Soldier of Fortune - SNES

[GrandAmChandler]

Anyone know this game well? I just got it, and man it's fun. Smash TV meets Ikari Warriors. Really hard though. Very steep learning curve. Any advice? Best characters? Easier with 2 players?

[Jorpho]

That would be the game otherwise known as The Chaos Engine on the Amiga and PC, by the legendary Bitmap Brothers.

I really ought to play that sometime; I hear it's spectacular.

[Sotenga]

I've actually played the Genesis version, though I doubt there's little difference from the SNES and Amiga versions as well. But from what little I've played of it, it's damn fun, and I imagine it's an absolute blast in two-player mode. The Scientist owns you all!

[anagrama]

The Navvy's (*) always been my boy. Been a while since I played it, but I think I always teamed him up with the guy who had a healing power-up (Priest?(*)) - wade in dishing out meaty justice with the top weapons and then just pinch the CPU's power ups to regenerate.
Learn the levels, figure out where all the hidden bits are and slowly work your way through. None of the puzzles are too tricky, it's pretty logical for the main part.
I actually found it easier in 1-player - after a while you get to know what the computer drone will do, and can 'influence' him to do what you want (or occasionally draw the flak for you ;) ). Of course it can be a proper blast with an equally-skilled partner, but you have to each be able to predict what the other will do in any given situation.

Simply amazing game, it's a toss-up between this and Speedball 2 as my overall favourite Bitmap's game.

(*) Bear in mind I'm on about Chaos Engine - i've got a vaague feeling that names might have been changed for SoF.

[Sotenga]

...but I think I always teamed him up with the guy who had a healing power-up (Priest?(*))
(*) Bear in mind I'm on about Chaos Engine - i've got a vaague feeling that names might have been changed for SoF.

Hmmmmmmm... so the Scientist was originally the Priest? Makes sense... can't have any holy references to offend the mainstream crowd. Console censorship is amazing, isn't it? :P

[anagrama]

Yeah, he was a Priest in the Amiga original.
I've just checked my Mega Drive & SNES copies of Chaos Engine, and it's changed to the Scientist in both of those aswell.

[klausien]

I have never played the Amiga version, but must say that I like the Genesis version of this one leagues better than the one. The whole thing just feels tighter somehow, and the game actually looks better with the weaker Genesis color pallette.

[Snapple]

I own it, and to be honest, I'm not a fan. Some of it just seems unfairly hard.

Some enemies move really quick, and by the time they show up on the screen, you may not even have time to blast them before they get to you. I wish the camera would've zoomed out more so you got fair warning, or at least have everything move a little slower.

I only made it to like the fourth level before gaming over after a few tries, and I haven't played it since.

[it290]

I would advise you to pick a slower character for your AI partner if you're playing in one-player. That way he won't steal all your power-ups, and the slower characters can take more of a licking, as well.

Also, the game is all about hit and run tactics. You have to take a few pot shots at the enemies and then move away from their shots. Try to progress slowly so that you won't get overwhelmed with enemies. Another thing to note is that you don't always want to shoot a node as soon as you see it. Sometimes shooting a node will close off alternate paths that can lead to powerups or an alternate exit.

[GrandAmChandler]

Alternate exit huh? I will have to investigate this. I agree with the Navi / Scientist combo above, it just requires patience. As for the game being too hard, it is playable, and I like a good challenge so I am content. You are right about the unfair part though, it seems like at some points the developers WANTED you to get hit. Oh well. It's great if you find it cheap, pick it up!

[jajaja]

I got it for SNES, The Chaos Engine (PAL version/name)
Only played it for 5 min. or so, didnt think it was anything special. Its not as good as Smash TV.
Maybe if I play it more I will enjoy it more :)

[KJN]

You can find lots of info, maps, etc about Chaos Engine at this Bitmap Brothers site: http://www.gods-country.de

[anagrama]

I got it for SNES, The Chaos Engine (PAL version/name)
Only played it for 5 min. or so, didnt think it was anything special. Its not as good as Smash TV.


:roll:

The pace of the game & strategy required is totally different to Smash TV, so that's really an irrelevant comparison.
And you need a lot more than 5 minutes to properly appreciate it.

[jajaja]

I got it for SNES, The Chaos Engine (PAL version/name)
Only played it for 5 min. or so, didnt think it was anything special. Its not as good as Smash TV.


:roll:

The pace of the game & strategy required is totally different to Smash TV, so that's really an irrelevant comparison.
And you need a lot more than 5 minutes to properly appreciate it.

What do you mean with irrelevant? The thread starter mentioned Smash TV, read please :roll: I know its not like Smash TV.
I just said i liked smash TV better than The Chaos Engine because the thread starter mentioned Smash TV

[geelw]

i LOOOOVE this game. it reminded me more of a steampunk version of gauntlet LOL, and i think it would have made an interesting movie if done correctly. it would be really nice to see it show up again as a psp or home console game :hmm:

also, who's played skeleton krew on the genesis? another tough, cool sleeper, in my lil' ol' opinion...

g.

[Sotenga]

I'm bumping this because I've been thoroughly hooked to Soldiers of Fortune. For some reason, I like the Genesis version more than the SNES version, possibly because I think the Genesis version plays faster somehow. If that's not it, then I don't know why, but either one is a veritable blast to play. I haven't yet found a way to play the Amiga version yet, though, but I imagine it's not too different. The Scientist/Preacher is still my favorite of characters, and I tore ass with him and the Mercenary as my partner, getting all the way up to World 3-2 without dying! :D

A couple of questions, though:

1. What are those items on the field that look like cans? They don't add to my money... I'm sorry I can't provide an image, but does anyone know what I mean by the items that look like cans?

2. What benefit does Wisdom give you? The Gentleman and the Scientist has the advantage in this stat, so it's gotta be good for something...

Eh, I guess that's it for now.

[anagrama]

As I said before, it's been a looong time since I've properly played this, but does Wisdom maybe determine how smart the CPU drone is? Or is that a different stat (one of them certainly is).

I know what you mean by the cans aswell, but can't place what they're for right now. I'll try to dig it out over the weekend and have another blast.

[kametyken]

There's a full manual and a complete walkthrough for The Chaos Engine over at The Bitmap Brothers Tribute:
http://www.gods-country.de -> Games -> Chaos Engine -> Manual

1.Food: It comes in tins and provides extra Stamina for anyone who eats it.
2.WISDOM only applies to computer-controlled Characters as it determines their ability to play

BTW There's a Chaos Engine (Amiga version) competition over at Lemon Amiga until May 1st, if someone here is a crack in playing The Chaos Engine, feel free to join us...http://www.lemonamiga.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1077

Cheers, kmtkn

[Proclus]

This is truly a fantastic game and I'm a huge fan of it. Brilliant structure, great challenge and tremendous replay value!

Here is a review I wrote last February:

http://www.epinions.com/content_172704566916

[GrandAmChandler]

This is truly a fantastic game and I'm a huge fan of it. Brilliant structure, great challenge and tremendous replay value!

Here is a review I wrote last February:

http://www.epinions.com/content_172704566916

To the powers that be, if we do not have a review of soldier of fortune already, this is a prety good one, just needs a few screen shots!

-Chris

[Proclus]

To the powers that be, if we do not have a review of soldier of fortune already, this is a prety good one, just needs a few screen shots!

-Chris

Many thanks!

[thejackal]

I'll humbly add my small IGN review here:

http://rr.cheats.ign.com/rr/012487/002/002216.html

Soldiers of Fortune ended up being one of my favorite games, period. The digitized voices were pretty cool, and the action was always fast-paced. My major trouble was that Zophar never came up with the music for it. This is one of the soundtracks that I want the most. I imagine it might be hard to do simply because of the fact that it changes with the relative location/action of enemies. Does anybody out there know of a place to get it from or somebody to ask to make it? A while ago I came across a place to get a few files from it, but nothing so elegant as a ripped soundtrack from Zophar.

I also have the game on CD-ROM (The Chaos Engine) and IGN says it's only available for the CD32 (whatever that is). My favorite way to play is to start a 2 player game and kill off the second player completley so it's just you alone. It makes things a bit harder (especially the end boss itself!) but it also allows things to be a bit more fun (you get all of the cash, so upgrades aren't a problem). In this manner, I've beat it with all of the 6 guys (and the gentleman and doctor were real problems!) I've looked before to try to get the Chaos Engine 2 but haven't been able to find it yet.

[thejackal]

I'll humbly add my small IGN review here:

http://rr.cheats.ign.com/rr/012487/002/002216.html

Soldiers of Fortune ended up being one of my favorite games, period. The digitized voices were pretty cool, and the action was always fast-paced. My major trouble was that Zophar never came up with the music for it. This is one of the soundtracks that I want the most. I imagine it might be hard to do simply because of the fact that it changes with the relative location/action of enemies. Does anybody out there know of a place to get it from or somebody to ask to make it? A while ago I came across a place to get a few files from it, but nothing so elegant as a ripped soundtrack from Zophar.

I also have the game on CD-ROM (The Chaos Engine) and IGN says it's only available for the CD32 (whatever that is). My favorite way to play is to start a 2 player game and kill off the second player completley so it's just you alone. It makes things a bit harder (especially the end boss itself!) but it also allows things to be a bit more fun (you get all of the cash, so upgrades aren't a problem). In this manner, I've beat it with all of the 6 guys (and the gentleman and doctor were real problems!) I've looked before to try to get the Chaos Engine 2 but haven't been able to find it yet.

[thejackal]

I'll humbly add my small IGN review here:

http://rr.cheats.ign.com/rr/012487/002/002216.html

Soldiers of Fortune ended up being one of my favorite games, period. The digitized voices were pretty cool, and the action was always fast-paced. My major trouble was that Zophar never came up with the music for it. This is one of the soundtracks that I want the most. I imagine it might be hard to do simply because of the fact that it changes with the relative location/action of enemies. Does anybody out there know of a place to get it from or somebody to ask to make it? A while ago I came across a place to get a few files from it, but nothing so elegant as a ripped soundtrack from Zophar.

I also have the game on CD-ROM (The Chaos Engine) and IGN says it's only available for the CD32 (whatever that is). My favorite way to play is to start a 2 player game and kill off the second player completley so it's just you alone. It makes things a bit harder (especially the end boss itself!) but it also allows things to be a bit more fun (you get all of the cash, so upgrades aren't a problem). In this manner, I've beat it with all of the 6 guys (and the gentleman and doctor were real problems!) I've looked before to try to get the Chaos Engine 2 but haven't been able to find it yet.

[thejackal]

I'm sorry about the multiple post, everybody. Is there a way I can get rid of the duplicates?

[jajaja]

I have had this game for a while. I heard it was great before I bought it, but personaly i found it pretty boring. Not my first choice of game.

[thejackal]

jajaja, can I ask what about it you found boring? I'm just curious, really.

[Jorpho]

My major trouble was that Zophar never came up with the music for it. This is one of the soundtracks that I want the most. I imagine it might be hard to do simply because of the fact that it changes with the relative location/action of enemies. Does anybody out there know of a place to get it from or somebody to ask to make it? A while ago I came across a place to get a few files from it, but nothing so elegant as a ripped soundtrack from Zophar.

I know that it is impossible to make an SPC rip of Wario's Woods (at least, using standard methods), and it surely can't be the only game of its type.

You can test the game quickly using ZSNES. Just whack F1 at any time, select "Save SPC Data", and see if the resulting SPC file plays anything meaningful. (Some SPC players can also play directly from ZSNES savestates, which makes things even easier.)

[thejackal]

Wonder why Wario's Woods doesn't work...

I'd gladly give it a shot (trying ZNES), but I never found the ROM for SOF. Do you know anybody that can try this?

[Jorpho]

Hmm. Okay, let's see here...

Well, that was easier than I thought. Yes, it is possible to dump SPCs from Soldiers of Fortune without any insurmountable difficulties. I guess that just means that nobody has tried to do it yet for some odd reason...

[Ackman]

so which is the best version PC, snes , mega drive?

I remember playin this on PC I think all I remember is that it was really hard... and I got really pissed allot wasn't there also a VS mode IIRC?

shocktroopers arcade has to be the best kind of game like this imo.....am I rite?

[anagrama]

so which is the best version PC, snes , mega drive?


Amiga or CD32.

[jajaja]

jajaja, can I ask what about it you found boring? I'm just curious, really.

Hehe I cant really explain why :) Its a matter of taste that cant be discussed. Maybe if I played it longer I would like it more, but my first impression wasnt good.

[Kamino]

I've actually played the Genesis version, though I doubt there's little difference from the SNES and Amiga versions as well. But from what little I've played of it, it's damn fun, and I imagine it's an absolute blast in two-player mode. The Scientist owns you all!
I'm with Mike on this one. Scientist 4 life, man.
Gotta go with the mercenary for a backup, though.

[thejackal]

Jorpho, does this mean that you have (or can make) the soundtrack to Soldiers of Fortune?

[Jorpho]

Anyone can make them, even you! There are probably some who are more experienced and can thus do a better job, though - I am not one of them.

[thejackal]

I don't have the ROM for it, nor do I know of where to find them. What were you able to make?

[Jorpho]

It's surprisingly easy to find. Just Google for "Soldiers of Fortune (U) [!]" (with quotes). As I explained above, generating SPC files is fairly trivial with ZSNES; skill is only needed to time things properly. The SPC files can then be played with numerous applications (including Winamp plugins).

[thejackal]

Well, I appreciate you pointing me to the ROM. I also grabbed ZSNES (haven't used it in a long time!) I looked briefly through things and found in the F1 menu a way to rip files, but it only saves them one at a time. Definitely not the way I thought it would be done. Is there a way to do it quicker or smoother? The first one I tried to do of the title came out perfect, but the one I did for the menu after has a click in it from the menu movement. Any ideas for me?