| Plasma Sword/Star Gladiator 2: Nightmare of Bilstein (PS/SG2) | |
|---|---|
| [[File:|center|300px]] | |
| Developers |
Capcom |
| Systems |
Arcade (ZN-2) |
| Sega Dreamcast JP: December 9, 1999 NA: April 2000 PAL:August 25, 2000 | |
| Online Play |
Delay-based (NullDC Bear/Flycast; both on PC) |
| Community Channels | |
Introduction
Plasma Sword: Nightmare of Bilstein, otherwise known as Star Gladiator 2: Nightmare of Bilstein in Japan (Japanese: スターグラディエイター2 ナイトメア オブ ビルシュタイン, Hepburn: Sutāguradieitā Tsū Naitomea obu Birushutain), is a 1998 weapons-based 3D fighting game developed and published by Capcom. A sequel to Star Gladiator, Plasma Sword runs on the ZN-2 arcade hardware. In 2000, it would see release on the Sega Dreamcast.
The game is similar to Soul Calibur in some respects, most notably the 3D fields, movement, and even the control scheme utilizing the same three attack buttons: A for horizontal attacks, B for vertical attacks, and K for kicks, with G being used to sidestep instead of block. However, the game is also different in many other aspects, namely its science fiction, space opera setting and other features like being able to jump normally, a burst function, special moves, a super meter, chains, the removal of ring outs, mirror characters, and more.
Story
In the epic battle of the Final Crusade that had occurred from within last year, Hayato Kanzaki had slayed the evil Dr. Edward Bilstein and brought the end of the Fourth Empire's terror and destruction throughout the entire universe. The fall of the Fourth Empire and the death of its leader were momentous occasions of last year and that it had signaled the restoration of peace and happiness, but all is not well from within the universe.
Rumors have been circulating about the unexpected return of Bilstein in a new cybernetic body, as well as the appearance of a ghost who eerily looks like Bilstein's old cybernetic body. At the same time, the Fourth Empire has taken the opportunity in rebuilding its strong forces and that the loyal members of the organization are quite determined to carry out Bilstein's evil will of eliminating those who stand in the way of their emperor's universal conquest.
Hayato, June, Saturn, and Gamof soon realize that the malevolent threat of Bilstein is far from over and that the four of them must head back into the relentless fight in order to defeat Bilstein and the Fourth Empire once and for all. However, the quartet is not alone from within their second battle as they have new friends to assist them from within the inevitable conflict, such as their former enemy turned ally Zelkin, an extremely strong Japanese military war soldier named Gantetsu, a noble and aspiring young American modern-day superhero with a bird motif named Eagle, and a mysterious yet cheerful young Japanese rhythmic gymnast named Ele. Hayato and his friends will find themselves heading back into the hard ordeal as Star Gladiators, Fourth Empire members, and neutral parties will be thrust into a war that will determine the fate of not only the Earth, but the entire universe.
The Nightmare of Bilstein has now begun.
