Destrega

Download Destrega and engage in intense magical combat! Master a unique fighting system, unleash devastating spells, and become the ultimate spellcaster. Prepare for battle and play now!
a game by Omega Force
Platform: Playstation (1998)
Editor Rating: 7.2/10, based on 5 reviews
User Rating: 8.0/10 - 2 votes
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See also: Download Fighting Games

Destrega, from the developers of Dynasty Warriors, aspires to take 3D fighting games to new heights; and, in many ways, it succeeds brilliantly. There are more nooks and crannies to explore in this game than in five of your average fighters combined!

Technically Tight

Destrega pits you against a single opponent in a wide-open environment as you hurl projectiles at each other or square off in dose-range hand-to-hand combat The fluid, lifelike combatants are complemented by nicely detailed landscapes that become factors in your strategy, given that projectiles can be foiled by hills, structures, or distance can be foiled by hills, structures, or distance.

The energetic sound effects also serve as a strategic element because you can tell which projectile a character is about to throw by their grunt. Although the block maneuver is difficult to execute and the crossovers between throws and punches can get frustrating, Destrega's a very exciting, strategy-heavy challenge that goes far beyond button slapping and combos.

Phenomenal Features

With training, endurance, team battle, solo battle, versus, and story modes, Destrega has more than enough depth and adversity to satisfy the pickiest brawler.You won't find as many hidden goodies and characters in this game, however, as in Tekken 3 or even Star Wars: Masters ofTeriis Kiisi. Moreover, the game has neither character endings nor bosses--but Destrega's sum of its parts isn't less than its competitors, it's simply different.

Cinematic Bliss

The awe-inspiring highlight of Destrega is its incredible story mode. Using a Resident Evil-style graphics engine, the game's story unfolds what feels like an entire movie, interlocking a series of battles.Through this method, each character has far more depth and personality than your average Mortal-Street-Tekken Kombatant-Fighter-Guy, and you get a palpable sense of die progressing scenario, rather than some lame excuse for a fighting tournament Developers could learn a lot from Destrega's story mode--it's the future of console-based fighting games.

To sum up, Destrega's sheer ambition pulls it above its weaknesses to make it one of the most unique, exciting, and challenging PlayStation fighters on the market--the story mode alone makes the game a must-play. Next time you check out a big-name fighting sequel, think back to Destrega's features and imagine what the developers could have done.

ProTips:

  • The key to the endurance mode Is a constant barrage of weak attacks-don't let your enemy get off a blow. The faster you defeat them, the more strength you'll regain between rounds.
  • Height is always an advantage. Stick to higher ground and leap to attack from above.
  • Timing the switch from projectile to hand-to-hand is very difficult. Don't charge a projectile as you approach your enemy.
  • Once you finish the battle mode with any player, choose that character again on the Select screen with the Start button, and you'll get their alternate costume.
  • Learn to use obstacles, like this stone wall, to your advantage. Hide and then poke out lust as you're about to unleash a projectile

Graphics

From die lighting effects of long-range projectiles to the fluid character movement in close quarters. Destrega's got die graphical goods. Environments run from sparse to heavily detailed, but a bit more color variety would've gone a long way.

Control

While its controls are generally solid. De-strega's only serious weakness is the confusion when transitioning between hand-to-hand fighting and projectile throwing. You're left high and dry when charging up, while your opponent breaks out the ol' knuckles and toes on your sorry butt.

Sound

From the taunts to the mediocre voice acting, Destrega does a fine imitation of Tekken 3--but what's elevator music doing in a tense fighting game?

Fun Factor

An awesome 3D fighter. Destrega packs in a good amount of strategy by making the environment a real factor in batde. In addition, the plethora of modes makes replayability high, and the story mode rocks.

Download Destrega

Playstation

System requirements:

  • PC compatible
  • Operating systems: Windows 10/Windows 8/Windows 7/2000/Vista/WinXP

Game Reviews

Destrega pounces the PlayStation with a unique action/fighting style unlike any game currently on the market. Featuring fast-paced one-on-one 3D battles, Destrega gives you full freedom of movement to run around each stage punching, kicking, and using magic attacks to blast your opponent. Stages are multilayered and actually come into play during fights, as players can stand on hills for better protection or hide behind rocks. Destrega also includes 12 characters and 12 stages, along with Story, Endurance, Practice, and Team Battle modes. Fighting game fans (especially those who dig the Bushido Blade series) should definitely keep their fists warm for this one.

People say:

8

Even from its early stages I knew Destrega was something special...or at least something different from most 3D fighters that come out and get lost on store shelves and in discount bins. What strikes me as the most interesting and winning feature is being able to fight at every point in a battle, no matter where you are in relation to your opponent-even with the arenas being as big as they are. Consequently, this allows for some real strategy if you're willing to take the time to learn Destrega's unique fighting/magic system. And if you do take the time, chances are you'll appreciate the game that much more, and get more out of it. Destrega isn't without flaws, mind you, but it's very solid. But since we're on the subject of flaws, I should point out a couple. First, the voices plain suck. Talk about overacting and poor casting...even when the characters grunt! Luckily, the story is strong and holds up through the lame acting. I also thought the fighting in the Story Mode was a bit repetitious and dragged on at times--in part because of the acting. Be aware of a few graphical glitches that pop up every now and again, too. Overall, Destrega will end up being a sleeper hit even with its minor flaws. On a final note, be sure to listen closely to Rohzen in the Story Mode--he sounds like Tom Brokaw.

7

Destrega seems rather simplistic at first, but once you get accustomed to the game's controls, you'll find that there's actually a lot of depth to the fighting system. There are plenty of single-player modes to keep you busy (Story Mode is a must at least once, just to hear the cheesy dialogue), and two-player fights are surprisingly fun. The up-close fighting could've used some more polish, but it's hardly worth complaining about.

8

Koei surprised me once with Dynasty Warriors, and now they've surprised me again with another decent fighting game with a totally different style of play. Destrega plays like a solid combination of Ehrgeiz, Unholy War and Psychic Force. The fighting engine is fairly simple and straightforward...perhaps too much so (you won't see the deep game-play and strategy found in most other fighters, including Dynasty Warriors).

7

Koei is becoming a force in fighting games! Destrega borrows many elements from other fighters and even other genres and combines them into a highly enjoyable experience. The Story Mode is long and challenging although the story and dialogue are only so-so. Each character has a nice selection of attacks and has a lot of detail for a game with such rich environments. I'd love to see this series refined and expanded. A keeper.

People say:

8

Even from its early stages I knew Destrega was something special...or at least something different from most 3D fighters that come out and get lost on store shelves and in discount bins. What strikes me as the most interesting and winning feature is being able to fight at every point in a battle, no matter where you are in relation to your opponent-even with the arenas being as big as they are. Consequently, this allows for some real strategy if you're willing to take the time to learn Destrega's unique fighting/magic system. And if you do take the time, chances are you'll appreciate the game that much more, and get more out of it. Destrega isn't without flaws, mind you, but it's very solid. But since we're on the subject of flaws, I should point out a couple. First, the voices plain suck. Talk about overacting and poor casting...even when the characters grunt! Luckily, the story is strong and holds up through the lame acting. I also thought the fighting in the Story Mode was a bit repetitious and dragged on at times--in part because of the acting. Be aware of a few graphical glitches that pop up every now and again, too. Overall, Destrega will end up being a sleeper hit even with its minor flaws. On a final note, be sure to listen closely to Rohzen in the Story Mode--he sounds like Tom Brokaw.

7

Destrega seems rather simplistic at first, but once you get accustomed to the game's controls, you'll find that there's actually a lot of depth to the fighting system. There are plenty of single-player modes to keep you busy (Story Mode is a must at least once, just to hear the cheesy dialogue), and two-player fights are surprisingly fun. The up-close fighting could've used some more polish, but it's hardly worth complaining about.

8

Koei surprised me once with Dynasty Warriors, and now they've surprised me again with another decent fighting game with a totally different style of play. Destrega plays like a solid combination of Ehrgeiz, Unholy War and Psychic Force. The fighting engine is fairly simple and straightforward...perhaps too much so (you won't see the deep game-play and strategy found in most other fighters, including Dynasty Warriors).

7

Koei is becoming a force in fighting games! Destrega borrows many elements from other fighters and even other genres and combines them into a highly enjoyable experience. The Story Mode is long and challenging although the story and dialogue are only so-so. Each character has a nice selection of attacks and has a lot of detail for a game with such rich environments. I'd love to see this series refined and expanded. A keeper.

Tired of 3D fighting games that still have that 2D feel? Then get ready for Destrega from Koei--a 3D fighter that truly makes you feel like you're in a real 3D world, and not just on a flat plane out in the middle of nowhere. Koei and Omega Force brought us the surprise hit Dynasty Warriors (which is an incredible polygonal fighter by the way), and so far it looks like Destrega may surpass its predecessor.

The game opens with some kick-ass CG cinematics that easily rival those of Soul Blade. The Character Select Screen may have you thinking this is some Toshinden-type rip-off, but that couldn't be further from the truth. Except for the fairly unoriginal fighters, Destrega is a fresh 3D fighting game that has loads to offer behind its cinematics and interface.

First, within Destrega's five play modes (most of which are standard fighting game fare), there's the game's most impressive feature--the Story Mode. We haven't seen a Story Mode as seemingly complex as this in a long time, if ever. (We say seemingly because all of the dialogue in the demo Koei recently sent is in Japanese.) The story is one of mysterious magic powers, ancient civilizations, great wars, revenge and skilled fighters brought together to regain power of the land from an evil prime minister and his minions. Not only does this Story Mode give you the backgrounds behind each of the game's characters through the story of the main character Grad, it fools you into thinking you're watching a movie. Thanks to the great use of in-game graphics and sweet camera work, these cutscenes truly present you with a cinematic experience. Believe it or not, they're similar in nature to Metal Gear Solid's--although not quite as impressive as those. All of the voice work in the finished product will be in English, performed by American voice actors.

There are 12 characters (including the Bosses and other secret characters that may very well turn out to be some of the stars of Dynasty Warriors) with unique attributes. In addition, each of the characters has his/her own unique environment.

The game's graphics are as impressive as its battle system. Nice-looking animation, polygonal character and landscape models (both during gameplay and in the cutscenes) and fairly fancy effects await you.

The fighting system (in any of the modes of play) works like this: You have three magic-type attacks which can be used when you're far away from your opponent--Fast, Power and Span. Each of these attacks can beat an opponent's magic if fired at the same time, much like the game rock, paper, scissors. In Destrega's case, Fast beats Power, Power beats Span and Span beats Fast.

These magic attacks can be put together for some devastating combo action if your magic meter is charged enough, too. Since the battles can get pretty intense--which makes trying to counter a particular type of magic tough--each magic attack will be assigned a sound. That way, after learning these sounds, you can counter an enemy's magic blast more easily. Of course, it won't be too easy.

In addition to these long-range attacks, Destrega has two close-range attacks--Weak and Strong. Most combos when up-close are simple one-button types. There is also an offensive sidestep punch which players can use when in close-range combat. On the defensive side, players have a magic shield, a magic dash and a simple jump to avoid being hit by most magics, and a standard block for punches and kicks. One other cool move in Destrega is when you're being juggled by the enemy--if you you'll land on your feet and take less damage. And if things get real bad for you health-wise, you can simply run away and hide behind a barrel since the playing fields are so large.

The great thing about having both long- and close-range attacks in a true 3D fighting game like Destrega is the battles never get old. You don't have to run around after your opponent and slash when he/she is close enough. All you have to do is blast him or her with one of your magic attacks. Of course, he/she can then use a counter magic attack, and the fun keeps going. On top of this, all of the environments have obstacles you can hide behind to avoid magic.

So sometimes, your opponent has no choice but to come after you. Needless to say, Destrega has room for a lot of strategy. But don't be scared away by the seemingly complex control system and strategic battles--Destrega is still a fighting game at its core and plays like one, with intense and fast fights. And with Dual Shock support you will undoubtedly feel the every blast, punch and kick that comes your way in those fights.

Snapshots and Media

Playstation Screenshots