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Viewtiful Joe is a video game series developed by Capcom. The first game was developed exclusively for the GameCube in 2003, but was ported to the PlayStation 2 in 2004 after Nintendo made a deal with Capcom to make Resident Evil 4 a GameCube exclusive. The Japanese PlayStation 2 release is titled Viewtiful Joe: A New Hope (a reference to the movie Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope). Viewtiful Joe 2 was released for both the GameCube and PlayStation 2 in November 2004. An Anime version of the game has currently aired.
While Joe and his girlfriend Silvia are watching a henshin drama during a date, Silvia is kidnapped by the movie's antagonist and taken into the world of the movies, Movieland. Joe is able to follow Silvia after being picked up and taken into Movieland by Captain Blue, the movie's protagonist, who has taken the form of a giant robot. Inside the movie, Joe must rescue Silvia from the evil Jadow, the game's network of villains. To help him, Captain Blue entrusts him with a V-Watch, telling Joe to transform into Viewtiful Joe upon saying "Henshin", but Joe made it into his personal catchphrase, "Henshin a go-go, baby!"
Gameplay
Viewtiful Joe's gameplay is very unique and draws inspiration from classic side-scrolling brawlers such as River City Ransom and Double Dragon. Joe has three 'VFX' {Visual Effects} powers, which are designed to emulate camera tricks seen in movies such as The Matrix:
- Slow causes all of Joe's attacks to be more powerful, as well as increasing his reflexes and giving him the ability to dodge most attacks.
- Mach speed allows Joe to run at incredible speed and can cause his attacks to light a foe on fire.
- Zoom gives Joe access to a new group of attacks and will power up his normal attacks.
All of these are used in combat and to solve the game's puzzles.
Joe has a VFX meter which empties as he uses his powers. If it runs out, Joe reverts to his normal state until the first bar of the meter refills. In his normal state, Joe takes double damage, has weaker attacks, and loses the double jump ability.
Cast
Joe: The hero, a superhero fanboy who gets to live his dream as Viewtiful Joe while he saves Silvia from the Jadow.
Silvia: The heroine, she was abducted by the Jadow for their evil plan to succeed. She teams up with Joe in the sequel.
Captain Blue: Joe's idol/guru and the one who gave Joe the V-Watch.
Alastor: A agent of the Jadow, code-name "Black Thunder". He considers himself Joe's rival.
Charles the 3rd: A bat-like agent of the Jadow, codenamed "Dark Fiend".
Hulk Davidson: A dino-like agent of the Jadow, codenamed "Steel Ogre". He scarred Capt. Blue during previous battle they had. Weilds a Battle axe.
Gran Bruce: A shark-like agent of the Jadow, codenamed "Deepsea Terror". Never finishes his sentences.
Playable characters
In addition to Joe, the game has several other playable characters:
- Silvia – unlocked by clearing Adult mode
- Alastor – unlocked by clearing V-Rated mode
- Captain Blue – unlocked by clearing Ultra V-Rated mode
- Dante Sparda – unlocked only in PlayStation 2 version by playing any mode
Each extra character has special strengths and weaknesses: Silvia has extreme speed, but takes double damage. Alastor has the strongest attacks, has the ability to double jump in normal mode, and can use any VFX powers without deplenishing his meter. However, being in Viewtiful mode causes an auto drain effect on his meter. Captain Blue has the highest jump and the ability to run in the air, but cannot double jump and cannot see the skulls that indicate where an attack is about to go.
Announced
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