Vectorman

In 2049, the human population of Earth embarks on a migratory voyage to try to colonize other planets. They leave mechanical "orbots" to clean up the mess they made on Earth through littering and pollution. Raster, a high-level orbot who watches Earth through a planetwide computer network, is accidentally attached to a working nuclear missile by a lesser orbot and goes insane, becoming an evil dictator named Warhead. He declares himself ruler of Earth, and begins preparing to execute any humans who dare return to their planet.

Enter VectorMan, a humble orbot in charge of cleaning up toxic sludge by simply discharging it into the sun. As he lands on Earth after his last trip, he finds chaos and confusion. Because all the other Orbots are controlled by Warhead (VectorMan having not been affected because he was away), VectorMan takes it upon himself to destroy the errant orbot and restore peace to Earth.

VectorMan uses pre-rendered 3D models in its level and character designs. This gives the game a smooth, computer-generated feel. The original name of the villain, Warhead, was Raster (as in raster graphics, the opposite of vector graphics). VectorMan was considered the answer to Nintendo's Donkey Kong Country at the time, as they both used graphical tricks to show graphics beyond what the console was thought capable of.

The game itself is a straightforward 2D action platformer. VectorMan is an "orbot" (a robot whose body is composed almost entirely of orbs) powered with a ball gun in his hand; power-ups include a machine gun, "bolo" gun, and triple-fire guns.

VectorMan possesses the ability to transform, through the use of power-ups, into several different forms: including a drill, to cut through floors; a bomb, to destroy all surrounding enemies or breakable walls; and an aquatic form, useful for swimming underwater. In addition to power-up transformations, three levels host unique morphed forms with which to combat bosses in. Overall, the game consists of 16 levels.

VectorMan introduced the Genesis programming technique referred to by Sega as Vector Piece Animation.[4] The player character's body actually consists of 23 individual sprites programmed to move in unison.[4]

The four reviewers of Electronic Gaming Monthly gave the first VectorMan a score of 8.25 out of 10, unanimously praising the advanced graphics and animation, large levels with numerous hidden areas, strong audio, and ability to change into different forms.[5] GamePro's Scary Larry gave it a rave review, stating that "your jaw will hang open in amazement at what Vectorman does with the 16-bit Genesis engine. This platform game comes on with great guns, a morphing hero, and diverse, well-detailed levels." He also praised the simple controls, advanced graphics, and sound effects, and scored it a 5/5 in graphics, control, and FunFactor and a 4.5/5 in sound.[6] Both Electronic Gaming Monthly and GamePro awarded it Best Genesis Game of 1995.[7][8]

After saving Earth from Warhead in the previous game, VectorMan's sludge barge is targeted and destroyed by a missile. VectorMan escapes, parachuting down to the planet to battle with the Earth's multitudinous enemy; mutant insects. Now it is up to VectorMan to fight through the mutant bugs and find the most fearsome source infestation; the evil Black Widow Queen.

The gameplay is similar to the previous game.[10] VectorMan has a different set of weapons, including a pulse beam, energy shot, and super shot guns. VectorMan can also now transform into animal forms such as a fire ant, a rhino, and a "shield bug" that repels attacks. Unlike the original VectorMan, the full-level transformations featured in this game are not used to combat bosses as that is left to the human-form VectorMan. There are 22 levels divided into seven parts in all.

Before VectorMan 2 was released, Sega Channel held a contest that allowed artists to draw a morph of VectorMan. Judges then chose the best one to be transformed in Genesis art, as well as being put on the Sega Channel. Ten runner-up submitters won a copy of VectorMan 2.[11]

Electronic Gaming Monthly gave VectorMan 2 a 7.25 out of 10. Shawn Smith, Dan Hsu, and Crispin Boyer applauded its traditional side-scrolling gameplay, huge levels, graphics, and animation, especially on the bosses. Sushi-X, in contrast, said that the levels are surprisingly small, making it a disappointment compared to the first game.[12] Scary Larry gave it a 4.5/5 in graphics and a 5/5 in every other category. He said that compared to the first game, it "has cleaner graphics, more sound and voice effects, and faster, smoother gameplay. Add to this spectacular and complex levels, and you have the makings of a Sega classic."[13] Electronic Gaming Monthly awarded it Genesis Game of the Year.[14]