Astro Boy: Omega Factor
Encyclopedia
is a beat 'em up
video game developed by Treasure Co. Ltd and Hitmaker
, and published by Sega
. The game was released for the Game Boy Advance
console on December 18, 2003 in Japan; August 18, 2004 in North America; and February 18, 2005 in Europe. The game is based on Osamu Tezuka
's manga
and anime
franchise Astro Boy. However, it also features characters and plotlines from the artist's entire canon
of work.
While Astro Boy had been well known for decades in Japan, the North American release was delayed to coincide with the premiere of the Astro Boy TV series. During this delay, Treasure made some game improvements to the North American version of the game. The game received positive reviews from critics, with strong praise focused on the game's visuals, and limited criticism on level design. In 2010, the game was included as one of the titles in the book 1001 Video Games You Must Play Before You Die
.
game starring Astro Boy
, the main character of the Astro Boy media franchise. Astro attacks enemies using high-powered punches and kicks, which can also knock enemies into other ones and destroy them as well. Using attack moves slowly fills a gauge at the top of the screen. Once the gauge is filled, Astro is able to perform a special attack; rather than simply helping the player, these are required in some situations. Astro is also able to fly using rocket power, which is also sometimes necessary.
Astro's physical performance improves throughout the game. Every non-player character
the player meets scores a point that can be used to improve one of Astro's stats, such as strength or flight speed. This is generally not necessary to beat the game, but the incremental stat increases can make the game easier, as well as allowing the player to find hidden areas in levels.
The game features two difficulty levels in the Japanese version, and three in the North American and European versions. Critics have remarked that the Japanese version is comparatively easier.
, a journey to the lost continent of Mu
, and a subplot involving Duke Red's daughter and her role in the "Death Mask" orbital platform. The game is divided in two episodes - Birth and Rebirth. The Birth episode follows Astro's adventures and other characters he interacts with, and ends with robots being destroyed by a device called Death Mask, after it determines that the robots are too dangerous to be left alive, leaving Sharaku able to conquer the Earth. In Rebirth, Astro is revived by a being called Phoenix
, and has Astro go back to the beginning of the story and try to stop the Death Mask, giving him the ability to go back and forward in time to do so.
of work. The characters are listed in the "Omega Factor", an in-game encyclopedia of the Astro Boy fictional universe
, which provides a detailed character biography, including each character's appearances and roles in Tezuka's works.
, and published by Sega
. It was produced in conjunction with the PlayStation 2
game Astro Boy
and the new Astro Boy TV series. Sega waited until the North American premiere of the TV series before releasing the games in North America. During this six-month wait, Treasure took the opportunity to rework some aspects of the North American version of the game. Some level layouts were filled with more enemies, and some enemies were given different attacks. In addition, Treasure somewhat improved the issue of framerate slowdown, and added a new third difficulty level. The game received a rating of "E" (Everyone) from the ESRB and 3+ from PEGI
.
and 86.89% from Game Rankings
. GameSpot
's Frank Provo stated that "[e]veryone, regardless of age, simply must own and play Astro Boy: Omega Factor – because it is one of the best action games on the Game Boy Advance." GameSpy
writer Benjamin Turner listed it as one of the best Game Boy Advance games of the year.
The game was highly praised for its visuals. Provo called the game, overall, "a delight for the senses," and praised the detail and lavish animation of the background and character sprites. Geoffrey Winter of Nintendojo
stated that the environments are "beautiful and look as if they were built to be admired, not just walked through." He went on to say that Omega Factor has more seductively detailed visuals than any other Game Boy Advance game. IGN
's Craig Harris called it a "technical marvel," especially praising the fluid animation of the bosses, and reserving criticism for the game's occasional framerate slowdown.
The few instances of criticism the game received were mainly directed at the repetitiveness of the levels. Turner listed this repetitiveness, specifically for the shooter stages, as one of the game's "cons." Harris stated that some of the levels "are the absolute pits and feel completely out of place because of their slapped-together feel." 1UP.com
's Sam Kennedy stated that the levels are "more of a formality than anything – you casually battle a set of enemies until you reach a boss, which is where the real gameplay begins."
Beat 'em up
Beat 'em up is a video game genre featuring melee combat between the protagonist and a large number of underpowered antagonists. These games typically take place in urban settings and feature crime-fighting and revenge-based plots, though some games may employ historical or fantasy themes...
video game developed by Treasure Co. Ltd and Hitmaker
Hitmaker
Sega AM3 is a division of Japanese video game developer Sega Corporation. The development team has produced some popular arcade game and video games, including Virtual On, NASCAR Arcade, Crazy Taxi, Astro Boy: Omega Factor , Virtua Tennis, and the Initial D Arcade Stage series.-History:In 2000, as...
, and published by Sega
Sega
, usually styled as SEGA, is a multinational video game software developer and an arcade software and hardware development company headquartered in Ōta, Tokyo, Japan, with various offices around the world...
. The game was released for the Game Boy Advance
Game Boy Advance
The is a 32-bit handheld video game console developed, manufactured, and marketed by Nintendo. It is the successor to the Game Boy Color. It was released in Japan on March 21, 2001; in North America on June 11, 2001; in Australia and Europe on June 22, 2001; and in the People's Republic of China...
console on December 18, 2003 in Japan; August 18, 2004 in North America; and February 18, 2005 in Europe. The game is based on Osamu Tezuka
Osamu Tezuka
was a Japanese cartoonist, manga artist, animator, producer, activist and medical doctor, although he never practiced medicine. Born in Osaka Prefecture, he is best known as the creator of Astro Boy, Kimba the White Lion and Black Jack...
's manga
Manga
Manga is the Japanese word for "comics" and consists of comics and print cartoons . In the West, the term "manga" has been appropriated to refer specifically to comics created in Japan, or by Japanese authors, in the Japanese language and conforming to the style developed in Japan in the late 19th...
and anime
Anime
is the Japanese abbreviated pronunciation of "animation". The definition sometimes changes depending on the context. In English-speaking countries, the term most commonly refers to Japanese animated cartoons....
franchise Astro Boy. However, it also features characters and plotlines from the artist's entire canon
Osamu Tezuka's Star System
Over the course of his career, Osamu Tezuka reused the same characters in different roles in different stories. The way that Tezuka used the characters in his "star system" can be seen as somewhat analoguous to a film director frequently casting members of a regular "stable" of actors in different...
of work.
While Astro Boy had been well known for decades in Japan, the North American release was delayed to coincide with the premiere of the Astro Boy TV series. During this delay, Treasure made some game improvements to the North American version of the game. The game received positive reviews from critics, with strong praise focused on the game's visuals, and limited criticism on level design. In 2010, the game was included as one of the titles in the book 1001 Video Games You Must Play Before You Die
Quintessence Editions Ltd.
Quintessence Editions Ltd. is a publishing company based in London which is the originator of the "1001 Before You Die" series. Typically, the titles in this series are intended as reference books. They are illustrated books authored by multiple contributors...
.
Gameplay
Omega Factor is a beat 'em upBeat 'em up
Beat 'em up is a video game genre featuring melee combat between the protagonist and a large number of underpowered antagonists. These games typically take place in urban settings and feature crime-fighting and revenge-based plots, though some games may employ historical or fantasy themes...
game starring Astro Boy
Astro Boy (character)
is a fictional character, and the main protagonist of the Astro Boy franchise. Created by Osamu Tezuka, the character was introduced in the 1951 Captain Atom manga...
, the main character of the Astro Boy media franchise. Astro attacks enemies using high-powered punches and kicks, which can also knock enemies into other ones and destroy them as well. Using attack moves slowly fills a gauge at the top of the screen. Once the gauge is filled, Astro is able to perform a special attack; rather than simply helping the player, these are required in some situations. Astro is also able to fly using rocket power, which is also sometimes necessary.
Astro's physical performance improves throughout the game. Every non-player character
Non-player character
A non-player character , sometimes known as a non-person character or non-playable character, in a game is any fictional character not controlled by a player. In electronic games, this usually means a character controlled by the computer through artificial intelligence...
the player meets scores a point that can be used to improve one of Astro's stats, such as strength or flight speed. This is generally not necessary to beat the game, but the incremental stat increases can make the game easier, as well as allowing the player to find hidden areas in levels.
The game features two difficulty levels in the Japanese version, and three in the North American and European versions. Critics have remarked that the Japanese version is comparatively easier.
Plot
Omega Factor features elements from Astro Boys different incarnations. The concept of robot rights, Dr. Tenma's ultimate plan for Astro and the robot city of Robotonia in Antarctica are lifted from the Astro Boy 2003 TV series. Plotlines from other Tezuka series include a time travel plot lifted from Marine ExpressUndersea Super Train: Marine Express
is a made for TV anime movie created for the Nippon Television Network's annual 24-hour charity program, "Ai wa Chikyu wo Suku", which roughly translates to "Love Saves the Earth". The movie contained a veritable "Who's Who" of Tezuka's notable characters. Each one had an important role, and many...
, a journey to the lost continent of Mu
Mu (lost continent)
Mu is the name of a hypothetical continent that allegedly existed in one of Earth's oceans, but disappeared at the dawn of human history.The concept and the name were proposed by 19th century traveler and writer Augustus Le Plongeon, who claimed that several ancient civilizations, such as those of...
, and a subplot involving Duke Red's daughter and her role in the "Death Mask" orbital platform. The game is divided in two episodes - Birth and Rebirth. The Birth episode follows Astro's adventures and other characters he interacts with, and ends with robots being destroyed by a device called Death Mask, after it determines that the robots are too dangerous to be left alive, leaving Sharaku able to conquer the Earth. In Rebirth, Astro is revived by a being called Phoenix
Phoenix (manga)
is a manga series by Osamu Tezuka. Tezuka considered Phoenix his "life's work"; it consists of 12 books, each of which tells a separate, self-contained story and takes place in a different era. The plots go back and forth from the remote future to prehistoric times. The cycle remains unfinished...
, and has Astro go back to the beginning of the story and try to stop the Death Mask, giving him the ability to go back and forward in time to do so.
Characters
The story includes characters from Tezuka's entire canonOsamu Tezuka's Star System
Over the course of his career, Osamu Tezuka reused the same characters in different roles in different stories. The way that Tezuka used the characters in his "star system" can be seen as somewhat analoguous to a film director frequently casting members of a regular "stable" of actors in different...
of work. The characters are listed in the "Omega Factor", an in-game encyclopedia of the Astro Boy fictional universe
Fictional universe
A fictional universe is a self-consistent fictional setting with elements that differ from the real world. It may also be called an imagined, constructed or fictional realm ....
, which provides a detailed character biography, including each character's appearances and roles in Tezuka's works.
- AstroAstro Boy (character)is a fictional character, and the main protagonist of the Astro Boy franchise. Created by Osamu Tezuka, the character was introduced in the 1951 Captain Atom manga...
: The main character of the story. He is a robot boy created by a man called Doctor Tenma. He is based on Tenma's son, who had died in a car accident. - Dr. O'ShayProfessor Ochanomizuis a fictional character in the anime and manga series Astro Boy, as well as all of its many adaptions, including the 1980s series, 2003 series, and the film. Created by Osamu Tezuka, the character has since appeared in many of his other works. He serves as a guardian to Astro, and sometimes also a...
: A professor who aides Astro. - Wato Chiyoko: A woman who is friends with Astro; assistant to Dr. O'Shay.
- Detective Tawashi: A detective who has a strong disdain for robots.
- Wally Kisagiri: A detective who joins forces with Astro and eventually becomes one of his most valuable allies.
- Atlas: A robot created by Doctor Tenma based on a person called Daichi. He is considered as Astro's brother.
- RagRock (manga character)Rock is a recurrent major character in most of Osamu Tezuka's manga series, and he is an important part of Osamu Tezuka's Star System...
: A robot who was used to help a man named Rock become President of Antarctica, but defies him and successfully runs himself. After he was apparently assassinated, he took the guise of the Blue Knight, a warrior dedicated to the salvation of robots. - Duke RedDuke RedDuke Red is a fictional character created by Osamu Tezuka. His first appearance was in Metropolis, and quickly became one of Osamu Tezuka's most notable villains. While several of Tezuka's characters would reappear in different roles throughout his works, Duke Red was almost always portrayed as a...
: A prominent figure, and a defender of robots' rights. - Nuka: A girl robot whom Astro likes. Has a connection to the Death Mask.
- DrakeAcetylene LampFor the lighting device, see Acetylene lamp, also known as Drake, is a fictional character created by Osamu Tezuka who recurrently appears in his works, usually in a villainous role.-Description:...
: A sinister politician who seeks the total destruction of all robots. Initially portrayed as wholly evil, but it is soon found that his profound hatred of robots stems from something more personal; he is the polar opposite of Duke Red. - RockRock (manga character)Rock is a recurrent major character in most of Osamu Tezuka's manga series, and he is an important part of Osamu Tezuka's Star System...
: A man who ran for President of Antarctica using a robot copy of him to help, but loses when the robot successfully runs. He later becomes the terrorist Lord Deadcross. - SapphirePrincess Knightis a Japanese manga that ran through four serializations from 1954 to 1968, as well as a 1967 Japanese children's animated series. It was dubbed into English and brought over to Western audiences in 1970, where it was called Choppy and the Princess. In 1973, this series was dubbed in Portuguese and...
: A Princess of the ancient Mu civilization, who is under attack by a man called Sharaku. After Sharaku is defeated, she and Rock, who came back in time with Astro, help improve the civilization. - North, Denkou, Brontus, Epsilon, and PlutoPluto (Astro Boy), known as Bruton in the English dubbed 1980 Astro Boy television series, is a fictional character created by Osamu Tezuka. He was introduced in story arc of the Astro Boy manga....
: supposedly the strongest robots on Earth. - ZoranUran (manga character)Uran is Astro's cybernetic sister in the manga and anime series Astro Boy, was well as its many adaptions. She is a superhuman robot with a naive, tomboyish personality.-1980 series:...
: A robot girl who is friends with Astro Boy. - Black JackBlack Jack (character)is a fictional character created by Osamu Tezuka, introduced in Weekly Shōnen Champion on November 19, 1973.-Character:Black Jack is a medical mercenary, selling his skills to the highest bidder. He is a shadowy figure, with a black cape, eerie black-and-white hair, and stitched-up scars worming...
: A high-quality doctor who aides Astro. - Pook: A robot boy who recognizes Astro, despite Astro not also recognizing him. He proves to be a key part in Sharaku's ultimate plan to conquer the world.
- Garon: A robot that Sharaku uses to try to kill Astro. Is powered by Pook.
- SharakuHosuke Sharakuis the main character of the Osamu Tezuka manga and anime The Three-Eyed One . In some English versions, Sharaku's name has been "anglicized" to "Shallack". Indeed, the names "Sharaku Hosuke" and "Wato-San" are references to Sherlock Holmes and Watson. Hosuke Sharaku is also part of Osamu Tezuka's...
: The primary villain. Has three eyes, and is attempting to conquer the planet. - Doctor TenmaDoctor Tenma, whose real name is and is also known as Dr. Nagamiya Tenma, Dr. Boynton, and Dr. Balthus, is the father/creator of Astro Boy in the anime and manga series of the same name created and animated by Osamu Tezuka....
: The doctor who created Astro and Atlas. Shows no parental affection for either, rather trying to get them to become stronger robots. - PhoenixPhoenix (manga)is a manga series by Osamu Tezuka. Tezuka considered Phoenix his "life's work"; it consists of 12 books, each of which tells a separate, self-contained story and takes place in a different era. The plots go back and forth from the remote future to prehistoric times. The cycle remains unfinished...
: A legendary bird who can bring people back from the dead, including robots.
Development
Omega Factor was developed by Treasure and HitmakerHitmaker
Sega AM3 is a division of Japanese video game developer Sega Corporation. The development team has produced some popular arcade game and video games, including Virtual On, NASCAR Arcade, Crazy Taxi, Astro Boy: Omega Factor , Virtua Tennis, and the Initial D Arcade Stage series.-History:In 2000, as...
, and published by Sega
Sega
, usually styled as SEGA, is a multinational video game software developer and an arcade software and hardware development company headquartered in Ōta, Tokyo, Japan, with various offices around the world...
. It was produced in conjunction with the PlayStation 2
PlayStation 2
The PlayStation 2 is a sixth-generation video game console manufactured by Sony as part of the PlayStation series. Its development was announced in March 1999 and it was first released on March 4, 2000, in Japan...
game Astro Boy
Astro Boy (2004 video game)
is a video game based on the 2003 version of the anime television series, produced by Sonic Team.- Soundtrack : is the official soundtrack for the game...
and the new Astro Boy TV series. Sega waited until the North American premiere of the TV series before releasing the games in North America. During this six-month wait, Treasure took the opportunity to rework some aspects of the North American version of the game. Some level layouts were filled with more enemies, and some enemies were given different attacks. In addition, Treasure somewhat improved the issue of framerate slowdown, and added a new third difficulty level. The game received a rating of "E" (Everyone) from the ESRB and 3+ from PEGI
Pan European Game Information
Pan European Game Information is a European video game content rating system established to help European parents make informed decisions on buying computer games with logos on games boxes. It was developed by the Interactive Software Federation of Europe and came into use in April 2003; it...
.
Reception
Omega Factor received positive reviews, with aggregate scores of 85% from MetacriticMetacritic
Metacritic.com is a website that collates reviews of music albums, games, movies, TV shows and DVDs. For each product, a numerical score from each review is obtained and the total is averaged. An excerpt of each review is provided along with a hyperlink to the source. Three colour codes of Green,...
and 86.89% from Game Rankings
Game Rankings
GameRankings is a website that collects review scores from both offline and online sources to give an average rating. It indexes over 315,000 articles relating to more than 14,500 games.GameRankings is owned by CBS Interactive...
. GameSpot
GameSpot
GameSpot is a video gaming website that provides news, reviews, previews, downloads, and other information. The site was launched in May 1, 1996 by Pete Deemer, Vince Broady and Jon Epstein. It was purchased by ZDNet, a brand which was later purchased by CNET Networks. CBS Interactive, which...
's Frank Provo stated that "[e]veryone, regardless of age, simply must own and play Astro Boy: Omega Factor – because it is one of the best action games on the Game Boy Advance." GameSpy
GameSpy
GameSpy Industries, Inc., known simply as GameSpy, is a division of IGN Entertainment, which operates a network of game websites and provides online video game-related services and software. GameSpy dates back to the 1996 release of an internet Quake server search program named QSpy. The current...
writer Benjamin Turner listed it as one of the best Game Boy Advance games of the year.
The game was highly praised for its visuals. Provo called the game, overall, "a delight for the senses," and praised the detail and lavish animation of the background and character sprites. Geoffrey Winter of Nintendojo
Nintendojo
Nintendojo is a non-profit website that focuses on Nintendo-related subject matter, created and run by fans. Nintendojo is the oldest Nintendo-specific fansite still in existence, having been founded by Peer Schneider in September 1996...
stated that the environments are "beautiful and look as if they were built to be admired, not just walked through." He went on to say that Omega Factor has more seductively detailed visuals than any other Game Boy Advance game. IGN
IGN
IGN is an entertainment website that focuses on video games, films, music and other media. IGN's main website comprises several specialty sites or "channels", each occupying a subdomain and covering a specific area of entertainment...
's Craig Harris called it a "technical marvel," especially praising the fluid animation of the bosses, and reserving criticism for the game's occasional framerate slowdown.
The few instances of criticism the game received were mainly directed at the repetitiveness of the levels. Turner listed this repetitiveness, specifically for the shooter stages, as one of the game's "cons." Harris stated that some of the levels "are the absolute pits and feel completely out of place because of their slapped-together feel." 1UP.com
1UP.com
1UP.com is a video game website owned by IGN Entertainment, a division of News Corporation. Previously, the site was owned by Ziff Davis before being sold to UGO Entertainment in 2009....
's Sam Kennedy stated that the levels are "more of a formality than anything – you casually battle a set of enemies until you reach a boss, which is where the real gameplay begins."
External links
- Astro Boy: Omega Factor at the official Sega of America site