You may remember Squaresofts first attempt at the fighting game , Bushido Blade. In its time it offered a unique twist to the standard "two guys beat the crap out of each other on a square arena" fighting idea by adding a fully interactive environment. And, in its time, it did quite well. Then came Tobal 1, which was somewhat of a hybrid action-fighter and that too did quite well (although some would say its success can from the demo of FF VII packed with it). It introduced a new way of attacking the fighting genre -- which had become cluttered with clone after clone of the same old thing.

What Tobal began, Ehrgeiz improved. It is much the same but with added perks. In it you choose one of many completely different characters (including favorites from Final Fantasy VII) and battle in unique multi-level environments. In fact, knowing how to use what is around you is an important strategy. It is all well an good to sit their slashing away with Sephiroth, but if the other guy knows how to work the playing field, you could find yourself falling to your death faster than you can say "muhhh".

Since this game has been out a fairly long time, you'd expect the graphics to have already been surpassed. However, surprisingly, the graphics contend with most current 3D-polygonal fighting games on the Playstation. Ehrgeiz looks and plays like a Tekken, only you get to use unique and cool characters like Red X (from Final Fantasy VII) or some cop-lady who wields a deadly yo-yo. As typical with most fighting games, Squaresoft has made a rather impressive opening movie which is on par with it's RPG counterparts. Also, game arenas are done quite nicely -- in addition to being fairly big, they are detailed and different from the last. While looking good, Ehrgeiz also plays fast and fluid, almost resembling a real-time Final Fantasy battle.

For fighters like me (which are called `button-mashers') the game may take a while to get used to. Since my initial strategy was to use my palm and smash all the buttons at once while running in a circle, I was out in the first round. Then, after reading that little supplement they give you with the game [read: instruction book] I was able to perform some basic moves as well as discover a few myself. There is nothing much different in controlling this game from other fighters, attacks can be combos or special moves which you must consciously put in yourself.

A drawback is the balance between characters. Some are inherintly easier to pick up while others take a lot of time to be readily useable. A character like Cloud has a definate advantage over most characters due to the damage and reach of his sword which is easily accessable. It is simple things like weapon choice and speed which can easily give one player an advantage over the other in this game.

In addition to the fighting part of Ehrgeiz, you also get multiple mini-games and an intense Granstream Saga-esque dungeon RPG. You see, it is a habit for Square to add plot, and in doing so they've created a whole mythology around the game so as to create an RPG element to understand it all -- which is hard for me, because I almost feel like I have to write two reviews for this game... but I won't. Any ways, the RPG game consists of your character (male or female) traversing the randomly generated dungeon in search of `the spring of eternal life'. The view is semi-top down and all characters are made similar to the ones in the fighting game (in fact both characters in this quest can be unlocked to use in combat). Along the way you pick up armor, weapons, magic spells and gold (which you can use in the `city' from time to time) - all standard adventure items. Enemies vary from level to level and depending what difficulty setting you have your game at, its very common to be at full health one second, and sliced and diced the next. In all, this feels like a completely different game. The only thing keeping it from being so it its relatively short game time (5 hours tops if you are slow) and the fact that its not too original to stand on its own.

The mini-games are a complete aside from the main game as well. Using in game characters you can choose from many different games that have you racing opponents, participating in an endurance test, battling on the beach, or using them as checkers pieces. It's a nice addition to an already packed disk.

Soundwise, the game is nice. Ehrgeiz offers upbeat action music for the fighting game and dark, moody tracks for the RPG/adventure addition. It's nothing spectacular in the way of in-game sound effects -- all the traditional 'oofs' and 'aghhs' are present plus special effects for the special moves that come with each characters.

Granted Ehrgeiz has been around for a bit, but its worth a second try. Incorporating three entirely different games, Squaresoft has ensured that you will at least like some aspect of this one no matter what genre you are drawn too.

· · · Agent Smith