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''Vampire Savior'', also known as ''Darkstalkers 3'', is a
fighting game A fighting game, also known as a versus fighting game, is a video game genre, genre of video game that involves combat between two or more players. Fighting game combat often features mechanics such as Blocking (martial arts), blocking, grappli ...
developed and published by
Capcom is a Japanese video game developer and video game publisher, publisher. It has created a number of List of best-selling video game franchises, multi-million-selling game franchises, with its most commercially successful being ''Resident Evil' ...
for arcades in 1997. It is the third game in the '' Darkstalkers'' series. The story centers around a demonic nobleman from Makai named
Jedah Dohma is a fictional Boss (video gaming), boss character from the ''Darkstalkers'' fighting game franchise by Capcom. Serving as the main antagonist of the 1997 third installment of the series, ''Darkstalkers 3'' (''Vampire Savior: The Lord of Vampir ...
, who creates a pocket dimension named Majigen where he tries to bring in souls to help nourish his new world. It was critically and commercially well-received. Updated arcade versions with modified character rosters were released the same year in Japan, titled ''Vampire Hunter 2'' and ''Vampire Savior 2''. Home console ports, also with unique character rosters, were released for the
Sega Saturn The is a home video game console developed by Sega and released on November 22, 1994, in Japan, May 11, 1995, in North America, and July 8, 1995, in Europe. Part of the fifth generation of video game consoles, it was the successor to the succ ...
in Japan and the
PlayStation is a video gaming brand that consists of five home video game consoles, two handhelds, a media center, and a smartphone, as well as an online service and multiple magazines. The brand is produced by Sony Interactive Entertainment, a divisi ...
worldwide in 1998.


Gameplay

The game retains the character roster of '' Darkstalkers: The Night Warriors'', omitting Donovan, Huitzil and Pyron from the lineup. Taking their place are four new characters: Jedah,
Lilith Lilith ( ; he, Wiktionary:לילית, לִילִית, Līlīṯ) is a female figure in Mesopotamian Mythology, Mesopotamian and Jewish mythology, Judaic mythology, alternatively the first wife of Adam and supposedly the primordial she-demon. ...
,
Q-Bee This is a list of characters from Capcom's '' Darkstalkers'' fighting game series and animated-media franchise, who are either based on various iconic literary and cinematic monsters, or inspired by international mythology and fairy tales. The ...
and B. B. Hood. It also features a secret character/mode, Shadow, where the player assumes the identity of the defeated character for the next fight (e.g. if Morrigan is defeated, in the next fight the player will play as Morrigan). ''Vampire Savior'' eschews the traditional round-based system in favor of what is dubbed the "Damage Gauge System": battles take place during a single round, with each fighter having two life bars and corresponding life markers similar to those in Rare's ''
Killer Instinct ''Killer Instinct'' is a series of fighting video games originally created by Rare and published by Midway, Nintendo, and Microsoft Studios. The original ''Killer Instinct'' was released for arcades in 1994; the game was then released for t ...
''. When one fighter loses a life marker after the life bar is emptied, the fighters reset their positions as if starting a new round, but the victorious fighter retains their remaining life bar. When the player is attacked, some of the health lost is displayed in white, which can be recovered if the player doesn't take any more damage. The game also introduces the "Dark Force System" which uses a bar or super meter to allow players to perform special abilities unique to each character for a limited period. The PlayStation version separates Dark Force into 2 modes from which the player chooses before each match: "Dark Force Change" is the same as the traditional Dark Force mode, whereas "Dark Force Power" is an enhanced mode that takes 2 bars of the super meter and the player can inflict damage that is not recoverable (but will also take non-recoverable damage). In Dark Force Power, the player can still activate their special enhancement, but they have to press a unique button combination rather than it being tied to whether or not the player is in Dark Force mode.


Plot

Jedah Dohma, one of the high nobles of Makai, is resurrected after a premature death long ago. Seeing the current chaotic state of the demon world, he decides that the only way to save Makai is to recreate it. To this end, he conjures a pocket dimension known as Majigen, to which he summons worthy souls to help feed his new world. As luck would have it, those souls belong to the returning Darkstalkers from the first two games, in addition to three newcomers.


Release

''Vampire Savior'' was first released in Japanese arcades in 1997 as ''Vampire Savior: The Lord of Vampire''. The game was originally planned to be released as ''Darkstalkers: Jedah's Damnation'' outside of Japan, but this title was never used; the Japanese arcade title was instead changed to ''Vampire Savior: World of Darkness'' in the U.S.


Updates

and are two simultaneously released updated versions of ''Vampire Savior'' that were released exclusively in Japan only a few months after the release of the original ''Vampire Savior''. Along with minor tweaks and changes to the characters' move lists, and the combo system (removal of air chains) the main difference between the two upgrades and the original ''Vampire Savior'' are in its character roster. ''Vampire Hunter 2'' features the same character roster and soundtrack as ''Night Warriors'' (which was known as ''Vampire Hunter'' in Japan), omitting the characters introduced in ''Vampire Savior'', while ''Vampire Savior 2'' features the ''Vampire Savior'' cast along with Donovan, Huitzil and Pyron, omitting
Jon Talbain This is a list of characters from Capcom's '' Darkstalkers'' fighting game series and animated-media franchise, who are either based on various iconic literary and cinematic monsters, or inspired by international mythology and fairy tales. The gr ...
(as well as Dark Talbain), Rikuo and
Sasquatch Bigfoot, also commonly referred to as Sasquatch, is a purported ape-like creature said to inhabit the forest of North America. Many dubious articles have been offered in attempts to prove the existence of Bigfoot, including Anecdotal evidence, ...
. Both versions feature Oboro Bishamon and Shadow as secret characters, as well as Marionette, with which the fights consist of "mirror matches" (e.g. Morrigan vs Morrigan,
Demitri Demetrius is the Latinized form of the Ancient Greek male given name ''Dēmḗtrios'' (), meaning “Demetris” - "devoted to goddess Demeter". Alternate forms include Demetrios, Dimitrios, Dimitris, Dmytro, Dimitri, Dimitrie, Dimitar, Dumi ...
vs Demitri). ''Vampire Hunter 2'' also retains the music from the original ''Vampire Hunter'', while ''Vampire Savior 2'' uses the music from the original ''Vampire Savior''.


Home versions

A
Sega Saturn The is a home video game console developed by Sega and released on November 22, 1994, in Japan, May 11, 1995, in North America, and July 8, 1995, in Europe. Part of the fifth generation of video game consoles, it was the successor to the succ ...
version was released in Japan only in 1998, which required Capcom's 4MB RAM cartridge. Capcom initially announced that the home version would be exclusive to the Saturn. This version contains all 15 characters from the original ''Vampire Savior'' as well as the three ''Night Warriors'' characters (Donovan, Huitzil, and Pyron) who were left out of the original arcade release and brought back in ''Vampire Savior 2''/''Vampire Hunter 2''. Thanks to the 4MB RAM cartridge, this version more faithfully reproduces the 2D-animation fluidity of the arcade than either of the earlier console releases in the series. However, while Shadow is available in the Saturn version, Marionette is not. Also in 1998, an update of the game was ported for the
PlayStation is a video gaming brand that consists of five home video game consoles, two handhelds, a media center, and a smartphone, as well as an online service and multiple magazines. The brand is produced by Sony Interactive Entertainment, a divisi ...
as ''Vampire Savior: EX Edition'' in Japan and ''Darkstalkers 3'' in North America and Europe. Although it is an EX version of the third canon game in the series, it is actually a compilation of ''Vampire Savior'' and its two Japan-only arcade updates. This version allows players to use all 18 Night Warriors and the two "hidden characters" (Shadow and Marionette) in all three games. It also features Oboro Bishamon and Dark Talbain as playable characters. The game was included in '' Vampire: Darkstalkers Collection'', a compilation of all five ''Darkstalkers'' arcade games that were released in Japan only for the
PlayStation 2 The PlayStation 2 (PS2) is a home video game console developed and marketed by Sony Computer Entertainment. It was first released in Japan on 4 March 2000, in North America on 26 October 2000, in Europe on 24 November 2000, and in Australia on 3 ...
in 2005. The collection also features unlockable secret versions of ''Vampire Savior'', ''Vampire Hunter 2'' and ''Vampire Savior 2'' where all 18 Night Warriors are playable similar to the Playstation's EX Edition. In 2012, the
ESRB The Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) is a self-regulatory organization that assigns age and content ratings to consumer video games in the United States and Canada. The ESRB was established in 1994 by the Entertainment Software Asso ...
administered a Teen rating for ''Darkstalkers 3'' as a PSone Classic for the
PlayStation 3 The PlayStation 3 (PS3) is a home video game console developed by Sony Interactive Entertainment, Sony Computer Entertainment. The successor to the PlayStation 2, it is part of the PlayStation brand of consoles. It was first released on Novemb ...
and
PlayStation Vita The PlayStation Vita (PS Vita, or Vita) is a handheld video game console developed and marketed by Sony Interactive Entertainment. It was first released in Japan on December 17, 2011, and in North America, Europe, and other international territo ...
. The game was released through
PlayStation Network PlayStation Network (PSN) is a digital media entertainment service provided by Sony Interactive Entertainment. Launched in November 2006, PSN was originally conceived for the PlayStation video game consoles, but soon extended to encompass smartp ...
on April 24, 2012. It was also included in a remastered form as part of the HD remix game ''
Darkstalkers Resurrection ''Darkstalkers Resurrection'' is a 2013 video game developed by Iron Galaxy Studios and published by Capcom. It is a compilation of Capcom's two classic 2D fighting games in the '' Darkstalkers'' series, '' Night Warriors: Darkstalkers' Revenge'' ...
'' for the PlayStation Network and
Xbox Live Arcade Xbox Live Arcade (XBLA) is a digital video game download service available through the Xbox Games Store, Microsoft's digital distribution network for the Xbox 360. It focuses on smaller downloadable games from both major publishers and independent ...
. Unlike the previous release for this game on the PSN, which used the PS1 version, the remastered edition is based on the original arcade release with added features like online multiplayer. In 2022, the ''
Capcom Fighting Collection ''Capcom Fighting Collection'' is a fighting game compilation by Capcom in celebration of the ''Street Fighter'' series' 35th anniversary. The collection includes arcade versions of ten fighting games originally released by Capcom between 1994 and ...
'' will include ''Vampire Savior'', ''Vampire Hunter 2'' and ''Vampire Savior 2'' for the first time internationally as separate entries when the game releases on
PlayStation 4 The PlayStation 4 (PS4) is a home video game console developed by Sony Interactive Entertainment. Announced as the successor to the PlayStation 3 in February 2013, it was launched on November 15, 2013, in North America, November 29, 2013 in ...
,
Xbox One The Xbox One is a home video game console developed by Microsoft. Announced in May 2013, it is the successor to Xbox 360 and the third base console in the Xbox series of video game consoles. It was first released in North America, parts of ...
,
Nintendo Switch The is a hybrid video game console developed by Nintendo and released worldwide in most regions on March 3, 2017. The console itself is a Tablet computer#Gaming tablet, tablet that can either be docking station, docked for use as a home video ...
, and PC on June 24, 2022, with the same HD features and Online Play features as ''Darkstalkers Resurrection''. Also Fighting Collection censors a secret ending.


Media

Several licensed tie-ins were released for the game in Japan: *Books **''Vampire Savior Graphical Manual Kiso Chishiki Hen'' () (Vol. 77) and ''Vampire Savior Technical Manual Jissen Katsuyō Hen'' () (Vol. 89), two ''Gamest Mook'' ("magazine book") guide/art books published by Shinseisha. **''All About Vampire Savior'' (), a guide/art book published by Dempa Shimbunsha. **''Vampire Savior Kōshiki Guide Book'' (), a guide book written by ''
Famitsu formerly ''Famicom Tsūshin'', is a line of Japanese video game magazines published by Kadokawa Game Linkage (previously known as Gzbrain), a subsidiary of Kadokawa. ''Famitsu'' is published in both weekly and monthly formats as well as in the fo ...
'' staff and published by
ASCII ASCII ( ), abbreviated from American Standard Code for Information Interchange, is a character encoding standard for electronic communication. ASCII codes represent text in computers, telecommunications equipment, and other devices. Because of ...
. **''Vampire Savior Perfect Guide'' (), a ''Sega Saturn Magazine'' guide book published by
SoftBank is a Japanese multinational conglomerate holding company headquartered in Minato, Tokyo which focuses on investment management. The Group primarily invests in companies operating in technology, energy, and financial sectors. It also runs the ...
. **''Vampire Savior Fan Book'', the ''Gamest Mook'' Vol. 88 that is part of the "World Series" (Vol. 5) that deals more with games' settings, aesthetics, and behind-the-scenes info than the gameplay. **''Vampire: Night Warrior Taizen'', a book that covers every game in the 1990s series (including ''Vampire Hunter 2'' and'' Vampire Savior 2''). *Comic books **''The Dark Lord'' and ''Where Souls Return To'', a two-part novel written by Akihiko Ureshino and published by Gamest. **''Vampire Savior: Child of the Lost Soul'', a five-volume manga series authored by
Mayumi Azuma is a Japanese manga artist, who is the creator of the now completed manga ''Elemental Gelade'', which finished with eighteen volumes and was adapted into a 26-episode anime television series, and its ongoing spinoff manga ''Elemental Gelade: Fl ...
and published by
Gangan Comics is a manga imprint owned by Square Enix Holdings. It originated as a manga imprint for Enix before the company re-branded as Square Enix. It publishes manga in several anthologies aimed at different reader demographic groups in the Japanese mar ...
. It stars Lilith and an original character, John Stately. **''Vampire Savior Comic Anthology'' () and ''Vampire Savior Comic Anthology Vol.2'' (), two manga strip compilations by various artists, published by Shinseisha in the Gamest Comics series. **''Vampire Savior'', a manga anthology in the Shounen Oh Comics series by Hinotama Game Comics. **''Vampire Savior'', a manga anthology published by
Enix was a Japanese video game publisher that produced video games, anime and manga. Enix is known for publishing the ''Dragon Quest'' series of role-playing video games. The company was founded by Yasuhiro Fukushima on September 22, 1975, as . Th ...
as part of their Hyper G Comic Anthology series. **''Vampire Savior'', a manga anthology published by
Movic is a Japanese company which specializes in the publication of trading cards, figures, CDs, and other general media related to the anime industry. Movic is a part of the Animate group. Anime involved in *'' Ah! My Goddess: The Movie'': Producti ...
. **''Vampire Savior 4-Koma Ketteiban'' (), a two-volume Gamest
yonkoma , a comic strip format, generally consists of gag comic strips within four panels of equal size ordered from top to bottom. They also sometimes run right-to-left horizontally or use a hybrid 2×2 style, depending on the layout requirements of ...
manga compilation by various artists, published by Shinseisha. **''Vampire Savior'', a yonkoma manga published by Hinotama Game Comics as part of their 4-Koma Gag Battle series. **''Vampire Savior 4Coma Comic'', a yonkoma manga published by Movic in their G Collection series. **''Vampire Savior'', a yonkoma manga published by Enix in their 4-Koma Manga Theater series. *Other **''Vampire Savior: The Lord of Vampire Capcom Game Soundtrack'' (VICL-60098~9), a 2-CD soundtrack released by
Victor Entertainment , also known as in Japan, is a subsidiary of JVCKenwood that produces and distributes music, movies and other entertainment products such as anime and television shows in Japan. It is known as JVC Entertainment in countries where Sony Music Ent ...
. **''Vampire Another Selection ~The Unreleased Takes~'' (CFCL-0001), a soundtrack CD released by
Suleputer Suleputer (セルピュータ) is a record label the Japanese game development company Capcom uses for its releases. Its name derives from the full name of Capcom: "(CAP)(''SULE'') (COM)(''PUTER'')(S)". Discography * Biohazard 2 ReMIX ~met@morPhos ...
. In the United States, an English-language strategy guide was published by
GameFan ''GameFan'' (originally known as ''Diehard GameFan'') was a publication started by Tim Lindquist, Greg Off, George Weising. and Dave Halverson in September 1992 that provided coverage of domestic and import video games. It was notable for its ex ...
Books (), with the guide using the unused ''Darkstalkers: Jedah's Damnation'' title.


Reception

''Vampire Savior'' was positively received. In Japan, ''Game Machine'' listed ''Vampire Savior'' on their June 15, 1997 issue as being the second most-successful arcade game of the month. ''Game Machine'' also listed ''Vampire Savior II'' on their November 15, 1997 issue as being the tenth most-successful arcade game of the month. '' Next Generation'' reviewed the arcade version of the game, stating that "the game has its moments, but this series has so far reached its zenith in ''NightStalkers''. ''DS3'' is more of the same - it's fun, but nothing special." ''
GamePro Gamepro.com is an international multiplatform video game magazine media company that covers the video game industry, video game hardware and video game software in countries such as Germany and France. The publication, GamePro, was originally la ...
'' echoed these two conclusions, but in reverse priority: "... ''Vampire Savior'' is more of the same 2D fighting-game formula Capcom's been churning out for years. Despite this fact, however, the latest ''Darkstalkers'' entry holds up beautifully." They gave it a 4.5 out of 5 for fun factor and control, and a perfect 5.0 for sound and graphics. Both ''Next Generation'' and ''GamePro'' praised the game's smooth animation and striking special moves. ''
GameSpot ''GameSpot'' is an American video gaming website that provides news, reviews, previews, downloads, and other information on video games. The site was launched on May 1, 1996, created by Pete Deemer, Vince Broady and Jon Epstein. In addition ...
''s
Jeff Gerstmann Jeff Gerstmann (born August 1, 1975) is an American video game journalist. Former editorial director of the gaming website ''GameSpot'' and the co-founder/editor of the gaming website ''Giant Bomb'', Gerstmann began working at ''GameSpot'' in th ...
hailed it as "easily the best fighter Capcom has put out in years" and noted it is "very well animated," even on the PlayStation, and "has an excellent soundtrack, and the character voices are all terrific." ''
IGN ''IGN'' (formerly ''Imagine Games Network'') is an American video game and entertainment media website operated by IGN Entertainment Inc., a subsidiary of Ziff Davis, Inc. The company's headquarters is located in San Francisco's SoMa distri ...
''s Randy Nelson described the "surprisingly fluid and animated" as well as "fast, fun, and surprisingly balanced" ''Darkstalkers 3'' as "an exceptional effort from Capcom on a gameplay and technical front" and one of the best 2D fighting games on the PlayStation. Retrospectively, ''
GamesRadar ''GamesRadar+'' (formerly ''GamesRadar'') is an entertainment website for video game-related news, previews, and reviews. It is owned by Future plc. In late 2014, Future Publishing-owned sites ''Total Film'', '' SFX'', ''Edge'' and '' Computer ...
''s Lucas Sullivan included ''Darkstalkers 3'' among other lesser-known fighting game classics deserving HD
remake A remake is a film, television series, video game, song or similar form of entertainment that is based upon and retells the story of an earlier production in the same medium—e.g., a "new version of an existing film". A remake tells the same ...
s in 2012, stating that "the game’s crisp spritework is a marvel to behold – especially in the backgrounds, which convey the kind of creepy atmosphere that complements the supernatural fighters perfectly." Matt Edwards of ''
Eurogamer ''Eurogamer'' is a British video game journalism website launched in 1999 and owned by alongside formed company Gamer Network. Its editor-in-chief is Martin Robinson. Since 2008, it is known for the formerly eponymous games trade fair EGX ...
'' opined that "playing it today
n 2013 N, or n, is the fourteenth letter in the Latin alphabet, used in the modern English alphabet, the alphabets of other western European languages and others worldwide. Its name in English is ''en'' (pronounced ), plural ''ens''. History ...
is akin to playing '' Third Strike'' - not because these games are mechanically similar, but because Capcom tends to go the full distance with the second sequel."


Notes


References


External links


''Darkstalkers 3''
at
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''Darkstalkers 3''
at
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{{Darkstalkers series 1997 video games Arcade video games Cancelled Nintendo 64 games CP System II games Darkstalkers video games Fighting games 2D fighting games PlayStation (console) games PlayStation Network games Sega Saturn games NESiCAxLive games Video game sequels Video games developed in Japan Video games adapted into comics Video games scored by Masato Kouda Video games scored by Tetsuya Shibata Video games with AI-versus-AI modes Virgin Interactive games Multiplayer and single-player video games