Red Earth
Red Earth, released in Japan as War-Zard (ウォーザード, Wōzādo),[1] is a fantasy-themed 2D fighting game released by Capcom as an arcade game in 1996. It was the first game for Capcom’s CP System III hardware,[2] the same hardware which Street Fighter III and its derivatives ran on.[3] After not being released on a home platform for 26 years, it was announced on February 20, 2022 that Red Earth would receive its first port as a part of the Capcom Fighting Collection on June 24, 2022 for PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and PC.[4]
Gameplay – Red Earth
Red Earth features two different game modes: a single-player Quest Mode and a two-player Versus Mode. In Quest Mode, the player chooses from one of the four main characters, and progresses through their character’s storyline while fighting against a series of eight computer-controlled adversaries in one-on-one battles (like in the first Street Fighter), gaining experience points during each battle, which are used to improve the character’s attack and defense and access new moves.[5]
In Versus Mode, two players fight against each other, each using any of the four main characters (including the same character as the other player). Red Earth uses a password feature that allows the player to play the game later on the same skill level their character reached when it ended the last time.[5] The character is able to acquire new abilities depending on the skill level that has been reached.
Red Earth is one of the few Capcom games with fatalities. They include splitting the opponent in half, decapitation, artery rupture, organ removal, and limb slicing. It also features multiple endings and hidden endings influenced by the player’s actions, given choices (akin to Chun-Li’s ending in Super Street Fighter II), amount of continues used, and the manner of killing enemies.
Development – Red Earth
According to Takashi Sado, Red Earth was made due to the growing popularity of fighting games in the 1990s.[2] Sado said that the game was inspired by Magic Sword and The King of Dragons, both made by Capcom.[2] However, what made it different from other fighting games was the inclusion of a set of parameters and equipment so that casual players can keep up with more experienced players.[7]
Release – Red Earth
Soundtrack – Red Earth
An official soundtrack of the game was released on December 18, 1996, for ¥3200. It was composed by Takayuki Iwai with additional help by Ryoji Yamamoto and Wataru Hachisako. It contains 72 tracks over 2 CDs. Certain tracks were later featured in the 2004 game Capcom Fighting Evolution, although they are downgraded versions and slightly offtune.
Merchandise – Red Earth
Two books about the game were published in Japan. The first one, titled All About War-Zard, is an in-depth look at the creation of the game. It contains many pages of concept art and screenshots, details on technical and musical aspects of the game as well as gameplay strategies. The other book, titled Gamest Mook #65: War-Zard, was a similar, although unofficial book. This book also contained a fan art section.
A Darkstalkers and Red Earth crossover manga, entitled “Maleficarum”, was published in Japan in 1997. The English edition was made available by UDON in October 2010. Capcom also released several figurines of the various characters and bosses from the game.
Red Earth Soundtracks
1. Track 1
2. Track 2
3. Track 3
4. Track 4
5. Track 5
