Bio F.R.E.A.K.S.

Bio F.R.E.A.K.S. is a 3D fighting video game released by Midway in 1998. It was originally planned for arcades.^[4] Prototypes of the game were tested at arcades, but the final arcade release was canceled (although a ROM image of the prototype was eventually dumped and works in MAME) and the game was later released for the PlayStation, Nintendo 64 and Microsoft Windows.

Bio F.R.E.A.K.S.
North American Nintendo 64 cover art
Developer(s)	Midway Studios San Diego[a]
Publisher(s)	NA: Midway PAL: GT Interactive
Director(s)	Dave Simon
Producer(s)	Michael Gollieb
Designer(s)	Dave Simon
Programmer(s)	Dave Wagner
Composer(s)	Aubrey Hodges[citation needed]
Platform(s)	PlayStation, Nintendo 64, Windows
Release	NA: May 19, 1998[2][3] PAL: September 1998 Windows NA: August 1998
Genre(s)	Fighting
Mode(s)	Single player, multiplayer

Plot

In the near future, rapid advances in technology and bio-engineering in the United States lead to massive conflict and espionage between giant corporations known as "GI-Corps". The resulting conflict, known as the Techno-Industrial Civil Wars, tears the country apart and causes the economy to collapse, with states declaring federal independence to avoid being annexed by one of the GI-Corps. The resulting government bankruptcy and ongoing takeover by the GI-Corps lead to the rise of the new region of Neo-Amerika.

To prevent further conflict and hopefully reunite America, the Secret Games Commission (SGC) is formed, working with the remaining members of government to organize a fighting tournament to settle disputes between GI-Corps. In the tournament, each GI-Corp would choose a champion to represent them, with the winner's GI-Corp gaining ownership of all of the loser's states, ultimately deciding which GI-Corp gets to control all of Neo-Amerika. The plan is put into place, leading to the creation of Biological Flying Robotic Enhanced Armored Killing Synthoids (Bio F.R.E.A.K.S.) serving as the champions for each participating GI-Corp. However, several of the Freaks resent being controlled by GI-Corps, and begin forming an underground resistance movement to earn their equal rights.

Gameplay

The game uses a fully polygonal fighting engine, with 8 different fighters, and 2 boss fighters.

Bio F.R.E.A.K.S. uses a mix of hand-to-hand and long range combat. Each character has an assortment of special attacks, both close and long range, as well as "finishing attacks". Much like the Fatalities of the Mortal Kombat games, these moves can execute the player's opponents while some, like in Time Killers, will remove limbs. Damage from powerful attacks can add up, causing a limb to be destroyed as well.

The game takes place in 3D fighting arenas. Emphasis was placed on mobility, giving dashes a great range and in multiple directions.

The face buttons are assigned to specific limbs. The shoulder buttons are used for dodging, flying, and basic long range attacks.

Reception

Aggregate score

Aggregator	Score
	N64	PC	PS
GameRankings	68%[5]	N/A	61%[6]

Review scores

Publication	Score
	N64	PC	PS
AllGame	N/A	[7]	[8]
Electronic Gaming Monthly	N/A	N/A	4.5/10[9][b]
Game Informer	4.5/10[10]	N/A	3.5/10[11]
GameFan	72%[12][c]	N/A	53%[13][d]
GamePro	[14][e]	N/A	[15][f]
GameRevolution	B−[16]	N/A	B−[17]
GameSpot	6/10[18]	N/A	5.7/10[19]
Hyper	74%[20]	N/A	69%[21]
IGN	6.4/10[22]	4/10[23]	6.5/10[24]
N64 Magazine	76%[25][26]	N/A	N/A
Nintendo Power	7.8/10[27]	N/A	N/A
Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine	N/A	N/A	[28]
PC Gamer (US)	N/A	79%[29]	N/A

Reception

The Nintendo and PlayStation versions received mixed or average reviews according to the review aggregation website GameRankings.^[5][6]

Notes

1. Nintendo 64 version developed by Saffire.^[1]
2. Four critics of Electronic Gaming Monthly gave the PlayStation version each a score of 5.5/10, 3/10, 5/10, and 4/10.
3. Three critics of GameFan gave the Nintendo 64 version each a score of 70, 78, and 69.
4. Three critics of GameFan gave the PlayStation version each a score of 56, 54, and 49.
5. GamePro gave the Nintendo 64 version two 4/5 scores for graphics and overall fun factor, 4.5/5 for sound, and 3.5/5 for control.
6. GamePro gave the PlayStation version all four 3.5/5 scores for graphics, sound, control, and overall fun factor.