Criticom

Critics praised the game's visuals and presentation but widely panned its gameplay mechanics.

• Title — Criticom • Developer — Kronos Digital Entertainment • Publisher — Vic Tokai • Producer — Stanley Liu • Composer — Carlton Liu • Platforms — PlayStation, Saturn • Released — PlayStation Saturn • Genre — Fighting • Modes — Single-player, multiplayer

• Illustration — Gameplay screenshot of Gorm vs Yenji The fighting action takes place on a round, elevated platform. Each fighter begins the fight with a full power meter and one power meter refill in reserve that is activated when the primary meter is depleted. There are no rounds. The fight runs until one fighter is knocked out (no more power in their meter), one is knocked out of the arena (or steps/jumps out), or the time runs out. As the game progresses, the player gains access to two additional "levels" for the character, which unlocks new moves and gives the character a new appearance.

In a galaxy named Hyporia, two alien races, the Nezom and Zerai clans obtained a powerful crystalline stone called "The Relic", and anointed themselves "The Chosen Ones". The Chosen Ones used this power to subjugate the other races, exterminating those that failed to comply. After this era of war, The Chosen Ones began to enjoy a new age of peace. However, The Relic was stolen and The Chosen Ones' power was shaken. Now, warriors from all over the universe seek the relic, each with their own ambitions. Characters are: • Dayton Trent, a man hired by The Chosen Ones to find The Relic • Delara Zerai, a young woman from the Zerai clan seeking vengeance on the one who stole the Relic • Demonica, a mysterious creature from an alternate universe, it is unknown why she is after the Relic • Sgt. Exene Dulait, a woman who seeks the Relic for its mystical powers in order to put an end to wars on her planet • Gorm, a green lizard-like character from a dying race called Dorlons, believing that the Relic is the birthstone of their race • S.I.D., standing for Sentient Integrated Droids, a robot whose goal is to destroy carbon based life forms • Sonork Nezom, who killed his brother in an opportunity to become leader of The Chosen Ones • Yenji, a ninja-like lady who witnessed the death of her family during war, coming back for vengeance against The Chosen Ones • Emperor, Criticom 's final boss; he had stolen the Relic and used its mystic powers for his own advantage

Criticom initially had a comic book character license and Sony Computer Entertainment as its publisher. As the game neared the end of the design phase, Sony took the license from Kronos Digital Entertainment and give it to one of their European subsidiaries. Rather than completely abandon their design work, Kronos opted to create new characters and shop the game concept to other publishers. Kronos president Stan Liu recounted: The Sega Saturn version was ported by Point of View.

Kronos Digital Entertainment's next fighting game, Dark Rift, was originally announced under the title "Criticom II", and includes the character Demonica and Sonork from Criticom.