Introducing Gotcha Force

Gamecube

Gotcha Force is a 3rd person team based combat game that brings together all the intensity of a 3D Beat 'em up with the longevity of a Collect 'em up game. Players must build their Gotcha Force from over 149 different Gotcha Borg characters all bursting with their own unique abilities and special attacks. Players must win battles against the evil Death Force in order to acquire new Borgs and build up their personal Gotcha Force. Once this is done players can join forces or go head to head in a four-player death match or team battle against the CPU.

What's the story behind Gotcha Force?

A schoolboy named Kou witnesses a meteorite crash land near his home and sets out to explore the debris. As he approaches the crash site a miniature red robot staggers from the crater. The mechanoid turns out to be a Gotcha Borg called G-Red and tells Kou that the evil Death Force is plotting to come to earth and kidnap all the adults in order to rule the planet. G-Red tells Kou that the only way to stop this heinous crime is for him and his friends to build up Gotcha Forces of their own and destroy the invading Death Force before it's too late!

The game then starts and Kou must immediately learn how to engage in combat and beat his mates in 'friendly' battles. After each battle Kou earns energy points which go towards the total Gotcha Force energy. The more energy you acquire, the more Borgs you can include in your force and the more chance you have of defeating the Death Force.

How do you acquire new Borgs?

The aim of the game is to build the best, most powerful team of Borgs possible with which to defeat the Death Force. After each battle, if Kou and G-Red encounter a new Borg and are skilful enough to beat it, that new Borg will be added to Kou's Gotcha Force box. Forces are governed and limited by the amount of total Gotcha Force energy available to the player.

Smaller Borgs have less energy requirements therefore you may be able to include two of these in a force as opposed to one large one. Each Borg's energy requirement is detailed in the Borg selection menu. Players must be careful to choose a balanced Gotcha Force. Too many big Borgs and you could be over powered by smaller enemy Borgs, too many small Borgs and you could be hopelessly outgunned. The total force energy level is increased by approximately ten points after each successful battle.

How does Gotcha Force play?

Gotcha Force is a colourful, futuristic, frantic game full of action and anarchic fighting. Borgs all have a weak, strong and super attack. Weaker attacks activated by pressing the B button tend to be a long-range projectile style weapon with lots of ammo available to the player. Stronger attacks activated with the X button are generally a one shot attack that has to be powered up or reloaded over time. Borgs default to a short-range melee attack when they are close to an opponent. Players must learn which attacks are most effective against different sorts of Borg to effectively progress through the game.

There are many different types of Borg the player can control. Some Borgs are small and light like the 'Double Ninja' Borg which usually means they are extremely quick to manoeuvre but possibly weak in combat. Others are heavy lumbering affairs such as the 'Magnet Robot (+)' Borg which has mighty firepower but is a sitting duck when fighting from afar as its weight prevents fast or evasive movement. You must choose which Borgs you think will form the best fighting force before each new challenge.

Before each battle, Kou is shown a map of Safrai Town detailing where the Death Force are invading. This first map covers his home neighbourhood and the player must help Kou choose which area to clear first. These sections include his local school, the park, his own home and even a local building site. Each battle environment is brought to life with items that you might find in these locations. For example in the school there are books and tables amongst which the action takes place.

Who has designed Gotcha Force?

Gotcha Force was created by Capcom's R&D Studio 1 and overseen by one of Capcom's newest producers Hitomi Nishimoto.

Gotcha Force will feature up to four player action on the Gamecube console, expect to see Gotcha Force to be released in February next year.