ChuChu Rocket!,” which marks the first action/puzzle game the Sonic Team has ever created, has redefined the puzzle genre with astounding and addictive results. Also, several hidden features have been included in the game for Sonic Team fans to enjoy after playing through some of the more difficult puzzles.

“Sega understands that many players see the Internet as the future of gaming, and our company’s heritage has always been geared toward the fans,” says Charles Bellfield, director of marketing communications, Sega of America. “Because both Sega and the Sonic Team are known for breaking the mold and taking gaming into new directions, it’s fitting that `ChuChu Rocket!’ marks the first multi-player online game for Sega Dreamcast.”

Gameplay in “ChuChu Rocket!” is a constantly shifting format. As a roulette spins, random events are selected such as Mouse Mania, during which hundreds of mice flood the screen and Slow Down, which causes every thing on the screen (including the music) to move at a lethargic pace. This stage is always welcome because it allows gamers a moment to exhale and assess the situation. In addition to head-to-head competition, “ChuChu Rocket!” has an equaling thrilling single-player mode. Over one hundred single player puzzles exist with varying missions. Gamers can also create their own puzzles to add unlimited replay value. Once a puzzle is created using the Puzzle Edit mode, it can be uploaded to the Dreamcast Network and downloaded by other gamers. “ChuChu Rocket!” is available nationwide today for $29.95.

And now, we have two reviews to show you. The first is from IGN Dreamcast. Their overall score for the game was 9 out of 10. You can look at the review here, but take a look at this snippet:

The tricky part wasn’t picking up on this, however, it was actually just figuring out how to play it. Because of this puzzler’s nutty exterior and the unbelievably quick pace, it will make even the most season gamer go “Huh!?!?!?” at least once. I’m not gonna repeat the instruction book for you, but the basic gist is that you try to direct a bunch of speed-happy meeces in little rockets so they can escape. Known as ChuChus, these little guys are afraid of the KapuKapus (or cats), and the game surrounds the idea of getting them to safety. Of course, as soon as you start playing, all this stuff goes out the window, as it quickly becomes a blur of arrows, mice, and trash-talk. Yeah, there are five different distinct modes to Chu Chu but, in truth, this game is all about multi-player insanity, especially in the form of screwing over your buddies at every possible opportunity.

That is a bit misleading, they did say that the setup of the online aspects is bad, just so you know. Next, we have a review from Sega Otaku. CCR manages a very impressive 9.5 out of 10. The review is here, but let’s showcase a snippet about graphics:

When people first saw Chu Chu Rocket’s visuals, they really didn’t know how to react. The graphics looked very crisp and clean, but they looked very simple – much more so than any other Dreamcast game, save for some cheap Mahjong and Reversi titles. And now that the game has arrived, we find that the graphics are quite simple. However, they are anything but 2D. Chu Chu’s arenas are completely 3D and polygonal, in order to keep old-school fun gameplay the number one priority, Sonic Team opted for a top-down view of the action. We only find that the arenas are 3D after a match is won, when the camera zooms in, rotating around the 3D arena. Not only that, but the cats as well are polygonal, despite being almost completely circular. I believe that the Chu Chus are sprites, but they are small, and with upwards of 500 Chu Chus on the screen at once, it amazes me that there is never a hint of slowdown. The fact that so many people were deceived and thought the game was 2D, however, really shows how cleanly done the polygons are. For the purely aesthetical gamer, Chu Chu is still probably not the best choice, as the graphics are quite simple. Only people who can appreciate more than graphics will truly enjoy this title.

People are already playing on the online network, and for that aspect, we turn to the DC Tech Pages. We start with GunneR:

Yesterday I finally got a chance to play this amazing title. I got it the day before but didn’t have a chance to play due to my work schedule. Anyway….

The network aspect is amazing! It took a bit of time for me to log in (initial dial up) but that’s probably due to my weak ass connection (I got disconnected 3 or 4 times). Where’s our Ethernet adapter Sega!?!?

Anyway I just love this game! Real easy to get addicted. I got a chance to play a quick match with Jim@gaming-age (aka Jimbo). Since I didn’t have a keyboard (now I will finally order one) it was hard to communicate and trash talk with him.

I set up a game room and Jim, I, and the computer AI battled it out. I got wh00ped the first round but was betting Jim and the computer on the second round (until I got disconnected! arrrrg!).

Later on I joined up again. I didn’t see Jim on but I just decided to start up a game room to see what would happen. Instantly (and I do mean instantly) 3 people popped into my room. I guess there is some sort of holding queue that people can wait in so it quick launches them into a game.

The whole experience left me shimmering!

And if you are still wondering about lag, here’s SmiggyG to relive your fear:

I left work early today and picked up Chu Chu Rocket. The 1st thing I did was to log on an give it a spin. All I can say is, I LOVE IT! I actually won 5 games! How, I don’t know. I do know I suck! I’d say there was only a 1 sec. lag for me w/no disconnections or freeze ups.

We’ll have loads more public reaction tomorrow, and we’ll probably have some more reviews to showcase.