Brutal: Paws of Fury

Brutal: Paws of Fury
Brutal: Paws of Fury cover art
Developer(s)	GameTek Eurocom
Publisher(s)	GameTek
Platform(s)	Sega CD, Super Nintendo Entertainment System, Sega Genesis, Commodore Amiga, Commodore Amiga CD32, MS-DOS, Sega 32X
Release	Sega CD NA: 1994 EU: October 1, 1994 Sega Mega Drive/Genesis NA: 1994 EU: October 1, 1994 SNES NA: December 6, 1994 EU: 1994 JP: December 22, 1994 Commodore Amiga EU: 1995 Commodore Amiga CD32 EU: 1995 MS-DOS NA: 1995 EU: 1995 Sega 32X NA: 1995
Genre(s)	Versus fighting game
Mode(s)	Single-player, Multiplayer

Brutal: Paws of Fury (titled Animal Buranden - Brutal (アニマル武乱伝 ブルータル) in Japan and Paws of Fury in Germany) is a 2D fighting video game published by GameTek Inc. in 1994. The game features a cast of various anthropomorphic animals as selectable fighters. It also features the ability to learn new attacks and save them via passwords. Originally a Sega CD exclusive, it was later ported to other game consoles.

Overview

Brutal: Paws of Fury was published in 1994 by GameTek and Cybersoft in the US and Europe, and Kemco in Japan. The game was released for the Sega CD, Commodore Amiga, Commodore Amiga CD32, Sega Genesis, and SNES. An updated version, Brutal Unleashed: Above the Claw (also titled Brutal: Above the Claw), was released for the Sega 32X and MS-DOS computers in 1995 with two new playable characters, new arenas, a remixed intro, and new music. The general content and gameplay mechanics remained constant throughout all incarnations, although the Sega CD and Sega 32X versions boasted superior graphics and sound.

Plot

Games

Characters

All of the characters in the game are anthropomorphic animals. The original Brutal: Paws of Fury includes:

• Kung-Fu Bunny - A rabbit monk.
• Prince Leon of Kenya - A lion rock star.
• Rhei Rat - A rat who is an accomplished Thai boxer.
• Tai Cheetah - A cheetah who is mentoring Kendo Coyote.
• Kendo Coyote - A coyote who is motivated by greed.
• Foxy Roxy - A lycra-wearing vixen who is a politician and social activist.
• Ivan the Bear - A bear who claims to be the strongest animal in the world.
• Pantha - A panther who is a member of a sinister cult.
• Karate Croc - A crocodile bar brawler.
• Dali Llama - A llama who is currently the holder of the Belt of Heaven championship.

Note: Karate Croc and Dali Llama are only playable by means of inputting a secret button sequence.

Brutal Unleashed: Above the Claw introduces two additional characters:

• Chung Poe - A mole who transforms into an anthropomorphic bat-dragon hybrid during battle.
• Psycho Kitty - A cat who apparently suffers from hyperactivity.

Reception

Electronic Gaming Monthly gave the Sega CD version a 6.25 out of 10. They praised the music and the cinemas as stunning and among the best seen on the Sega CD, and also approved of the mechanic of learning special moves. However, they criticized the gameplay action as sluggish and unresponsive.^[1] Scary Larry of GamePro commented that the game tries a few new things, but similarly remarked that the Sega CD version plays too slow, and also criticized that the way the backgrounds often block the view of the action, while intentional, is unduly frustrating.^[2]

Electronic Gaming Monthly gave the Super NES and Genesis versions scores of 6.5 and 6 out of 10, respectively. Though they again praised the idea of learning special moves, some of their reviewers commented that this mechanic ultimately makes the game less exciting rather than more, and all of them remarked that the controls are weak.^[3] Drumhead and Captain Squideo of GamePro, in contrast, remarked that the controls of the Super NES and Genesis versions are greatly improved from the Sega CD original, and that the action is much faster and more responsive in these versions as well. Though they noted that some of the Sega CD version's content was cut and that the view-blocking backgrounds are still a problem, they gave both versions an overall positive recommendation.^[4][5] A reviewer for Next Generation agreed that the Super NES version was a notable improvement over the Sega CD original, particularly the "rich, shaded backgrounds". He further remarked that "The gameplay is fine, although the character control is delayed, and special moves are tricky." and gave it three out of five stars.^[6]

GamePro's Scary Larry gave the 32X version a positive review. He remarked that the game can be unfairly difficult, but praised the graphics, lack of slowdown, unique and enjoyable music, and the use of real life martial arts techniques and philosophies.^[7] Though the reviewers of Electronic Gaming Monthly concurred that the 32X version has far better graphics and sound than previous versions, they contended that this is irrelevant since it still suffers from the same shallow and sluggish gameplay and mediocre controls. They gave it an average of 6.375 out of 10.^[8] A reviewer for Next Generation disagreed, stating that "New animation, a pumping techno soundtrack, and four additional characters ... infuse enough fresh blood to make this new game really shine." He further praised the game's uniqueness and said its only problem was that it is possible to win most fights by using one kick or punch over and over. Despite this, he gave it three out of five stars.^[9]

Next Generation reviewed the PC version of the game, rating it three stars out of five, and stated that "Brutal is a solid fighting game that should please any fan of the genre. If you don't need to see blood and gore to be entertained, check it out."^[10]

See also

• List of fighting games

References

External links

• Brutal: Paws of Fury at Eurocom
• Brutal: Paws of Fury at MobyGames