More western gamers would do well to check out obscure titles like this one. This game was a pleasant surprise.

User Rating: 9 | Jojo no Kimyouna Bouken (CapKore) PS
Jojo's Bizarre Adventure: A game that lives up to its name and then some. Such a game was doomed to be overlooked by the masses of gamers, who were in the midst of PC gaming at its height and looking forward to the upcoming sequel to the PS1, especially by western gamers like myself in the US. I found out about it only recently while browsing PS1 titles here on Gamespot. Being a fan of fighting games, I decided to check it out and I was not the least bit disappointed. As a matter of fact this game is of the highest echelon when it comes to 2D fighters. First of all the controls are very responsive and you don't need to be an expert in precision. There is a nice variety of characters to choose from and the alter ego mechanic is unique and offers a new type of play to master making the game accessible to beginners and appealing to fighting game experts.

Furthermore the story mode is perhaps the game's most unique and alluring aspect. Super story mode has you following the adventure of the hero characters and it is presented in a series of about 40 episodes. Each episode has you playing a mini-game or a single round of fighting. What is so impressive is that these seemingly tacked on sequences are actually done very well. The games range from side scrolling beat-um-ups to shoot-um-ups to lightning fast quick time events and more. After each sequence you are presented with a story segment to continue the narrative. The narrative however is at times very difficult to follow and/or understand at times and many of the characters are androgynous causing them to be a lot less cool then the writers want you to believe. Regardless of the characters' styles however their special moves and super combos are always cool looking and as satisfying to use on your opponents as they are heart-sinking to have dealt to you.

I'm not familiar with the source material so I can't tell you how faithful it is to the comic book or whatever this game is based on. What I can tell you, is that the story mode has a lot of replay because the more you play it the more content you can unlock (mini games from the story, pictures, hidden characters). At the core of this game is the quality fighting game the arcade mode is well done and each character has a unique intro and finally as well as a specified and sensible enemy list. Meaning that you won't fight yourself and the bad guys fight good guys and the good guys fight bad guys. This game is also great for playing with your gaming rivals.

I can easily recommend this game to fans of 2D fighters and since this game is consistent with Capcom's usual quality I suggest you give it your consideration if you like the Street Fighter franchise.